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Belkin N+ Modem Router review

Verdict:

Review Date: 20 Mar 2009

Price when reviewed: £61

Buy it now for: £39
(see more store prices)

Supplier: http://www.dixons.co.uk

Our Rating 3 stars out of 5

User Rating 4 stars out of 5

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This version of Belkin's N+ router has a built-in ADSL modem. A cable version is also available, but although it's similar in many respects, it uses a different chipset and so can't be directly compared. The N+ Modem Router lacks Gigabit Ethernet.

A quick setup disc should assist you with configuring the router to work with your ADSL connection. However, the software failed to recognise the router when we connected to it via either a wired or wireless network connection. Fortunately, the router's web interface is clear and includes documentation for every feature. To set up an ADSL connection using the web interface, you'll have to go to the Internet WAN Connection Type screen, select PPPoA and enter your ADSL account details.

The web interface includes several useful features, including support for Wireless Protected Setup (WPS). This allows you to securely associate compatible wireless devices with the router by pressing a button on both or entering a PIN code. We like the guest access feature, which gives you a second Service Set Identifier (SSID). This effectively creates an additional wireless network, which has basic internet access but is restricted from seeing the rest of your network.

The N+ has a USB port that lets you connect storage devices, turning it into a NAS device. The router can share the storage device with any Windows, Linux or Mac OS X system. A helpful utility is provided on the setup disc to automatically map your storage as a network drive under Windows.

There's support for Dynamic DNS through the DynDNS service, which lets you host content at a static web address even if your ISP only provides a dynamic IP address. The router has an Eco mode, which allows you to disable the wireless radio at specific times each day. However, in testing we found that it made only a marginal difference to its power consumption, reducing power usage by 0.3W to 6W.

It performed well in our wireless speed and range tests, particularly with Belkin's companion N+ wireless adaptor, which produced a phenomenal speed of 68.7Mbit/s over a distance of 10m and 21.2Mbit/s over 25m. However, results at the same distance using our Centrino 2 laptop's integrated wireless adaptor were slightly less impressive, as shown in our graph.

We would have liked to have seen Gigabit Ethernet and more control over which websites users could visit, though these will be minor issues for many users. It's not cheap either, but it has extremely good wireless performance, a lifetime warranty, a guest mode and is a USB storage server. If you need all these features, the Belkin N+ Modem Router is a great choice.

Author: Kat Orphanides

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User Reviews

Independent customer reviews from

Belkin F5D8636uk4A scored:
8.7 out of 10

The 2 most helpful reviews based on 11 reviews:

Val, Durham

8
Good Points
This was extremely easy and straight forward to set up. The instructions could be followed by anyone aged 5 - 100 + !! It was up and running in a very short period of time,, unlike my previous router of another make. Had no problems with any of the wireless devices connected to it. So far so good.
Bad Points
At this moment in time there are none.
Confirmed purchase on 20 Mar 2009

Alec, Wirral

10
Good Points
Very simple to set up using the CD provided. Good signal range and the unit is quite compact.
Bad Points
Ethernet cable provided is a little on the short side and, hence, the router needs to be located close to your PC during set up and if you wish to continue using a wired connection.
Confirmed purchase on 02 Oct 2009

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