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100W HomePortal
from 2Wire
 Score: 3
out of 3
Review Type: Hands On
Reviewer: Chris Kaminski
Date: Dec 3, 2001
Firmware: 2.2.3.30
Price: ~#399 as of Dec2001
 The 2Wire 100W HomePortal
is a cable/dsl router that provides a stunning array of connection options. LAN
computers can be connected via Ethernet, wireless Ethernet, PhoneLine networking,
or the USB port! Of course the router also bridges all of these networks together
so they can all share files as well as your broadband Internet connection. In addition
to connectivity, 2Wire has simplified the process of running advanced applications
like VPN’s, NetMeeting and games through the router. This router feels more
like an appliance than an Internet sharing device and is almost impossible to break
once you have it set up.
Connectivity
The 100W’s major claim to fame is the LAN connectivity options. There are a
slew of LAN connectivity options on the market these days and they all have their
strengths and weakness’. Ethernet is the fastest, but who wants to run CAT5
cable through their house? Wireless are great but they are the most expensive and
are subject to interference form thick walls, microwaves, metal objects, etc. Phoneline
is very handy for computers in other rooms, but wireless is more flexible for laptops.
The 100W HomePortal solves the connectivity dilemma by providing 4 different LAN
interfaces – Ethernet, 802.11b wireless Ethernet, PhoneLine and USB. A typical
configuration might include a Ethernet computer or two next to the HomePortal, a
laptop that wanders around the house on Wireless Ethernet, and a computer in another
room using PhoneLine HPNA networking. All of these technologies are brought together
in the HomePortal and can communicate with each other!
Setup
Before you install the 100W, go to this web site and obtain an keycode using your
current internet connection: (sorry, link is dead) . This keycode will be
used in the install process to tailor the setup screens to your broadband provider.
Obtaining this keycode before you get started is VERY important. Note: There may
be a keycode included in the HomePortal package, but that is a generic setup keycode
– get a new one from the above web site.
The 100W comes with two small booklets to help you get started. The first booklet
shows all the ways you can connect your first PC to the router. I would suggest
using anything other than wireless for your first pc – wireless is always more
difficult to get running. The second book is dedicated to explaining how to get
various manufacturers wireless Ethernet cards to work with the 100W. Including this
second book wins the HomePortal big points since most routers leave you to figure
it out on your own.
Once a PC is connected to the HomePortal, you must run a setup program from an included
CD to configure and register the device. The setup program demands that you register
the 100W with 2Wire. The wizard will not continue unless all your contact information
is filled in. I am not a big fan of any kind of forced registration. The rest of
the setup is determined by what kind of broadband provider you have. @Home folks
will be asked for their Cname, roadrunner folks will be asked for their MAC address,
DSL folks might have to set up their PPPoE info, etc. As long as you generated the
custom keycode from the above web site, your install process should move along smoothly.
Running Servers and Applications
Probably the best part of the router is it’s application/server support area.
Some advanced applications and games to not work well through NAT based connection
sharing devices unless special configurations are made. In most routers, this means
typing in cryptic port ranges info a ‘port forwarding’ area in some arcane
administration screen. The 100W’s interface for setting up special applications
should be a model for the industry. From the main administration screen, simply
select the computer that needs to run the special application and then select the
application’s name from an extensive list. If your application is not listed,
simply tell the router can check 2Wire’s web site for updates. There are a
few more options for getting unlisted applications to work but for the most part
that’s it!
Router Administration
By default, the HomePortal will take you into its basic management screens that
allow you to set up port forwarded applications and run some basic updates. There
is however a whole set of advanced features available when you know where to look.
Simply go to http://homeportal/management (once you have your 100W installed) to
see the advanced feature set. The fact that the advanced management area is not
easy to find will keep most users from ‘breaking’ their configuration.
Some of the advanced features include excellent security logging, inbound/outbound
port (application) blocking, statistics, IP Range changing, etc. Ultra advanced
features like Syslog logging and SNMP support show just how advanced this device
is as a router. The only feature missing from the router is a DMZ but with the excellent
application support I doubt you will ever need this feature.
Summary
Like I stated earlier, the device acts more like an appliance than an Internet router.
The HomePortal’s interface provides a glimpse into the way the home networking
industry should be moving. Advanced users that like ‘control’ will find
the 100W’s ‘hidden’ /management/ features will find everything they
need. This is a router I would be totally comfortable putting in anyone’s home
– technical or technophobe. The only gripe I have is the price. At $399 it
is one of the most expensive home routers I have reviewed but it is also one of
the most robust. If you can afford it, the HomePortal 100W is well worth the money.
Positive
+Massive LAN connectivity options
+Fantastic user interface
+Broad application support
+Incredible security logging
Negative
-No DMZ
-Only 40/64bit WEP support (no 128bit support)
-No custom port blocking (outbound)
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2Wire HomePortal 100W
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