Log in

View Full Version : Get on the WiFi Train: Microsoft MN-500 Router


Jason Dunn
01-28-2004, 08:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://estore.shopplex.com/app/storefront.aspx?cat_id=359&inv_id=368050&modid=30214092059015&aid=5' target='_blank'>http://estore.shopplex.com/app/stor...092059015&aid=5</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/img1330703152556609.jpg" /> "The Microsoft MN-500 Wireless Base Station is a router with integrated wireless access point and a 4-port Ethernet switch. This is the centerpiece of an 802.11b wireless network. The Microsoft easy-to-use setup software makes it easy for you to connect multiple wired and wireless computers in your home or small office to the Internet through a single broadband connection, such as a cable or DSL modem. Enjoy data transfer rates of up to 11 Mbps for wireless connections and 100 Mbps for wired connections - that`s significantly faster than a typical broadband connection. Built-in security feature provides strong security features including a built-in hardware firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), and 128-bit wireless security (WEP)."<br /><br />If you have broadband Internet access, and you don't have WiFi, you're missing out. TRUST ME! :D I've had several friends and family members say that they weren't interested in getting a wireless network set up, but once they have it, they wonder how they ever lived without it. Yes, WiFi is that great! <br /><br />Our affiliate partner Tek 'n Toys <a href="http://estore.shopplex.com/app/storefront.aspx?cat_id=359&inv_id=368050&modid=30214092059015&aid=5">has these available for about $60 USD</a>, which is a great deal. Yes, there is the newer MN-700 which adds 802.11g support, but unless you have a "G" device and need 54mbps, I'd still very strongly recommend the MN-500. I personally found it to be more stable than the MN-700, and somehow everything felt a little faster the MN-500 as well (in terms of my hard-wired connection). <a href="http://estore.shopplex.com/app/storefront.aspx?cat_id=359&inv_id=368050&modid=30214092059015&aid=5">Go check it out!</a>

bdegroodt
01-28-2004, 08:20 PM
Do any of the MSFT routers have a parallel port for printers? Was thinking of dumping my 4 year old Linksys (no good reason, except G desires), but can't find one with a port for hooking in the printer. Other thought was to network the printer via tcp/ip, but I can't find an adapter for the printer that's reasonably priced.

trachy
01-28-2004, 08:46 PM
Do any of the MSFT routers have a parallel port for printers? Was thinking of dumping my 4 year old Linksys (no good reason, except G desires), but can't find one with a port for hooking in the printer. Other thought was to network the printer via tcp/ip, but I can't find an adapter for the printer that's reasonably priced.

I don't know if Microsoft makes such a device, but D-Link does. The DI-824VUP (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=274) has four ethernet ports and supports bi-directional parallel and USB connections.

RKosin
01-28-2004, 08:55 PM
So begins the comments between the B versus G group...while there is no 802.11 G on the PDA :evil: the MS PC card MN-720 "smokes" in a G environment both at home and the growing TMobile hotspots....remember those technologically older friends can use their B when visting a G household 8)

buckyg
01-28-2004, 09:06 PM
Thanks for the deal tip, Jason. Will look into this for my sister's setup. I've been thinking about getting her set up for wireless. She's got a cable modem hooked to her laptop but using it as a desktop. I'll bet she'd love to go wireless. She hates clutter & cables, so the one box would be great.

I know it would also help me when I visit, too.

Jason Dunn
01-28-2004, 09:38 PM
Do any of the MSFT routers have a parallel port for printers?

Nope, none of them are print servers. Even when I had a D-Link router/print server, I never used it...didn't really see much of an advantage for my personal setup. And a parallel port? What's that? ;-)

Jason Dunn
01-28-2004, 09:39 PM
So begins the comments between the B versus G group...while there is no 802.11 G on the PDA :evil: the MS PC card MN-720 "smokes" in a G environment both at home and the growing TMobile hotspots....remember those technologically older friends can use their B when visting a G household 8)

Indeed, but at only $60, this isn't much of an investment for someone to get started going wireless. And, honestly, unless I'm doing giant file transfers, 802.11b speeds are more than sufficient for everything I do.

bdegroodt
01-28-2004, 09:43 PM
Do any of the MSFT routers have a parallel port for printers?

Nope, none of them are print servers. Even when I had a D-Link router/print server, I never used it...didn't really see much of an advantage for my personal setup. And a parallel port? What's that? ;-)

Touche! As soon as I sent that I realized that the printer connects via USB. See, shows how often I have to use it. But that might be the problem, since I roam freely now, I'm not inclined to go wire myself up and print out something. Probably best for the trees anyway. If you have to think twice about printing something maybe it isn't worth printing.

On the MSFT side, I have to hand them a design compliment. Their little routers (Are they SMC?) are kinda nice to look at.

Dave Potter
01-28-2004, 10:10 PM
I have this router along with one of the MS USB wireless adaptors for my desktop PC. They both work great. On my PPC I have a Socket SDIO WiFi card as well. Everything is setup with 128 WEP and MAC address filtering - no problems or incompatibilities whatsoever!

I also like the fact that you can shut off the SSID broadcasting - makes it a little bit harder for that knowledgable and persistent hacker to break in.

ddwire
01-28-2004, 10:20 PM
I have one of these too. I also have two of the MN-520 pc cards, I use them in my Dell lap tops and my CAsio E-200 Pocket pc. Works great in the Casio but cuts battery life down to 1-2 hours of use. I also have two computers connected to it via cable and I cannot tell the speed diff. between the cabled 100mbs connection and the wireless 11. I too would like my printer connected directly to the network, That will be my next purchase network laser printer as the cost of an adapter from Brother for my current printer is almost as much as a new printer.

jmarkevich
01-28-2004, 10:33 PM
I also have one of these, I've used it for quite a while. I've seen better reception from some of the other access points, this one seems to fade rather quickly. It has a weenie little antenna. We have an ancient Compaq one where I work and that thing is seriously powerful...

Jason Dunn
01-28-2004, 10:36 PM
I've seen better reception from some of the other access points, this one seems to fade rather quickly. It has a weenie little antenna. We have an ancient Compaq one where I work and that thing is seriously powerful...

Interesting! For me, it was the exact opposite. I had a D-Link (713P I think) and the signal barely reached my top floor from the basement - one bar of signal, then it would drop if I sat on on the other side of the couch. :roll: When I put in the MN-500, I had 80% signal strength on the top floor! Damn impressive.

marlof
01-28-2004, 10:38 PM
Same with me. My Linksys didn't get through to the top floor at all, but this MN500 has no problem covering my complete house. I've heard less great experiences too, so YMMV.

Pat Logsdon
01-28-2004, 10:42 PM
I have a Netgear ME102 AP plugged into my Siemens router. Has anyone upgraded from that unit to the MN-500? Is there a difference in the range? If it's the same or better, it'd be worth purchasing...

bdegroodt
01-28-2004, 10:45 PM
Who actually manufactures these things anyway? I thought I recall SMC as the guts of the MSFT broadband WiFi gear.

mulekiller
01-28-2004, 11:49 PM
I've been using my MN-500 with the 520 pc card for about a year, it's worked great, and the firmware from about 4-5 months ago definitely helped my laptop's reception. If I was buying a G device, I would most likely stay with Microsoft, plus, the MN-500/MN-700 are freakin' tiny. For price and reception, highly recommended.

davidm
01-28-2004, 11:58 PM
I gave up trying to get a linksys router working and have been happily using this MS router for 1-2 years. The software made setup a breeze. I use linksys pc cards in the laptops and linksys wireless adapters on the desktop and a Lansonic unit. One printer has a wireless print server, but it is also connencted via network cable to the router. I use a Symbol flash card for wireless access with my Loox.

The reception is great throught the house (basement, 1st and 2nd floors, garage, screened in porch, and even a good chunk of the yard near the house), despite the location of the router in the basement.



Dave

cdcooker
01-29-2004, 12:10 AM
Are you kidding me? $60 for a 802.11b router?! For this price, you can get a netgear wireless g router after rebate at Amazon. I won't pay more than $30 for a wireless b router now. Sorry, not a good deal at all.

Numsquat
01-29-2004, 12:11 AM
I bought the MN-500 combo with the PC card last summer ($80 at Sams Club then) and have had no problems with it, even for the newb Wi-Fi'er I was. Covers my whole house and front/back patios, software was very simple.

Don Tolson
01-29-2004, 12:26 AM
Hmmmm, I wonder, judging from the comments regarding signal strength, if this unit might overcome what appears to be a 'conflict' between my current D-Link router and my Siemens 2.4Ghz phone.

I show 'excellent' signal strength throughout the house, but the laptop won't retrieve it's IP address unless it's in the same room as the D-Link.

ricksfiona
01-29-2004, 12:31 AM
I have a Linksys 'G' router and it's been working superbly with my 'B' devices. No problem at all.

Instead of getting a wireless router that had a printer port on it, I bought a 'G' Print Server. It has a USB and Parallel port in the back and allows you to use both of them at the same time. It's great since my computer armoire doesn't have enough same for both printers and I didn't want to run cables outside the armoire. I put the printers on top of a dresser in my walk-in closet with the 'G' Print Server and it works great! The print server cost me $150 at Staples.

mscdex
01-29-2004, 06:49 AM
You can get the MN-500 wireless router for cheaper than $60.

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=614442&ut=43e98832ed40b7e4&found=2&search=mn-500

The link above will take you to a list of other vendors that carry it. Lowest price is $49.28. Put in your zipcode to find the cheapest shipped price. For me it was around $52.

I personally own the MN-500, and have had it for a long while now (got it for about $20/$30, back when 802.11b routers/APs were still expensive). And all I can say is that I've had nothing but good things to say about this router. Which is kidna ironic, coming from microsoft and all. ;)

ctmagnus
01-29-2004, 07:34 AM
iirc, these units come with one of the wifi security measures (wep, mac filtering, ssid broadcast disabled; i can't remember which) out of the box. That's one step ahead of the other guys imo.

PeterLake
01-29-2004, 05:09 PM
I got a NetGear router and I couldn't get it to work. I bought MN-500 on the assumption that the software would be easier to set up with Windows XP. I was right.

FYI, I seem to recall PC Magazine gave the MN-500 somewhat low marks for distance and speed but good marks for UI. If this matters to you, see if you can find the review on the PC Magazine website.

On another note, does anyone have a link to a good website to explain how I can connect my PPC and my two notebooks together P-2-P without going through the router?

daveshih
01-29-2004, 05:30 PM
Built-in security feature provides strong security features including a built-in hardware firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), and 128-bit wireless security (WEP)."
...
Yes, there is the newer MN-700 which adds 802.11g support, but unless you have a "G" device and need 54mbps, I'd still very strongly recommend the MN-500. I personally found it to be more stable than the MN-700, and somehow everything felt a little faster the MN-500 as well (in terms of my hard-wired connection).


I personally owns a MN-500, and I really like it, especially the software setup (what a easy step). However, I'd like to point out one glaring omission:

No WPA (WIFI Protected Access) in MN-500 :(
(but WPA is supported in MN-700).

That along can be the deciding factor for many people looking for good protection down the road.

But you never know, maybe MS will find out an ingenious way of releasing a patch that enables WPA in MN-500. :wink:

Dave

ojleblanc
01-29-2004, 08:18 PM
Do any of you use this product in a home with multiple floors? I'm in the market for a wireless router, but the townhouse I live in has 3 floors, all on which I'd like to get a good signal. The router would be on the top floor. Any chance this one will reach down to my main floor and also down into my basement? If not, can you recommend a product?

Many thanks,

daveshih
01-30-2004, 08:33 PM
Do any of you use this product in a home with multiple floors? I'm in the market for a wireless router, but the townhouse I live in has 3 floors, all on which I'd like to get a good signal. The router would be on the top floor. Any chance this one will reach down to my main floor and also down into my basement? If not, can you recommend a product?


Oh, yeah, my MN-500 is also in the basement of my townhouse, and I can get the signal all the way on the second floor without problems. However, that was with my centrino tabletpc, which has a larger antenna than a regular ppc or addon cf wifi card. However, with my cf wifi card on my Jornada 567, I can still get clear signals fine.

David

ojleblanc
01-30-2004, 11:09 PM
Thanks daveshih! That gives me some comfort.