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Page 2 

 Author: Tim Higgins
 Review Date: 1/18/2001

The ALRM doesn't support VPN passthru or server hosting for either PPTP or IPsec protocols.

Although it does support traffic logging, and even displays blocked Internet access from Packet filtered LAN clients, there's no way to save the logs or have them sent to either syslog or SNMP clients.  The logs also don't show port scan or other hacking attempts from the WAN side of the router.  The router's default configuration, however, looks to be pretty secure, with no open TCP ports found on my scan for common ports.

Finally, the ALRM doesn't support content filtering, let you access the configuration screens from the WAN side, or let you reboot the router via the admin interface.

I used netIQ's free QCheck utility to see how fast the wireless side of the ALRM would go.  Tests were done using a Buffalo Tech AirStation WLI-PCM-L11 PC card as the wireless client, and a Windows PC as the other LAN client.  Both clients are on the LAN side of the router, so these tests do not include the router. Here are the results:

(Tests run with:
 - WEP encryption DISABLED
- Tx Rate: Automatic
- Power Save disabled)
[Ver 1.01 firmware]

(Details of how we tested can be found here.) 

I started out using a Farallon Skyline 11Mb PC card for the testing because it's what I had loaded in my laptop.  The results were noticeably worse than my AirStation Standard testing, so I switched to the Buffalo Tech card and retested.  Here are the throughput results with the Farallon card:

[Tested with Farallon 11Mb Skyline PC Card]

Possible reasons for the difference?  Could be antenna design, drivers, or that the Skyline uses the Intersil PRISM II chipset and the Buffalo Tech card (and ALRM) use the Lucent chipset.

I also used Qcheck to test the router's speed

[Tests run with Ver 1.01 firmware]

(Details of how we tested can be found here.) 

These results are in line with the newer generation router speeds and fast enough for most broadband connections.

What a difference a few months makes!  Back in September 2000, the AirStation was a breakthrough product: a professional level 802.11b Access Point for under $300!  Now, in early 2001, client PC card prices are down from $200 to around $130 and look to be headed below the magic $100 price point soon.  New 802.11b Access Points and routers are appearing regularly, with many products to choose from.

Given this fast-changing competitive environment, my bottom line is that the AirStation Local Router stacks up pretty well on price and features, but falls down on ease of use and ability to be used with DSL.   Buffalo Tech says they're working on the documentation and user interface to attack the ease of use issue, and will soon have PPPoE and PPTP support.  But with the 802.11b wireless marketplace moving as quickly as it is,  they need to get these weaknesses fixed ASAP, and keep rolling out new products if they're going to be a major contender.