Buffalo Nfiniti Wireless Router

Buffalo Nfiniti is a wireless solution designed for users who want to access
high-definition (HD) video, music, photos, participate in online gaming,
multimedia streaming and access VoIP calls wirelessly. This access point can be
used in home and small offices, where users need higher bandwidth over wireless
networks. Its key features include one click security setup using AOSS, support
for 802.11n draft standard 1.0 specification, built-in intrusion detection and
firewall, built-in DHCP server, support for dynamic packet filtering and WPA-PSK
(AES), and 128/64 bit WEP security.

How we tested

To test this wireless router, we used two client machines. One, an IBM laptop
having 802.11g built-in wireless card and the other, a desktop machine having
Buffalo Nfiniti wireless PCI adaptor. Both machines were connected wirelessly
with Buffalo Nfiniti access point. The access point was further connected with
an Ethernet cable to our 100Mbps LAN, which provided WAN connectivity for this
device.

For wireless performance tests, we used Qcheck tool to check its average
throughput, response time and streaming quality.

We also did some simple file copying tests across wireless clients and
checked the amount of time it takes to copy 50 MB of files. With IBM laptop we
got almost the same scores as we usually get with an 802.11b/g standard access
point.

On streaming 50 kbps data stream, it was able to stream data @ 28kbps, which
is an average score. On the same laptop when we copied 50 MB of files via this
access point, it took around 3 mins and gave a throughput of 3.6 Mbps.

However, on repeating the same tests on a desktop machine, which had Buffalo
Nfiniti wireless PCI adaptor, the results were astonishing. It gave us an
average throughput of 70 Mbps and response time was only one ms. While streaming
data, again it showed very good performance and was able to stream 50 kbps data
at 49.95 kbps without any data loss.

This shows that the device can give rated multimedia performance with its own
Nfiniti wireless PCI adaptor. Therefore, to access HD video and online gaming on
this wireless solution, you need an additional Buffalo Nfiniti wireless PCI
adaptor, which supports draft 802.11n standard. We also found that while the
signal strength was excellent, the connect speed was 270 Mbps. However, as the
strength deteriorated, the connect speed also decreased.

Bottom Line: A good product, provided you use it with its own WiFi
adaptor.