Wireless LAN ('n' models only)
The Vigor 2820 Series features 802.11n wireless LAN specification and has been certified by the WiFi alliance for cross compatibility and WiFi compliance (including WPA/WPA2 and WMM).
802.11n provides a total wireless bandwidth of up to 300Mb/s using new methods such as packet aggregation and channel bonding. Throughput depends on your own environment (factors such as obstructions, number of hosts and distance all make a significant difference), but actual transfer speeds of 100Mb/s are achievable (based on our real world tests). In addition, 802.11n provides greater coverage and resilience to interference compared to previous wireless standards thanks to the MIMO technology and the Vigor's triple-antennae diversity arrangement. This offset arrangement of aerials provides offset paths between hosts so that interference can be overcome.
Wireless Security is comprehensive too; the Vigor 2820 Series provides several independent levels of security including encryption (up to WPA2), authentication (802.11x) and methods such as MAC address locking and DHCP fixing to restrict access to authorised users only. The Web interface lets you see how many and which clients are currently connected as well as their current bandwidth usage. An 'instant' block lets you disconnect a wireless user temporarily in case of query. The Wireless VLAN facility allows you to isolate wireless clients from each other or from the 'wired' LAN.
The Multiple SSID features enables you to have up to four distinct or common virtual wireless access points. For example, you could have one for company usage, with access to your company LAN and another for public access which allows internet surfing only. Setting up wireless security is made easier thanks to the WPS feature (WiFi protected setup) whereby your client PC can get it's security keys by pressing a button on the front of the router.
If your laptop PC's built-in wireless doesn't support 802.11n wireless, you can use the optional Vigor N61 USB adaptor. Click on 'accessories' for details.
For specialist or more demanding coverage applications, optional aerials can be used with the Vigor 2820 to potentially increase the range of wireless coverage (depending on enviroment) or provide directional coverage in order that your wireless transmission is focussed and concentrated into one direction only, for example into a room or across open space. With the increasing popularity of wireless LANs, you will want to choose the least congested wireless channel (Nos. 1-13) for yours. The Vigor can scan and provide a list of all devices in the vicinity so that you can choose the best channel (see screenshot below).
- 802.11n Compliant
- WiFi Alliance Approved
- Latest 'MIMO' Technology with three aerials (2T3R)
- Packet Aggregation and Channel Bonding
- Optional Higher Gain or directional aerials available
- Also Compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g Standards
- Active Client list in Web Interface
- Wireless LAN Isolation (from each other and/or wired LAN)
- 64/128-bit WEP Encryption
- WPA/WPA2 Encryption
- WPS - WiFi Protected Setup for client security setup
- Switchable Hidden SSID
- Restricted access list for clients (by MAC address)
- Time Scheduling (WLAN can be disabled at certain times of day)
- Access Point Discovery
- WDS (Wireless Distribution system) for Bridging and Repeating
- 802.1x Radius Authentication
- Wireless Rate-Control
- Automatic Power Management
- 802.11e WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia)
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Above : The Vigor2820n provides a local survey of other access points
so that you can choose the least congested channel. |
Wireless LAN WDS Facility
Vigor 2820 'n' models support WDS (Wireless Distribution System) which enables you to use the wireless capability to bridge to another network, within wireless range. You need an additional compatible wireless router for this of course. Here is a simple example:
With WDS bridging, both networks should be within the same logical IP subnet (IP address range). Once set up, all of the PCs on both sides of the link can access each other, across the wireless bridge. Local wireless devices such as a laptop can continue to use their local access point.
An additional mode, as shown above, called 'repeating', allows you to set up a third station. In the diagram below, the router at 'B' is set up in repeating mode, relaying traffic between LANs at A and C. Therefore, all three physical networks can communicate with each other over the wireless links.
Important Note : Wireless performance (speed and range) always depends on your specific environment and will vary considerably. Factors affecting performance include wireless traffic, other networks nearby, site construction, walls, ceilings and other electronic equipment nearby. Speeds quoted are the maximum wireless capacity, including RX/TX capacity, protocol overheads and all clients/hosts connected.
Dual-WAN Load Balancing & Backup
As well as the primary ADSL interface, the DrayTek Vigor 2820n features a secondary WAN port for Internet access. This is an Ethernet interface and can connect to a second ADSL modem, cable modem or any other Ethernet-based Internet feed. The secondary interface can be used either for WAN-Backup or load balancing.
WAN-Backup provides contingenry (redunancy) in case of your primary ADSL line or ISP suffering temporary outage). Internet Traffic will be temporarily routed via the secondary Internet access. When normal services is restored to your primary ADSL line, all traffic is switch back to that.
If you don't have ADSL, the Ethernet WAN port can instead be used as your primary/only Internet connection so the same router can be used for either ADSL or Ethernet Internet connections.
The USB port provides an alternative connection method for Internet backup by connecting to a compatible USB modem (or cellphone) for access to the high speed 3G cellular networks from UK providers such as Vodafone, Orange, 3 and T-Mobile. If you don't have ADSL at all, the USB/3G access method can be used as your primary/only Internet connection, ideal for temporary locations, mobile applications or where broadband access is not available.
802.11n Wireless LAN
The DrayTek Vigor 2820n supports the latest 802.11n standard (Draft 2.0). This provides increased coverage range, resilience and speed compared to existing standards (802.11g and 802.11b). Using new methods, including packet aggregation and channel bonding, the Vigor provides a total wireless capacity) of up to 300Mb/s. Real world throughput depends on your own environment (factors such as obstructions, number of hosts and distances all make a significant difference), but actual transfer speeds up to 100Mb/s are achievable (this is based on real world tests). Using an aerial arrangement known as 'MIMO' (Multiple In Multiple Out) three separate aerials (2T3R) are used to provide offset paths between hosts; this increases resilience considerably.
Wireless Security is comprehensive too; the Vigor provides several independent levels of security including encryption (up to WPA2), authentication (802.11x) and methods such as MAC address locking and DHCP fixing to restrict access to authorised users only. The VLAN facility allows you to isolate wireless clients from each other or from the 'wired' LAN and you can also see details of wireless PCs connected at any time from the router's web interface.
WDS provides two modes of operation to expand the Wireless range of your LAN. In WDS 'Repeater' Mode, a slave unit within range of the main base unit repeats the main wireless signal into its own coverage area - this can effectively double the total range of the network (depending on the environment). In WDS 'Bridge' mode, two physically separated LAN can be joined wirelessly, in order than they can communicate with each other. This is ideal where two offices need to be linked but a cable cannot be run (e.g. across a road). For more information about WDS see here.
