AXIMCom MR-102N mobile router

We’re calling it - the days of the standalone 3G dongle or modem are numbered. In their place, a new class of portable router has emerged. The AXIMCom MR-102N is one such device. Packed into a small device, marginally larger than a cigarette box, is a 3G modem, wireless router and battery pack that will create a wireless LAN anywhere, anytime. 
The AXIMCom MR-102N is very easy to set up. It has an Ethernet port, USB port, power switch and AC input. The Ethernet connection is used for the initial set-up so that you’re not creating an open wireless hotspot before you’ve done any configuration.Unlike many of the routers in this class, the MR-102N supports a variety of advanced network settings such as port forwarding and VPN.

We tested the AXIMCom MR-102N with a USB modem from Optus. We powered on the MR-102N, plugged in the modem and went into the browser-based configuration utility. This was both Windows and Mac friendly. Given that it worked with both Firefox and Chrome, we’d expect the same from Linux.

Setting up the modem required that we choose the brand from a drop down list and then enter the APN settings. Once that was in, we could choose whether to connect automatically or on command. One of the handy things about the MR-102N is that it’s not only able to use USB modems. If you’re an iPhone user and have tethering enabled, you can connect your iPhone and share its 3G connection. You can also use Windows Mobile and Android phones in the same way.

Perhaps the most important thing we can say about the MR-102N is that it just works. Once we’d gone through the initial set up, the MR-102N delivered a reliable Internet connection to an iPhone, iPad, netbook and notebook computer. Battery life was reasonable with several hours of use on a single charge.

Range over the 802.11n radio was solid with ping times only falling once we several several meters away. The signal didn't completely drop away until we were over 12 metres away and with a solid wall interfering with the line of sight.

For $199, the AXIMCom MR-102N delivers an easy way to use your existing 3G data service and share it with multiple devices. With support for all Australian carriers and a bunch from other countries as well, the MR-102N makes a worthy travel companion.

WLAN VoIP router offers 3G USB modem support

Broadcom Corp. is rolling out the Intensi-fi XLR WLAN VoIP router SoC platform solutions with enhanced features that include 3G support. System OEMs can now leverage Broadcom wireless silicon integration and a proven VoIP software suite to develop advanced routers. 3G functionality can be added to these new platform solutions using a USB interface, bringing Internet and network services to homes where broadband is otherwise unavailable.3G USB modems enable consumers to utilize their cellular network to create an instant Wi-Fi hotspot for whole home Internet and VoIP services. According to InStat, revenues from external 3G modems alone will reach $2.34 billion globally by the end of 2010.
Running a VoIP stack on the wireless router enables consumers to make high quality phone calls over the Internet. VoIP routers bring cost benefits to consumers since calls are charged as part of the Internet service instead of a separate regular telephone charge. Added services like multiple lines, conference call and caller ID are also provided at no additional charge as part of typical VoIP offerings.
Broadcom's 802.11n design platform with external 3G support includes router options for low-end to high-end solutions as follows:
• BCM5356U—single-stream 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11n router SoC solution
• BCM5358U—dual-stream 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11n router SoC solution
• BCM5358—a dual-stream 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11n router SoC solution with VoIP support
• BCM47186—dual-stream 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11n high-performance Gigabit Ethernet router SoC solution with VoIP support
To provide a strong wireless backbone for the networked home, Broadcom optimized this new 802.11n router platform with Accelerange technology—a unique set of hardware and software enhancements that ensures more robust wireless coverage.
The powerful 533MHz MIPS32 74K core CPU memory subsystem architecture allows for consistently enhanced voice quality even under high Internet data traffic conditions.
Broadcom uses a 65nm CMOS design process and a high level of integration to reduce the number of system components on-chip, which in turn, lowers the rest-of-bill-of-materials cost by up to 35 percent. These new router SoC solutions further reduce cost by using two-layer PCBs, making high-end routers more affordable to consumers.
The new Intensi-fi XLR platform builds upon the architecture of Broadcom's current 802.11n platform, and maintains data rates of up to 300Mbit/s.
The new SoC solutions include interface to support 3G and 4G technologies including WiMAX and LTE (long term evolution) WAN connectivity. The router SoCs also pack integrated IEEE 802.11n CPU/MAC/BB/Radio, memory controller, five-port Fast Ethernet switch and 2.4GHz power amplification circuit. The solutions integrate USB 2.0 host port that can be used for storage and print server applications as well as Low-power modes for a green router footprint.
"By optimizing our wireless solutions for popular consumer use cases, Broadcom is able to address growing industry trends in wireless routers including support for external wide area wireless networking (3G, WiMAX and LTE) and the ability to run a high quality VoIP stack. This product family not only supports these two new features, but also provides best in class system integration and wireless performance," said Michael Hurlston, senior VP and general manager, Broadcom's WLAN line of business.

http://tiny.cc/gioya

Netgear intros two new home routers, one 3G WWAN router

Netgear's dropping a bunch of new kit here at CES, so we'll get right to the networking piece here. First up is the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N modem / router (DGND3300), which integrates an ADSL2+ modem with a 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless router. Following that is the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WNDR3700), which is the first product to introduce the outfit's fifth-generation industrial design. It's also packin' 2.4GHz / 5GHz support along with an inbuilt USB port for hooking up a wireless printer. Finally, the 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router (MBR624GU) does exactly what it says, which is to create a WiFi hotspot by plugging in a USB 3G modem. No prices are mentioned for any of these, but they should be in stores here shortly.

Gallery: Netgear intros two new home routers, one 3G WWAN router

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SOLUTIONS FOR THE HOME

Routers and Gateways
At CES, NETGEAR will debut three sleek, versatile, feature-rich wireless routers to fulfill the unique
lifestyle needs of different customer segments - for people on-the-go as well as consumers and
prosumers looking to upgrade their network environments and take full advantage of a growing number
of bandwidth-hungry applications, online gaming, and HD video streaming. Also in 2009, in partnership
with OpenDNS®, NETGEAR will introduce a powerful network-based parental controls service for select
Wireless-N routers and gateways, to enable parents to restrict access to unsafe web sites, filter
inappropriate content, and establish time limits around the use of the Internet. (See press release,
"NETGEAR Launches New Series of Versatile Wireless Routers Designed to Meet Needs of Prosumers,
Media Enthusiasts and People On-The-Go.") More information can be found at
(http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways.aspx?for=Home+Networking).

Named "Best of Innovations" in the CES Home Networking category, NETGEAR's RangeMax Dual
Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WNDR3700), the first product to introduce NETGEAR's sleek new
fifth generation industrial design, is a simultaneous Dual Band 2.4 GHz and 5GHz wireless router with
Gigabit ports and a USB port to network an external USB storage device for high speed data access from
multiple computers in the network. It incorporates a powerful 680 MHz MIPS processor, high
performance power amplifiers and eight ultra sensitive metamaterial antennas – resulting in faster wired
to wireless throughput and long range wireless coverage. Features include a four-port Ethernet low power
consumption "green" switch, dedicated Quality of Service (QOS) for video streaming over wireless, one-

touch wireless on-off and power on-off buttons, and adjustable transmit power for maximum energy
efficiency. Along with easy and secure Push 'N' Connect with industry standard WiFi Protected Setup
(WPS), the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router is the ideal solution for the prosumer with
multiple networked gadgets running multiple applications, online gamers, and video streamers that
require the ultimate network experience.

NETGEAR's RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Modem Router (DGND3300) integrates an ADSL2+
modem along with a Dual Band Wireless Router operating at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz – all in
NETGEAR's popular compact industrial design. NETGEAR's modem router uses double firewall
protection including Network Address Translation (NAT), hiding PCs and files from outside users, and a
Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall denying outside requests for personal information. The Dual
Band Wireless-N Modem Router can also be configured as a wireless repeater to double the range. With a
new multi-language installation wizard, Push 'N' Connect with WPS, and energy saving features, the
modem router is perfect for DSL customers who want a single integrated wireless router and DSL modem
device for all of their growing networking needs.

And for consumers and professionals on-the-go, NETGEAR's 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router
(MBR624GU) creates an instant WiFi hotspot using 3G mobile broadband access service for broadband
access virtually anywhere, simply by plugging in any compatible 3G USB modem to the router. Mobile
users thus have the flexibility to create a WiFi network whether in a satellite or temporary office,
construction site, emergency center, hotel, vacation home, at an offsite event or campsite, or even from a
moving recreational vehicle. The 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router features auto detection of
compatible 3G USB modems and associated mobile carrier networks to have broadband access almost
instantly. It supports SPI, intrusion logging and reporting, denial-of-service (DoS) protection, up to five
IPsec VPN endpoints, and NAT. With Push 'N' Connect with WPS, energy saving features, and an
optional car power adapter to power the router while on the move, NETGEAR's 3G Mobile Broadband
Wireless Router is ideal for sharing a 3G broadband Internet connection with friends, colleagues

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/07/netgear-intros-two-new-home-routers-one-3g-wwan-router/