First look at Nexland Pro 400 ADSL with Wireless

Nexland Pro 400 ADSL with Wireless http://www.nexland.com

Contents of the box
1 – Nexland Pro 400 ADSL
1 – 9V DC Adapter
1 - 6FT Ethernet cable
1 – Serial Cable
1 – PCMCIA Wireless Card for Router
1 – Quick Setup Guide
1 – Brochure
1- User Manual
1 – Companion CD
1 - Plastic shelf for top of router (Presumably to stack a hub etc)

Router Ports
4 LAN Ports (RJ45 Ethernet)
1 WAN Port (RJ11 Telephone)
9 V DC Adapter
Wireless PCMCIA Slot
Serial Port
Reset button

Wired:
Like all Nexland products it is spectacular. There is one very special feature though. This one has a built in DSL modem (Alcatel chipset). It supports RFC 1483 Bridged (LLC), RFC 1483 Bridged (VC Based), PPP over ATM (LLC), PPP over ATM (VC Based), and IP over ATM. RFC 1482 Bridged is what you use for a PPPoE based connection, the internal PPPoE client in the Pro 400 ADSL will connect you so you do not need extra PPPoE software and ca share your connection with all your computers (Well up to 253 of them). You can easily change your VCI and VPI numbers or the Modem protocol via the set-up menu so it works with most DSL connections.

Set-up was complete for both wired and wireless in less then ten minutes. The router has Duplex mode so if your Ethernet card supports it (Solid orange light on front of the router labeled DUP) you have the ability to transfer files on your LAN at 200 mbps (nice). VPN support is probably the best in its class, as Nexland holds some VPN patents etc.

Wireless:
Nexland Pro 400 ADSL with supplied Orinoco Wireless PCMCIA card
Apple Ibook – Clam Shell with integrated AirPort card

Even beside the Pro 400 ADSL by Nexland the signal strength never reaches 100% but that appears to not be an issue, it reaches a maximum of about 90%. At 90% signal strength I’m getting 2272 kbps down and 574 kbps up (on a 3000 / 640 kbps DSL connection) using the Megapath speed test at BroadbandReports.com.

10 feet away signal goes to about 90% and stays that way as I walk around. I’m getting 2039 kbps down and 552 kbps up (on a 3000/640 kbps DSL connection)

My apartment is a basement apartment for clarification. About 25 feet away, up 7 stairs and through a small wall (IE: NO direct line of site). Signal strength goes down to about 80%. I’m getting 2383 kbps down and 612 kbps up (on a 3000/640 kbps DSL connection)

Step out the door, and close it (metal with small, double pained glass windows) and a wall past that to even see the Nexland Pro 400 ADSL. Still 75% signal strength. I’m getting 2272 kbps down and 613 kbps up (on a 3000/640 kbps DSL connection)

All in all this is one impressive Orinoco Card that is plugged in to the back of the Pro 400 ADSL.
*Please note this was not meant to be a scientific test in any manor.

Security
Port Security you may ask? (Tested at http://www.grc.com) On the “Test my Shields!” test the Nexland Pro 400 ADSL passed with no problems. On the “Probe my Ports!” test all ports came up “Stealth” the way it should be! Using the “Quick Scan” at http://www.sygatetech.com/ everything came up closed except for ICMP ping which my computer responded to. This does not allow you to be hacked, it’s not a port etc, just means you can be pinged. For the “Stealth Scan” all probes where blocked! For the “Trojan Scan” all probes where blocked! For the “TCP Scan” all probes where blocked! For the “UDP Scan” all probes where blocked! All tests passed, with the exception of the router allowing an ICMP ping.

Conclusion
With its ease of set-up, it’s great IPsec pass though, wireless server, wired 4 port integrated hub, built in ADSL modem, and NAT firewall, virtual server capabilities etc, etc this is one fantastic device. Coming in at $499.00 US with only the ability to accept a wireless PCMCIA card or $599.00 US including the Lucent Orinoco card I know the Nexland Pro 400 ADSL is well worth the money and it will be a big hit.

 

How To

1) Make sure your PC’s Ethernet card is set to DHCP is you are connecting this device directly to your PC. For Wireless make sure your Wireless card has it’s ESSID set to “My Network”
2) Shut down your PC
3) Insert the supplied PCMCIA card into the “Wireless” slot on the back of the router
4) Plug in the router and turn it on.
5) Plug a phone line from the wall (for your DSL) in to the “Line” port on the front of the router
6) Plug the wired PC using a straight through Ethernet cable in to one of the ports labeled 1, 2, 3, or 4 on the front of the router. Or boot up the wireless PC and confirm your wireless card is communicating with the router
7) Launch your browser
8) In the “Address” bar in your browser type”192.168.0.1” -> Hit “Enter”
9) Click on the “Advanced PPPoE” link
10) Enter 0 for “Idle Time Out” -> Make sure “Connect on Demand” is checked off
11) Enter your userid as provided by your ISP in the “User Name” section. Note: you may need to include your ISP's domain as part of your userid. Example: For Verizon customers it would be userid@verizon.net
12) Enter your password as provided by your ISP in the “Password” section -> Enter it again in “Verify”
13) Click “Save All” -> Router will reboot
14) Click on “Main Setup” – Left tool bar
15) Click “Enabled” under “PPPoE enable only”
16) Click “Save” -> Router will reboot
17) Click “ADSL Settings” – Left tool bar
18) Connection “VPI” should be 0 for most DSL connections and “VCI” should be 35 for most DSL connections
19) “Encapsulation” should read RFC 1483 Bridged (LLC)
20) Click “Save” -> Router will reboot
21) Click Main Setup -> “Connection Status” should say connected
22) Surf Away!

__________________
Bob