Cisco Access Point Does Dual Band, HD Streaming

By Kevin Parrish
published

Here's a good way to extend and upgrade your network.

Recently Cisco released its new Linksys WAP610N, a Wireless-N access point with both 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless frequencies (dual band). The device is slated to be optimized for HD streaming, to be more tolerant of external interference, and simple to integrate into a home or office network. Now users can both extend and upgrade their network to Wireless-N performance.

"With Wi-Fi Protected Setup, you just need to push a button on the Access Point and wireless connection is automatically created on your other device," reads the product description over on Dell's website (opens in new tab). "In addition, the device and security configuration is a snap with the browser-based configuration utility. Additionally, this device features an easy setup procedure as well as reliable connectivity allowing you to move your laptops, or set up your devices all around your home or office."

Cisco also said that the device is ideal for VoIP telephony, large volume data transfers, and backups across the network. The device's Quality of Service capabilities also provide an efficient handling of VoIP and audio/video traffic. Thanks to a built-in Digital Signal Processor, video glitches are reduced while special algorithms allow more throughput for a particular range.

Costing $119.99, consumers and businesses can order the new access point by heading to Dell here (opens in new tab). The device requires Windows XP, Windows Vista 32-bit, and Windows Vista 64-bit.

Kevin Parrish
14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • drutort
    i just dont understand why no external antennas... this is pissing me off of these so called high quality devices... have you seen some of the so called internal antennas? like on the netgear router, its about 1/4" in and they claim to have multiple ones which is true but... honestly 1/4" vs an external one which you could upgrade

    i guess its not appealing to the general masses to have antennas sticking out :P
    Reply
  • jezzarisky
    the links are broken, but I did find it on ciscos website for ten dollars more :/

    http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Routers/linksys-WAP610n-wireless-dualband-router_stcVVproductId80342978VVcatId552009VVviewprod.htm
    Reply
  • touchdowntexas13
    I was wondering about the antenna too. These sleek "antennaless" devices seem to be all rage these days. Do you lose any range without a decent external antennas?
    Reply
  • orionantares
    touchdowntexas13I was wondering about the antenna too. These sleek "antennaless" devices seem to be all rage these days. Do you lose any range without a decent external antennas?
    You have the potential to lose signal strength because the internal antennas are always omni-directional and the transmitting range is based on the position the router is sitting in. With an external antenna you can adjust the direction of the antenna to help with signal strength without shifting the router itself around or the more important thing you can do is replace the omni-directional antenna with a directional antenna to get better signal strength for the areas you actually want to cover. The second option is very helpful when you want to try to cover an area when you want to place the transmitter at one end of the area instead of in the middle of it.
    Reply
  • themarshall
    I already have a really good router (Firebox) and just want the best simultaneous 2.4 and 5.8Ghz wireless router available and for some reason I'm having a really hard time finding one that's any good. Agree with the external antenna's too. I just want a 2.4/5.8 simultaneous (can't just say duel, because it could switch from one to the other) wireless AP with external antenna's. Any ideas? Why is that so hard to find?
    Reply
  • letsplaytoast
    Right on drutort..that is one of the main reasons I've been sticking with the WRT54GS for so long(well that and DD-WRT enhancements). The range I can get off of an old school router with bridge-client mode, amplification and homebuilt antennas is nuts. This internal antenna stuff for looks has got to end.
    Reply
  • The device requires Windows XP, Windows Vista 32-bit, and(OR) Windows Vista 64-bit.
    Nice AP by the way
    Reply
  • drutort
    dd-wrt is great, i buy routers that can run it, so that i have option between stock and dd-wrt the asus rt-n12 for example is no go with dd-wrt it just disconnects doesnt matter that i have done 30/30/30 ill have to flash it to stock. The netgear WNDR3300 refurbs from new newegg are great so far with ddwrt. The antennas are ok they are those "smart" internal ones probably same as the one in this linsys.

    You guys dont forget 5ghz seems great but its not all that great, the wavelength is much smaller and needs a lot of power to go the same distance as 2.4ghz to simply put it you dont get same range... BUT it is nice for short distance thats why i got 2 of them and have the 5ghz connected together and then rebrodcast on the 2.4ghz for other N devices :)

    i have a v2 wrt54gs thats pretty old and v4, i had the wrt350n which i like and just did the antenna mod and have 9dbi's on it, and even though they are omni moving them around i get from 5-10% signal difference so go figure

    also all my linksys ones have moded fans on them ;) with variable fan speed ;)

    so im not a fan of these internal antennas :/ i dont get why they keep releasing them... fine give us option for internal and option for external one or 2 so we can put directional if we want...
    Reply
  • ceteras
    The device requires Windows XP or better.
    Great!
    Reply
  • bad_code
    "The device requires Windows XP, Windows Vista 32-bit, and Windows Vista 64-bit. " what if I only have vista on my computer will it still work? :) do these guys at tomhardware know proper grammar?
    Reply