Networking Gear by stefan @ 2012-05-29
The new WLR-6000 Wireless Gigabit Concurrent Dual Band Router from Sitecom offers speeds up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 450Mbps on the 5GHz frequency. The device can be used as a print server or an entry level NAS thanks to the included USB port and we also have included 6 free months of access to the Sitecom Cloud Security protection layer.
At first I would like to thank Sitecom for offering me a sample of their N750 X6 WLR-6000 Wireless Gigabit Router 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
802.11a/b/g/n Wireless Standard Protocol
Wireless speed up to 450 Mbps
802.3u 802.3i
Security: WEP 64 & 128 bits, WPA-TKIP, WPA-AES, WPA2, WPA-Radius
Compatible with Dynamic IP, Static IP, PPPoE, PPTP internet connections
Five internal antennas (two 2.4 GHz, three 5 GHz)
Quality of Service (QoS)
Universal Plug & Play (UPnP)
Application Layer Gateway (ALG)
With more and more devices connected to the Internet like Smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, media players and so on, we would need an extra layer of security since most of the time the manufacturers do not offer antivirus or anti-phishing protection right out of the box.
Sitecom has introduced an easy to use and configure service named SCS (Sitecom Cloud Security), which adds extra protection to our favorite gadgets and Internet enabled devices.
The service is available on the following products:
The Sitecom Cloud Security feature consists of two components:
-optimized Linux software on the router
-a cloud computing infrastructure hosted in a professional data center
The Linux software on the router lies at the core of the security filters and the router must be able to redirect HTTP traffic (port 80) so each request is intercepted by the software.
The Linux software present on the router will analyze the traffic and will handle the communication with the cloud; this way it will create a uniform fingerprint of the first packets and will consult the “cloud”, which in turn will instruct the router to block or allow the traffic. If the communication with the “cloud” will fail, the request will proceed without approval after a predefined time.
The Cloud infrastructure contains multiple servers hosted in a professional data center to serve the proxy requests:
1. The front end servers are communicating with the software on the router and are optimized for immediate response
2. The back end servers constantly analyze new websites and unknown downloads.
3. Third party sources deliver data to preload the Cloud database with new threat information. Sitecom Cloud Security works with over forty renowned security vendors to receive and learn about online threat information.
The infrastructure is completely scalable to allow quick growth of users. Its redundant design ensures a very high uptime and availability.
1. Anti-malware & Anti-virus
When users surf the internet, they occasionally download a file. This sometimes happens even when users are not realizing it, for example downloading a program to display specific content on a web page. These downloads can be infected with malware that can harm the computer, affect how it works or violate the user’s privacy.
Sitecom Cloud Security offers protection against the following forms of malware when surfing the Internet:
• Computer viruses – infected files with the aim of causing damage
• Spyware – sends the user’s private details to third parties
• Rootkits – give cyber criminals access to the user’s computer
• Adware – infects the user’s computer with advertising software, usually in the form of pop-ups
2. Anti-phishing
Fraudsters try to gain access to personal details by misleading users and deceiving them with false emails and websites. These could include bank account log-in details, credit card numbers or other personal access data. Not everyone in a family can easily identify these false e-mails and websites.
Sitecom Cloud Security offers protection against phishing and ensures that users are warned whenever you they are about to access a fraudulent website.
3. URL Blocking (blocking of unsafe web sites)
The URL Filter feature in Sitecom Cloud Security blocks access to websites that contain malicious or unwanted content.
4. Blocking of online advertisements
History shows that third-party advertisement servers are a high value target for cybercriminals. Content on these servers are embedded and shown on hundreds or thousands of web sites, reaching tens of thousands or even millions of visitors for a certain period of time. Blocking online advertisements coming from ad servers will therefore increase security.
An additional advantage of blocking ads that come from ad servers is that websites load faster when these images, Flash content, etc. are not downloaded, delivering an all-round better browsing experience.
A list of known ad serving hosts is maintained on the servers in the cloud. The advertisements are neither downloaded nor shown and when needed replaced by transparent images.
Link counters from known ad serving hosts are handled as usual to prevent unintentional blocking of requested content.
The ad blocking function of Sitecom Cloud Security is not automatically activated. End-users that would like to make use of this feature have to activate the function in the user interface.
The router comes with a free half year subscription, which is automatically activated when the user goes online. The free subscription is not automatically extended and once the period has elapsed, the user can easily extend the protection for either 6 or 12 months. Each of the four elements can be purchased separately or together in a bundle. For a 6 month period, the subscription costs about 9.99 Euros and for a full year about 14.99 Euros.
The newest X6 Wireless Gigabit router from Sitecom features their SCS (Sitecom Cloud Security) technology and can offer wireless speeds up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 450Mbps on the 5GHz band. The product is shipped inside a medium-sized cardboard box, with the supported technologies listed on the frontal side:
On one of the sides, we get further explanations regarding the product features:
Also here we will find the steps we need to take for connecting stations only by a press of a button (this is possible only if the wireless adapters we connect also support the technology); the full list of technical specifications can be also found further down:
On the box we will also find the list of package contents along with the features explained in other languages:
A short presentation of what means Sitecom Cloud Security is also on the box:
The bottom does not lack information at all; here we will find a large table where the router features from different models are compared:
For extra protection, the router along with its bundle is further packed inside a plain cardboard box:
The router sits on the top layer and on the bottom one we will find the accessories along with the documentation:
The router is built to be ready of mounting on the wall; the manufacturer has included a card to help with holes drilling placement and also the screws; besides this we will also find a small SCS envelope, a transparent plastic bag with documentation, another leaflet concerning GPL licenses, the power adapter and a blue LAN cable:
The leaflet shows us the modules used which are under the GNU General Public License:
Let’s look now what we have inside the SCS Information card envelope:
Well, inside, besides the actual Information card which contains the serial number to be able to activate the free limited license, Sitecom has also included an additional leaflet where we can read how SCS layer functions:
Let’s go back to the transparent plastic bag contents; here we will find the CD, a full Installation Guide, the Sitecom Hot Products Catalogue, a registration card, the Declaration of Conformity leaflet and a secondary product presentation card:
The secondary product presentation card contains information regarding the Smart Living series of products from Sitecom:
Inside the catalogue we will find some other products that Sitecom sells, which can be also checked out in detail on their website:
Sitecom is used with including easy understanding instructions, so most users should perform the task without any difficulties:
The power adapter shipped with the product was manufactured by DVE and is rated on the output +12V, 1.25A:
The extra sticker included with the product is handy because it contains the information regarding the initial “admin” password and the preset WPA2 codes for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks:
For additional protection, the top side of the router is covered with a transparent plastic film:
In the center we will find the Sitecom logo embossed and on the bottom left corner there is a small OPS button; the activity and status LEDs are buried under the top cover and have a nice effect when the router is powered:
The sides are provided with ventilation holes:
On the bottom we will find additional ventilation holes, four rubber feet, the places for wall mounting and an additional sticker which contains the same information as the one we discussed a while back:
The back side of the router has the ports initially covered with a transparent film with written instructions; besides the four LAN ports, the WAN port, we will also find an On/Off button, the DC-IN power connector and a single USB port:
The firmware interface of the X6 Wireless Gigabit router from Sitecom looks similar to the last SCS product we have tested and is split onto multiple tabs; each main tab has other secondary tabs underneath that can be accessed. The main Status tab comes with the System Status sub-menu, where we can see the current uptime, the product name, hardware, serial and software versions:
The DHCP Server section will let us customize the DHCP values for the LAN:
The Device Status section will show us the current statistics regarding all enabled interfaces:
The Internet Status menu will list the status of the WAN connection:
Inside the DHCP Status section, we will be shown a list of currently allocated IPs by the DHCP and here we can also make allocations manually, based on the station MACs:
The Log section will show system status information and when the actions have been performed:
The Statistics menu informs us of the Sent/Received Packets on all interfaces:
The firmware also comes with a Setup Wizard, which helps us connect and configure faster the network equipment:
The 2.4GHz Wireless Settings tab contains all necessary options that we can modify to fine-tune the connection; inside the Enable section, we can simply enable or disable the 2.4GHz Wireless LAN:
Inside the Basic section, we will be able to select the band, enable various SSIDs and to select the channel:
The Advanced section goes a little more in detail with the interface settings:
From the Security tab, we will be able to customize the settings from each SSID, like choosing the encryption type, WMM and so on:
From the ACL menu, we will be able to enable MAC filtering:
WPS technology can be enabled or disabled and also configured by accessing the respective tab:
The 5GHz Wireless Settings tab is designed the same way, so we will only include the menu screenshots:
The router firewall can be enabled or disabled by accessing the respective menu:
A demilitarized zone IP can be specified from the DMZ tab:
The router also benefits from DoS protection; these types of filters can be enabled/disabled/customized from the DoS menu:
The Access Control menu will let us define the traffic type permitted or not permitted on the LAN:
URL Blocking feature is also available; the specified URLs we have blocked will be also enumerated on the bottom table:
The NAT function can be enabled or disabled from the Advanced Settings tab:
In case we have some servers on the network, we will be able to do some redirections behind the firewall, by using the Port Forwarding function:
We can also configure the router as a Virtual Server, so the services from our local PC are accessible from outside the LAN:
If we require special settings and permissions for various applications on the network, we can use the Trigger Port function:
Some predefined settings are available inside the ALG tab for different applications and services which do not work well when the NAT function is enabled:
UPnP can be enabled from inside the respective menu:
QoS can be also customized from the Quality of Service tab:
The additional layer of security, Sitecom Cloud Security can be enabled, but also disabled from the Toolbox tab:
We can modify the pre-defined firmware login password by accessing the respective menu:
The router time can be set by setting the time zone and selecting a time server:
If we need to configure the router from outside the LAN, we have to enter the host address in the specified tab:
The new system firmwares can be automatically searched and updated via the interface or we can simply browse for a new version saved on the HDD:
All the modifications can be saved on file and restored when necessary:
With the Reset section we can only reset the system firmware:
Finally, the DDNS section allows us to select a provider and enter up the domain name, email and password if we use such services:
CPU: Intel I5 3570K Retail
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z77 Professional
RAM: GeIL Black Dragon 2x4GB DDR2133 (@1600)
Video: Sparkle X560 Calibre
Power Supply: Cooler Master 850W
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200.10
Case: Cooler Master ATCS 840
For the client wireless tests we have used an Asus X55SV Laptop.To test the USB Wireless LAN adapters throughput, we 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.
802.11b
802.11g
802.11n
802.11bg
802.11bgn
802.11a
802.11n
802.11an
802.11b
802.11g
802.11n
802.11bg
802.11bgn
802.11a
802.11n
802.11an
802.11b
802.11g
802.11n
802.11bg
802.11bgn
802.11a
802.11n
802.11an
802.11b
802.11g
802.11n
802.11bg
802.11bgn
802.11a
802.11n
802.11an
In the previous firmware version, there was a small error and the USB port tab inside the Advanced Settings menu was not showing properly; this issue was quickly fixed by Sitecom. Inside this menu we can choose the function mode of the USB port; in Server Mode, the connected storage drives will be shown inside the network as a separate device for easy access:
However, if we select NetUSB Mode, we will be able to see the drives as if they were connected directly to the computer, with the help of the Control Center software:
Upon launching the Sitecom Multi-Function Printserver Control Center software, we will see the name of the drive connected to the USB port; by right-clicking we can mount it to our computer. This process can be also automated:
Here are some read and write test results with the drive connected in both ways:
“Server Mode” Copy
“Server Mode” Read
“NetUSB Mode” Copy
“NetUSB Mode” Read
If we connect a printer to the USB port, we will again see it in the Control Center software interface and when it is mounted, it will be seen as if it is connected directly to our PC:
The new N750 X6 Wireless Gigabit Router from Sitecom preserves the same chassis design line as we have seen with the WLR-4000 tested in the past and offers concurrent dual band Wi-Fi, but only the 5GHz band is 450Mbps, the 2.4Ghz one still being 300Mbps. The router comes with 5 internal antennas for both frequencies and not with a mix of internal + external as the TEW-692GR from TRENDnet; we have tested in the same conditions both routers and saw that the X6 offered a slightly smaller area coverage than the TEW-692GR.
Regarding the performance, the router succeeds to deliver good speeds on both bands, giving much better results when using 450Mbps Wi-Fi adapters.
The WLR-6000 comes with passwords set right from the factory for the firmware interface and wireless networks, on both bands; the passwords can be found on the bottom side of the router, but also on a supplied sticker. Something unique, which is not found on routers from other manufacturers, is SCS (Sitecom Cloud Security), which gets activated automatically when the equipment goes online. Sitecom gives us a 6 free month subscription for the service, which does not renew automatically. The service can be also disabled at any time from the router interface.
The firmware is easy to work with and comes with a lot of options like MAC Filtering for each network, WPS, firewall capabilities, DoS protection, Access Control, URL Blocking, QoS and many more. What is to appreciate is the fact that when modifying different settings inside the UI, there are rare cases when the router asks for a reboot and many of the altered settings can be saved and applied in about 10-20 seconds.
The USB port has dual function and can be used for connecting USB printers to the network or storage devices, so they would be available all over the network; to use these functions, we may use the Control Center application from Sitecom, supplied on the CD.
The new WLR-6000 X6 Wireless Gigabit Router from Sitecom can be found in stores for about 130 Euros.
I would like to thank again to Sitecom for making this review possible!