gigabit

You're running out of ports for your network and you need to resort to a switch. Maybe it's a better idea to get one that also supports power-line networking. Like most computer devices, a switch will need to be plugged into the wall to work, after all.

If you find yourself with that thought, D-Link's new PowerLine AV 500 4-Port Gigabit Switch, model DHP-540, is exactly what you're looking for.

This is a compact four-port Gigabit switch just like any other switch that allows you to add three Ethernet-ready devices to your existing network using network … Read more

It looks like D-Link wants to offer a competitor to Cisco's new Linksys E1500 budget router

According to D-Link, this new single-band router features multiple intelligent antennas, and supports Intelligent Quality of Service, which aids in optimizing Internet traffic for services such as VoIP or gaming.

Most significant, however, is the fact that D-Link's new router supports Gigabit Ethernet, which the E1500 doesn't. This means wired clients can enjoy network speeds of up to 1000Mbps, and those with a home server can enjoy media streaming to multiple devices without worrying about clogging their networks.

Like most wireless routers, the DIR-651 comes with four LAN ports and one WAN port. For security, the router also supports all variations of WPA and WPA2 standards. In addition, it supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), so you can add WPS-enabled clients to the network with the push of a button.

The DIR-651 Wireless N 300 Gigabit Router is slated to be available next month for an estimated price of $90, about the same as that of the Linksys E1500.… Read more

Verizon Communications plans to upgrade segments of its U.S. Internet backbone to 100 Gigabit Ethernet by the end of the second quarter, the carrier said today.

The upgrade to 100G will happen in three segments: Chicago to New York, Sacramento to Los Angeles, and Minneapolis to Kansas City.

The upgraded network can offer backbone speeds of 100 gigabits per second, up to 10 times faster than is generally now available. Verizon said the upgrade can benefit business customers that increasingly depend on video streaming, cloud-based applications, and other bandwidth-intensive services.

Internet backbones use high-speed fiber-optic networks to send data … Read more

Verizon this week successfully deployed a 100G Ethernet network on a large section of one of its Internet backbones in Europe.

This deployment makes Verizon the first backbone carrier to deploy the new Ethernet standard with speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second, according to Verizon. The company was able to establish the 100-Gigabit Ethernet network between routers on a 555-mile stretch between Paris and Frankfurt.

In Verizon's words, this marks the first "standards-based, multivendor 100G Ethernet link for an IP backbone," and it will increase capacity for business customers and organizations that tap into the … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Trendnet shipped the first 500Mbps powerline kit, the TPL-401E2K, a month ago, and now Netgear has upped this type of device another notch.

The company announced today its first 500Mbps powerline kit, the Internet Adapter for Home Theater XAVB5004; it offers four ports at the far end of the connection.

The XAVB5004 includes two adapters. The first one has a single Gigabit port to connect to an existing network via a router (or a hub); the second adapter has four Gigabit ports, meaning you can use up to four Ethernet-ready devices before having to resort to an additional hub. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--It's been getting more and more exciting in the wireless networking world recently since Trendnet shipped the first 450Mbps single-band Wireless-N router, the TEW-691GR, and announced yesterday the first 450Mbps true-dual band Wireless N router (model TEW-692GR).

Netgear today joined the party by announcing its first 450Mbps dual-band router, the N750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (model WNDR4000).

Like those from Trendnet, Netgear's new networking device is based on the three-stream standard (or 3 by 3), in which each stream carries up to 150Mbps, hence the cap of 450Mbps.

The WNDR4000, however, unlike the TEW-692GR from Trendnet, … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Two years ago, Netgear announced its first dual-band Wireless-N router with built-in DSL modem, the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router + DSL Modem DGND3300, offering DSL consumers a high-end alternative to modem/wireless router combo solutions offered by service providers, which tend to be slow and lacking.

Now, here at CES 2011, the company is kicking this solution up a notch, by announcing today the N600 Wireless  Dual-Band Gigabit ADSL Modem DGND3700 Router, which it calls "the ultimate home gateway."

The new DGND3700 differentiates itself from the old DGND330 via a long list of new features. Apart from the fact that it also has a built-in DSL modem, supports concurrent dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz), and other usual networking and security features, it also offers:

Two USB ports to support external storage. These ports are compatible with Netgear's ReadyShare network storage functionality.

Gigabit Ethernet and DLNA compliance that allows for network digital media streaming to any DLNA-compliant TV, game console, or media player within the network.

Live parental controls that enable comprehensive Web filtering functionality.

Guest networking, which allows for giving separate Internet access to guests while keeping them from accessing local resources, such as file or printers.

A broadband usage meter that automatically tracks broadband usage notifies if a set level is reached.… Read more

LAS VEGAS--If you like Netgear's premium WNDR3700 router, you'll likely love what the company announced today. It's the upgraded version of the company's flagship router, now called N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router--Premium Edition, model number WNDR3800.

This is Netgear's high-end, noncompromising consumer wireless router that has two USB ports to host printers and external storage devices. The router offers what the WNDR3700 had, plus a handful of new features, including:

Readability Remote: a feature that allows users to access their data on a USB external storage device attached to the router from any Mac, PC, … Read more

We're back again with another episode of The 404 Podcast, and for once, Wilson is pissed. It seems the only thing he cares about these days is Angry Birds. Rovio Mobile, creator of the addictive game is introducing a new character into the fold that can be purchased to get players through some of the more difficult levels in the game.

The Mighty Eagle can be purchased in gameplay, but Wilson considers the all-powerful bird an unnecessary cheat that almost ruins the fun of accomplishing an otherwise difficult, but entertaining goal.

For those who play the game, the Mighty Eagle is basically a God-mode trick that lets you clear any one level instantly. Check out Rovio's Mighty Eagle video and judge for yourself.

Moving on to more serious(ly obvious) news, stop using FourSquare and Facebook Places to broadcast your extended absence from home! The recent scourge of location-based check-in services like Facebook, FourSquare, and Twitter are a burglar's dream come true, and that's exactly what a ring of three techy criminals used to rob 18+ homes in New Hampshire.

Fortunately for the homeowners, the criminals were even bigger idiots than the posters- they stole a large amount of fireworks from one of the homes, so police were advised to listen for loud noises around the neighborhood. Sure enough, the criminals couldn't resist lighting off a few explosions, and an off-duty officer pounced on the scene and apprehended the men. The moral of the story, if it weren't clear enough by now, is think before you post, dummy.

So Chattanooga has the fastest Internet in the country now, but nobody really cares except Wilson, so we move onto the next story, a compelling question: Are action video gamers better decision makers?

Researchers at the University of Rochester claim that gamers (of first person shooters) possess extrasensitive "probabilistic inference" qualities that stem from long hours of wandering around deep level mazes and making mundane navigation decisions. So everyone can sleep soundly knowing that there are plenty of folks walking around with exception abilities to make decisions on their aggressive tendencies.

There's a few more stories in today's show rundown, not to mention a bromantic Calls From the Public and more thoughts on the New Jersey Transit quiet cars we brought to your attention yesterday. Great show today!