Cisco Linksys E4200 wireless router

cisco router  Linksys E4200 router is aimed at advanced users, but we nevertheless found it easy to set up and use.

It uses the fastest 802.11n wireless network standard and can work in both the normal 2.4GHz wireless frequency and the less-congested 5GHz frequency simultaneously to improve your in-home signal.

Computers with suitable equipment can connect at even faster speeds but only Intel Ultimate Wifi Link adapters support this at present (see the end of this review for a list of laptops with the adapters built-in).

The two-tone case is discreet: the antennas are housed inside so nothing pokes out, the only part at the front is a white-illuminated logo to indicate status, and even the lights on the four rear network ports can be turned off. It's intended for cable internet users or those with a separate broadband modem with a network socket, so ADSL users will have to use it alongside their existing modems or routers.

It includes the excellent cisco871 Connect software that made setup and configuration easy and provided quick access to the main features. The router can also be used without this software by accessing its configuration pages in a web browser. Previous versions of this program had some annoying quirks but these have now all been fixed.

Running Cisco Connect launches an illustrated wizard that shows users how to plug in the router, and then automatically discovers and configures it. This only took a few minutes, and it worked equally well over wireless or a network cable. Even complete novices should have no trouble getting up and running.

When setup had finished the Cisco Connect main screen let us add computers, printers and other devices to the network. For PCs, an Easy Setup Key containing the router's wireless security details can be created on a USB memory key. Each connected PC can then be assigned parental controls, restricting the times of web access or blocking specific websites.

Another useful feature is the guest wireless network, a separate network that is perfect for allowing visiting friends or family to use the internet while keeping your PCs secure.

There is also a link to the advanced settings that open in a web browser and allow advanced users to configure features such as the USB storage. Any USB disk or memory key can be plugged into the router's USB socket and shared over the network or the internet, but setting this up was not easy and it's a shame it wasn't included in the  cisco 871 Connect software. Disappointingly, you cannot plug a printer or webcam into the USB socket and have it shared.

The E4200 is an expensive router but the fast networking, parental controls and USB sharing are worth paying for.