router

Streaming high-definition video wirelessly throughout your home will be a major benefit of Wi-Fi 802.11ac in the next few years, says NPD In-Stat.

Expected to receive final approval by the IEEE toward the end of this year, 802.11ac will boast several improvements over 802.11n. The new wireless flavor will offer speeds surpassing 1 gigabit per second, almost three times that of 802.11n. It also promises to provide better coverage throughout an entire home with fewer dead spots.

From a technical standpoint, the new standard will use such technologies as beamforming and higher amplitude modulation to send … Read more

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week people wrote in with questions about network router firmware upgrades not working, upgrading Mac Pro and iMac systems, and iPhoto refusing to import images after migrating to a new computer. We continually answer e-mail questions, and though we present answers here, we welcome alternative approaches and views from readers and encourage you to post your own suggestions in the comments.

Question: Firmware upgrades on network routers not working MacFixIt reader Alain asks:

LAS VEGAS--Most of us live in an apartment of about 1,000 square feet or less; Amped Wireless says it new router can cover an area 10 times larger.

The company showed off at CES 2012 the new R10000G High Power Wireless-N 600mW Gigabit Router. Powered by a 620MHz processor, dual high-power Wi-Fi 600mW amplifiers, and dual high-gain 5dBi antennas, this new router is set to deliver up to 10,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage.

To put things in perspective, most regular routers have a wireless output power of 50 milliwatts (mW); the R10000G is 600mW.

Amped Wireless says … Read more

LAS VEGAS--You'd better not leave this among the candies, at the risk of swallowing it.

TP-Link showed off at CES 2012 what is arguably the tiniest Wireless-N router yet, called the 150Mbps Wireless N Nano Router (model TL-WR702N). This router is about just the size of a square of white chocolate and looks like one, too.… Read more

LAS VEGAS--Good things can come in a small and cute package.

D-Link showed off today at CES 2012 a tiny mobile router that could appeal to frequent travelers with tablets and mobile devices, the All-in-One Mobile Companion (mobile DIR-505).

Featuring two prongs to snap in any power outlet, the DIR-505 is about the size of a small power adapter. It, however, offers more than just an instant wireless network. The router features a USB port that enables people to share videos, music, and photos from an external hard drive or thumbdrive to any iPad, iPhone, or Android device. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--It's amazing how things change.

The networking professionals who read ZDNet have long been familiar with Netgear, the former Nortel subsidiary that spun off to become one of the three major networking hardware manufacturers, alongside Cisco and D-Link. For years, wireless routers and switches were for the tech-inclined only; if a family member needed assistance setting up a home network, the "family IT guy" was called. Otherwise, proceed at your own (infuriating) risk.

That perception is quickly changing, by necessity. With nearly every new electronic device Internet-connected, the average consumer is becoming more familiar with networking … Read more

LAS VEGAS--D-Link's latest top-tier router almost includes a kitchen sink.

The company showed off today at CES 2012 the Amplifi HD Media Router 3000 (model DIR-857). This is the first home router on the market you'll soon be able to purchase that comes equipped with USB 3.0. On top of that, the router's included USB port now supports D-Link's SharePort cloud technology. The router is part of D-Link's cloud services strategy, which also includes the hybrid router model DHP-1565, a sub-$50 Cloud Router (DIR-605L), and a new Cloud Camera.

SharePort has always been a unique feature of D-Link USB-equipped routers that enables the router to support any USB device as though it were connected to a network computer directly. Over time this technology has evolved from allowing only one computer to access the connected USB device at a time, to multiple access, and now, the ability to share data via the Internet.… Read more

LAS VEGAS--D-Link finally gets it right with its new hybrid router.

The company demoed today at CES 2012 the all-new Amplifi Wireless N PowerLine Gigabit Router (DHP-1565). This is part of the company's Cloud Services, which also includes a sub-$50 cloud router (DIR-605L) and the flagship DIR-857 that were also announced at the show.

In my opinion, the DHP-1565 is a much-needed upgrade to its first hybrid router, the DHP-1320 Wireless N PowerLine Router.

Nothing is wrong with the DHP-1320. In fact, it's a great router. The only problem is that it lacks both of what I consider "must-have" features for routers and a power-line device: Gigabit Ethernet and support for the latest 500Mbps Powerline AV standard.… Read more

LAS VEGAS--D-Link today unveiled a portfolio of Cloud Services that includes a new router that costs just $40.

The device in question is the Cloud Router (model DIR-605L), which is basically a single-band Wireless-N router that offers a top wireless speed of 300Mbps.

Like all products in the company's new Cloud Service portfolio, it supports cloud-based management, allowing users to remotely monitor it via the mydlink portal and mydlink apps on iOS- and Android-based mobile devices.

D-Link said the DIR-605L helps bring "cloud capabilities to the masses" by allowing users to see and monitor which Web sites … Read more