Networking Gear by stefan @ 2011-07-14
The Sitecom WLR-4000 is a 300Mbps Wireless N router with internal antennas from their new X series, which brings to the table something that other home oriented networking gear lacks: an added layer of Internet security named Sitecom Cloud Security.
At first I would like to thank Sitecom for offering me a sample of their Wireless Gigabit Router 300N X4 for testing and reviewing.
“ Sitecom is one of the leading and fastest growing computer network brands for home and small business use. The Sitecom brand has a clear mission statement: “make it easy”. Sitecom makes it easy to set up a home network and to expand it, since it converts technical products into user-friendly solutions which can be used immediately without any problems.
Simplicity is what it is all about! The mission statement “make it easy” is put into practice throughout the organization and is expressed in both the solutions and the service which Sitecom offers. All of Sitecom's products, therefore, have a 10-year warranty. Making the latest technology simple, understandable and accessible is what Sitecom stands for and we make no concessions to that.”
-Automatic Firmware update: automatically get the latest software improvements for free
-802.11b/g/n Wireless Standard Protocol
-Wireless speed up to 300Mbps
-802.3u 802.3i 802.3ab
-Security: Wep 64 & 128 bits, WPA-TKIP, WPA-AES, WPA2, WPA-Radius
-Compatible with Dynamic IP, Static IP, PPPoE, PPTP internet connections
-Three internal antennas
-Quality of Service (QoS)
-Universal Plug & Play (UpnP)
-Application Layer Gateway (ALG)
The built-in extra security layer the newest Sitecom routers (X-series 2.0 range) benefit from is named “Sitecom Cloud Security”. Sitecom Cloud Security is a series of powerful servers which are found in various locations on the Internet. Harmful websites and unwanted ads will be recognized by the Cloud servers and blocked by the router. We will be also protected against downloading files which contain viruses, as well as against fraudulent websites which try to trick us into giving our personal info away. This feature can be activated or deactivated with a single click, from the router firmware interface.
Here are some of the main highlights:
-Safe web browsing experience
-Built-in security inside the router
-Centralized protection layer against phishing/ID theft, fraud, unwanted ads and additional protection against viruses
-Protect your computer (desktop PC and notebook) and all other devices connected to your network, such as your iPad/iPod, smartphone, game console, media player, connected TV and BD player
-Can be disabled after activation at any time
-No need to install updates
-Sitecom Cloud Security works as additional security, but it does not replace the antivirus software on your computer
Each security module of the Cloud Security ( Antimalware, Antiphishing, URL blocking, Ad blocking) can be enabled or disabled separately.
The free subscription is not permanent, but only for 6 months; the subscription won't be extended automatically. After this period has passed, the protection can be extended for either 6 or 12 months. We can purchase each of the four elements separately or together in a bundle. Sitecom Cloud Security will remind us once a month how long our subscription is still valid.
Sitecom Cloud Security may cause a small delay in the browser speed, because when we access a website, the router will send a request to the Sitecom Cloud. The answer is sent back to the router from the Cloud. These extra actions may lead to a slight delay of a couple of milliseconds.
When comparing the Sitecom Wireless Gigabit Router X4 (Sitecom Cloud Security, designed for home use) with some enterprise solutions, we can observe the big difference in price:
The X4 Wireless Gigabit router from Sitecom is shipped inside a rather small cardboard box, with some of the main product features listed on the frontal side of the package; here we can also see a photo of the back connectors:
On one of the box sides, we can find the box contents listed, along with the info that we benefit from 10 years of warranty through the manufacturer, if we use the registration card inside:
Some more details on the product can be found on other side of the external box:
The benefits of using the Sitecom Cloud Security feature are also explained on the external packaging:
The OPS button function which simplifies the connection procedure is explained:
Finally, on the back of the box we can find a comparison between the Standard, Gigabit and Premium routers Sitecom offers, along with the benefits of each:
Inside the external package, we can find another cardboard box, for added protection:
Right after opening up the box, we can find the router on top, and the rest of the accessories can be found under it:
Along with the documentation, in the box we can find the screws to mount the router on the wall, a small document with licensing information regarding the firmware module components, a card which aids with positioning when wall mounting the router, a sticker with additional information, the power adapter, a small envelope with Sitecom Cloud Security documentation and a RJ45 cable:
The sticker is identical to the one that can be found on the bottom of the router; this is useful when we want to login and configure the product for the first time, without the need to note down the details or to keep looking on the bottom of the equipment while it is turned on:
In the small envelope we can find a document which explains the Sitecom Cloud Security benefits, but also a card with the code to activate the free 6 month period of service:
Inside the transparent plastic bag, we can find a CD with the manual in electronic format, an Installation Guide, a Product Catalog with some of the latest products from the company, a document which aids us in registering to benefit from the 10 years of warranty and a Declaration of Conformity:
The Hot Products Catalog contains some photos and descriptions regarding some other product types from Sitecom:
With lots of details and drawings, inside the Installation Guide we are shown how to install and operate the router for the first time:
The small power adapter that is shipped with the router is rated on the output 12V, 1A:
The X4 router comes with a clean look, the Sitecom logo being embossed in the center; on the first look we cannot discover any activity LEDs:
The OPS button is also located on the top side:
On each lateral, some ventilation holes are provided, to avoid overheating of the components inside:
On the back of the router, we can find the On/Off button, the DC-IN port, the 4 RJ45 connectors for the LAN and one for WAN, with different colors for easy identification:
On the back of the router, we can find extra ventilation holes, 4 rubber feet to avoid slipping on the surface, the wall mounting holes and the sticker with the extra login details:
After turning on the router, we can observe the top activity (previously hidden) LEDs lighting up, which are better seen during the night:
With the details printed on the extra sticker, we can login at the 192.168.0.1 (default) address, in our favourite browser:
If the authentication has been successful, a Sitecom Cloud Security page will appear, which prompts us to select the desired protection modules and enter the Key Code/Security Code to activate the feature; we can also skip this page and go right to the router browser interface:
In case all details have been filled out successfully, we will get a confirmation that the service has been sucessfully activated, along with the expiration date:
As we have seen on the previously tested Sitecom router, the X4 also has a cool looking graphical interface, with multiple menus through which we can navigate with ease; in the System Status menu, we can find the product model name, uptime, hardware version, serial number, the boot code version and the runtime code version:
In the DHCP Server menu, we can specify the allocated address for the router inside the LAN, but also the IP range for the DHCP Server:
The Device Status menu shows the current operating mode of the router, the WiFi channel, SSID, the type of security for the current SSID, MAC address and connected clients; similar details are shown for the LAN configuration:
In the Internet Status menu, we can find the currently allocated WAN IP, gateway, MAC address and DNS (all these details depend on our ISP):
In the DHCP Status menu, we can find the details of the currently connected clients to the router, but we can also make DHCP reservations, based on the MAC addresses of the computers:
The Log menu shows us extra details regarding the system operation:
In the Statistics page, we can find some counters for the Wireless LAN, Ethernet LAN and WAN, regarding sent and received packets:
The Wizard menu guides us through some configuration steps, in case we do not want to do this manually:
In the Wireless Settings menu, we can enable or disable the integrated wireless interface of the router:
In the Basic configuration page, we can select the operating mode of the router, the WiFi band, the SSID, WiFi network name and channel:
Here are the WiFi bands that we can select from:
In the Advanced page, we can fine tune some of the settings; these settings should not be changed, unless we know what effect the changes will have on the router functionality:
In the Security page, we can select the desired SSID, choose to broadcast or hide its name, enable or disable the WMM feature, choose the encryption type and type the desired key:
In the ACL menu, we can edit the MAC Address Filtering Table, but also enable/disable the Wireless Access Control:
In case we are using the WPS feature (both router and WiFi card must support this), we can modify the details here:
In the Firewall menu, we can enable/disable the router Firewall module function:
In the DMZ page, we can specify which devices or computers in our LAN should have direct connectivity to the Internet:
The router also offers protection against DoS attacks:
Inside the Access Control page, we can define the traffic type permitted of not permitted in our LAN; we can also control which PC uses what services or has access to:
The router also comes with an URL blocking feature:
In the Advanced Settings menu, we can find a page where we can enable/disable the NAT function, or enable a Hardware Accelerator, which boosts network performance:
In case we need to define Port Forwarding, the router has a dedicated page for it:
A Virtual Server page is also present in the Advanced Settings menu, with which we can allow remote users to access services such as Web, FTP at our local PC:
In the Special Applications page, we can define Trigger Ports:
In case we are using some applications that need special support to function under NAT, we can select them from the Application Layer Gateway menu:
UPnP can be enabled or disabled from the following page:
QoS feature can be also customized inside the Quality of Service page:
The special feature of this router, Sitecom Cloud Security, can be enabled or disabled in a snap, by selecting the desired option and pressing “Apply”. From the same page we can activate the service for the first time or configure the desired modules to be active:
In the Password menu, we can enter the current password, and type a new one to modify it:
In the Time Zone menu, we can specify the Time Zone we live in, but also the NTP server from which the router firmware will synchronize:
Inside the Remote page, we can designate a host from the Internet that is allowed to access the router:
In the Firmware menu, we can enable/disable the Automatic Firmware Update function, or specify the file location ourselves:
In the Backup menu, we can reset the router to the factory defaults, backup the settings to a file on our HDD, or restore the settings from a previously saved configuration file:
In the Reset menu, we can restart the equipment:
In the DDNS menu, we can enable the option in case we have an account already set up:
CPU: Intel I7 920 @ 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
ASUS U3S6 Expansion Card
For the client wireless tests I used an Asus X55SV Laptop. For testing the USB Wireless LAN adapters throughput, I have connected the server ( I7 PC ) to the router with a UTP wire and the client ( ASUS X55SV ) had installed the Wireless LAN adapters.
For the client wired tests, both server and client were linked to the router with UTP wire.
The application I have used to test the speeds was Performance Test 7.0, fully compatible with Windows 7.
The latest router from Sitecom brings an unique feature, named Sitecom Cloud Security, which behaves as an extra protection layer against malware and viruses while browsing the Internet and can be very easy turned on or off, with the help of the intuitive graphical interface inside the browser.
The router is secured right from the box, which means that most of the settings concerning security are already set; the login password is unique for each router, along with the WPA2 wireless security password. WPA2 security is turned on by default, something that we did not see on many previously tested routers. The product also comes with a firewall, customizable QoS settings, WPS, DoS attacks protection, URL Blocking and many more.
The Sitecom Cloud Security layer is a good, but not a perfect system; when activated, introduces a very small delay when browsing web pages; it does a very good thing by blocking the suspicious websites and we are informed by a SCS web page which pops up. Also, the included popup blocker does its job pretty well, removing most of the advertisments; however, I did encounter an interesting situation when browsing: an advertisment window did pop-up in the back of the browser's main window and SCS was unable to block the Youtube video in it, which started playing automatically. As Sitecom mentions, SCS does not eliminate the need of an antivirus installed on our system.
Thanks to the technology which is "in the cloud", all these small imperfections can be ironed out at later updates, without the need of our input.
The MSRP for this router model is € 79,99 and this includes a free half year subscription of Sitecom Cloud Security. The SCS service subscription is not automatically prolonged, but the user can do this for € 14,99 which is the price of an annual subscription for all four module types; each of the four SCS functions can also be purchased separately.The price for the half year subscription has not been yet set.
I would like to thank again to Sitecom for offering me the chance of testing and reviewing one of their latest products!