Like most wireless routers we've seen, the Belkin unit is fairly plain looking. It is a blue-grey 4-port router with two rotatable antennas extending from its rear, which adds wireless capabilities.
On the front panel is an eight-LED display that indicates at-a-glance which functions are in use. From left to right are lights signifying power, ADSL line synchronisation, ADSL data transport, wireless network (WLAN) activity and four lights that blink to indicate data transport on each of the wired Ethernet ports.
In the box you also get a RJ45 Ethernet cable (to connect the router to your PC), a RJ11 phone cord (that goes from your phone socket to the router), a power supply, a 3-step installation pamphlet and a user manual CD-ROM.
For such an integrated unit, installation is surprisingly straightforward. Belkin makes it simple even for novices to setup wireless using an ADSL connection at home as no software is necessary to install. After connecting the three cords mentioned above and switching the unit on, you need to type the IP address of the router (192.168.2.1) into a Web browser, select your connection type and enter the username and password provided by your ISP.
The Web-based interface (see image) is clean and well laid out, with navigation links down the left hand side, information in the centre and Internet connection status at the top right corner.
Features
The main attraction of this unit is the convergence of a modem with a wireless router. Rather than having a box for each, Belkin combines the two into a single, small package.
Dual antennas at the rear of the unit provide the 802.11g wireless access point with speeds up to 54Mbps. By default, SSID (a name you give the wireless network) broadcasting is enabled, allowing wireless notebooks to instantly see the network.
To ensure your neighbours or anyone roaming about outside your house doesn't gain unauthorised access to your network, the Belkin unit can implement a wide range of wireless security and encryption features including WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and the more secure WPA (Wireless Protected Access) protocol. Filtering MAC addresses (serial numbers for all networking components) provides an additional security layer by only allowing access to a specific list of clients.
Performance
When switched on or reset, we found the Belkin unit to synchronise at a reasonably fast 20 seconds with our ADSL line. Changes made through the Web-based configuration page are automatically applied while the modem reboots.
One note of caution, the metal panelling on the base and rear of the unit gets hot -- a little too hot for our liking, considering the device is generally stored on top or near of other (expensive) components with electrical wiring.
Performance-wise, we had no trouble with the Belkin. It rarely dropped our ADSL connection and wireless transmission times were normal (which in the real world is about half the theoretical maximum of 54Mbps). The unit supports a variety of operating systems including Windows, Mac and Linux.
All up we find the Belkin ADSL Modem With Built in Wireless Router is an economical way to create a home network that connects multiple PCs and Wi-Fi notebooks to a single Internet connection.
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wireless
30/05/2008, 04:51 PM
rating
7/10
Great modem with router. Belkin introduce one more great device in networking field. I like it this is 2 in 1 program. But one thing which decreases its all usage is it is not support adsl2/2+.
Pros: Compact design.
Fast and efficient.
Stable uptime.
Cons: Nothing.
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Murray Clarke
13/01/2008, 11:18 AM
rating
7/10
I am looking for a system or software for Motel to be able to charge wireless broadband by time.
Do you know of system
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minola
27/08/2007, 06:03 PM
rating
6/10
bought a Belkin 125 G and after 4 weeks connection the heat on the base where the power lead enters the base of the unit overheated.Some of the outer plastic melted very real electrical smell.Have replaced the unit only to find that it is doing exactly the same.
Pros: Great to load and works very well
Cons: Too HOT to handle
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Tommy-C
05/07/2007, 04:18 AM
rating
6/10
Bought it three years ago, it's quite easy to configure, but 125-hi speed mode has to be turned off or wireless connection slows down a lot.
It runs hot, and it fried after one year of use. Belkin replaced it for free, and since then I have put a fan below it. Now it runs fresh, it never drops connection (it's 24H a day turned on).
Pros: -Quite cheap
-Easy to configure
-Wireless compatible with many 802.11b/g cards
Cons: -125Mb Hi-speed-mode is unusable
-Needs a fan below it
-Some firmware bugs
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Thomas Wade
19/01/2007, 10:38 PM
rating
6/10
My Belkin Model 125 g router runs too hot! I have just recovered after 2 days disconnection. During my telephone conversations with your technical staff, none of them said anything about possible overheating. In fact; they suggested that the problem was with my telephone line. It was obvious after reading this page that,it was due to overheating. I suggest that your Tech nical staff be made aware of this.
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Shearing
14/10/2006, 05:32 AM
rating
7/10
Good for the money
Pros: This has been great for us with 3 laptops and a PC in the house
Cons: Was not as easy as it said to install but they was probably because I am using Tiscali
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dandyjack
19/09/2006, 02:21 AM
rating
3/10
Easy setup and installation, prone to crashing and freezing
Overall, not the best buy on the market, on the plus side, my Deskjet 130 runs well on the Belkin router/print server situated one floorr down, so I will be junking the Belkin and moving to a another make.
Pros: works well and the setup is easy, neat appearance and interference free for other electrical items in the house, excellent range.
Cons: It overheats and drops the signal down to a crawl. It is almost impossible to set either the MAC filtering or WEP security because the firmware crashes and drops out. I have had two 54G Belkins, both suffer from the same problem.
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24/03/2006, 01:59 AM
Brilliant
Great as a first timer, no doubt better things to come. Runs hot so I put it on a wire crate, gets the ventilation it needs.
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08/12/2005, 11:14 AM
WAY Too Hot!
Runs way too hot! Dissconects you from the internet, you have to keep unpluging it and letting it cool down, annoying for people who use the internet alot.
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28/11/2005, 08:18 PM
Runs too hot and can cut out
Router gets too hot.and when it gets too hot.It will drop the connection.You have to unplug let it cool to get it working again.other than this its alright.
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