I had earlier posted a thread about my problems connecting a HP laptop G50 ( b/g ) to the WNDR3700 using its WPA or WPA2 (AES) encryption - although it did so without encryption.
This is my initial experience with the E3000 which replaced the 3700. Briefly, I was very much relieved with the aggravation-free installation and connection with my laptops. My other laptop (HP dv9700) is a b/g/n device. I just hooked it up and instead of manually filling up the router's web pages (getting rather peeved with router installations by now), I just inserted the installation CD in the laptop. Surprising - instead of having to answer a number of questions, it simply asked whether I wanted to connect with the router (Dah...that's why I got it!). I said yes and after a couple of minutes it said (more or less) - all done. Note: as with any router installation, good idea to power off the modem and reconnect only after router is fully powered up.
I have had no line drops or other problems since installation 24 hours ago. I've got it working without any SSID broadcasts. There are only a few issues which I hope CISCO will address in their software package. None of these are issues which the majority of users will encounter.
First off, the installation package (called CISCO CONNECT) uses the router's name and password for accessing the webpages as the SSIDs (both 2.4 and 5 MHz bands) and passwords for accessing the network!! Here's a problem - the CISCO CONNECT software is required to make alterations to the guest network and for restricting web access (presumably for kids). The only thing I care about is the guest network - which by default is activated. You can see it on VISTA's network list since its broadcasted. However, other changes which we would like to do - like changing the SSIDs and passphrases for the two bands - can only be done through the router's web pages. This is of course the first thing I did. Now, when I went back to using CISCO CONNECT to tutn off the guest network I was told the software was now non-functional because I had made changes using the web interface!! Now, think about it: the software CISCO CONNECT and the web pages are BOTH needed to customize the router with your needs. You can't do it! Doesn't compute!
Now - what I like: it allows you to customize each band with b/g only, n only, mixed or disable. Using the web pages you can give separate SSIDs for each band and also separate security protocols.
Now, going back to the guest network - no worries. If somebody logs in, they get asked a password and if you haven;t set it up, they won't get in because there is no password.
As for real world performance, I'll get back with it when I get back home - up North.
PS: The E3000, as (I believe) Mr. Higgins said is the WRT610N in a DJ! The circuit board and chips seem identical. And, I believe, the E2000 is the WRT320N!!
This is my initial experience with the E3000 which replaced the 3700. Briefly, I was very much relieved with the aggravation-free installation and connection with my laptops. My other laptop (HP dv9700) is a b/g/n device. I just hooked it up and instead of manually filling up the router's web pages (getting rather peeved with router installations by now), I just inserted the installation CD in the laptop. Surprising - instead of having to answer a number of questions, it simply asked whether I wanted to connect with the router (Dah...that's why I got it!). I said yes and after a couple of minutes it said (more or less) - all done. Note: as with any router installation, good idea to power off the modem and reconnect only after router is fully powered up.
I have had no line drops or other problems since installation 24 hours ago. I've got it working without any SSID broadcasts. There are only a few issues which I hope CISCO will address in their software package. None of these are issues which the majority of users will encounter.
First off, the installation package (called CISCO CONNECT) uses the router's name and password for accessing the webpages as the SSIDs (both 2.4 and 5 MHz bands) and passwords for accessing the network!! Here's a problem - the CISCO CONNECT software is required to make alterations to the guest network and for restricting web access (presumably for kids). The only thing I care about is the guest network - which by default is activated. You can see it on VISTA's network list since its broadcasted. However, other changes which we would like to do - like changing the SSIDs and passphrases for the two bands - can only be done through the router's web pages. This is of course the first thing I did. Now, when I went back to using CISCO CONNECT to tutn off the guest network I was told the software was now non-functional because I had made changes using the web interface!! Now, think about it: the software CISCO CONNECT and the web pages are BOTH needed to customize the router with your needs. You can't do it! Doesn't compute!
Now - what I like: it allows you to customize each band with b/g only, n only, mixed or disable. Using the web pages you can give separate SSIDs for each band and also separate security protocols.
Now, going back to the guest network - no worries. If somebody logs in, they get asked a password and if you haven;t set it up, they won't get in because there is no password.
As for real world performance, I'll get back with it when I get back home - up North.
PS: The E3000, as (I believe) Mr. Higgins said is the WRT610N in a DJ! The circuit board and chips seem identical. And, I believe, the E2000 is the WRT320N!!
