WD My Net N900 Central (1TB)

Editors' note: This examination was

The My Net N900 Central is roughly same to the formerly reviewed My Net N900 HD with two exceptions: the new router has usually 4 LAN ports and a USB dock (the HD has 7 LAN ports and two USB ports) and comes with built-in storage (the HD has none). This means the two routers are in essence the same in conditions of networking, but the Central offers ample more in conditions of storage features, inclusive the ability to river media over the Internet to mobile devices.

As a wireless router, the My Net N900 Central is a loyal dual-band N900 router with a tip 450Mbps speed of Wireless-N on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz magnitude bands. It comes with a absolute QoS (Quality of Service) underline that automatically detects and prioritizes Internet bandwidth formed on the sort of traffic. In my testing, the My Net N900 Central offering swift Wi-Fi speeds, sound signals, and a long range. The router's network storage opening was moreover decent amid likewise configured routers.

At a lane cost of $290 is to 2TB chronicle or $230 is to 1TB version, the My Net N900 Central creates a great router for those who moreover wish to have a mini personal online server. If you just wish a great Wi-Fi router and do not have ample fascination in network storage, moreover examine out the list of the current tip 5 wireless routers .

Design and ease of use
The My Net N900 HD Central shares the pattern of the My Net N900 HD, with a comparatively considerable footprint, about the size of a Netbook. It's somewhat heavier than the previous router, due to the enclosed 2.5-inch hard disk on the inside. This hard disk is not user-serviceable, so ensure you collect the correct capacity. For many homes with unintentional data-sharing needs, 1TB is enough. If you have lots of calm to share, however, you may wish to ponder the 2TB version.

On the back the router has 4 Gigabit LAN ports, for connected clients, and a Gigabit WAN dock to link up to an Internet source, such as a broadband modem. There's moreover a USB dock to horde possibly a printer or other storage device.

On the front the router has 4 tiny LEDs that uncover the position of the router's power, wireless network, Internet connection, and Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), with its symbol moreover on the front. With WPS you can rapidly link up a WPS-enabled customer to the network simply by dire the buttons on the router and on the device at the same time.

On the bottom the router has 4 considerable rubber feet to help it stay put on any surface, together with a comparatively considerable airing fan, that never seemed to flog in during my time with it. The router is moreover wall-mountable.

Like the My Net N900 HD, the My Net N900 Central is really easy to set up. You can run the setup program on the enclosed CD, and it will guide you step by step. Or just offshoot the router to a P.C. and indicate its browser to or (the default log-in qualifications are admin and cue ), and there will be a similar Web-based wizard. It took me just a couple of mins to obtain the router up and running.

Since the router has built-in storage, it moreover comes with a new division on the Web interface, called Remote Access. Here, you can spin on or off a service called WD 2go. The initial time you spin it on, you'll have to supply your e-mail to pointer up for a giveaway account with WD 2go (you take an e-mail to complete the sign-up process). After that you can link up to the router from anywhere, using the newly combined WD 2go account from a Web browser or a mobile app.

The router's Web interface is organized, responsive, and kind to mobile devices. When non-stop from a mobile browser, the interface looks similar to it's a local app. In fact, you can perform the whole initial setup routine with a smartphone. To do this, you just must be link up the mobile device to the router's default and open wireless network, declared "WesternDigital."

Features
The initial principal feature, and moreover what differentiates the My Net N900 Central from previous routers, is its built-in storage and what you can do with that. For the local network, the My Net N900 Central offers an glorious data-sharing resource that allows you to possibly share all with everybody or confine access (read/write, read-only, or no access) to specific folders formed on user accounts that may be combined by the admin log-in. You can moreover river digital calm to network media players and make the router encouragement Time Machine backup for Macs natively by branch on the AFP server feature. we found it engaging that Time Machine encouragement wasn't incited on by default and the surroundings to spin it on is buried rsther than low in the router's interface. Once incited on it worked well, however, in my trials. This creates the My Net N900 Central a great substitute to Apple's Time Capsule .

But the storage features of the My Net N900 Central do not end there; it has a lot more to offer with the Remote Access feature.