Introduction

TRENDnet have developed one of the first 450Mbit model routers, with the code name TEW-691GR. From the performed tests, we cannot see ultra high speed on Wireless 300Mbit devices, but the manufacturer claims that when having 450Mbit adapters, the situation changes completely. A firmware update will also be available later to enhance the performance with 300Mbit adapters and the Wired speed was the best I have seen throughout all the routers I have tested in the past.




I want to thank the TRENDnet representatives for allow me to test their 450Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Router.




About the company

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 250-plus product portfolio is distributed in over 125 countries. The TRENDnet brand is consistently recognized for high quality, exceptional performance and professional support.

Features:



Specifications:




Network solution:

Packaging:

The 450Mbps Wireless N router from TRENDnet comes in a completely sealed package, to protect from outside intruders:



On the frontal part of the package, we can find a large manufacturer logo, a graph with speed comparison between the 150Mbps, 300Mbps and 450Mbps networks, a big product photo, the full name of the item and the main product features:



On one of the package laterals, we can see a table which lists all the product specifications:



On another lateral, we can see some of the product features and also the package contents listed:



The back of the box has a short product description in multiple languages; we are also shown the outside connectors/buttons of the router, a wireless network solution along with some related products:



All the inside contents are further protected by a plain cardboard box:



Along with the Wireless N Router, we get to have the CD with the User Manual, a Quick Installation Guide, a blue UTP cable and the power adapter:



The power adapter is produced by Leader Electronics Inc. and it gives on output 12V at 1A:



The Quick Installation Guide tells us how to set up the router and obtain a wireless connection really fast, with text and firmware interface screenshots:

A Closer Look

The router has a protective transparent film on top, to protect it against scratches during transport:



The Wireless N 450Mbit is located in the top left corner:



The TRENDnet logo is debossed and placed in the center of the routers’ body:



On the back of the device, we can see the code name of the router, its serial number, but also the MAC; holes are also provided on the back for wall mounting, but we can also opt to put it on a horizontal flat surface; in this case, the black rubber feet will help not to slip or scratch the surface it will stay on:



Here is a closer look on the wall mounting hole and the little rubber feet:



On the back of the device, we can find the 3 antennas, one power adapter outlet, a Reset button, a O/I button which turns on or off the device, a WLAN ON/OFF button which turns off the wireless capability (useful when we want to use it only as a wired router for the time), a WAN port which is color coded blue, but also 4 LAN ports, which are color coded orange:



Both laterals of the router have ventilation holes, but on the left side we can also find the WPS button:



After the initialization, if we have only wireless devices and nothing on LAN, we could see the power, WAN and WLAN LEDs lighted up:

The Router Firmware:

To start the router configuration, we have to log in our preferred browser and navigate to the http://192.168.10.1 address. A popup will show along with the request to enter the default user/password:



Right after we login, we are shown the Status menu. On the left side we can find the drop-down menu from where we can select through the available options:



The Status menu shows us detailed information regarding the router firmware, system time, WAN configuration, LAN configuration but also the Wireless LAN status:



The WAN settings menu must be configured depending on the details our ISP gave us. In my case, I do have a connection that does not have the need for extra configurations and the IP is given by the provider:



In the LAN Settings menu, we can set the IP address of the router inside the LAN, adjust the DHCP Server settings and add a DHCP reservation so every time we will connect the same devices to the network, they will have the same IP allocated; this is necessary mostly when those devices are servers, NASes and so on:



The QoS menu allows us to limit the upload speed:



In the DHCP Client list menu, we can see the connected devices, their MACs, the allocated IP addresses and we can also see when the IP allocation will expire:



The Basic Wireless Settings menu allows us to set the Wireless mode the network will operate; we can set multiple SSIDs to it, choose to broadcast the network name or not (for extra security) and set the channel in which the router will operate; we do also have an Auto setting where the router will choose by itself the operating frequency. In the same menu, we can enable/disable the WDS or do advanced modifications to the HT (High Throughput) Physical Mode:



In the Advanced Wireless Settings menu, we can set mode in-depth settings regarding the wireless transmission like the Beacon Interval, DTIM or Fragmentation Treshold:



The Wireless Security Setting menu allows us to cycle through the SSIDs, choose the security mode for our network, enter the key (if applicable) and use the Wireless MAC filter, also as an added security measure:



The Wi-Fi Protected Setup menu lets us deal with the WPS configuration; when enabled, here we will be able to see the WPS summary and the WPS button on the routers’ body must be pressed to begin the setup:



In the Station List menu, we can see the connected equipment on Wireless:



The DMZ Settings menu allows us to set an IP from the network which will bypass any router filters; this is recommended when the IP we will set has behind a server or another computer/device which provides a service and needs all the limitations removed:

In the Virtual Server menu, we can define a public port for redirection to an internal IP and port:



The Static Routing settings menu allows us to define fixed routes:



In the Access Control menu, we can permit or deny access to the Internet to the devices we choose. If the option is disabled, all the computers over the network will have access to the Internet:



The Port Trigger option allows us to automate port forwarding:



In the Gaming menu, we can set rules to open specific ports when playing online games:



The Inbound Filter helps us control data which is received from the Internet and we can permit or deny certain IPs to access the network:



The firewall rules can be scheduled easy inside the “Schedule Rules” menu:



In the Advanced Network menu, we can enable/disable UPnP or disallow Ping from WAN interface:



The System Management menu allows us to set the administrator password, the name of the router throughout the network, set the details of a DDNS provider where we have an account or enable the Remote Control capability over WAN:



In the Upgrade Firmware menu, we can choose to update the router with a new firmware file, which we can download from the TRENDnet website; it is always recommended to do the update when the computer is connected through a UTP wire to the router, not wireless:



In the Settings Management menu, we can export the router configuration into a file; the file can be also imported in the same menu page; here we can also return to the router factory defaults (which is equivalent to a system reset or reboot the router:



In the Time Setting menu, we can adjust the time manually or set it with the help of a NTP server:



Finally, the Help menu offers us detailed information regarding most of the menu options:

The tests

Test Setup

Wired Workstation
CPU	Core i7 920
Cooling	Stock
Mainboard	Foxconn BloodRage X58
Memory	PVT36G1600LLK tri channel kit
VGA	ATI RADEON 4770
Other	Sound card : ASUS Xonar D2 PCI Wireless router : TRENDnet TEW-691GR

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.

Wired performance



Summary graph



Detailed graphs

Adapter: Intel 4965AGN

2.4GHz Wireless b/g mixed



2.4GHz Wireless b/g/n mixed



2.4GHz Wireless n




Adapter: TRENDnet TEW-624UB

2.4GHz Wireless b/g mixed



2.4GHz Wireless b/g/n mixed



2.4GHz Wireless n




Adapter: TRENDnet TEW-645UB

2.4GHz Wireless b/g mixed



2.4GHz Wireless b/g/n mixed



2.4GHz Wireless n




Adapter: TRENDnet TEW-649UB

2.4GHz Wireless b/g mixed



2.4GHz Wireless b/g/n mixed



2.4GHz Wireless n




Adapter: TRENDnet TEW-664UB

2.4GHz Wireless b/g mixed



2.4GHz Wireless b/g/n mixed



2.4GHz Wireless n




Adapter: NETGEAR WNDA3100

2.4GHz Wireless b/g mixed



2.4GHz Wireless b/g/n mixed



2.4GHz Wireless n

Conclusive Thoughts

I had no problems at all setting the router up, mostly because it has an intuitive firmware interface. If people do not know what some of the options are, they can consult the Help page in the router interface or can download the User Manual from the TRENDnet web page.

Regarding the speeds obtained in the tests, I was very pleased with the wired one; the Wireless speeds were average with the 300Mbit devices, but the manufacturer promised that a new firmware will be released to enhance them. However, with the initial firmware, TRENDnet have done some in-house tests, but this time with 450Mbit Wireless adapters; they have claimed the speeds are amazing, but unfortunately we still have to wait for them to launch on the market.

It is a pleasure to see that even the WAN has a 1 x 10/100/1000Mbps Auto-MDIX port; in most of the previous Gigabit tested routers, only the LAN interface was Gigabit, WAN was still 10/100.

The only thing that I did not really like and I hope it will be fixed in the next firmware was that the router requested a full restart after each modification of the Wireless Modes. (many previously tested routers, along with the NETGEAR one only reset the Wireless interface and the modification is done much faster this way)




I would like to thank TRENDnet for making this review possible.