Buffalo AirStation WZR-G108 review: Buffalo AirStation WZR-G108

If your current 802.11b/g router's signal isn't reaching the back bedroom, or you're simply sick of mediocre performance when unwired from your superfast cable connection, a MIMO router such as Buffalo's AirStation WZR-G108 is the answer. MIMO, or multiple inputs/multiple outputs, theoretically triples bandwidth, as well as dealing with interference better. MIMO is the backbone of the eventual 802.11n standard that will probably be finalized next year. A number of vendors, including Buffalo, are using proprietary technology to implement MIMO, though there's no guarantee that these products will work with those based on the approved standard.

Setting up the AirStation WZR-G108 was a breeze. We simply plugged in the power, connected the router to our Motorola cable modem and desktops via Ethernet cabling, cycled the modem power, and voilà--instant Internet access as the WZR-G108 automatically configured itself. (Note: Despite the Cable/DSL tag on the box, as with most other similarly touted products, you can't attach a DSL or cable feed directly to the router.) The silver and medium-gray AirStation is horizontally oriented (unlike Buffalo's other routers) and has three antennas sprouting from its back; you can pivot and swivel the antennas to maximize the signal. Despite its wide stance, the router doesn't weigh a whole lot, so make sure none of the cables plugged into the four side-mounted LAN, single WAN, or AC jacks are pulling unduly on it; otherwise, it may topple over.

One of the nicest features of the Buffalo AirStation WZR-G108 is its AirStation One-Touch Secure System (AOSS), which automatically establishes secure connections with AOSS-enabled adapters (so far, only Buffalo products use AOSS) with the simple press of a button on the back of the unit. You'll need a pen or a stylus for this, as the button is recessed à la your standard device-reset switch. In fact, the button doubles as a reset switch; you have to hold it down for more than five seconds for this function. Alas, we were unable to get AOSS to function properly during our hands-on test with Buffalo's WLI-CB-G108 MIMO adapter card.

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Browsing to the AirStation's default address of 192.168.11.1 revealed a logically laid out and full-featured configuration app. We touched hardly anything except to filter by MAC address and enable WPA security, but you'll find every feature you'd expect for gaming, Net meetings, and so on. Alas, you'd better be up on router technology and terms; if not, navigate to the nicely assembled PDF manual on the driver CD.

The Buffalo AirStation WZR-G108's maximum throughput of 38Mbps (in CNET Labs' tests)--in conjunction with a Buffalo Technologies WLI-CB-G108 MIMO adapter card--fell well short of the marks set by Belkin's Pre-N router, Netgear's WPN824 RangeMax, and D-Link's DI-624 with their own proprietary adapters. However, it was second only to the Belkin when performing in a mixed environment that included 802.11b adapters. Long-range performance was again well shy of what we saw from the Belkin and Netgear, though only about 3Mbps slower than the Linksys WRT54GX's.

Buffalo Technologies provides a two-year warranty for the AirStation WZR-G108. Telephone support is available 24/7, though the excellent help at Buffalo's site (assuming your router isn't keeping you from it!) should help you resolve most common issues. The site has FAQs, a knowledge base, driver and firmware downloads, manuals and guides, and white papers, as well as an e-mail inquiry form.