NetPassage 16 VLAN wireless router
From Compex
Date: Jan 27, 2001 
Reviewer: Chris Kaminski
Score: 3/3
The Compex NP16 is a cable/dsl broadband router with a 4 port 10/100 Ethernet switch
built in. The addition of an optional Compex WL11 802.11b PCCard turns the NP16
into a wireless broadband router. Also, serial port can be connected to a 56k modem
as a backup for your Internet connection. Like the NP15, the NP16 features some
load balancing capabilities. Uniquely, the NP16 also includes a high-end security
feature for the wireless LAN called VLAN technology.
There is a tendency in the home networking industry to adopt high end networking
features into home networking solutions. Manufacturers do this to differentiate
themselves from their competition in an overcrowded ho 
me networking market. In the end, us consumers get easy to use versions of very
high end networking features. That is basically how Compex came to incorporate VLAN
technology into an inexpensive wireless router.
UPDATE 2/20/2002
The Basics
Like other broadband routers, the NP16 allows multiple computers to share a single
Internet connection and a single Internet IP address using NAT. The NAT technology
acts as a ‘natural’ basic firewall but does not include any logging (not
much SPI). A solid list of supported applications like NetMeeting and VPN passthrough
shows that the router can keep up with most of the other new offerings for 2002.
Port Blocking
The NP16 has good ‘ranged’ port blocking for controlling traffic out of
your network. The blocking can also be done by ‘time’ and day of the week.
Using this feature you could set the router up to do things like block WEB access
(from the kids) while you are at work but allow access to email.
Load Balancing
Like the NP15, the NP16 includes
a load balancing feature to take advantage of multiple broadband connections. Compex’s
implementation is most appropriate for multi-computer small business’ and not
a couple of home systems trying to increase bandwidth. The feature works the same
as the NP-15 so you can read the details in
my NP-15 review. Do note, the NP-15 and NP-16 are compatible for doing load
balancing.
Pseudo-VLAN wireless network
In simple terms, VLAN technology allows you to separate your single network into
‘virtual LANs’. In the NP16, this technology is incorporated into the
wireless portion of the router. With Pseudo-VLAN enabled, you can keep the wireless
computers connected to the NP16 from seeing each other or you can separate them
into groups. In addition, each ‘VLAN’ can have it’s own WEP code.
Setting up VLAN's with different WEP Keys
Why would I use this in my home?
For me, this feature allows me to have a single access point service both my personal
needs and my guest’s needs. I can have all of my computers on a particular
safe VLAN with its own WEP (encryption) scheme. Then when guests come over with
laptops (it happens often around here) they can hop on the Internet using the ‘guest’
VLAN. I can even make the guest VLAN unencrypted to allow easy access and not have
to worry about anyone getting to my personal computers! VLAN technology keeps my
guests from seeing my computers even though they are all wirelessly connected to
the same access point!
VLAN technology keeps your wireless computers safer because it keeps computers from
seeing each other unless specifically set up to see each other. Since the Compex
VLAN technology implementation is MAC address based, it is susceptible to spoofing
but if you combine 128bit WEP (encryption) with and enabled VLAN – you can
not get your wireless network any safer without spending a LOT of money. Compex’s
implementation is a welcome addition to helping secure my wireless network.
A couple of things missing.
No DMZ and No firewall logging
Compex went with a PCCard based 802.11b implementation. I prefer dual antenna’s
for better range and reception.
The WL11 802.11b PCCard came to me with a flashrom version that would not work with
the NP16. I was required to stick the 802.11b PCCard into my laptop to flash the
ROM before inserting the card into the router. Those without a laptop of PCCard
slot would essentially be ‘stuck’. Hopefully this logistical problem is
temporary the WP11’s will start shipping with the updated FlashROM’s.
More:
See the NP-15 review for more info.
The NP-15 is the non-wireless version of the NP-16 |
NetPassage 16 (NP16)
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