Today for review I have the last of the Siig Wireless-N networking related products, this one is a router. The router features all the latest security, and even WPS. There’s a ton of options at the control panel for you to fiddle with if you like or you can just use the Quick Setup to be up and running in three simple steps.
Specifications:
Easily upgrade your network to 802.11n high speed wireless
Part #: CN-WR0512-S1
Features:
* Compliant with IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0, IEEE 802.11b/g standards
* Great for digital home entertainment, HD Video streaming, and VoIP
* Wider coverage and maximum throughput via MIMO technology
* Dual external antenna with 1T2R feature enhances data throughput with increased transmitting range for all compatible legacy bands (802.11 b/g)
* Special Access Point feature
Specs:
-Up to 300Mbps Data Rate
-NAT/NAPT IP Sharing
-Anti-Dos Firewall
-Supports QoS-WMM, WMM-PS, 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2
-Supports Port Triggers, DDNS (DynDNS, TZO)
-Supports PPPoE/Static IP/PPTP/DHCP
-Web User Interface (Remote Configuration)
-Supports WPS (WiFi Protected Setup)
-Supports Cisco CCX
-Dimensions:
** 7 3/8″ x 4 3/4″ x 1 1/8″ (antenna folded)
** 7 3/8″ x 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″ (antenna up)
MSRP: $79.99
Unboxing:
Well the pictures I have for you are taken after I tested it out. The reason is because I have no clue where my original pictures went to. Same stuff in the box, just not sealed in plastic bags and looking nice and fresh.
Inside you’ll find the router, software/driver disc, power supply, rubber feet and user manual.
The router is rather small and it has two antennas on it. It’s rather sleek looking really, with many cooling vents on it.
The Siig logo is on the left side with the name in the middle and then over to the left you have assorted LEDs.
On the back you’ll find four ports for the LAN and one for the WAN, then there’s the WPS button and power connection.
Installation, Performance, Comparison
Installation is easy, just power it on and hook up the cables. Sadly the router doesn’t come with cables, but I’ve got plenty of them floating around.
Let’s take a look at the interface.
The first page has options for Quick Setup Wizard, General Setup, Status Information and Tools. There are also buttons on the side that correspond to these on the side. On the top you’ll find another smaller menu up in the right corner with options for Home, General Setup, Status and Tool.
Quick Setup is just that, very quick, just enter Time Zone, Broadband Type and IP Address Info.
Under General Setup you basically input everything manually. There’s several options down the side for System, WAN, LAN, Wireless, QoS, NAT and Firewall.
Here they are expanded:
Wireless is what’s important, at least to me, I use it for many things.
Under mode you’ll find many choices for AP, Station-Infrastructure, Bridge-Point to Point, Bridge-Point to Multi-Point, Bridge-WDS and Universal Repeater. I’ve had several routers over the years and none with this many choices..
If you then hit the drop-down box for Band you’ll find B, N, B+G, G, B+G+N but there is not G+N and I can’t figure out why. I think it’s rather odd actually as to why no G+N mode.
Then here’s the security settings:
or you can use the WPS mode if you want.
Then you can enable or disable UPnP and the Firewall.
You also have Application Later Gateway controls as well.
The other day I reviewed the Siig Wireless-N PCI card.
I enabled Wireless N only on the router and re-ran the SiSoft Sandra Wireless Test.
The basic results are:
Benchmark Results
Data Bandwidth : 6MB/s
Results Interpretation : Higher index values are better.
Data Latency : 1.18ms
Results Interpretation : Lower index values are better.
Then here are the results with the router on B+G+N+
Benchmark Results
Data Bandwidth : 4.11MB/s
Results Interpretation : Higher index values are better.
Data Latency : 1ms
Results Interpretation : Lower index values are better.
As you can see there is a difference when running straight N as opposed to mixed modes.
For a further comparison here’s the results using the USB G dongle:
Benchmark Results
Data Bandwidth : 2.63MB/s
Results Interpretation : Higher index values are better.
Data Latency : 4.5ms
Results Interpretation : Lower index values are better.
So it’s more than double when going from G to N.
The router itself seems well made, it’s nice and small and very lightweight. When it’s on it doesn’t get very warm, and there’s plenty of vents on it to keep it nice and cool.
Range seems fine, I had the other computer in the other room and had no problems getting a signal. I could take my laptop to the attic of third floor of my home and still have a wi-fi signal, not wonderful but a signal and I could browse the web etc.
Conclusion:
I like the Siig router, especially the way it looks, there’s just something about it. It’s small and discreet and should fit most anywhere.
It’s easy to set up, and it seems to work fine.
Range seems fine, anywhere in my home I went I had a signal so that says something, but then again my other router did that as well.
The price is about the average price for Wireless-N routers, at least those that have all of the features this one does.
Pros:
+Lots of options
+Decent security settings
+Easy to use
+Small and discreet
Cons:
-No Ethernet cable included
Ratings
Overall: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Aesthetic: 5 out of 5
Build Quality: 5 out of 5
Disclosure: http://www.bonafidereviews.com/disclosure-policy/
