Networking Gear by stefan @ 2011-03-03
The AirLive N.MINI AP multifunctional device (Router, AP or Client) from OvisLink has very small dimensions and can be used in various situations like building a small hot-spot in an area that has only Ethernet available, or we can use it as a regular Wireless LAN adapter, connected to our computer via UTP.
At first I would like to thank OvisLink for offering me the AirLive N.MINI 300Mbps Wireless N Mini-AP for review.
"The manufacturer of AirLive® products, OvisLink Corp. was founded in 1993 in Taiwan by a group of industrial experts who set out to provide the best combination of quality, service, technology and value in the industry. Today, OvisLink Corp. is an international corporation, total networking solution provider with over 200 products and with hundreds of distributors around the world.
Our industry technology leadership is indisputable. OvisLink Corp. was the first company in Taiwan to introduce Fast-Ethernet NICs and Switches when IEEE 802.3u standard was established in 1996. Moreover, OvisLink Corp. entered the WLAN market in 2001 with the AirLive® series and became the major provider of wireless solutions. In 2004, Our WMU-9000VPN multimedia router won the Best of Computex award for its excellent multi-function capability. When you choose us as a partner, you can be sure that we will provide you with the latest innovative solutions.
AirLive® is a brand providing Innovation, Solutions, Reliability and Technology. AirLive’s R&D department continuously focuses its efforts on developing the right products including AirLive® WISP and Outdoor solutions, AirLive® SMB and Security solutions and AirLive® Small Office and Home products.
These products represent brilliant value for enterprises, business professionals, Internet Service Providers, small businesses and consumers because of their outstanding price/performance ratio."
The N.MINI is a showcase of AirLive's continuous innovation in the wireless networking. At the size that can fit into palm of your hand, it packs 300Mbps speed with the same coverage as your regular router.
Yet, it consumes only 25% of the power comparing to the regular AP. It is a technology marvel that that opens whole new possibilities for consumer applications.
The world's Smallest 300Mbps AP
Measuring at 7.5cm by 5.4cm, the N.MINI is the world's smallest Access Point that runs at 300Mbps speed. Despite of its smallest size, it features 2T2R MIMO 11b/g/n Radio with the same coverage as a full size MIMO access point. Its tiny size makes it ideal to build wireless network without intrusion to your home decoration.
Multi-Function and Zero Configurations
The N.MINI can switch between AP Client, and Router modes using the hardware selection switch in the back. By using the WPS push button, you can establish secured wireless network instantly between 2 N.MINI.
There is no need to use software configuration, it requires no networking knowledge to setup the connection.
Connect Electronic Appliances to Wireless Internet
The N.MINIs zero configuration and 300mbps speed makes it the ideal device to connect your home appliances to Internet. If your IPTV, game console, or Media player are far away from the network connections; the N.MINI is the device of choice to link them to the Internet wirelessly.
80 Percent Less Power Consumption
The N.MINI is a Green AP that consume up to 80% less electricity comparing to normal routers. Even under prolong usage, the N.MINI stays cool to the touch. The AP also comes with wireless scheduling function to turn on the wireless connection only at certain time. This function is also welcome by parents to control the Internet access for their children.
The AirLive N.MINI Wireless AP from OvisLink comes in a really small cardboard box, with a transparent plastic window, to get a full view of the product before getting it outside the package:
The back side of the box contains some of the main features explained in pictures, and the product serial number:
Inside the box, besides the main product, we can find a Quick Installation guide, a WPS Notice paper and another small cardboard box with the rest of the bundle:
The WPS Notice gives us extra information in case we want to use this capability:
In the guide, we are shown some information on how to connect to the AP, depending on the mode it is in:
In the small blue box, we can find an UTP cable and the power adapter:
The tiny power adapter is the size of a phone charger and is rated on the output 5V, 1A:
On the top side of the N.MINI router, we can see the activity LEDs for Ethernet, WPS, WLAN, System and Power; on the same side there is the WPS button:
On the back side of the mini AP, we can find a small Reset button, the power adapter rating, the unique serial number, the product MAC and default PIN, along with the IP addresses to connect, depending the mode the product is in; on the same side we can find a switch, to navigate between the available modes: Router, Client and AP:
On the lateral, we can find the DC-IN 5V port, along with a RJ45 port:
The other product sides have ventilation holes, to prevent overheating:
When set in Router mode, we are instructed to connect on http://192.168.1.254 to access the configurable firmware; when the connection has been established, a default user/pass will be requested:
The main firmware interface looks very simple, with no fancy graphics or animations; on the left side we can find the menu trees for navigation and on the right side we can see the contents:
The interface also comes with a Setup Wizard menu, to set up faster the connection:
In the Wireless Basic Settings menu, we can configure the Wireless LAN interface by adjusting the band, mode, SSID, channel width and so on:
In the Advanced Settings, we can fine-tune the connection parameters; it is recommended to leave these options on default if we do not know what they represent:
The Wireless Security Setup menu allows us to set up the encryption, a separate one for each SSID we create:
In the Wireless Access Control menu, we can set up the MAC filtering option:
If the WDS capability is enabled, here we can configure it:
When in AP/Client mode, here we can detect the existing wireless networks and connect to them:
The Wi-Fi Protected Setup Menu alows us to easily connect other clients to the router, in case they support this technology:
The Wireless Schedule menu is an interesting feature which allows us to control when the Wi-Fi connection will be available:
In the LAN Interface Setup we can configure the IP address of the router inside the network, the DHCP server, domain name and we also can clone the MAC address:
The WAN Interface Setup must be configured depending on the instructions that came from our ISP:
The Port Filter Settings menu allows us to restrict certain types of data packets from LAN to the Internet:
The IP Filtering feature is an extra security option, like the Port Filter menu:
The MAC Filtering menu allows us to specify which stations/devices are allowed to connect and which not:
With the help of the Port Forwarding option, we can redirect some of the common network services to a specific machine behind the NAT firewall:
The interface also comes with an URL filtering option, with which we can block some websites from being accessed:
In the DMZ menu, we can specify which computer connected to the router has full Internet access, without any restrictions:
With the firmware interface we can also create VLANs:
The QoS Setup menu allows us to prioritize the traffic inside the network:
Dynamic Routing can be also set inside the “Routing Setup Menu”:
The Status menu gives us all the information regarding the router firmware, uptime, wireless configuration, any Virtual APs defined or WAN:
In the Statistics menu, we can see a summary of packets received/sent for all connections:
In the Dynamic DNS Setting menu, we can specify one of the DDNS service user/password and domain name, for automatic login:
The Time Zone menu allows us to specify the router time/date, but we can also synchronize with an Internet Time Server:
The firmware is also provided with a DoS attack prevention menu:
In the System Log menu, we can specify the log server IP address:
The Update Firmware menu allows us to see the currently installed firmware version and to update with the latest version:
In the Save/Reload Settings menu, we can save the current modifications to a file, load them from a previous save state or reset the device to the factory defaults:
In the Password Setup menu, we can specify different user names and passwords for users to access the device inside the network:
The test setup was composed from the following hardware:
CPU: Intel I7 Retail @ stock
Motherboard: Foxconn BloodRage with G42 BIOS
RAM: 3x2GB Patriot PVT36G1600LLK 1600MHz
Video: Sparkle GTX 470 with stock and OMNI A.L.C.
Power Supply: Nexus RX-8500 850W modular
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200.11
Case: Thermaltake Armor+ LCS, stock cooling
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Router: Sitecom Wireless Simultaneous Dualband 300N XR Gigabit Gaming Router II
For the client wireless tests I used an Asus X55SV Laptop. For testing the Wireless LAN adapter throughput, I have connected the server ( I7 PC ) to the router with an UTP wire and the client ( ASUS X55SV ) had plugged on UTP the N.MINI while in Client mode.
The application I have used to test the speeds was Performance Test 7.0, fully compatible with Windows 7.
The OvisLink AirLive N.MINI AP does not come with fancy packaging, accessories or firmware interface, but I can say that I was really impressed by its performances, considering that it does not feature external antennas and is so small in size.
Being a multifunctional device, it can be used in different situations like setting a small wireless network while in a hotel which offers only Ethernet, we can use it like a regular router but without LAN ports or we can switch it to Client mode and use it as a Wireless LAN adapter for our laptop or desktop. The N.MINI can be also paired with an identical unit, as shown in the instructions.
As with the TRENDnet TEW-687GA 450Mbps Wireless N Gaming Adapter, the product from OvisLink comes with a really small UTP cable, forcing us to place it very close to the laptop (in case we are working with it in Client mode).
The product is decently priced, we can find it in Western Europe online shops for about 35 Euros and in Romania the recommended end-user price is 41 Euros (173.60RON).
I would like to thank again OvisLink for offering me a sample of their latest products to review.