Networking Gear by stefan @ 2011-08-19
The latest TRENDnet 450Mbps Concurrent Dual Band Wireless N Router, model TEW-692GR, supports 450Mbps speeds on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands at the same time, is very stable and comes with an intuitive firmware interface and integrated help menu.
At first I would like to thank TRENDnet for offering me one of their latest product for review, the TEW-692GR 450Mbps Concurrent Dual Band Wireless N Router.
"TRENDnet is a global provider of award winning networking solutions to small and medium size business and home users. Building networking solutions since 1990, TRENDnet enables users to share broadband access, multimedia content and networked peripherals for true anywhere connectivity. TRENDnet's diverse product line includes Wireless, Fiber, Switch, Gigabit, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM), Internet Camera, Print Server, Powerline, Bluetooth, Storage Server, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and Multimedia Accessories.
Based in Torrance, California, TRENDnet maintains branch offices in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Central America, South America, and Asia. TRENDnet’s management system is ISO 9001:2008 certified (click here to view certificate). TRENDnet emphasizes continual improvement as an essential component of its quality management system. This ensures rigorous process standards across the entire organization with respect product development, product quality and all other pertinent enterprise functions. TRENDnet's 250-plus product portfolio is distributed in over 125 countries. The TRENDnet brand is consistently recognized for high quality, exceptional performance and professional support.
At Home with TRENDnet
TRENDnet‘s award winning products bringing your digital home or small office to life. The broadband Internet is becoming the primary conduit for people to communicate and be entertained. With billions of devices to connect worldwide, everything from computers to phones to Internet cameras are becoming part of the network. Whether stored locally or streamed from the Internet, digital content now needs to be available anywhere in the home on any device at any time. TRENDnet networks allow you to seamlessly talk Online, share files, exchange photos, play games and communicate with other networked devices, all at the same time. Easy to use and reliable, TRENDnet allows you to stay connected and share what you value most.
Business with TRENDnet
TRENDnet offers a complete line of reliable award winning end-to-end networking solutions for the most demanding business and mobile environments. Businesses of all sizes are leveraging the power of TRENDnet networks to increase productivity, reach new customers and lower costs. From fiber at the core of the network to Internet cameras at the edge, TRENDnet offers scalable and secure enterprise class solutions.
With the introduction of networking innovations like seamless wireless connectivity, smart switching and Internet based management controls, small to medium business are building better ways to work. TRENDnet’s robust enterprise class portfolio allows small to medium business create a secure networked environment that can grow with their needs. Dedicated 24/7 technical support, low RMA and over 20 years experience collaborating with networking peers result in TRENDnet’s price-to-performance leadership for Networks People Trust™."
The new 450Mbps Wireless N Router from TRENDnet is Concurrent Dual Band and is shipped inside a fully sealed cardboard box:
On the frontal side of the package, we can find a photo of the main product, along with its name, its code name and a small graph:
The graph shows us the speed differences between the different Wireless technologies:
On one of the box sides, the full list of specifications can be found:
The features, along with the package contents are listed on one of the other sides:
On the back of the box, we can find a product description in multiple languages, along with a networking solution and some of the related products:
Inside the box we can find a specially designed mold which holds the product along with its bundle:
As the product bundle, we can find a Quick Product Guide, a CD with documentation, the power adapter, a small dock and a short UTP cable:
Inside the Product Guide, we can find the necessary information for setting up quickly the network equipment:
The power adapter is manufactured by Bestec and is rated on the output 12V, 1A:
The small dock has the same color as the product and allows us to place the router in a vertical position:
Initially, the router is covered on both sides by a transparent plastic film, to avoid scratches during shipping:
The casing is made from a shiny plastic, which means that it’s a dust and fingerprint magnet; the TRENDnet logo along with the product code name are located in the center; on the sides we can find a DualBand N 450Mbps and the GREENnet logos:
The WPS button is also located on the top of the router, near the status LEDs:
In the front, from left to right, we can find the Power, WAN, LAN1, LAN2, LAN3, LAN4, 2.4GHz WiFi, 5GHz WiFi and WPS LEDs:
The laterals have ventilation holes; the Reset button can be also found here:
In the back, we can find 4 LAN ports, one WAN, an On/Off button and a DC-IN port:
The bottom side comes with 4 circular rubber feet:
Here we can also find a sticker with the product hardware version, the serial number and the MAC:
The router interface design is very similar to the one we have seen on previous products manufactured by TRENDnet; on the top we've got the TRENDnet logo along with the name of the router, one menu on the left and details on the right:
The firmware is also equipped with a Setup Wizard, for us to be able to configure quickly the Internet connection and the security for the Wireless connection:
The WAN settings menu can be modified depending on the details we have received from our ISP:
In the LAN settings menu, we can set an IP address for the router, enable/disable the DHCP server and set its range or add DHCP reservations:
The QoS settings can be accessed by clicking on the respective menu:
In the DHCP Client List menu we can see listed the currently connected stations to the router:
The menus that take care of the WiFi 2.4GHz and 5GHz interfaces have about the same options that we can set; in the Basic Wireless Settings menu, we can enable/disable the radio interface, set the Wireless mode, the SSID name or we can choose to broadcast or not the network name, as an added security option; the frequency channel can be also chosen here, along with the WDS option and HT Physical Mode options:
In the Advanced Wireless settings menu, we can change parameters like Beacon Interval, DTIM, Fragment Threshold, RTS Threshold and so on:
The Wireless Security setting menu allows us to set the security mode and enter the necessary keys that the stations need for connecting to the current SSID:
The Wi-Fi Protected Setup menu allows us to enable/disable WPS, see the current summary or configure the WPS:
In both 2.4GHz and 5GHz modes, we have got a Station List menu, where we can see listed the stations that are currently connected:
The DMZ feature can be enabled or disabled by accessing the DMZ Settings menu:
The Virtual Server menu helps us define a single public port for redirection to an internal IP and port:
In the Static Routing Settings menu, we can define extra fixed routers to specific destinations:
Access Control allows us to define the traffic which is not permitted to WAN port service:
The Application Level Gateway Configuration menu lets us to enable/disable some of the services or applications:
In the Port Trigger menu, we can specify port forwarding rules:
In the Gaming menu, we can specify, enable or disable rules for opening multiple ports in the router:
The Inbound Filter menu allows us to set other rules for controlling the data received from the Internet:
For enabling/disabling the various Firewall features at certain hours, we can access the Schedule Rules menu:
In the Advanced Network menu, we can enable/disable UPnP, WAN Ping or we can test Ping to any other IP:
The System Management menu allows us to set the administrator password, set the device name, the device URL setting, DDNS or we can enable/disable the Remote Management via WAN:
The Upgrade Firmware menu allows us to upload the latest firmware file from the TRENDnet website for upgrading our router:
The Settings Management menu lets us export the current settings to a file in our computer, import the previously saved settings, load the factory defaults or reboot the router:
The Time Setting menu allows us to see the current system time; here we can also allow the router to synchronize via a NTP server:
The Status menu shows us all the current information regarding the Time, System Up Time, WAN, LAN configuration and current settings for the WiFi interfaces:
The firmware is also equipped with a Help menu, where we can get all the information we need for using most of the advanced settings:
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.To test 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, one by one.
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 450Mbps Concurrent Dual Band Wireless N Router from TRENDnet is very stable and has obtained some of the highest speeds in the performed tests; unlike some other routers, the TEW-692GR offers 450Mbps on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels at the same time.
The product appearance has also been updated and now the router looks better compared to the previously tested models, but can also sit vertically, with the help of the included dock.
The firmware menus look similar to the older models from TRENDnet, so people that are upgrading should spend little to no time getting used to it; as the 450Mbps router tested a while back, for each modification made at the Wireless settings, the firmware will request a reboot of the router; for turning On/Off the 2.4GHz or 5GHz Radios inside the router interface we only have to click a button, but I have found that best performance is obtained if we also reboot the router after this modification.
Many of us would miss, however, the USB port in the back of the device, for connecting storage or for using the router as a print server.
The TEW-692GR Concurrent Dual Band Wireless N Router can be found in online shops for about 110 Euros.
I would like to thank again TRENDnet for making this review possible!