Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17180 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Belkin
• Model: F5D8231uk4
• Released on: 2006-10-23
• Platform: Windows
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 3.09 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
N1 Wireless Networking Based on the 802.11n draft, enables multiple receivers and transmitters to send and receive data through the air, using Intelligent MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) spatial multiplexing techniques. The smart-antenna technology builds upon the widely deployed 802.11g standard by greatly increasing speed, range and faster speeds.Providing greater range and faster speeds, N1 Wireless offers a quick and efficient way for people to distribute video, music, photos, and files among the networked computers in their home. The built-in Network Status Display shows the status of your network. The icons represent each component of your network and show you whether or not each device is working properly.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Excellent router!
I have been using this router for a week now and both my laptop and desktop have shown connectivity of 54Mbps all the time. I have even taken my laptop to the bottom of my garden (approx 40 metres away) and it still gave a connection of 54Mbps! However I have not used the Belkin N1 wireless adaptor (not included) with this router so cannot comment on whether it can supply the maximum link rate of 300Mbps.
The router uses blue lit icons to display connectivity status for security, wired, wireless, router, modem & internet; an amber lit icon indicates a fault.
The router also uses WPA, WPA2, 64 and 128 bit WEP encryption for maximum security and also comes in this seasons colour of gloss piano black ;)

TIP: If using the setup assistant during the initial wired connection (and were wireless previously), make sure you have Windows Zero Configuration enabled (Start>Run>Services.msc) which can be located near bottom of the list. This can be turned off (recommended) once wireless connectivity has been achieved to avoid conflicts.

I think it's OK. But beware Belkin laptop cards.
I bought this router with two Belkin wireless-N cards - one for my PC and one for the laptop. But I just couldn't get it to work. Spent a few hours on 'chat' with Belkin support who went through the usual routine and then advised me to return the router to the shop. I then sent an email to Belkin support. The chat support was very basic though the email support was fast (they even replied on a Saturday) and accurate.

The problem is the drivers on the cards! The router I had was shipping with the latest firmware, but both cards were shipping with drivers from 2006. The reason I hadn't noticed is that each Belkin website around the world seems to have different versions of software. I was looking at the UK site which is still posting old drivers. Belkin support pointed me to their US site which has the latest drivers.

Except for one problem. The driver for the PC card is correct. But the driver for the laptop card is still old! The important thing is a file netmw145.sys. Both cards use this driver. The PC ships with v2.1.4.6 but the laptop software still contains an old version. If you have a laptop then you just need to copy this file from a PC. It resides in the c:\windows\system32\drivers.

Beware does not work with BT Broadband
Bought this by mistake, although was not clear from description. Spent an hour trying to connect until phoned Belkin helpdesk (in India) who informed me that this product will not work with BT Broadband. I am sure it is a good product hence 3 stars, but never got it to work.
Amazon refund service excellent. Includes printed label for free return

Also bear in mind this product requires a seperate ADSL modem.

If you want one that works with BT and includes a modem you need the F5D8631UK4A at slightly more cost, but same connectivity rates and power.