3Com Wireless ADSL Router With Built In Modem Review
3Com Wireless ADSL Router With Built In Modem
3Com Wireless ADSL Router With Built In Modem
Purchased this a week ago, so far it is excellent. Very easy to use and set-up under XP but requires additional effort under 98, perhaps it only works with 98SE. I decided on this kit because its excellent value, especially with the PC card.The ADSL connection was easy to set up, should work with most UK broadband ISPs as it allows for PPoA and PPoE connections. It has improved the connection to my ISP (Pipex), download rates typically 10-20% faster than with my original USB modem. The wired switch has 4 ports and is very easy to set up, only 1 Ethernet cable supplied, more required to add additional machines, note that cross-over cables can be used too. Additional wired capacity can be added by using more switches, giving up to 125 wired users. The wireless settings on the router were easy to configure, I strongly recommend enabling 128 WEP encryption and changing the default admin log-in. The encryption does slow communication down a little however I find this to be hardly noticeable even on old equipment. I have also restricted my wireless configuration by MAC address.
The wireless card was easy to install and set-up, particularly under Windows XP. Once I had set the router up it was a simple matter of plugging the card in, installing the supplied software and then changing the settings to match the router. Firewalls such as ZoneAlarm and Proxy software should be disabled (at least temporarily) to install.
For the technical minded, I personally decided to give all my clients fixed IP addresses rather than dynamic (DHCP), this makes playing network games easier. Also important to run the network set-up wizard in XP and configure a home or office network that connects through a residential gateway, ensure that all computers belong to the same work-group if you want to share files! Run the network wizard before you assign IP information, DNS servers and gateway address.