CES 2010 latest news
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Network Magic 5.5.
(Credit: Cisco)Seven months after the 5.0 release of Network Magic, which was the first release by Cisco, the software received a major update on Tuesday, becoming the standard network management mechanism for all Cisco routers sold under the "Linksys by Cisco" branding.
This 5.5 release of the software also includes support for 33 languages and an updated user interface that's easier to use.
According to Cisco, novice home users will now have comfortable control over devices on their networks from within a single network map window. The new interface also adds simplified access to printer and file sharing, a more straightforward process for adding wireless devices, and support for a broader range of devices.
Parents can now monitor how the Internet is being used by any member of the family at any given time. For example, an admin user can set limits for Web browsing, game playing, and overall Internet usage for a particular computer within the network via a few mouse clicks.
Network Magic 5.5 comes in four versions: Basic, Essential, Pro, and Mac Add-on. Other than Mac Add-on, which allows a Mac to be managed, the other versions reflect the comprehensiveness of the software. For example, the Basic version, which is free and included with Cisco's routers, has only basic functionality. The Pro version, on the other hand, has all the bells and whistles.
I tried Network Magic Basic with one of Linksys' new Wireless-N routers, the WRT400N, and found that it was a handy tool. However, you do need to install it on a computer before you can manage it. The installation deposits a few start-up processes onto our hard drive that run each time the computer starts, which to some extent adversely affects the computer's performance, unfortunately.
Nonetheless, this is a useful application for those who want to find out what's really going on in their networks.
Network Magic 5.5 is available immediately and costs $50 for the Pro version, $30 for the Essential version, and $25 for the Mac Add-on version. During the launch period, however, you can get any of them for 20 percent off.
The Selectable Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router WRT320N.
(Credit: Cisco)It seems the transition to dual-band wireless networking is in full force at Cisco. The company announced Thursday three brand-new Wireless-N products that operate in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.
Sharing the same marketing brand "Linksys by Cisco," these new media-enabled home products include a bridge, the WET610N, and two routers, the WRT400N and the WRT320N.
The WET610N Wireless-N Ethernet Bridge is designed to add high-speed Wireless-N connectivity to devices that have an Ethernet port. Examples of these devices include desktop computers, set-top boxes, game consoles, network printers, and certain models of TVs.
The new Bridge operates in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies and features built-in quality-of-service functionality that's optimized for streaming video, home theater, and gaming applications. It's available now and costs $99.99.
The WRT400N and WRT320N routers supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. However, while the WRT400N offers connectivity in both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands at the same time, the WRT320N can only operate in one band, either 2.4GHz or 5GHz.
The WRT320N makes up for this by offering Gigabit Ethernet and a better price. It costs only $129.99, while the non-Gigabit WRT400N costs $150. They are both available for purchase now.
Apart from these routers, Cisco also released awhile ago the WRT610N, which offers simultaneous dual-band and Gigabit Ethernet.
(Credit:
Cisco)
For a lot of home users, staying protected online is complicated, especially when they have multiple computers and networking devices (and who doesn't, nowadays?). Installing and keeping security software properly updated can be a daunting task.
Cisco now makes it simpler by integrating Internet security inside its Linksys by Cisco Wireless-N routers. This means you won't even have to install a separate online security suite on each computer within the home network anymore.
The company announced Tuesday its collaboration with Trend Micro to introduce the Home Network Defender (HND), a multi-layered software security solution that helps provide network protection home-network devices including PCs, online game consoles, Wi-Fi enabled phones, and personal media players.
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The new Media Hub NAS servers, MNH400 and NMH300, from Linksys.
(Credit: Linksys)Network-attached storage servers, in my opinion, have generally not been user-friendly enough. Even the easiest-to-use ones require some getting used to.
This is looking to change with the two new Media Hub series released under the networking giant's marketing brand "Linksys by Cisco" at CES this year, the NMH400 and the NMH300.
The NMH300 series is a budget solution that offers just the core features of the Media Hub, and you need to use a computer to manage the device.
The NMH400 series, on the other hand, features an LCD screen that lets users view a variety of information and perform certain tasks without a PC, such as updating firmware or making instant backups. The NMH400 series also has a 6-in-1 card reader for users to transfer content of flash media onto the Media Hub without the need for a computer.
Much like the HP MediaVault, both Media Hub series feature two hard-drive bays--each can take SATA hard drives of any sizes. One of the bays is occupied with a drive from Linksys. The NMH300 series come with a 500GB hard drive, while the NMH400 series also offer an option of 1TB. The second bay is left empty for users to upgrade.
According to Linksys, the new NAS servers share common Media Hub features, including an easy graphical user interface, simple remote access, and easy-to-operate backup functions. They also boast a friendly design and silent operation that allows them to reside anywhere in the house.
The rest of the core Media Hub feature list includes:
- Two USB ports for external storage and one media reader that supports CF/MD/MS/SD/XD/MMC memory cards
- Gigabit Ethernet connection
- RAID1/JBOD configurations
- Support for SMB/CIF protocol: network users can access the NAS server the same way they access another computer in the network
- PC backup with NTI Shadow software: automatic scheduled backup available
- On-demand backup via GUI or LCD Continuous backup option available
- User-friendly way to import media content with Linksys Media Importer
- DLNA 1.5 certified. Ability to stream content to Xbox 360 or UPnP DMA devices and support iTunes server
- Support for up to three simultaneous HD streams
- Automated "crawl" for UPnP servers to index and aggregate all digital media in the home
- User-friendly, browser-based media browser to view JPEG pictures, play MP3 and WMA music, and manage system configuration
- Media server support for most content formats: Audio: M4A, M4B, MP4, 3GP, WAV, OGG, FLAC, AAC, MP2, AC3, MPA, MP1, AIF, ASF Photo: PNG, TIF, TIFF, BMP, GIF Video: MP1, MPG, SPTS, MP4, AVI, VOB, DivX, 3GP, VDR, MPE, DVR-MS, Xvid, M1V, M4V, MOV, MPV
- Playlists: M3U, M3U8, PLS, WPL
- Remote access using DDNS in combination with Linksys relaying service to cover up to 100 percent of all Internet users
The new Media Hub NAS servers are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2009, and cost $300 (500GB NMH300) and $350 (500GB NMH400). You can also get the 1TB version of the NMH400 series for $430.
The 4-port HomePlug AV PLS300 adapter.
(Credit: Cisco)It doesn't matter how powerful your home wireless router is, there might still be some corner in the basement the signal can't reach. This is when you need an alternative solution, such as a pair of Powerline adapters. Powerline adapters basically extend the length of the network cable by using the existing electrical wiring--this means you can bring your network port anywhere in the house where there's a power outlet.
The Home AV PLK300 PowerLine adapter kit.
(Credit: Cisco)For that reason, it's pretty exciting that Cisco on Monday will announce its third release of Linksys by Cisco Powerline adapters. The new lineup includes both the HomePlug Turbo and the HomePlug AV specifications. The former caps at 85Mbps and is suitable for regular traffic such as Internet browsing or sending and receiving e-mail. The latter caps at 189Mbps and is optimized for applications that require more bandwidth, such as high-definition video streaming or gaming.
Improvements over the previous generation include a better, more compact design and more ports. They won't obstruct the wall sockets anymore and now you can use them to connect up to four devices right out of the box without buying an additional switch.
The new Powerline products from Cisco are delivered with a preconfigured password that can be changed by running the installation wizard. The products work straight out of the box and are compatible with any other HomePlug-certified Powerline adapters.
Both the new Powerline Turbo and Powerline AV will be available in November, costing $150 and $180 per kit, respectively. A kit includes one Powerline 4-port Ethernet adapter and one 1-port Ethernet adapter. You can also buy a single adapter but you need at least two to cover the two ends of a network connection.
On Sale Now:
$129.99
- $169.99
View the latest prices for Linksys PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter Kit PLK300 - bridge
(Credit:
Dong Ngo/CNET Networks)
Cisco announced on Thursday Network Magic 5.0, a suite of network management software. This is the first product released by Cisco since its acquisition of Pure Networks earlier this year.
The suite provides an array of tools for people to visualize, manage, and get a variety of network tasks done. These tasks include: connecting and sharing computers' content or printer, controlling how computers on the network access the Internet, repairing connection and performance problems, optimizing performance and reliability, and so on.
I tried the software briefly and really liked the Network Map function where all devices that connect to your network are revealed, regardless if they are printers, computers, handheld, or any other types of network devices. The software even shows a message each time a new device connects to your network. Other information such as the detailed status and network advisory can also come in handy.
One thing to keep in mind, though, the software installs a few items that run by themselves in the background each time you start the computer, including Pure Network Platform and the Network Magic front-end software. These can potentially slow down your computer.
Network Magic comes in two commercial versions. The Network Magic Essentials ($29.99) (download free trial) is built for users who only require the basic functionality of the software, such as connecting two or three PCs to share a network connection, files, or a printer. Network Magic Pro ($49.99) provides a broader set of capabilities for managing and securing the network. The Pro version supports a Mac Add-On client ($25) that allows for getting a Mac managed the way a PC would be via the network.
All of these versions offer a seven-day free trial time, and I really think they are worth a try.
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Eric Franklin's colleagues once had the following to say to him: "Eric, you've been doing this performance testing thing for over 10 years now. How about you try something different?" To which Eric responded, "How about you shut the #%$@! up?" This candid attitude
allows him to go toe-to-toe with the most extreme of personalities, including that of Dong Ngo. This bio was written by Eric Franklin.
Dong Ngo is a knowledgeable, opinionated individual who wants to convince the world that he's just a normal person; but he hasn't had much success. According to him, this is because the world itself is abnormal. Dong loves traveling and is well-versed in several languages. He, unfortunately, is not so well-versed in English. Still, it's best to ask him questions. From networking and how to optimize your system, to turning a strange place into home or what the meaning of life is…most of the time, he has the answers. The question is: Will he make himself understood? Subscribe and find out!
