5 reviews

Netgear RangeMax 300 (WNR3500L)

$140.00 Released October, 2009

The Pros:Includes 802.11N functionality - finally ratified as the next generation specification with improved range and throughput through MIMO. Comes with an open source Linux kernel at heart. Runs popular fully-featured open-source platforms such as DD-WRT and Tomato.

The Cons:Somewhat expensive for the majority of consumers who probably won't use the routers advanced functionality anyway. Based on Broadcom hardware - closed specifications. Does not run on the 5GHz band (despite the Broadcom chip's support for it).

The Netgear RangeMax 300 is an intermediate-level wireless 802.11n router, or access point designed for users with basic to moderate network connectivity needs. This router is certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance as a Draft 2.0 802.11n product, due to its dual-band stream capabilities.

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Netgear RangeMax WNR3500L Open Source Wireless-N Gigabit Router by PriceGrabber.com

Advanced users have the option of loading a linux-based firmware onto this device as well. The RangeMax is capable of a maximum bandwidth of 300 Mbps. This router is backwards compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g connections, and includes 4 gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections. In terms of security, WPA and WPA2 are fully supported with 128-bit encryption. WiFi Protected Setup mode is also available for those with limited security knowledge. Users who need to access files over a network can make use of the integrated USB port, and attach an external hard drive. The Netgear RangeMax 300 can be configured and maintained through any modern web browser.

Features

802.11b/g/n capabilities
Dual-band stream radios
300 Mbps maximum bandwidth
4 wired gigabit Ethernet ports
WEP/WPA/WPA2 128-bit encryption
QoS (Quality of Service) support
WiFi Protected Setup mode
USB port for external storage
Linux-based firmware compatible

User Reviews (7)

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ProScore

Pros

3

includes 802.11N functionality - finally ratified as the next generation specification with improved range and throughput through MIMO
3

comes with an open source Linux kernel at heart
3

runs popular fully-featured open-source platforms such as DD-WRT and Tomato
3

affordable considering the open nature and fast hardware
3

USB port - for use with dumb external storage to create a fully functional NAS without the need for an online PC host
2

gigabit wired connections with LED indication - green if full 1000Mbit or orange if only 10/100
2

backwards compatible with older 802.11B/G devices
2

closed source nature of Netgears default installation does not hinder advanced users in any way - complies with the spirit of the GPL
2

slick space saving enclosure
2

able to run 802.11G and 802.11N networks simultaneously or support up to 300Mbit throughput
2

configurable as a wireless repeater for extending network range
2

multiple SSID support (create a sub-network with different access privileges etc.)
1

USB port can be used further for custom built applications..

Cons

2

somewhat expensive for the majority of consumers who probably won't use the routers advanced functionality anyway
2

based on Broadcom hardware - closed specifications
2

does not run on the 5GHz band (despite the Broadcom chip's support for it)
1

closed source modules make upgrading the kernel impossible without breaking potential functionality - unless you plan on completely changing the routers software platform
1

Gigabit Ethernet switch cannot handle jumbo frames
1

poor range .. worse than the G open-source router Linksys WRT54GL
0

violates the GPL with closed source modules

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Comments (2)

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Erik: #netgear_rangemax_300_wnr3500l I had big hopes for this router when it came in today from Amazon.ca. I bought this as an upgrade to my Linksys WRT54GL running the Tomato firmware. My hope was that this newer N router would have an improved range over my older G router. This is simply not true, and I'll be making a return to Amazon for a full refund minus shipping :(. Aug 23, 10

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dom: #netgear_rangemax_300_wnr3500l

802.11n does not require to be run in the 5GHz band, but is speficied to be able to run on both. There are routers that only support .n in 2.4GHz, others that are statically switchable between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, some that only run at 5GHz, and some that run both simultaneously. This router is apparently only running .g and .n simultaneously in the 2.4GHz band, which isn't bad, but the 5GHz analog front-end was omitted by Netgear.

Also, if you have multiple PC's running Gigabit Ethernet, support of jumbo frames becomes important even if your hosts are very fast. The rate at which IRQs are issued at the typical Ethernet frame size of 1.5k bytes at Gigabit speed takes an unnecessarily high toll on the hosts' CPU time. Jumbo frames have been around for many years and aren't a new trick. I don't understand why it's still not supported by everyone.

Jun 14, 10

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