Buffalo WZR-HP-AG300H and Linksys E-4200 are both new wireless gigabit routers with dual band simultaneous technology, meaning the routers can operate in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands concurrently. Each of them is considered to be superior product by its manufacturer. For Buffalo, this WZR-HP-AG300H is the first router that supports dual band technology. In certain situation, you need different router to meet your need. How do you compare both routers and in what situation do you need each of them?
Wireless AP or Router
Once my friend asked me to check if the network he just built was correct or not. He had an issue that there was only one single computer could connect to the internet in a time. The problem was that he connected the modem to the wireless access point instead of a wireless router. A pure modem doesn’t include a NAT function, a feature that allows you to share a single internet connection with other computers on the network. A modem (without a NAT / router function) must be connected to a wireless router to share the internet. On the other hand, a modem with a router / NAT function should be connected to a wireless Access Point.
Buffalo WZR-HP-AG300H can be switched to operate either as the wireless access point or a wireless router by changing the switch. You can connect the router to either a modem with or without a router function. Linksys E-4200 is a wireless router that must be connected to a pure modem, even though you can connect the wireless router to the modem-router by disabling any recommended settings from the router configuration menu. Generally connecting the wireless router to the modem with router function should change the default router settings including:
- Change the default router IP address
- Disable DHCP
- Disable NAT
So, with lack of knowledge about wireless router and configuration, selecting the Buffalo WZR-HP-AG300H is an easy solution. The device can easily change function from AP to router and vice versa.
Click here for Linksys E4200 spec details.
Click here for Buffalo wzr-hp-ag300h spec details
Secure Guest Access
The secure guest access feature allows you create separate network (SSID) with limited access for your guest. You can block the access to your local network for your guest; just open only to the internet access for them. Linksys E-4200 supports the secure guest access feature but Buffalo supports VLANs.
High Speed
Both routers are powered by the latest wireless 802.11n technology with simultaneous dual band support. Linksys E-4200 is powered by N750 (300+450) technology, meaning the speed is up to 300Mbps for 2.4GHz band and 450Mbps for 5GHz band. The E-4200 features full 3×3 MIMO antenna array for maximum range and reliability. On the other hand, Buffalo WZR-HP-AG300H is powered by N600 (300+300) technology, meaning each bands deliver speeds of up to 300Mbps. This router is coupled with High Power technology, including an onboard power amplifier and optimized antennae.
In the reality, they never reach the speeds they specify due to many factors. Those speeds are in ideal / theoretical conditions. You can read customers reviews in Amazon regarding their testimonies either satisfactory or disappointed experiences with those routers.
Both routers are embedded with gigabit Ethernet ports for their WAN and LAN interfaces. Gigabit Ethernet ports are ideal solution for wired connection to other gigabit NIC adapters of your computers for reliable high speed connection.
USB Port
Both routers include one USB port to let you share the external storage across the network. Unfortunately both routers cannot be used to host a USB printer for share across the network. You need to buy separate print-server to share the printer, or you can share it in a traditional way via the computer.
When you connect the Buffalo ‘Link station’ or ‘Tera station’ NAS to the WZR-HP-AG300H, you can configure the NAS to be accessible by users across the internet like having a secure VPN tunneling to your private network. You can access your files stored in your NAS remotely via the internet. Or you can send the link via the email to let your friend access the file. Learn more detail about this web-access service via this link.
Linksys E-4200 include one USB port too with UPnP Media server, allows you connect an external storage to let you share across the network or across the internet. If you connect the external storage to the USB port, you can configure it from the menu to create an FTP server to allow you share the files and are accessible via the internet.
For flexible operation modes (either router or AP) and easy remote file access, the WZR-HP-AG300H is your router. For providing secure guest access and FTP server, Linksys E-4200 is your router. If you require the print-server router, you can consider new Asus RT-N56U Black Diamond which includes 2 USB ports for storage and printer share.
By Ki Grinsing
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