How to pick and optimize your home router

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	LANGALIST PLUS[/size][/font] How to pick and optimize your home router[/size]
	By Robert Vamosi Staying safe on the Internet requires the combined forces of a router-based firewall, security software, regular updates, and a secure browser. In this column, I provide recommendations and tips on how to pick the right router and how to set it up for maximum protection from malicious Web sites.[/size]

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The full text of this column is posted at WindowsSecrets.com/2010/07/15/06 (paid content, opens in a new window/tab).

Columnists typically cannot reply to comments here, but do incorporate the best tips into future columns.[/td]

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The SW piece of router support all very helpful. What I discovered was that the HW piece is more complex. Let me explain. I purchased a dual band Cisco Linksys router WRT610N and a couple of WET610N Wireless Bridges which I was able to configure as I had intended:
1. 2.4Ghz band for all my legacy WiFi devices
2. 5 Ghz for my Media Hub- TV connection with the Wireless Bridges

What I discovered was fine performance for all my legacy devices and lousy performance for the 5 Ghz band devices.(I eventually reconnected on 802.11g 2.4Ghz to get ‘best’ performance.)

Researching I discovered that the actual power output for the 5Ghz band as specified in the Linksys spec
UNII-1 (5150-5250GHz)
802.11a: Max. 14.0dBm @ All rate
Wireless-N 20MHz: Max. 11.5dBm @ All rate
Wireless-N 40MHz: Max. 12.0dBm @ All rate
UNII-3 (5725-5850GHz)
802.11a: Max. 17.5dBm @ High rate
802.11a: Max. 20.0dBm @ Low rate
Wireless-N 20MHz: Max. 17.5dBm @ High rate
Wireless-N 20MHz: Max. 20.0dBm @ Low rate
Wireless-N 40MHz: Max. 17.5dBm @ High rate
Wireless-N 40MHz: Max. 21.0dBm @ Low rate

I don’t believe the output power was performing to spec but even so the combo of transmit power shortfall (UNI-1) and receive sensitivity differences made a totally unusable system for me.

Worse, I discovered (now that I am looking for the highest power 5ghz solution to replace this set-up I have) that the new Valet line of products don’t even a publish TX/RX performance specs at all.

This ought to be a huge warning for all potential 5Ghz customers- output power, MIMO functionality, receive sensitivity.

FWIW

Al Hamilton

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