Showing posts with label router. Show all posts

With the promise of speedy internet for every room, Google's new mesh Wi-Fi system wants to give Google Assistant a bigger footprint in our homes.

google-nest-wifi-routers — Available in your choice of three colors, Nest Wifi Points extend the range of Nest Wifi setups -- and they double as Google Assistant smart speakers, too.
Juan Garzon/CNET

Google on Tuesday announced the launch of the Nest Wifi, a refreshed version of the company's popular mesh router system, Google Wifi. Available for pre-order today and set to arrive November 4, the system is comprised of a Nest Wifi Router that plugs into your modem and separate Nest Wifi Points that wirelessly extend the reach of its signal -- and which themselves double as Google Assistant smart speakers.

A two-piece setup with the Nest Wifi Router and one Nest Wifi Point will cost $269. A three-piece setup with the Nest Wifi Router and two Nest Wifi Points will cost $349, and promises to cover homes of up to 3,800 square feet. That's enough coverage for 85% of homes in the US, Google says.

Mesh, meet Google Assistant

Beyond spreading a speedy internet signal throughout your home, the Nest Wifi promises to spread the voice-activated intelligence of Google Assistant around your house, too. That's because each of those Nest Points now doubles as a fully functional Google Assistant smart speaker, complete with always-listening microphones and touch controls on the top of the device.

The goal, Google says, is to get users to keep these things out in the open as opposed to hiding them out of sight, where they won't relay their signals as well. To that end, the new Nest Wifi Points also come in your choice of three colors (snow, sand or mist), and you can buy one on its own for $149. The Nest Router only comes in white, and costs $169 on its own.

google-home-nest-wifi-points-1670 — You'll see an ambient glow from the light ring around the base of the Nest Point whenever it's sending audio to Google's cloud to come up with a response. When the mics are muted, the ring will glow orange.
James Martin/CNET

"We realized that performance for the Wifi Point would double if it was off the floor, not hidden in a closet," said Ben Brown, Google product lead for the Nest Wifi. "Having a great design, having something you actually want to interact with, and having the Assistant on the device makes it actually so it's a much better Wi-Fi system."

You can use a Nest Wifi Point just like you'd use one of Google's other smart speakers, like the Nest Mini, which also made its debut today. You get its attention by saying "OK Google," and then you give it a question or a command, including new Wi-Fi-specific commands like asking for a speed test or to pause Wi-Fi to specific devices or groups of devices. A ring of white light around the base of the device will glow whenever it hears you, and to let you know that it's connecting with Google's cloud to come up with a response. If you want to turn the mics off, just flip the mute switch in the back.

We haven't had a whole lot of time to give it a close listen for ourselves, but Google says that the sound quality in each Nest Point is stronger than you might expect. That's because the need for extra space inside the device for the antennas and for heat dispersion means that there's also plenty of room to push sound around via the downward firing speaker, Brown says.

As for the touch controls on the top face of each marshmallowy device, you can tap the center to pause or resume playback, or tap the sides to turn the volume up and down. Like with the new Nest Mini, a set of indicator lights will glow when your hand draws near to show you where to aim for those volume controls.

Now playing: Nest Wifi puts Google Assistant into your router

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Faster than before -- but where's Wi-Fi 6?

That new Nest Router is an AC2200 model, which means that it supports current-gen Wi-Fi 5 connections with a maximum combined speed of about 2,200 Mbps across all bands -- up from about 1,200 Mbps last time around. Your actual speed will be a lot lower, since you can only connect to one band at a time, but like Google Wifi before, Nest Wifi will automatically "steer" you from band to band as you move about your house in order to keep your connection as swift and steady as possible.

Another upgrade: Nest Wifi now boasts four antennas for up to four simultaneous wireless connections (4x4). If you're using a client device like a MacBook Pro that can take advantage of those multiple antennas, then you'll be able to combine the speed of those simultaneous streams for a faster Wi-Fi experience.

google-home-nest-wifi-points-1603 — You can spread Nest Wifi Points around your home to triangulate a better internet connection in every room. The previous version of the system is our top-rated mesh setup.
James Martin/CNET

All of the new hardware is also backwards compatible with first-gen Google Wifi setups, so you'll be able to add the new Nest Point extenders with their built-in speakers to your system if you've already bought in. And, if you decide to upgrade to the new Nest Router, your old Google WiFi access points will be able to connect to it and extend its signal, too.

As for the lack of support for next-gen Wi-Fi 6 features, Google suggests that it's still too early for the emerging standard in people's homes.

"It's really only 2022 by which point you're going to have a critical mass of [Wi-Fi 6] devices in the home, at which point Wi-Fi 6 will make sense in the home," said Sanjay Noronha, product lead for Nest Wifi. "And so, our philosophy is how do we make these products useful today?"

Google likely wants to keep its routers affordable, too. For reference, the Wi-Fi 6-ready version of Netgear Orbi, due out later this month, is slated to cost $700 for a two-pack with the router and a single satellite extender. Prices like that are out of reach for too many potential users, Noronha said.

Meanwhile, the newest Wi-Fi 5 version of Netgear Orbi costs $149 for a two-pack, and it supports built-in smart speaker functionality if you add in the $300 Orbi Voice extender with Alexa. Another competitor worth keeping an eye on: Amazon-owned Eero, which just released a new version of its Wi-Fi 5 mesh system as a $249 three-pack. That price is half the cost of the original, and an excellent indication that competition is heating up in the mesh category.

"We recognize that there's going to continue to be an evolution of technology, and we will continue to work on those evolutions," Brown said, "but we also want to make sure that we're delivering the best possible experience for everyone. And I think that we are very confident that this is what [Nest Wifi] represents today. And for the next, you know, five years, honestly."

WiFi Industry Is Gearing Up for Move to 802.11ax

WBA officials said the next-generation WiFi will bring improvements in performance, capacity and efficiency and will take on early 5G use cases.

At a time when the upcoming transition to 5G cellular networking is getting a lot of airtime, the Wireless Broadband Alliance is reminding businesses and consumers alike that the next generation of WiFi will bring with it vast improvements in performance and capacity and will be able to support many of the early use cases of 5G.

In a white paper titled “Enhanced Wi-Fi—802.11ax Decoded,” WBA officials outline the numerous new features that 802.11ax will bring with it to support not only the tens of millions of smartphones that currently rely on WiFi connectivity, but also to address the demands from emerging segments such as connected internet of things (IoT) devices and augmented and virtual reality.

“The Wi-Fi industry isn’t resting on its laurels,” the authors of white paper write. “It is not complacent about its ability to continue to help support the tsunami of mobile data. With 802.11ax (11ax), the Wi-Fi industry is introducing, not just the next generation of Wi-Fi, not just a set of increments in terms of better throughput and coverage that improve all existing deployments, but fundamentally new sets of capabilities which can be used by the industry to address a whole new set of opportunities.”

The use of WiFi connectivity continues to grow rapidly, according to the WBA. Almost 70 percent of smartphone data is carried over WiFi, and there are 8 million WiFi devices in use around the world, 3 billion of which were added over the past 12 months. In its annual report for 2017, the group said that almost 80 percent of survey respondents said they will deploy next-generation WiFi by 2020.

The group also expects that by 2021, there will be 3.5 devices and connections per capita, which is fueling the rapid growth—47 percent a year over the next five years—in mobile data traffic.

“This growth is coming from multiple different product categories with different key requirements; ranging from certain IoT use cases that require low data rates and low power consumption supported using small battery powered devices, through to Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality use cases that require extreme throughput and low latency,” the authors wrote in the report, which was released Sept. 5.

A report by MarketsandMarkets Research says that by 2022, the global WiFi market will grow to $15.6 billion, up from $5.96 billion last year.

The WBA is highlighting a range of new features that officials said will address challenges facing enterprises. The new features include multi-user MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) uplink and downlink to increase for enterprises and carrier networks as well as large public venues and buildings with multiple users by increasing channel capacity when supporting multiple devices at the same time.

Support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz band frequencies will increase the spectrum that can be used and ensure compatibility with existing devices, and will provide support to the 6GHz band. Flexible channel sizes and resource units will mean operators will be able to offer greater IoT efficiency, including connections that use lower data rates for narrow dedicated channels, all of which will save power. In addition, with this feature, carriers will be able to support both broadband-based services and IoT on the same network. The Target Wake Time feature means IoT devices can sleep to reduce competition for network access and wake up when needed, saving battery life.

The WBA laid out a range of use cases for 802.11ax, including high-density networks, the transportation, retail and entertainment industries, enterprises, the industrial sector and smart cities.

The ability to deliver what WBA officials call 5G use cases is key, they said. Top telecommunications companies like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile are gearing up their networks for 5G, and systems and component makers are building out their portfolio of products that will support the next-generation cellular networks. But WBA officials say 802.11ax connectivity will arrive before 5G starts to gain significant traction, and the new WiFi technology will support requirements laid out for 5G in ITU for IMT-2020.

“However, being ‘5G-capable’ represents more than being able to meet a set of throughput and density requirements,” the WBA authors wrote. “Already we have seen Wi-Fi integrated into key 5G concepts such as ETSI’s [European Telecommunications Standards Institute’s] Multi-Access Edge Computing architecture.”

WBA officials said they expect the 802.11ax standard to be ratified in the fourth quarter of next year, though multiple group members will launch forward-compatible products before the ratification.

“With so many new capabilities being delivered in 11ax, it is expected that the ramp in deployments will mean that 11ax will lead 5G by several years,” they said in the report. “Moreover, the backwards compatibility guarantees mean that the existing device ecosystem can be seamlessly supported using the very latest equipment, not a characteristic available to 5G New Radio deployments.”

They noted that the GSM Association, a trade group for mobile network operators, is predicting that fewer than 15 percent of global mobile connections will use 5G technology by 2025, while more than 70 percent of the enterprise-class WiFi shipments by 2022 will use 802.11ax.

However, there are still some challenges. Analysts with Dell’Oro Group in June said that delays in 802.11ax products will slow the growth of the enterprise LAN market this year, though migrations from 802.11ac Wave 1 to Wave 2 will ramp up.

“Several manufacturers of enterprise-class products are postponing general availability of 802.11ax access points as they wait for more advanced chipsets and further development of the standard,” Trent Dell’Oro, business analyst at Dell’Oro, said in a statement.

via eweek

New router-based solution protects home IoT devices

As we bring more and more smart devices into our homes, we potentially open ourselves up to a variety of new risks with devices opening back doors into networks or falling prey to botnets.

German antivirus company Avira is launching a new approach to home security which needs no new infrastructure on the domestic network and no configuration done by the user.

SafeThings sits within the home router and works with cloud-based machine learning. Avira licenses the product to router manufacturers and internet service providers, enabling them to protect networks from misuse and to deliver value-added IoT security services directly to end users.

"At Avira, we have been at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence innovation for a decade, being the first vendor within the security industry to identify how to apply AI to our field and to do it," says Travis Witteveen, CEO of Avira. "We have a wealth of experience in protecting both the privacy of end-users and the security of their traditional devices. Today we stand alone in the cyber security industry with the introduction of Avira SafeThings, an innovative router app and behavioral threat intelligence platform that secures all IoT devices in the home. We've designed SafeThings to effectively solve the IoT vulnerabilities without being too invasive, expensive, or complicated for the end user -- and we've done this in a way that provides additional benefits for the internet service providers and router manufacturers."

SafeThings is made up of a number of modules, Protection Cloud builds category and individual device profiles to create device management and rule definitions and automatically protect the device functionality. By analyzing metadata on gateway traffic, no invasive deep packet inspections are needed.

The Sentinel module is a software agent positioned at the gateway to each smart home, embedded in the firmware on the router, Sentinel fingerprints IoT devices and collects packet header metadata for AI analysis. After communicating with Protection Cloud, Sentinel enforces protection and communication rules.

A web-based user interface shows users in real time what each IoT device in their network is doing and enables them to see and modify firewall policies and device rules. There's also a Data Forefront API service that lets service providers and OEMs access and control SafeThings functionality, for example to drill down into specific details and control rules and actions to be taken in case of a compromised device.

It also allows for custom plugins to let SafeThings clients offer their end users additional security apps via a branded secure app store. These integrated services such as VPN or parental controls would operate at router level with management in the cloud.

"We see SafeThings as a 'B2B2C' product, providing consumers with the security and privacy protection they need while delivering it to them via the internet service providers and router manufacturers. As an embedded software solution, SafeThings is imminently flexible according to each client’s technical and marketing needs,” adds Witteveen.

You can find out more on the Avira website.

Image Credit: lucadp / depositphotos.com

via betanews

The Best Wi-Fi Mesh Router Systems

The Best Wi-Fi Mesh Router Systems

posted by Ted Kritsonis on October 01, 2017 in Internet & Networking, Computers and Software, Guides & Reviews, Top Picks :: 0 comments

Sometimes a single router simply won’t do. While manufacturers have made them more powerful, and Wi-Fi technology has advanced to better cover wider spaces with better range, throughput can still be an issue. Enter Wi-Fi mesh routers, networking systems that use multiple routers that “talk” to each other to cast a net that serves to improve signal strength throughout the home.

They serve a useful purpose if you have weak areas or dead zones in your living space. Wi-Fi range extenders can be decent accessories, except they don’t work seamlessly the way mesh Wi-Fi systems do. It’s hard to pinpoint one mesh system that is the “best” above all others, but there are advantages between them worth taking into account. For example, you may want more stringent parental controls, or prefer a design that can blend in with your décor.

Before you take the next step in home networking, here are some pointers to think about:

Does your home Internet Wi-Fi connection have weak or dead signals anywhere in your home? If so, you may want the range multiple routers can provide. They may also use what are called “back channels” to communicate with each other on a separate frequency for uninterrupted operation.

Do you want a Wi-Fi network that is easy to setup, manage and administer? Well, who doesn’t, really? The simple step-by-step setups inherent in mesh Wi-Fi systems extend to the app-based management tools that could include parental controls, security, media prioritization and more. You don’t need to be mechanically-inclined to run one of these like a pro. Plus, you can even access your router’s features away from home.

Do you like the idea of a Wi-Fi network that is scalable and expansive? Mesh Wi-Fi networks usually come in packs of two or three, but you can always add more single units to expand the mesh further.

Are you concerned about compatibility? No need to be. Mesh Wi-Fi routers work just like any other router does, and would be fully compatible with whatever hardware your Internet Service Provider (ISP) delivers through the modem. Your devices would also connect to them like any other Wi-Fi router.

Wondering about speed and range? The whole premise here is that you get better throughput around your home, which will improve the connection speed in areas that struggled before. Mesh Wi-Fi won’t get you faster Internet on its own — overall speed depends on what you’re paying for from your ISP.

Speaking of speed, you will see manufacturers marketing numbers like AC1900, AC2200 and AC2600. These indicate the theoretical total bandwidth the router can produce on both the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. They are more an indicator of throughput than they are of speed, though the two can go hand-in-hand. A larger number is better able to handle a greater number of devices connected to it. MU-MIMO (multi-user, multi-input, multi-output) is a newer protocol that allows compatible devices to receive bandwidth without having to queue for it. Normally, routers distribute bandwidth in sequence based on which device needs it first, whereas MU-MIMO just does it to compatible devices simultaneously.

Here’s a look at some of the top mesh Wi-Fi systems to help you out.

Best All-Around Wi-Fi Mesh Router: Linksys Velop

A play on the word, “envelop”, the Velop is a powerful starter pack trio of routers that can deliver the best combination of range, throughput and administrative features. It also blends in well no matter where you want to place the three units within your home. All three units are identical, so it doesn’t matter which one is used to plug into the modem, thereby simplifying the setup process.

The simplicity extends to the connections underneath each unit, too. There are two Gigabit LAN (local area network) Ethernet ports, plus the plug for the power adapter. None of the units have USB ports, unfortunately. LEDs at the top provide a visual indicator of connection status. Each unit has a maximum range of 2,000 square feet, so you can get 6,000 sq. ft. of coverage with a three-pack. That’s higher than competing mesh systems

Since each unit is effectively an AC2200 router with tri-band networking, each is capable of 400Mbps of bandwidth throughput on the 2.4GHz network, and 867Mbps plus 867Mbps on the 5.0GHz network. These are theoretical limits, as real-world performance won’t hit that high, but the Velop funnels bandwidth very well.

Using the iOS and Android app to setup and manage the Velop is easy, and its assortment of controls is fairly broad. Parental controls, guest network, device prioritization, MU-MIMO for supported devices, Amazon Alexa integration, and other more advanced options make this system a standout.

Size: 3.1 x 3.1 x 7.3 in. per node

Speed: AC2200 with MU-MIMO

Ethernet jacks: 2 per node

Parental controls: Yes

Price: 1-Pack is $198 on Amazon, 2-Pack is $329 on Amazon, 3-Pack is $450 on Amazon

Best for setting up a smart home: Samsung Connect Home

Samsung has taken the mesh Wi-Fi system setup others have gone with and added its own twist by throwing in a SmartThings Hub into the mix. It mirrors much of what others do in the sense that you can use the Connect Home app on Android and iOS to set up and manage the mesh system, but is also clearly aimed at users who want both a Wi-Fi mesh and smart home setup.

Doubling as a SmartThings hub, it’s possible to program and control compatible smart home devices www.smartthings.com/products from other manufacturers. It supports the Zigbee and Z-Wave protocols that are common in smart home products, and thus, can “talk” to popular devices like Philips Hue lights, Nest Thermostat, Netgear Arlo Pro and iRobot Roomba vacuums, among others. That negates having to buy a separate hub to automate and control these types of products.

As a router, the Connect Home comes in a three-pack, though a two-pack or single unit could be purchased as well, if you live in a smaller space. Each unit covers up to 1,500 sq. ft., and five is the max number for one system. Throughput is more moderate at AC1300 equivalents, so while it says 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 866Mbps on the 5.0GHz band, this trio won’t be quite as potent as others, like the Linksys Velop, for instance. Alternatively, the Samsung Connect Home Pro bumps up speed and throughput to AC2600.

Still, for the ease-of-use and smart home compatibility, the Connect Home is worthy of consideration.

Size: 4.72 x 4.72 x 1.16 in. per node

Speed: AC1300 (or AC2600 for Connect Home Pro)

Ethernet jacks: 2 per unit

Parental controls: Yes

Price: Connect Home 3-Pack is $325 on Amazon, Connect Home 1-Pack is $150 on Amazon, Connect Home Pro 1-Pack is $200 on Amazon

Best for included security: TP-Link Deco M5

The only way to set up and manage TP-Link’s Deco M5 mesh system is via the iOS and Android app, since there is no web-based interface for computers. It presents a clear and concise menu to get around, aiming to keep it simple wherever it can. The built-in security software, courtesy of Trend Micro, is pre-installed and does not incur any additional fees. The antivirus screens for malicious content, infected devices and outside intrusions. It does this automatically, so you don’t have to give it much thought unless something significant happens.

Bearing in mind it’s not a super extensive security suite, the fact it’s there and working constantly is good to have. It does extend out to every device connected to the network for added peace of mind. Infected devices logging onto the network will be blocked from infecting other healthy devices too. A history section in the app lists what was caught and quarantined, including the date and time it happened. Parental controls are fairly robust as well.

As a mesh system, the Deco M5 is quite capable, offering solid range and throughput with a good feature set. The small size of each unit makes it easier to nestle into different parts of the home, and the small LED always indicates the network’s overall health and performance.

Size: 4.72 x 4.72 x 1.50 in. per node

Speed: AC1300

Ethernet jacks: 2 per unit

Parental controls: Yes

Price: 3-Pack is $240 on Amazon, 1-Pack is $100 on Amazon

Best for parental controls: Asus Lyra

Like TP-Link’s Deco M5, Asus has equipped the Lyra to offer anti-virus and anti-malware security software it calls AiProtection to help protect the Wi-Fi mesh system from outside intruders. Beyond that, however, is an impressive set of parental controls that digs deep enough to moderate and protect children’s usage.

Parental controls are available in just about every Wi-Fi mesh system, except the Lyra makes it very easy to automate how restrictions apply, so that you don’t need to always go back and change things manually. It would be possible to set a time each day that blocks Internet access entirely, or only for specific apps and websites. That would make it possible to block social media sites when it’s time to get homework done, for example. The Family Overview dashboard is the hub for all things parental control, and it’s always accessible, either at home or away.

Unfortunately, there is limited effect on mobile devices. While it’s easy to block Wi-Fi access to a smartphone or tablet, for instance, it wouldn’t be possible to allow access, yet block specific apps running on iOS or Android, for example. The true depth of the parental controls features is only found on laptop and desktop computers. To achieve something similar with mobile devices, a VPN (virtual private network) product like the Disney Circle would help.

As a mesh network, the Lyra performs very well, and is most similar to TP-Link’s system, based on performance, setup and management.

Size: 5.90 x 5.90 x 1.95 in. per node

Speed: AC2200

Ethernet jacks: 2 per unit

Parental controls: Yes

Price: 3-Pack is $400 on Amazon

Best for easiest setup: Google Wifi

When Google entered the Wi-Fi mesh category, it wanted to create something that was extremely easy to setup, and it managed to do so. The Google Wifi Android and iOS app can expedite setup by scanning the QR code at the bottom of any of the units, which then goes through a clear-cut step-by-step process.

Much of that process will feel automated because most of the work is being done in the background. To have everything up and running in as little as five minutes wouldn’t be a stretch. The hand-holding carries over to the features within the app, where navigating most of the settings and options is spelled out.

A big oversight in Google’s system is the lack of parental controls, so there is no way to filter out inappropriate content or block websites. While it is possible to block Wi-Fi access to a device for even one hour with a quick tap, it’s not as intricate as others.

Range and throughput is superb, especially when three units are working together in unison.

Size: 3.79 x 3.79 x 5.42

Speed: AC1200

Ethernet jacks: 1 on base, 2 per node

Parental controls: No

Price: 3-Pack is $270 on Amazon, 1-Pack is $119 on Amazon

Best for discreet installation: eero

The beauty of mesh Wi-Fi is that each node extends the reach of your network. But what if there isn’t a good place to seat a node? eero, which launched the mesh Wi-Fi product category, has you covered with new tiny nodes, called eero Beacon, which plug directly into outlets, making installation possible and discreet in places like hallways. The Beacons also have nightlights built-in with automatic dimming during the daytime.

While the flexibility of installation is a big selling point for the eero, it also excels in other areas. The 2nd generation eero is one of the fastest systems on the market, rated at AC2200 with MU-MIMO. And, if you’re willing to pay for the Eero Plus service ($9.99 per month or $99 for the year), you’ll get anti-malware protection for all devices and parental controls, including content blocking.

Size: 4.76 x 4.76 x 1.24 inches for the hub, 4.76 x 2.91 by 1.18 inches for the eero Beacon

Speed: AC2200 with MU-MIMO

Ethernet jacks: 1 on eero hub, 0 on eero Beacon

Parental controls: Yes, with subscription to Eero Plus ($9.99 per month or $99 per year)

Price: One eero and 1 eero Beacon: $299 on Amazon, One eero and 2 eero Beacons: $399 on Amazon

Best for range expansion: Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD

The AmpliFi system is unique in that it uses nodes that look like antennas, rather than identical units that look the same. The base unit that plugs into the modem is distinct by its design, including a small LCD to visualize network speed, among other things.

The other mesh points plug directly into power outlets with flexible antennas to angle them any which way. They are a little unseemly if in plain sight, and they need to be unencumbered by outlets above. The advantage is that they pack a real punch in achieving a wider range. Six high-density antennas in the base system (the main unit, plus two mesh point antennas) are capable of covering a theoretical max of 20,000 sq. ft. Expanding it with another mesh point would only drive that number up higher.

Blue LEDs on the mesh points illustrate the signal strength, and the AmpliFi app for iOS and Android is fairly straightforward in managing the network.

Being unique mesh points that plug in and stick out from outlets, there are no Ethernet ports onboard to use as wired ports for devices to connect via Ethernet. The AmpliFi HD might also be overkill for smaller homes, whereas the less expensive AmpliFi LR (Long Range) can cover the same ground, albeit with four high-density antennas inside the main unit.

Size: 3.91 x 3.85 x 3.92 for the base, 1.81 x 7.05 x 1.06 for the mesh points

Speed: AC1750

Ethernet jacks: 4 outputs, 1 input on the base

Parental controls: No

Price: High Density system is $312 on Amazon, Long Range system is $306 on Amazon, Mesh Point HD is $109 on Amazon

[Image credit: Linksys, Samsung, TP-Link, Asus, Google, eero, Ubiquiti]