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Wireless networking has always been the poor cousin of wired networks in terms of speed. With 802.11g limited to a mere 54Mbits/sec, it looks pedestrian compared to the giddy heights of Gigabit Ethernet’s 1,000Mbits/sec.
This is set to change with the 802.11n standard that boasts link speeds of 300Mbits/sec. Sadly, the final ratified standard has been delayed until about 2008, so vendors have gone ahead and created products based around draft 1.0 of the standard that was released in 2006.
Such products are commonly referred to as ‘draft-N’ and are advertised as offering wired-equivalent, real-world speeds of 100Mbits/sec or more.
But can they deliver? We tested six routers based on this draft-N standard to see how they compare in real life. We were particularly interested to find out how they compare to the existing 802.11g models that offer various performance enhancements.
Speed is not the only reason to consider a draft-N wireless network; the range is also improved using clever Mimo (multiple input, multiple output) radio technology that can remove the need for extra access points.
We first saw this technology in the so-called ‘pre-N’ products that appeared almost two years ago.
You’ll find out how the routers performed in our tests, and whether they lived up to the promised 802.11n speeds.
All these early devices are router-only with no ADSL modem, which reflects the nature of the US broadband market where they were first launched, but modem-equipped models are now starting to appear.
If you have cable broadband or an ADSL modem with an Ethernet connection, these devices could be the perfect Christmas gift for your network.
This article is part of a group test of draft-N routers.
See also: Belkin N1
Buffalo Airstation Nfiniti
D-link DIR-635
Linksys WRT300N-UK
Netgear Rangemax Next
Trendnet TEW-631BRP
Graphs and table of features can be read via our pdf downloads above.
Editor's Choice/the winner is on the next page
All Wireless Tags: Wireless Networks
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