Belkin 125HSM 2.4 GHz Review

Puntos Fuertes: Simple and effective out of the box, reasonable performance but not outstanding, WDS support, low cost if you shop carefully for rebates

Puntos Débiles: Non-detachable antenna, no email alerts, can't disable wireless, no DDNS support, only "pseudo" static IP assignments, no xmit power or other wireless adjustments.

Resumen: 2005-04-09 21:49:21 I've owned this model and several of the Belkin 54G F5D7230-4 routers. Take my word for it, the ONLY functional difference between this F5D7231-4 and the F5D7230-4 is, the former has theorectically double the performance. But the features and interface are virtually identical, so much so, you can easily mistake one for the other should you have both on your network like I do. Frankly, the HSM 125mbps mode is virtually useless, it will only work reliably in an environment w/ essentially zero 2.4Ghz interference, whatever the source. The slightest interference from a neighbor's wireless system, a portable phone, etc., and it drops back to 54G, more trouble than it's worth maybe useful for more rural customers. So why pay more for the F5D7231-4

 

As a router, this is a VERY middle of road, average product. If you're the kind of person who just wants to power it up, make few configuration changes, willing to accept modest security, it's adequate. But if you're any kind of tweaker, you'll find it frustrating. First, the antenna is non-detachable, so forget about adding an external antenna to extend range. Second, the router has no alert options send an email upon attack, error, whatever, so you only find out about "issues" when you review the router's log. Third, you can't disable the wireless leaving only wired functionality. Fourth, no DDNS Dynamic DNS) support, so unlike other routers e.g., D Link DI-624, it will NOT update your dynamic IP address on NO IP.org, dyndns.org, etc., should your ISP's ip address assignment change something highly desireable for those wanting remote access to their network. Fifth, you can't define static IP assignments, all you can do is make a DHCP dynamic IP assignment non-expiring, which isn't quite the same thing order of client boot up matters then as well. On a soft reset, DHCP IP assignments could change, making remote access a pain to maintain. Sixth, you can't adjust the wireless transmit power in fact, there's very little of ANYTHING on the wireless side that's adjustable, such as beacon interval, RTS threshold, fragmentation, etc., virtually nothing. On the plus side, the router supports WDS Wireless Distributed System, so you can bridge the router along w/ the F5D7230 4 as well and create a very large, distributed wireless network, and cheaply very nice Peformance in 54G mode125mbps HSM mode is so rarely achievable, it's next to impossible to reliably measure is roughly 14-18mbps across two floors, a staircase, couple walls, about 50 ft apart, adequate but not as good as comparable models from D Link  e.g., DI 624, 18-22mbps.

 

To summarize, the router is adequate, does the job. But it's best suited for the less technically inclined and those with less demands, people who just want to "drop it in" and assume the best. But if you insist on LOTS of features and options, and tend to assume the worst, this router isn't for you. You'll simply find yourself frustrated by the lack of control and configuration options. And if you do decide to purchase this router anyway, you might as well get the cheaper F5D7230-4 model and save a few bucks, all the negatives described herein apply equally to BOTH the F5D7231-4 and F5D7230-4 models.