Originally Posted by
mikew99
I own both, and while the Edimax BR-6258n is a very capable (if
buggy) router, the Asus WL-330NUL is far easier to use as a travel router.
As one example, the Asus automatically configures itself for wired or wireless operation depending on whether you plug in an Ethernet cable; if wireless, it automatically shows the site survey after you log into it. The Edimax requires that you first connect to it and navigate through several Web pages to set its operating mode and configure other options.
Similarly, if you plug it into a laptop (Windows; not sure about Mac), the Asus automatically configures itself as a wireless adapter and runs software displaying a site survey of SSIDs found. Plug in an Ethernet cable, and it automatically reconfigures itself as a wired adapter with no further configuration necessary.
Both will handle portal pages without any problem. For ease of use, I give my nod to the Asus WL-330NUL.
Good point. I stopped using my Asus WL-330NUL after dkw55 pointed out a potential security issue in
post #286 of this thread, and I switched instead to the Edimax. Because the Edimax walks you through the configuration pages, there is no potential security issue. The Asus on the other hand auto-configures itself - as you point out, which is mighty convenient - but this can also cause an obscure security breach.
The security issue the dkw55 pointed at only happens if you first let the Asus boot up in WISP mode and then subsequently connect an Ethernet cable. If you do those sequence of events, when the Asus sees the Ethernet cable plugged in, it reconfigures itself automatically (yay! ease of use!), but then turns into an Access Point (AP), rather than an actual router (boo! an oversight by the firmware writers). A router has security measures like DHCP, NAT, and firewall, whereas a simple AP does not. Hence, in this particular scenario, you're vulnerable to getting hacked, IF you're unaware of the problem. Note: using the Asus from the start in Ethernet mode is not a problem, since the Asus reconfigures itself correctly into Ethernet mode when it sees an Ethernet cable attached. The problem only occurs if the Asus has *already* booted into WISP mode, and THEN tries to reconfigure into Ethernet mode - that's where it incorrectly turns into an AP instead of an Ethernet router.
But to my way of thinking, if you only ever use the Asus in EITHER wisp mode OR Ethernet mode (which covers 99% of what I use this device for when I travel), then you won't have any problems. The problem is only there if you let the Asus boot up and auto-configure completely into WISP mode, and THEN attach an Ethernet cable. And even then, there has to be someone within the broadcast range of your Asus (which would only be a few of the nearby hotel rooms) who is looking for and who knows how to exploit the issue.
After reading your post and giving it some thought, I'm switching back to my Asus WL-330NUL. I think the ease of use trumps the exceedingly unlikely chance that I'll accidentally boot up the Asus in WISP mode and then plug in the Ethernet cable in my sleep.
Hey trigger2007 - if it's not too late, I'm changing my recommendation to the Asus. If you've already purchased the Edimax, have no worries - it's still a great router, and clicking through a couple of config options when you boot up only takes seconds anyway. It still amazes me how well these little gadgets work given how small they are.