Belkin N1 Wireless Router

Reviewed by: jeffrandazzo

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Looks great, easy to set up using the supplied CD (ONLY!), LED display very helpful

Weaknesses: Crashes when turning on security, MAC-control, disable SSID broadcast will not accept @ in user-name

Overall Evaluation: Warranty replacement. The first replacement arrived. I connected via Ethernet and use my web browser to connect to their set-up page, without a problem. My DSL provider, BellSouth/AT&T, uses "connection type" PPPoE. When trying to enter my user name I kept getting a "ULR error", the router would not accept the @ symbol in the user name field. This prevented me from being able to connect to the Internet.After approximately 6 phone calls, I was still unable to get the router connected to the Internet. I became committed to finding the problem myself; I couldn't bear a 7th call. I inserted the "Setup Assistant" CD, supplied with the router. After a couple of clicks I was connected! I scratched my head? puzzled? why was I unable to change connection types through my web browser? Still puzzled by this unanswered question? I proceeded to TRY and set the security the same way it was on my Pre-N. The first thing I attempted to do was block the "SSID" address from being broadcast. It worked so well? my computer couldn't find the network. In order to reestablish a wireless connection, I had to "restore factory settings" and restart the router. After a half dozen attempts I gave up? so much for that security feature.Unable to hide my network, the next thing I attempted to due was set security through the "Security Mode" feature. Regardless of which option I selected? I was unable to connect too any of my four wireless computers, Mac OS X Tiger or PC Windows XP (both up to date). The only way to reestablish a connection was to "restore factory settings" and restart the router? what fun? what joy! Left with no other choice I called Belkin customer support? AGAIN! After several attempts and 5 hours on this problem, Belkin finally concluded the router was defective and sent a replacement. Tired of waiting I went to a local store and purchased the same model. After all? what are the odds of having two defective routers? Apparently100%. In the meantime we are now left with an unsecured wireless network that we rely on for online banking and paying bills? not very comforting. This time Belkin convinced me the problem is with my Internet provider. After investing two hours with BellSouth on the phone? they sent a service technician. When connecting directly from the modem to my computer via Ethernet we had no problem connecting. Establishing an Internet connection was not an issue. We are now certain the problem is with the router. Five days later the third router showed up? and I started all over again. With each replacement, I attempted to search for new firmware, with no luck. Each time I logged on to the ?router setup? page using the ? firmware update? option I received the following message ?There is no new firmware update available for this Router! ?. By this time I had learned my lesson, I was no longer willing to waste my time by talking to anyone lower than level 2 support. This time after only two calls? I was directed to the recently posted firmware. The firmware was posted one week earlier, but could not be located when using the ? firmware update? option on the router setup page. After updating the firmware I was able to block the "SSID" address from being broadcast and do my online banking. Now at least my Mac?s can use the wireless connection, still without security, the PC drops the connection within 5 minutes. This never happened with the two prior units. Another thing I noticed with this model is the wireless signal doesn?t seem to be as strong. That may be an unfair observation since I have never had a device that function properly.A part of the consideration in making the choice to buy a Belkin product was the fact that it comes with a ?Lifetime Warranty? and customer support. With this model it may very well take a ?lifetime? of customer support to get it working. What good is a ?Lifetime Warranty? if the replacement option doesn?t work!!!!!