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The cut throat world of home data networking is a dog-eat-dog business, and standing still is much like going backwards.
Linksys, Cisco's house brand is acutely aware of this and have been working overtime to develop a raft of new gear. With the inclusion of zippy 802.11n wireless and gigabit
ethernet, these new Linksys goodies are designed from the ground up to keep pace with our growing appetite for bandwidth as we sling HD video and 5.1 channel surround audio around our homes with wild abandon thanks to the growing number of gizmos such as ultrabooks, tablets, game consoles, smart TVs that are busily consuming data.
SE2550 5-Port Switch
First cab off the rank is the Linksys SE2500 5-port Gigabit Switch which gives existing wired networks an upgrade to Gigabit networking, significantly improving performance in the process by shunting data around at speeds up to 10x faster than 10/100 ethernet. This said you'll need gigabit ethernet capable devices to realise these speed benefits. Looks-wise the SE2500 is a sleek yet understated bit of gear.
Perhaps the first question you'd need to ask is just what is a network switch and why would I need one? Where routers are designed to move traffic around your network, a network switch acts a lot like a multi-plug power strip outlet, allowing you to plug multiple ethernet connected devices into your network. In short, if you're running out of ethernet ports on your router, odds are that you'll probably need a network switch.
Speaking of getting set up; installing the SE2500 was a quick and pain-free process. Un-boxing the SE2500, I connected it to the one remaining ethernet port on my router, hooked up all the networked widgets that I'd previously not been able to connect and powered it on. It simply worked, so good riddance to plug 'n' pray.
Using to video conference used to be a pretty painful experience involving stuttery audio and slow-mo video slideshows (especially when my network was already under load), this has however become considerably less commonplace as the SE2500 comes with a rudimentary form of Quality of Service or QOS which prioritises network traffic to ensure that Skype and other capacity sensitive data is not impacted as load on the network grows.
Another biggie for me, and my wallet, is power usage. Thankfully the SE2500 features auto-sensing ports that'll not only adjust their data throughput for each connected device, but will also power down when unused. Better still, the SE2500 will also enter a power saving sleep mode when all ethernet ports are inactive. Another feature that impressed with the E2500 was the inclusion of a port status switch for control LED lights so I didn't end up with an impromptu light show in my lounge.
X2000 ADSL Modem/Router
Where the SE2500 is the network equivalent of a multi-plug adaptor, The Linksys X2000 Wireless Router/modem is the digital equivalent of the motor powering my network. With a built-in ADSL2+ modem, it is able to provide a zippy broadband connection to the internet, add a generous sprinkling of features such as 802.11n wireless, and large file transfers at speeds (up to a theoretical maximum of 300Mbps) a quick, pain free process.
What makes the X2000 stand out in the crowded router market is its dual-WAN connection capabilities. Not only does it have ADSL2+ but there's also a separate RJ-45 port for other Broadband connectivity such as Cable, VDSL or even Fibre once UFB finally becomes available.
On the design front, the X200's design is largely similar to that of the SE2500 In that features a silver on black curved design that is neither garish nor cheap-looking. the X2000's curved body hides internal antennas, and clutter like status lights has thankfully been kept to a sensible minimum.
In terms of its performance, the X2000 didn't disappoint. Websites literally flew onto my PC, while audio and HD video streamed with no glitches and transferring chunky multi-gigabyte sized files was pain-free, thanks to it's 802.11n wireless and gigabit ethernet. Being located within spitting distance of my local phone exchange also meant that the X2000 also delivered solid ADSL2+ performance.
A key consideration with any wireless network is security. With copyright laws now dictating fines up to $15,000 and potential disconnection by your ISP, any unsecured networks can be pretty dangerous indeed should neighbours decide to use your network to embark on a downloading spree.
The X2000 thankfully isn't lacking when it comes to security thanks to support for WPA and WPA2 which should keep unauthorised users from your internet connection and other networked connected gadgetry. Wireless security aside, the X2000 also has a pretty robust firewall built in that incorporates Stateful Packet Inspection to block cybernasties attempting to access your network.
Given its lack of external antennas I wasn't expecting the X2000 to shine with coverage, but it managed to deliver surprisingly usable wireless throughout my house. I suspect that this was largely due to the inclusion of MIMO technology which uses makes use of multiple antennas and radios for a more robust signal with reduced coverage black spots.
RE1000 Range Extender
As good as the coverage was with the X2000, its signal unfortunately faded out in my back garden. With summer looming large, the thought of being able to take a cold beverage and a laptop, tablet or e-reader in the sunny holds strong appeal - that is if I can get workable Wi-Fi. Enter the Linksys RE1000 range extender which rebroadcasts 802.b/g/n Wi-Fi so any doodads struggling to get Wi-Fi signal are able to connect.
Using the same MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antenna and radio technology as the X2000, I was able to extend wireless coverage into hard-to-reach areas including the back yard. The RE1000 also features an integrated mains plug - while this has the added benefit of eliminating the need for a separate power brick, it also limited the RE1000's location options to where there was a spare mains power wall plug.
Getting set up was a mission, as I made the mistake of trying to configure the RE1000 on the fringes of existing wireless coverage. Once the RE1000 was relocated next to my router, I was able to get up and running with little to no fuss.
As with the other Linksys gear, the RE1000 is also able to prioritise latency-sensitive traffic which allowed for smooth video and stutter free audio without interruptions caused by other activities placing a load on your network. Equally nice was the inclusion of a built-in Ethernet port which allowed me to extend my network to non wireless devices.
Tech Specs
SE2500 Network Switch
$79.95
Standards: IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3x, 802.3ab
Ports: 5 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Power Saving: Cable connected detection
Sleep Mode
X2000 Router
$199.95
Connectivity(wired): 4x gigabit ethernet
Broadband: ADSL2+/Integrated WAN port
Connectivity (Wireless): 802.11 b/g/n WiFi (2.4Ghz)
Integrated Firewall: Yes
Wireless Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPS
RE 1000 Range extender
$107.96
Connectivity (Wireless): 802.11n (2.4Ghz) , 1x Gigabit Ethernet
Frequency Band: 2.40 GHz
Wireless Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPS
Number of Antennas: 2
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