Dell's Wireless router offers superior performance and a well-rounded feature set suited for the home user. Windows 2000 and XP users, as well as novices, will like the streamlined installation, which nearly runs itself (other operating systems are supported, but not as seamlessly). The Wireless supports both 802.11b and 802.11g and touts an excellent array of security options, including WPA, WEP, SSID blocking, state full packet inspection (SPI) firewall, and parental controls. You can also link the router to two additional routers to increase your 802.11g coverage area. This is the most polished 802.11g router we have seen to date.
The Wireless 2300 is packed with features and security, and it supports 802.11g and boasts an eye-pleasing exterior design. The sleek, silver-and-black chassis has wall-mounts built into its base. The clearly labeled indicator lights show activity for the Internet connection, each of the four ports on the built-in 10/100 switch, and the wireless LAN. It offers the latest in security options for wireless networking. It supports the new WPA encryption scheme as well as the older 64/128-bit WEP standard. There's no support for 802.1x authentication, but the router does offer an expansive MAC address feature that can be applied to all clients of the Wireless 2300, whether wired or wireless. Stateful Packet Inspection, NAT, packet filtering, and intruder-detection alerts offer a high level of Internet security.
Additional security features include port forwarding, which allows for both a DMZ computer and the forwarding of specific packets to specific computers. The well-rounded parental-control feature lets you block Internet access for specific computers by time of day. You can also limit Internet access completely or restrict it to a list of Web sites. |
