Future Tech Systems

Recently I had cause to replace our existing WiFi router here at the office. We have a variety of different things that we run on our local network; a server for email and file storage, both Mac and PCs, an XBox 360 (the most important part!), and VoIP phones. We wanted something that had gigabit ethernet support, good wireless coverage, and support for something called DD-WRT. DD-WRT is open source firmware that runs on many different brands of routers. What it does is replace the manufacturer’s firmware with something much more secure and flexible, and gives your inexpensive router options equivalent to much more expensive equipment. I did my research, and while never having owned a Buffalo brand of anything, I have worked with their products at various client sites.

Buffalo was very well reviewed, and rated better than a lot more expensive routers. At the time I purchased it, it was about $70 including shipping. We’re in Connecticut, and NewEgg’s warehouse is in New Jersey, so with standard shipping, it arrived next business day. Once I took it out of the box, I went to www.dd-wrt.com and downloaded the latest firmware. Buffalo supports a Buffalo branded version of DD-WRT, but I wanted the full version. There were two copies of the firmware; one for if it already has the full dd-wrt firmware, and one for upgrading from the Buffalo branded interface. It took about 6 minutes to upgrade. (One side note – there is a physical switch on the back of the WZR-HP-G300NH which you have to switch from “Auto” to “On” if you are using a Static IP address as we are, to enable some of the features allowing you to set static IP, etc. Took some searching for me to find that.)

Once upgraded, everything was working flawlessly. I set up our various port forwards for the servers, static IPs for the various machines in the office, and of course the XBox live ports. DD-WRT has a great FAQ for setting up the Xbox 360 for live on DD-WRT firmware – check it out here – http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Configuring_for_Xbox_360. One of the things I noticed right away is the WZR-HP-G300NH eliminated a WiFi dead spot we had in the office just outside the front door.

Some of the cool features of the WZR-HP-G300NH: (by no means a complete list)

• 10/100/1000 Ethernet x 4
• Hi powered wireless with 2 external antennas
• Supports USB NAS devices like hard drives for network sharing in the home/office
• DD-WRT support
• VERY affordable
• Easy to configure

The LAN speed and wireless speed are excellent.  I highly recommend it whether you’re just using it for WiFi, or gaming, or a small office, or streaming media to your HTPC.

If you’d like to check it out and/or buy it, here is a link to our NewEgg store:

BUFFALO WZR-HP-G300NH 802.11b/g/n Nfiniti Wireless High Power Gigabit Router up to 300Mbps/ Open Source DD-WRT Support

Would definitely recommend it.  If you’re using an old 54G wireless, it is a great, inexpensive upgrade.  In addition to the other things listed above, we link up our mobile devices to it for quicker web browsing and emails, and if you’re in a less than optimal cell phone coverage area, most providers have a plan where you can make phone calls with your mobile device over WiFi.

I like that you get 2GB free, and I like that they have clients for Linux as well as Mac and Windows.  I like carbonite also, but I have some linux customers and this is the only thing that works.

I got an iPhone 4 about 2 months ago, in late June 2010 a couple of weeks after they came out.  I got the recommended bumper case when I bought it, and have never used it without it.

There have been lots of comments and controversy about the “antenna issue”, etc. regarding losing service.

I have not had one dropped call.  I can stay on a phone call in an elevator up to the 22nd floor of a building.  I can make a call from 3 floors below ground in the parking garage of that same building.  My battery lasts twice as long as the iPhone 3GS, and my wireless speed is great.  The phone itself is great, and the resolution on both the camera and the screen are fantastic.

I do have one gripe – the proximity sensor which tells the phone to turn off the touch screen when its near your head doesn’t work too well sometimes, especially when its hot out and you get sweaty.  What this means is periodically my phone will get muted by my cheek, and I find myself periodically having to check and see if this is the case because all of sudden the other person is saying “Hello?  Are you there?”

That has been my only gripe, and supposedly they are working on a fix for it.  If its a hardware thing, in a few months I’ll bring it back to the store and get a new one.  No big deal.

The bumper case I have two gripes with – one of them is that the opening on the bottom has rendered my surround sound dock and my car connector for the iPod functionality useless because the opening is a millimeter or two too small.  I could fix this with a dremel tool, and will probably do so when I have the free time.  The other gripe I have with it is that when trying to scroll all the way to the left of the screen when highlighting text, I have to kind of dig my thumbnail under the edge of the case.

All in all, not a big deal.  If you don’t like using cell phone cases, don’t buy a $400 iPhone.  If you buy the iPhone and don’t like it, you have 30 days to return it.  Please note I’m primarily a Windows/PC person, and work heavily with Blackberries, so I am not at all biased towards Mac products.  I have owned both, and while I do miss a physical keypad sometimes, the benefit to the touchscreen is that it discourages me from attempting to text or email while driving.