| Buffalo Airstation Extreme N600 | Linksys E2500 | |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
| WiFi Performance | N600 WiFi (300 + 300 Mbps) | N600 WiFi (300 + 300 Mbps) |
| WiFi Band | 2.4GHz & 5GHz | 2.4GHz & 5GHz |
| Ethernet Ports | 4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port |
4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port |
| USB Port | USB 2.0 | No USB ports |
| Security | WPA2-PSK (AES, TKIP) WPA-PSK (AES, TKIP) 128/64-bit WEP |
64-bit WEP WPA2 encryption |
| Antennas | 2 X 2 Internal | MIMO antenna array |
| Firewall Features | VPN pass through PPTP Server OpenVPN Server |
NAT SPI |
| MSRP | $79.99 | $89.99 |
Designed to be a complete solution both in a home or a small office, the Buffalo Airstation N600 is a router that is rapidly gaining in popularity. A relatively inexpensive router, it can be purchased for less than $100 at most retailers and has been noted for its impressive performance. Considered a dual-band router, the N600 operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands, making it more versatile than many other routers. It allows an individual or business connect to multiple wireless clients and devices, with speeds ranging from 300 Mbps on the single band and 600 Mbps on both bands.
One of the best features of the N600 is its customizable interface. It provides options that are well-suited for both experienced network users as well as first-timers who are hoping to connect their PC’s to their game consoles. The firmware’s overall design is made to give a greater stability to users while also increasing performance.
The N600 also provides network sharing via USB and Gigabit Ethernet. Combine that with HighPower Technology, VPN Access and extremely easy setup Wizard and you’ve got a router that can meet the daily demands of any home or office. For some people, the easy setup Wizard alone is worth the purchase. Many routers make is difficult for people to connect them to other devices, but the N600 and its Wizard makes installation and connection easy even for beginners or those who are technologically-challenged.
The wireless LAN interface of the N600 has a standard compliance of IEEE 802.11n, 802.11a, 802.11g and 802.11b. Its wireless security consists of WPA-2, WPA-PSK and 128/64-bit WEP. The Wired LAN interface consists of a Speed and Flow Control of 10/100/1000 Mbps along with Auto Sensing and Auto MDIX. It has four LAN ports and one WAN port, all of which are RJ-45. The WAN Port Security includes VPN Pass Through, SPI and Dynamic Packet Filtering. The USB interface of the N600 is a standard compliance of 2.0 with an A-type connector and one USB port available to users.
After you’ve got the N600 unpacked and are ready to begin the set-up, you’ll find it comes complete with an Ethernet cable, a setup card for Wi-Fi access and a utility CD that contains the product manual and client software. The two external antennas can be moved and positioned individually, letting you get them in just the right position for maximum performance. The only drawback to the antennas is they are not removable, making it a bit more difficult if one has to be replaced.
Like most of today’s routers, the N600 has a feature that lets the user select from different wireless encryption models in order to keep prying eyes of neighbors or others from gaining access to the network. The N600 has the ability to choose the strongest level of encryption that can be supported by the connecting client.
With all these features and reasonable price, the Buffalo Airstation N600 is considered to be a router that provides a good bang for the buck for both novices and those more experienced with computer hardware.
