Derrick
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- Joined
- Nov 22, 2010
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VoIP optimised, ADSL, and 3G failover – it's almost too perfect
The D-Link Xtreme N Storage Router DIR-685 reviewed on page 34 is great, and I would get it in a heartbeat; but here we have a beast with a different number.
I recently moved house, and realising that Telkom could take a while transferring my ADSL connection, I decided to employ the services of my trusty Huawei 3G modem and share it on my network using a 3G router. Almost like magic, a week before the move, the BiPAC 7404VGOX landed on my desk. I took this as a good omen, and once we had the move out of the way, I set up my PC, the home network, and using this router, connected to the Internet via a 3G.
I was quite surprised by the size of this router the day I installed it. It looks and feels a lot bulkier than the type of router I am used to, but glancing at the features list, one can understand why the extra space is needed. It’s all there: dual WAN interfaces, VoIP support with SIP, two RJ-11 ports to connect two telephones, 802.11g wireless, autofailover, and QoS management. One of the coolest features on certain routers today is the autofailover feature. For the ’technically challenged’, this means that should your primary connection - ADSL - stop working, the router will automatically switch over to the secondary connection option.
In this case, it would be 3G. The firmware is also rather intuitive, and unlocking features such as the QoS settings is pretty straightforward. If you have never configured a router, this might not be the ideal platform to start with; but if you are adamant, you will have no difficulty to configure this router, thanks to the detailed help files. Looking at all the ports on the back of this device, there are a few interesting additions. Let’s start with the telephone ports. There are two telephone ports and one ‘Line’ port.
Essentially, this means that you can connect two landline phones, use them to ‘dial-out’ on the landline, but you also have the ability to make a call via the Internet using the same landline telephone. While both phones can make VoIP calls simultaneously, you’ll only be able to make one landline call at a time.
The quality of the VoIP calls were pretty good on the MTN network, but what really impressed me was the efficiency of this router on a 3G connection. During the time I used it, it managed to share my 3G connection among two PCs, a notebook, and my Xbox 360 quite effortlessly. This router is targeted at the SOHO market, but interestingly, they are also promoting it to event organisers and people on the move. It actually makes sense, because wherever you have a 3G connection, you can use this router to stay in touch on the Internet and on the phone with minimal fuss.
The D-Link Xtreme N Storage Router DIR-685 reviewed on page 34 is great, and I would get it in a heartbeat; but here we have a beast with a different number.
I recently moved house, and realising that Telkom could take a while transferring my ADSL connection, I decided to employ the services of my trusty Huawei 3G modem and share it on my network using a 3G router. Almost like magic, a week before the move, the BiPAC 7404VGOX landed on my desk. I took this as a good omen, and once we had the move out of the way, I set up my PC, the home network, and using this router, connected to the Internet via a 3G.
I was quite surprised by the size of this router the day I installed it. It looks and feels a lot bulkier than the type of router I am used to, but glancing at the features list, one can understand why the extra space is needed. It’s all there: dual WAN interfaces, VoIP support with SIP, two RJ-11 ports to connect two telephones, 802.11g wireless, autofailover, and QoS management. One of the coolest features on certain routers today is the autofailover feature. For the ’technically challenged’, this means that should your primary connection - ADSL - stop working, the router will automatically switch over to the secondary connection option.
In this case, it would be 3G. The firmware is also rather intuitive, and unlocking features such as the QoS settings is pretty straightforward. If you have never configured a router, this might not be the ideal platform to start with; but if you are adamant, you will have no difficulty to configure this router, thanks to the detailed help files. Looking at all the ports on the back of this device, there are a few interesting additions. Let’s start with the telephone ports. There are two telephone ports and one ‘Line’ port.
Essentially, this means that you can connect two landline phones, use them to ‘dial-out’ on the landline, but you also have the ability to make a call via the Internet using the same landline telephone. While both phones can make VoIP calls simultaneously, you’ll only be able to make one landline call at a time.
The quality of the VoIP calls were pretty good on the MTN network, but what really impressed me was the efficiency of this router on a 3G connection. During the time I used it, it managed to share my 3G connection among two PCs, a notebook, and my Xbox 360 quite effortlessly. This router is targeted at the SOHO market, but interestingly, they are also promoting it to event organisers and people on the move. It actually makes sense, because wherever you have a 3G connection, you can use this router to stay in touch on the Internet and on the phone with minimal fuss.