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![]() The WPN824 has an elegant design with no unsightly antennas. View larger. |
The WPN824 makes it easy for even a novice to set up a wireless network: just plug the included Ethernet cable from your DSL modem, cable modem, or other network connection into the router. An installation wizard guides you through the setup process step-by-step.
The WPN824 employs a web-based interface for configuration, and the router will automatically do the initial setup by getting your DNS settings and determining your IP address. The firmware is also upgradeable via the web interface so you can be sure your router will always be up-to-date.
Fast and Secure
The WPN824 supports the 802.11g standard but extends it with Smart MIMO technology that incorporates intelligent internal antennas, allowing it to detect interference from home devices such as microwaves, and adjusting itself accordingly. The upshot is speeds up to 108 Mbps with a longer range and a lack of "dead zones" in your home. When used with NETGEAR's adapters, it can provide up to 500,00 square feet of uninterrupted coverage. You will see the difference when you download music, stream video, or make internet telephone calls. If you still have computers that use 802.11b, don't fret as the router is backwards compatible with the older wireless standard and can be set so all your computers can connect to the network and the WGR614 will automatically figure out the connection type and work accordingly.
![]() Smart MIMO technology automatically adapts for interference from devices such as cordless phones and microwaves. |
In addition to wireless access, there are four 10/100 Mbps RJ-45 Ethernet ports in the back for connecting computers to the network via a fast wired connection.
The WPN824 offers many security options to ensure your data is private. Double firewall protection keeps your network shielded from outside attacks and Network Address Translation (NAT) hides your PCs and files from outside snoopers. To ensure the security of your wireless data, both 40/64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption is available, as well as WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). You can also use MAC address authentication to allow only authorized users onto the network and Wireless Access Control (SSID) to identify authorized wireless network devices.
Keep Tabs on Kids
This router is an especially good choice for parents as it allows settings to log all sites that are visited, lets you block specific sites based on whether it contains specific keywords, and lets you set time schedules for certain computers to work.
The NETGEAR WPN824 RangeMax Wireless Router is backed by a 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box
WPN824 RangeMax Wireless Router, power adapter, Ethernet cable, setup guide, setup CD, vertical stand, warranty/support information card.
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72 of 77 people found the following review helpful: By This review is from: NETGEAR WPN824NA Wireless Mimo Router (Personal Computers) I have sitting in my garage, a pile of recently purchased routers which have all become dust catchers after hooking up this WPN824 and the accompanying wireless cards. I read the reviews here at Amazon and noticed the negative ratings did not mention whether they were using RangeMax cards on their wireless devices so I thought I would take a chance. I have both RangeMax and other older "g" cards and the RangeMax cards make a huge difference though the other "g" cards still work better than our previous Linksys and Netgear systems did. Our router is in a back room with the wireless systems through two walls in the front room in the house, and for the first time in years we get a good solid connection to our wireless devices. I should also note that we placed the router on a non-metallic box away from other electronic devices and that seemed to help quite a bit. I am going to purchase a WGXB102 Netgear extender kit to see if it helps the other cards, though I see it is...Read more 82 of 90 people found the following review helpful: By This review is from: NETGEAR WPN824NA Wireless Mimo Router (Personal Computers) I bought this to replace an Apple Airport that died an early death. Setup was easy as soon as I figured how to bypass the "wizard"--more like a junior apprentice, really. It falsely claimed that my ISP gives me a static IP address. Had I followed along, it probably would have worked for a while and then failed mysteriously. The cheat sheet has bypass instructions, and then the setup is very nice. It is completely web-based without forcing you to install any software on your computer. I run Linux, Mac and Windows, and all connect just fine. The range improved nicely, as advertised. Having internal antennas is an advantage--one less thing to break. The only irritation are those blinking blue lights that you cannot turn off. (I read that you can open the box and disconnect the ribbon cable, but that seems a drastic step.) Covering them with cardboard is not a perfect remedy since light still emanates from the air vents...Read more 38 of 41 people found the following review helpful: By Tariq Ahmed "DopeJam.com | CFlex.net | FlexIn... (Tracy, CA USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: NETGEAR WPN824NA Wireless Mimo Router (Personal Computers) So I've had one of NetGear's first routers, the MR814 and haven't been too impressed. The NG's wireless card that I got back in the day was so bad I returned it. In my house which is 3200sq ft and the walls are filled with insulation, getting range is a huge problem. So I did a lot of research and read various articles and for range it comes down to Belkin's Pre-N or NG's RangeMax router. From the comparisons if you want just sheer raw speed and maximum distance the Belkin was the way to go as long as you also used their Pre-N cards. I don't care for N, I've got 3 laptops with internal wireless cards, 2 PCs, and an Xbox in the house and the NetGear RangeMax wins when it comes to extending range for existing b and g devices. At the extreme end of my house where the TV is (compared with the location of the router) I could barely maintain a signal with the 802.11b router I had, 1Mbps connection at best. With the RangeMax at this same location my signal strength drops to...Read more |