ZyXEL's Prestige 650HW router has both a wireless LAN and a four-port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet switch. It is designed for ISPs.

by Wayne Kawamoto [June 25, 2002]

ZyXEL Communications recently announced its Prestige 650HW, an ADSL router that integrates a four-port 10/100 Mbps switch with wireless LAN functionality in a single product.

The company says that service providers are constantly strengthening their offerings to address the growing market for high speed broadband access, and cost-effective, streamlined solutions that deliver high performance while reducing installation time and call center costs are a prerequisite for expanding their customer bases. ZyXEL's Prestige 650HW was designed as a response to these market requirements and combines a router/modem, four-port switch and wireless access point in a single product.

The Prestige 650HW integrates a wireless LAN onto its four-port ADSL router, which should provide the features of a modem/router and hub with the added benefit of wireless local networking. Wireless access capabilities should give users mobility in their workspace at the office or in the home.

The Prestige 650HW also provides high-speed ADSL Internet access over existing copper wires. Incorporating ZyXEL's PPPoE implementation, the Prestige 650HW should let service providers and users make use of existing PPP/PAP/CHAP-based authentication and accounting infrastructure.

Anticipating that ISPs and telcos may require built-in security for small office/home office (SOHO) and small-to-medium-sized business (SMB) customers, the Prestige 650HW is designed to accommodate customized requirements, including an ICSA certified module for integrated VPN firewall protection. Also, the product's CPU should provide the processing capability to expand the unit as needed.

As an ADSL modem/router, the Prestige 650HW has many features that may appeal to the SMB or SOHO environment. The auto-sensing 10/100 switch complies to multi-mode ADSL standards of G.dmt and G.lite, and provides transparent bridging and NAT/SUA and DHCP Client. Also, the wireless LAN solution should offer quick and easy access to traditional wired Ethernet LANs in the office or home.

Allowing up to 890 feet of wireless access and seamless roaming within an IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN infrastructure, most SMB or SOHO offices may be configured for wireless access using just one Prestige 650HW. With performance features such as DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) and security provided through WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), the Prestige 650HW is designed to be a robust broadband access solution.

The device's pre-configured factory settings are designed to benefit both the service provider and their customers by eliminating the time and technical expertise required for installation.

Finally, with an embedded Web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) and System Management Terminal (SMT), configuration should be easy for the user, which should save time and technical support costs for the service provider.

"Fulfilling the need for three separate devices with one integrated unit is an extremely effective solution for service providers addressing the SOHO and SMB markets where practicality of servicing the customer is a driving force," said Munira Brooks, vice president of sales and marketing at ZyXEL. "The Prestige 650HW removes the hassle of interoperability between multiple devices."

Availability and price
With a manufacturer's list price of $499, the Prestige 650HW will be available through ZyXEL's major distributor and reseller partners in late July. The product will also be available for purchase online at the company's website.

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