Brother HL-5250DN Refurbished Network Ready Laser Printer with Duplex Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the Brother HL-5250DN printer from Amazon for five reasons:
1) fast monochrome (black and white) printer.
2) network capability.
3) automatic duplexing (printing on both sides of the paper).
4) Enclosed paper tray.
5) Price (and the one-year manufacturer's warranty is nice, even on the refurbished product).
I also like the low toner, paper, and drum replacement indicator lights on the printer. The cost of the toner cartridges is about the same with other printers I've seen.
What comes in the box:
Printer, drum and toner assembly, AC power cord, paper Quick Setup Guide, CD-ROM. The CD-ROM has the drivers, entire Owner's Manual, and animated installation guide.
Note: No cables are provided.
If you are going to connect the printer to a wireless router, you will need an Ethernet cable.
If you are going to connect the printer directly to one computer, you will need either a USB or parallel cable. The printer has connections for both.
Setup
The setup did not go as easily as I hoped.
I had two problems with installation and setup:
1) I was not sure which network to use (peer to peer or shared).
2) After installation, I could not print from one of the two computers on the network.
After easily removing some shipping adhesive tape, inserting the drum/toner assembly (looks like a full toner cartridge, not a starter cartridge) and paper tray, I was ready to proceed with installing the software drivers.
The Quick Setup Guide presents you with choices for Windows 98/Me/2000/XP: USB interface, parallel interface, and network interface. There are also choices if using Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Macintosh. The manufacturer's website indicates Microsoft Vista has "built-in" drivers but Brother drivers are also available on the website.
Upon clicking "Install Printer Driver" from CD-ROM menu, I was presented with three choices: USB cable users, Parallel cable users, and Network cable users. I chose the network cable users since I wanted to add the printer to my wireless network router. I was presented with a license agreement that I accepted. I then had to choose between "Brother Peer-to-Peer Network Printer" or "Network Shared Printer". I chose peer-to-peer to print directly to the printer over the network rather than to a central server on a shared printer. On Step 8 I had to choose "LPR" or "NetBios". I had no idea which one to choose and I didn't find any useful information to help with the decision. I chose LPR and clicked Next. The printer was recognized. Make sure to write down the IP Node Address (for a wireless router it is something like 192.xxx.xx.x).
Now, I needed to access the printer from my wireless computer running Microsoft Vista. I went to the Control Panel and double clicked on Printers. I then chose "Add a Printer" and selected "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer". The computer searched for and found the printer. A couple more clicks and I was successfully printing from the wireless computer.
Printing from the desktop computer running Windows XP, connected to the router with an Ethernet cable, would not be as simple. The computer recognized the printer but would not send any data to the printer. I went to Control Panel, Printer and Faxes, right clicked on Properties. The General tab did not have the Location of the printer. I added 192.xxx.xx.x and clicked OK and tried printing a document but I was not successful. After two hours of dealing with it and looking at the company's website, I called the company (toll-free phone number right on the box). The company was closed; I called the next morning just after the company opened at 9 a.m. Eastern. I went through a very brief voice prompt menu and I was connected to Robby in all of about two minutes. He was polite but he was not able to solve my problem. He told me second level support would call me within 24 hours. Just over two hours later I got a call from Debbie, who was in Memphis, Tennessee. She was very helpful and quickly identified the problem. When hovering over the printer icon in the Printer and Faxes folder, the little popup message indicated the printer was offline. I don't know how I missed that. To correct the problem all I had to do was right click the printer and select "Use Printer Online". After a few seconds the printer was in Ready status. Problem resolved.
Summary
This is my first Brother printer and I am very favorably impressed. I don't think there is another printer on the market with these features at such a low price, at least at the time of this writing.
The product is shipped in the manufacturer's box, not an Amazon box, so all your neighbors will know what's in the box on your doorstep. The box looks like the box for a new printer, listing many features of the printer but it is clearly marked "Factory Refurbished". The printer itself has a sticker on the back with "Re-manufactured Product". My printer was originally manufactured in September 2005. I bought it in May 2007.
My experience with Brother International has been very positive. I got a great printer with excellent features, a full-size toner cartridge TN-550 (not a starter toner cartridge!), and a one-year warranty. From idle/sleep, the first page took only 20 seconds to print and the text quality is great. The icing on the cake was the technical support provided by Americans. Their promptness and knowledge was impressive. This was easily the best technical support experience I have ever had!Update December 4, 2007:
I am still very pleased with the printer but it is noisy when printing and it does make "tick, tick, tick" noises sometimes. Neither of these issues has effected performance. The only annoyance I've experienced is with envelope printing - the envelope always crinkles. This isn't a big deal for me but it is something to consider if envelope printing is important to you.
Update October 7, 2008:
I purchased another refurbished HL-5250. The toner and drum are also factory refurbished. The drum unit (DR-520) has life expectancy of 22,500 pages, about 90% of new. The toner cartridge (TN-550) has an expected yield of 3,150 pages at 5% coverage. A new toner cartridge has an expected yield of 3,500 pages.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother HL-5250DN Refurbished Network Ready Laser Printer with Duplex

The EHL-5250DN is a 30ppm network-ready monochrome laser printer with a built-in duplex feature. Designed for busy offices and small workgroups, it is a smart and versatile choice.

Click here for more information about Brother HL-5250DN Refurbished Network Ready Laser Printer with Duplex

Read More...

D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ Wireless 22 Mbps PC Card Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been running the D-Link AirPlus DI-614+ with a D-Link DWL-650+ wirless card for about 6 months.
The good:
Easy install (READ the instructions FIRST!)
Good connection quality and decent speed.
Worked great for sharing my cable modem for Internet access, file sharing across computers, printer sharing.
The utility that comes with the DWL-650+ card allows you to setup separate profiles for different wireless networks, a great convenience if you want to switch easily between home, work and Starbucks!
The bad:
The DWL 650+ PCMCIA failed after a few weeks.
Tech support was really bad, blamed everything but the card. After about a dozen e-mails & phone calls I finally got a tech to admit the card wasn't working since the indicator wouldn't even light up.
Replacement card required securing with my credit card and signing / faxing a 'cross shipment agreement' so they could ship immediately while my old card was being returned. Well they got my old card in a couple days but didn't ship the replacement for several weeks!
After finally getting the defective card resolved (2 months!!) everything worked again fun until ..
It wouldn't support my company's VPN connection through the wireless. (Wired connection does work though!) They're documentation says it supports PPTP VPN Pass through but after several more calls to their tech support, a bunch of configuration changes, the last tech finally said I 'had to understand that VPN requires too many packets for a wireless connection'. So why do my coworker's Linksys systems work fine then?!
Bottom Line:
It's fine for setting up a home network and sharing a broadband internet connection. But be wary if you need to do anything more sophisticated, especially if you ususally need support. Me? I'm buying a Linksys and selling the DLink stuff!

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ Wireless 22 Mbps PC Card

The DWL-650+ is an enhanced 802.11b CardBus that is fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11b standard, making it interoperable with all existing 802.11b-compliant devices. Now you can transfer files or communicate up to 20 percent faster than with earlier 802.11b solutions, even when connected to a standard 802.11b network. When you're connected to other D-Link AirPlus products, the performance is even greater--up to 22 Mbps. The DWL-650+ also features 256-bit WEP encryption, giving you a higher level of security for your data and communications.
The D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ also includes a configuration utility to discover available wireless networks and create and save detailed connectivity profiles for those networks accessed most often. The DWL-650+ is a powerful 32-bit CardBus adapter that installs quickly and easily on laptop PCs, and, when used with other D-Link AirPlus products, automatically connects to the network. And all D-Link wireless adapters can be used in ad hoc mode to connect directly with other cards, or in infrastructure mode to connect with a wireless access point for access to the Internet in an office or home network.

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ Wireless 22 Mbps PC Card

Read More...

Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline AV Adapter (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Encouraged by positive reviews, I tried using these to connect two Airport Extreme Base Stations (AEBS) separated by one floor and about 60 feet apart. The AEBSs were set up extend a 802.11n network wirelessly. Connecting them using these powerline adapters made the speed to drop considerably. I tested transferring a 200 MB file: with AEBSs connected wirelessly the transfer rate was about 13Mbs; with powerline adapters it dropped to 2-3Mbs.
I concluded that the wiring inside the house is not suitable for using this technology.
Otherwise, the product seems to be a polished product with easy setup.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline AV Adapter (Black)

If you need an ultra-high-speed network connection in the farthest reaches of your home, the Belkin Powerline AV Starter Kit is just what you've been looking for. This kit includes everything you need to create a reliable, high-speed home network providing data speeds of up to 200 Mbps using your house's existing electrical wiring.
The adapter can be plugged directly into the wall or placed on a desk. Streaming Video -- Even In Your Attic With the Belkin Powerline AV Starter Kit, you can send high-bandwidth content from the Internet to computers and network devices all over your home through the electrical wiring in your house. This kit lets you convert any electrical outlet in your home into a network connection.

For instance, if you have a computer in the attic or other room where a wireless signal is weak, the Powerline AV is the perfect solution. You don't need to drill holes to extend your Ethernet cable, and you won't have to worry about the slow data speeds and intermittent dropouts that weak wireless connections are plagued with. Additionally, unlike wireless connections, the Powerline AV network connection isn't affected by factors such as cordless telephones and other wireless interference.

There is no performance penalty that comes with the convenience of the Powerline AV; data speeds along at up to 200 Mbps, meaning it can handle even heavy Internet usage, such as downloading and streaming music and video files, playing online games, and making VoIP phone calls, all without any lag time or hiccups.

Enhanced Security Keeps Out Snoopers There is no need to worry about security either. With 128-bit DES link encryption, the Powerline AV ensures that your information is safe and secure from intruders. Since the information is all transferred with wires, hackers can't simply sniff your information out of the air, as they easily can with insecure wireless connections.

Simple Plug-and-Play Setup Setup is as simple as plugging one adapter into a wall outlet and connecting it into your router, and then plugging a second adapter into any outlet wherever you need a network connection. This kit includes two adapters, so you can create a network within minutes of opening the box. If you have need for another connection, just purchase another adapter.

The Belkin Powerline AV is HomePlug AV certified, can coexist with HomePlug 1.0, and is compliant with 802.3/802.3u standards. It is backed by a lifetime warranty.

What's in the Box Two Powerline Networking Adapters, two Ethernet cables, two power cords, two wall plug adapters, quick installation guide, and CD-ROM with installation software and user manual.



Belkin Powerline AV with Amazon Video on DemandWith Amazon Video on Demand, you can instantly watch thousands of movies and TV shows online. Now, instead of watching videos on your computer, you can stream it to your home theater for a premium viewing experience. To get the best streaming video quality, update your home theater and home network by adding Belkin Powerline AV to your Amazon Video on Demand. Belkin Powerline offers the best bandwidth and fastest speeds for the ultimate video experience in your home--even in HD. Belkin Powerline is simple to install and faster than any wireless connection--just plug it in and instantly connect to the Internet. Use Powerline to stream high quality video to cable boxes, TiVo, or gaming consoles and show Amazon Video on Demand programs in your home theater as well as any other TV or computer in your home.

Click here for more information about Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline AV Adapter (Black)

Read More...

2.4 GHz 24dBi Grid Parabolic Dish Antenna N-Female Die Cast Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It provides the strongest directional signal one can possibily get. Need a male N to male rp-sma adpter if you plan on using a wifi adpter that has a rp-sma antenna option.

Click Here to see more reviews about: 2.4 GHz 24dBi Grid Parabolic Dish Antenna N-Female Die Cast

DieCast Parabolic Grid Antennas are diecast aluminum with grey color epoxy powder coat paint. Because they are shipped in two sections there is big savings realized in reduced shipping costs and reduced storage space. Antennas are complete with Reflector, Patented Dipole and Heavy Duty brackets for 1" to 2" diameter poles.All Pacific Wireless Directional Grid Patented Dipoles are Ultrasonically Welded, UV Stabilized, White ABS Plastic. Each unit is leak tested 100% and VSWR tested 100% at our factory prior to shipment. Beware of cheap imitations. Our dipoles are engineered for an outdoor service life exceeding 20 years. The antenna comes with a 30" pigtail with N-Female connector.Data Sheet

Click here for more information about 2.4 GHz 24dBi Grid Parabolic Dish Antenna N-Female Die Cast

Read More...

Apple AirPort Express with Air Tunes (M9470LL/A) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Yes, the directions stink, but there is hope for you Windows users. If you have the typical Windows wireless network setup (computer, router, laptop, access points, etc.), then follow these easy steps to get your AirPort up and running.
1. Before you go wireless, physically connect your AirPort to your router with an Ethernet cable. Plug in the AirPort, and wait until the LED turns solid green.
2. Start the AirPort Admin Utility for Windows. You now want to configure the AirPort to join your existing network "wirelessly". You should see the AirPort Base Station appear with its IP address in the Base Station Chooser.
3. In the lower right-hand corner, click on Configure... Click on the AirPort tab. In the "AirPort Network" section, Use base station to: "Join an Existing Wireless Network". Underneath that, type in your existing wireless "Network Name". You will be asked to change the password as well.
4. Click "Update" in the lower right-hand corner of the Configure window. Your AirPort will be restarted, and the LED should turn solid green again.
5. Finally, disconnect the AirPort from your router, and remove the connecting cable. You should NOW be able to plug in your AirPort anywhere to join your existing network.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple AirPort Express with Air Tunes (M9470LL/A)

Enjoy your iTunes music library in virtually any room of your house. Share a single broadband Internet connection and USB printer without inconvenient and obtrusive cables. Create an instant wireless network on the go. Extend the range of your current wireless network. How many devices do you need to do all this? Just one.Presenting AirPort Express.Featuring AirTunes for playing your iTunes music wirelessly on your home stereo or powered speakers, AirPort Express brings not only the Internet but your music to wherever in your home you like to enjoy them most — whether you use a Mac or Windows PC. Unmatched in its ease of use, it delivers data rates up to 54 megabits per second, fits in the palm of your hand so you can take it wherever you go.

Click here for more information about Apple AirPort Express with Air Tunes (M9470LL/A)

Read More...

NETGEAR FVS114 ProSafe VPN Firewall 8 with 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Installed at a client to build tunnel from his home to his office ( to connect to Linksys R0V81 VPN router.) Was very easy to configure and very stable in operation. I am going to buy more for other clients too. Highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR FVS114 ProSafe VPN Firewall 8 with 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Switch

The NETGEAR FVS114 ProSafe VPN Firewall 8 with 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Switch offers enterprise-level protection, performance, and reliability to remote workers.
Fast Performance The FVS114 has four auto-sensing 10/100 Mbps LAN ports for speedy connections between servers and workstations, and also for use as a backbone for switches.
High-class Security For businesses that require more than just a simple NAT router, the FVS114 offers significantly more protection. It provides: a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall to prevent Denial of Service attacks, an Intrusion Detection System (IDS), the ability to block Java/URL/ActiveX based on extension, and FTP/SMTP/RPC program filtering.
The FVS114 is VPNC tested and features 8 dedicated VPN tunnels for secure data transmission over the Internet. IPSec-based 256-bit (AES) encryption is also supported.
Easy Setup NETGEAR's Smart Wizard makes installation a breeze. A VPN wizard lets you create rules that allow up to 253 remote PCs or sites to connect from locations with IP addresses that are not known in advance. Additionally, SNMP support provides complete remote administration and monitoring. DHCP and PPPoE support makes widespread deployment simple.
The NETGEAR FVS114 ProSafe VPN Firewall 8 with 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Switch is backed by a lifetime warranty (the power adapter is backed by a 3-year warranty).
What's in the Box FVS114 VPN Firewall 8, Ethernet cable, power adapter, installation guide, resource CD, and warranty/support information card.

Click here for more information about NETGEAR FVS114 ProSafe VPN Firewall 8 with 4-Port 10/100 Mbps Switch

Read More...

D-Link DCM-202 DOCSIS 2.0 USB/Ethernet Cable Modem Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this cable modem when I moved into my new apartment because it would be cheaper than renting one from Comcast in the long run. Everything worked fine for about a month, but then I wouldn't be able to connect to anything outside of my local network. Comcast technical support said that from their end it didn't look like anyting was connecting to their network, and my router could release and renew its IP address, so that narrowed it down to the cable modem. Unplugging the modem and plugging it back in would make it work again for 30-45 minutes at a time, but it would cut out at random without warning.
I downloaded and installed new firmware from d-link's website that was specifically for Comcast customers and everything seems to be working ok again, but I know a lot of non-technical people who wouldn't be comfortable doing that. If you are a technically unsaavy person and use comcast, you may want to purchase another cable modem all together.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DCM-202 DOCSIS 2.0 USB/Ethernet Cable Modem

D-Link, the industry pioneer in home networking, introduces another performance breakthrough - the D-Link DCM-202 High-Speed DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem. Powered by TurboDOX bandwidth acceleration software, the DCM-202 increases your download speeds at up to 20 times for your enjoyment of popular Internet applications, such as file sharing, audio and video streaming, and website uploading.The DCM-202 Cable Modem makes your broadband connection more efficient and effective by clearing network congestion, resulting in a boost in download speeds. With the DCM-202, you will get more out of your broadband connection with increased bandwidth and enhanced performance.The DCM-202 Cable Modem is DOCSIS 2.0 CableLabs Certified, which ensures compatibility with all DOCSIS compatible cable providers. The DCM-202 is also backwards compatible with DOCSIS 1.1/1.0 standards.The DCM-202 Cable Modem offers you the choice of Ethernet or USB connectivity. It is easy to install and is compatible with Windows 95, 98, 98SE, Me, 2000, XP, Mac OS, Unix and other popular operating systems (USB connectivity is limited to Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP).Connect with confidence to a certified cable Internet provider with the DCM-202 Cable Modem and enjoy a new and enhanced broadband experience.

Click here for more information about D-Link DCM-202 DOCSIS 2.0 USB/Ethernet Cable Modem

Read More...

High Gain 2x power WiFi Antenna for all D-link routers and newer Linksys models Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Nothing spectacular about the increases in range or performance. I had to eventually go buy a wireless repeater to reach the far bedroom in our ranch-style home. These antenna additions couldn't do the job themselves.

Click Here to see more reviews about: High Gain 2x power WiFi Antenna for all D-link routers and newer Linksys models

To extend the range or increase the speed of all D-link routers, access points, and PCI cards, and some Linksys models, install this high gain omni-directional WiFi antenna. Manufactured to exacting specifications, it performs as well or better then the Linksys model HGA7S. Lifetime Warranty and Lifetime Technical Support are included at no additional charge. (** actual range and performance increase is dependent on environmental conditions and local interference.) *** Please check with your WiFi manufacturer to determine which model antenna will fit your device - this antenna will ONLY fit RP-SMA connectors - this is NOT compatible with older models of Linksys and Cisco products which use the RP-TNC connector. These antennas are not manufactured by Linksys.

Click here for more information about High Gain 2x power WiFi Antenna for all D-link routers and newer Linksys models

Read More...

Actiontec Ethernet over Coax MoCA Adapter - Single Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I used this device to connection to my FIOS Actiontec router, and without a few comments from people here, you'd never get this to work properly.
First, the "quick instructions" (the only instructions as it turns out) assume that you are using a pair of these only to create an ethernet bridge over your coax. Thus, using this to connect to your FIOS router, the instructions are nonsensical.
Second, without instructions, you'll conclude you put this in between your coax cable and set top box. This will not work, even though this is apparently the way it's supposed to work. You'll get interference on your TV, things won't work, and you'll be ready to throw it in the box and return it.
In reality, you take the cable from the wall jack and get it into a coax splitter. One split goes to the set top box, the other to the device. You connect the ethernet jack to the device, and you're up and working.
If you go to Actiontec's site, they have no instructions how this will work with an Actiontec's FIOS router, despite the fact that this is probably the best use of the device!.
Anyway, once you get it hooked up, as other have said, you don't configure anything. It just works.
So it's a great product, hampered by no instructions for many people, and no help on the web site.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Actiontec Ethernet over Coax MoCA Adapter - Single

Actiontec Ethernet over Coax MoCA Adapter - Single

Get 17% OFF

Click here for more information about Actiontec Ethernet over Coax MoCA Adapter - Single

Read More...

Belkin Wireless Network USB 2.0 Adapter N1 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Since this was my first step into wireless computing, I was a little anxious. I had nothing to worry about. The Belkin adapter comes with a CD that walks you through the driver and hardware installation process.
The USB adapter has a stand with an adequately long cable, or you can plug it straight into a USB port on your desktop or laptop. I would recommed the stand if you have a desktop computer, as you can move the receiver out of the way.
After installation, it connected to my router immediately. You can use Windows to manage the connection or the Belkin utility that comes on the CD. I would recommend the Belkin utility. It has a graphical display of the status and settings that allow you to see other networks that might be in your area.
The only problem I have had is when I leave the computer on and connected to the network then go to bed for the night. When I come back, I have to disable and re-enable the adapter. I don't know if this is an issue with the adapter, the network, the router or Windows. It doesn't matter, as this is only a very minor inconvience.
The thing to keep in mind is that while this is compatiable with the G standard, the box indicates it meets the current DRAFT version of the N standard. It doesn't matter to me even if it ends up not being compatiable with the N standard when it is released, this device works just fine.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a wireless USB adapter.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin Wireless Network USB 2.0 Adapter N1

The N1 Wireless USB Network Adapter easily connects your computer to a wider, faster network. N1 provides an excellent solution for efficiently transferring such large data files as video, music, photos, and documents among the networked computers in your home. The N1 Wireless USB Network Adapter easily connects your USB-equipped desktop or notebook computer to your wireless network for Internet and file sharing. Desktop users can now join the network with the ease of a USB plug-in, without opening their PC cases, laptop users can enjoy the benefits of staying mobile-while connected to the Internet.Belkin s N1 wireless products are based on the 802.11n draft, N1 Wireless enables multiple receivers and transmitters to send and receive data using Intelligent MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) spatial multiplexing techniques. This smart-antenna technology builds upon the 802.11g standard by greatly increasing range and speed, transmitting at up to 300Mbps.

Get 74% OFF

Click here for more information about Belkin Wireless Network USB 2.0 Adapter N1

Read More...

Cisco-Linksys Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Linksys makes a version of this unit ( WAPPOE12 ) - that is designed for 12 volt systems.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit

The Linksys Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit lets you put your access points almost anywhere, by removing the requirement of nearby power outlets. By using the existing Category 5 Ethernet cabling to deliver power to any standard 5 volt access point or other network device, you save the time, hassle, and expense of running AC power to the access points installation location. The best position for a wireless access point is usually on the ceiling, in the center of the area to be covered. Second best would be high on a nearby wall. Unfortunately, theres usually no easily accessible AC power plugs available in these locations. With the Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit, installing the access point in these preferred spots becomes far less trouble.

Click here for more information about Cisco-Linksys Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit

Read More...

2.4GHz Square GRID Parabolic Antenna 24dBi Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This antenna works beyond my expectations. I went from a 7dBi omni-directional antenna, to this 24dBi directional antenna. I was running very slow and could not always connect. I am about 100 yards from the base router which is indoors. I do not have a clear line of sight to the house due to several large, dense trees. I mounted the antenna on a pole about 10' from the ground.
The instructions for assembling the unit are non-existent. Not even on their own website. I used common sense and a few pictures posted on Amazon. I did guess on a couple of things. It comes in five pieces.
I also purchased the TrendNet 8 meter low loss "N-type to Reverse SMA" cable. The male N-type connects to the short piggy-tail of the antenna. The Reverse SMA connects to the male SMA on the network bridge (D-Link DWL-G820).
Ran multiple speed tests on the direct connection, wireless in the house, and at the access point. The speed at the access point is slower than the direct connection, but faster than the wireless in the house. VERY HAPPY WEB SURFER!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: 2.4GHz Square GRID Parabolic Antenna 24dBi

Square grid antenna is designed for the spread spectrum system, the surface design with welded-steel reflector to bring out the best performance. This antenna features high gain, long coverage, light weight, compact structure and excellent wind-resistance. It is used for outdoor and the range is up to 6.2 miles.The connector type is N female, and the low loss N Male type cable assembly is strongly recommended for best result.

Click here for more information about 2.4GHz Square GRID Parabolic Antenna 24dBi

Read More...

D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The DIR-130 was selected due to its support for incoming PPTP VPN tunnels that are compatible with the Microsoft VPN connector included with Windows. The upgrade to firmware version 1.10 has apparently resolved reliability issues reported by another reviewer. The DIR-130 allows me to access my home system securely and consistently. Over several weeks of regular use, it has performed reliably. Configuration is easy using the well-structured menus. The firmware upgrade changed the VPN user account management from the screens shown in the manual and permits many more users to be assigned in groups with individual passwords using different VPN settings (PPTP or L2TP/IPsec).
Performance of unencrypted data over my Bellsouth 3MBps ADSL connection seemed slightly faster than with the prior router, the Netgear WGR614. Due to the VPN encryption, the connection speed is however noticeably slower than non-VPN. Reducing the encryption level to 40 bits improves the speed compared with 128 bits.
There is a firmware bug (v1.10) that only occurs during remote management or managment over a VPN connection. Clicking on the "save" button, executes a script that tries to display the confirmation web page, but the address is invalid, resulting in an error screen, even though the action was successfully performed. Just log in again to resume remote management. This bug in firmware v1.10 has been reported to D-Link, without response. The bug does not occur when accessing the router over the LAN using a non-VPN connection.


Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch

D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch

Get 14% OFF

Click here for more information about D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch

Read More...

D-Link DWL-520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11b, 11Mbps Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The following answer on the D-Link tech support site says it all: "The DWL-520 requires a PCI 2.2 compliant motherboard (3.3v) in order to function. If your PCI slot is 2.1 compliant, or if the PCI slot is using 5v, then the card won't be detected by Windows and unfortunately will not work." And how will you know if you have a PCI 2.2 compliant board? Essentially, you won't, until you try the card or dig deep into the specs on your computer's motherboard. I have a very reputable ASUS Pentium III motherboard, that won't recognize this card. Very frustrating...

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DWL-520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11b, 11Mbps

The DWL-520 from D-Link is a 802.11b PCI adaptor with data transfer rate up to 11 Mbps. It can operate in either Ad-Hoc mode (Peer-to-Peer networking without an Access Point) or Infrastructure mode (Peer-to-Peer networking using an Access Point), which brings high flexibility to your wireless network. The DWL-520 also supports high 128-bit WEP encryption to give you a secure wireless network. The adaptor has an effective range of up to 230 feet indoor and 984 feet outdoor, along with the 2.4 GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology to ensure the robustness and efficiency of your data transmission.

Click here for more information about D-Link DWL-520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11b, 11Mbps

Read More...

NETGEAR XE103G-100NAS Powerline Ethernet Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I would have rated this 5 stars but for the price. It seems a bit expensive and if wireless had been an answer probably the way I would have gone. I have been having wireless network problems and wanted something that would extend my lan in the house without lots of wiring. This is a great answer. I read the directions (made sure it was not plugged into a power strip), plugged in near my router, went upstairs, plugged it in there and it worked, no problems and as fast as when right next to the router.
I must admit there was also a somewhat unresearched idea that my data is safer on a wire network than wireless, even with the encryption that I used when my wireless worked.

Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR XE103G-100NAS Powerline Ethernet Adapter

The NETGEAR XE103G 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter Kit lets you easily extend a home network using just the existing electric lines of your home, eliminating the need to run unsightly Ethernet wires all over your house. At 85 Mbps, you'll have more than enough speed to download music, stream videos, and make internet telephone calls without any hiccups.
True Plug and Play Installation The XE103G comes with two XE103 units. Simply plug one of them into a wall outlet and connect it to your router with an Ethernet cord. Plug the second one into the wall outlet where you need a network connection and connect it to any Ethernet-ready device. That's it. There's no software to install. You can create as many network connections as you need by connecting more XE103 units wherever you need them. Each device has easy-to-read icon LEDs for status information at a glance.
Fast Performance Each XE103 supports speeds up to 85 Mbps which is enough for multiple video streams without interruptions. The XE103 has a 10/100 Ethernet port with which you can connect a PC, gaming console, Slingbox, DVR, NETGEAR's SC101T Storage Central Turbo or ReadyNAS NV+, or another networkable device. In order to enable encryption, you need a computer with Windows Vista, XP, or 2000.
What's in the Box Two XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapters, installation guide, Ethernet cable, setup CD, and warranty/support information card.

Click here for more information about NETGEAR XE103G-100NAS Powerline Ethernet Adapter

Read More...

NETGEAR SC101 Storage Central Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well I purchased 4 of these units, hoping to make this stack of 40GB, 80GB and 120GB drives I have laying around the house useful again. So far, buying these was not a good idea. I attribute most of my problems to there not being enough real technical review of the product available, and all documentation simply glosses over technical details in exchange for sales-speak. First, I'll say these are niftily crafted units that might have been pretty slick if they'd worked the way I expected them to. Problems encountered and gripes mounted include:
* These are not NAS devices, as some of the documentation might lead you to believe. A NAS device (network attached storage) typically offers clients the ability to connect to the device, using it's native fileshare method. CIFS for Windows, NFS for Linux/Unix, etc. These devices offer none of that.
* Device is available to Windows clients on the network only. If that's not bad enough, check the following gripe.
* Every PC that wants to access the device needs to have the software CD installed. Usually a NAS device will offer a shared filesystem that can be mounted in the OS's native method. With this box, all the PCs need to have a driver installed in order to see the device.
* DHCP only. There is no option to have a static IP address on the device. It is DHCP only.
* On first install, lamely worded error message hindered the install. After installing the device and the driver, it kept failing with the error "Unable to enumerate drive". The help file was useless. After an hour of messing with it and finally deleting all of my mapped drives, the installation suceeded and I was able to use the device.
* You MUST use the included software. Although the device seems to be listening on port 80, there is no web interface to configure it. The included software, running on Windows is the only way.
* Non-Windows systems are out of luck. This is a Windows only device. Do not try to connect to it with Mac OSX or Linux (both of which I have). The device can be connected and re-shared by a Windows PC, allowing Macs and Linux to get to it, but this has proved painstakingly slow.
* Painstakingly slow. I connected the device to an older Windows PC and the best sustained data transfer I could get (read or write) was around 3MB/s. Hardly a speed demon. My linux fileserver on the same network can easily sustain 10MB/s. I am going to connect the device to a faster Xeon based system and see how speedy it is then.
* Simple security. I saw no method of creating usernames or any kind of security on the device other than the single password that can be setup to access the device. Probably because this is designed for the home where there are not a bunch of users and passwords to manage.
Now this is a pretty new product, so hopefully it will get better with time. It seemed like such a good idea (obviously, I bought 4 of them), but I'm not convinced it was the best execution. Buyer beware.

Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR SC101 Storage Central

The NETGEAR SC101 Storage Central is an expandable storage system that allows shared access by all computers on your network. With space for two IDE hard drives, you can set the device up to mirror each other so you have a backup of all your files in case either one fails.
Excellent Value and Easy Setup Unlike other network-attached storage (NAS) devices, the SC101 does not come with any drives but requires you to purchase your own. This allows for considerable cost savings. Opening up the SC101 only requires turning a latch that can be done with a quarter; no tools are needed. Attach the power connectors and IDE cables, set the jumpers, and slide the drive into place, and that's it.
After the hard drives are installed, plug the device in, attach it to the network, and install the included software. The software guides you through setup step by step. When everything is ready to go, it looks like a new hard drive has been installed on your PC and you use it just as you would any other hard drive. Backup software is included for users who don't already have their own preferred software. Please note that the SC101 is only compatible with Windows machines and won't work with Macs or Linux.
Outstanding Performance with Various Storage Options The SC101 connects to your network via a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connection for fast data transfers. When you connect two drives to the device, you have the option of having them "mirrored" or "spanned." Mirrored storage lets you keep two copies of every file, one on each drive, so that everything is backed up in case of drive failure. When two drives are set to span, they appear as one volume so they are easy to work with and the device will automatically find your data across both drives.
The front panel has three LEDs to let you know the status of the power, hard disk and network at a glance. The NETGEAR SC101 Storage Central is backed by a 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box SC101 Storage Central, resource CD, power adapter, Ethernet cable, installation guide, SmartSync Pro Backup Software CD, and warranty/support information card.

Click here for more information about NETGEAR SC101 Storage Central

Read More...

SMC7004VWBR Barricade Cable/DSL router w/ 4-port 10/100Mbps and 802.11b 11 Mbps Access Point Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been putting off the purchase of a router for a while now, but after my ISP was irked at the fact that I was logging in with two simultaneous PPPoE connections using an old hub, I really had no choice.
My college offers wireless access on campus, and I had already purchased an 802.11b card, but I didn't think I'd really have a need for wireless access at home. In fact, I was looking for a wired router at first, until I found the SMC7004VWBR on another site (before Amazon began offering it).
I had read many of the reviews about Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear products, and SMC was the one that had fewer complaints. I was skeptical at first considering I had purchased it for $98 including a $10 rebate, and figured that perhaps I would end up getting what I paid for. After about 3 weeks, I haven't had anyting to complain about yet.
The router's features include Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and Denial of Service (DoS) protection, email alerts, parental control, integrated Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through support, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and hacker logging options. Turn on the email alerts and you'll see several alerts in your inbox everyday.
Setup was a breeze. I merely plugged in my desktop into one of the 4 wired ports, plugged in my DSL modem into the WAN port, and accessed the IP address specified in the manual. (The manual is provided on the included CD as well as online).
Even though the quick-start guide asks you to use the CD to set up your connection, you can go ahead and access the setup page via your web browser, as what type of operating system you're using is irrelevant and you don't need any kind of software loaded on your computer.
The setup includes both a quick EZ version (as in 3 clicks and you're done), and a more advanced version. I first used the quick setup just to make sure everything worked, but I then went into the advanced setup to set up my wireless encryption, firewall and NAT settings, etc. The setup page also includes a nice help file that will explain any terms you're not familiar with.
Performance has been exceptionally good. The signal doesn't fade too much as I travel from room to room in my house with my laptop.
Perhaps my only complaint is that there is no easy way to mount it on the wall (although aspiring engineers like myself will find a way).
Overall I think this is one of the best purchases I've made so far, and recommend this to budget-minded (read: college students) individual looking for a feature-rich router with wireless capabilities.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SMC7004VWBR Barricade Cable/DSL router w/ 4-port 10/100Mbps and 802.11b 11 Mbps Access Point

The Barricade wireless cable/DSL broadband router (SMC7004VWBR) is a platform-independent multifunctional router that combines a 4-port 10/100 Mbps dual-speed switch, an 802.11b wireless access point, Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall security, network management, and Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through support in one convenient device.
The wireless Barricade router is the first router in its class to offer an integrated SPI firewall. This firewall provides protection against hacker invasions--such as Denial of Service attacks--by analyzing individual data packets as they pass through the Barricade, to ensure that only authorized packets are allowed access to the network. To control network access, parents or business owners can block certain Web sites by entering either a URL or just a keyword of a Web site. In addition to these incredible features, this addition to the Barricade family provides hacker prevention and logging functionalities; for example, when a hacker attempts to access your network, the Barricade can alert you via e-mail so you can take appropriate action.
The wireless Barricade provides a 10/100 Mbps WAN port for high-speed integration into your network. Supporting NAT, the Barricade can provide simultaneous Internet access for up to 253 PCs using a single, purchased IP address. To manage these connections, the Barricade has a built-in DHCP server to auto assign IP addresses to devices on your network. To install this device, simply place the EZ 3-Click Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive and in minutes you will be surfing the Web. Using the Web-based management system you can configure this router to handle IP routing and port forwarding through the virtual server option. For additional management, this router also has a full-featured access control option. The integrated feature allows you to filter traffic through your network based on IP and MAC address.
For wireless connectivity, the wireless Barricade supports 802.11b communication at data rates of 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps. To secure this wireless connection, the Barricade supports MAC address filtering and both 64- and 128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). This integrated wireless technology allows you to connect to your network from up to 1,000 feet away.
SMC's Barricade wireless cable/DSL broadband router is a comprehensive networking solution for PC, Mac, and Linux users, and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Combine all of these features, functionality, and affordability with SMC's award-winning technical support and service, and you have the perfect network device for any situation.

Get 29% OFF

Click here for more information about SMC7004VWBR Barricade Cable/DSL router w/ 4-port 10/100Mbps and 802.11b 11 Mbps Access Point

Read More...