M1 lowers Fibre Broadband pricing; 200Mbps at SGD 39/mth

With more Telcos coming onto the bandwagon undercutting fibre broadband service pricing, M1 fired another salvo at the new comers with it’s latest Fibre broadband Deals.

Instead of the usual S$39/mth for a 100Mbps, it has now increased it to 200Mbps. It also throws in as usual the free mobile broadband 1GB, home fixed voice service and 3 mths internet security.

How to achieve stable connection on WD N900 Central when FasTrack Plus QoS is enabled

If you have been using the WD My Net N900 Central, you would have noticed that there is this FasTrack Plus QoS in the settings menu. In the past firmware, enabling it gives me random disconnects of PCs and net devices both wired and wireless mode.

There were quite a number of incremental updates available on Western Digital support site. The latest version is 1.06.28. The first thing that comes into my mind is to update it to the latest firmware to iron out issues.

Yes the new version seemed to help in it’s stability when FasTrack Plus QoS is turned on. We did a reboot of the router and hoped for stability.

Unfortunately, the same issue resurfaces on this new firmware, the random disconnects is unresolved. The problem also seem to bug users on WD forums.

As there is a 2TB HDD built into the router, my gut feeling tells me that it might be warm.  To solve the issue, I flipped the router upside down with the fan duct (the fan doesn’t seem to be rotating). I powered down the router and powered it on again.

I did my usual youtube, HD streaming, WD smartware and the system is very stable. I can’t be conclusive but I suspect it is the heat that was causing the random hangs and disconnects.

If you own any of the similar routers, do try it out and tell us if the trick helps.

WD SmartWare update highlights:

Windows release 2.0.0 (updated 4/16/2013)

Scheduled backup support. Back up files on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Improved and simplified auto update process.
The ability to upgrade to WD SmartWare Pro version (License fee required) for expanded backup capabilities

Backup supported on WD Elements drive
Backup supported on non-WD external USB hard drives
Back up files to your Dropbox account (Dropbox account required)
Back up your Dropbox files to an external hard drive (Dropbox account required)

Download from the link below:

http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/wdsmartwareupdate/NAS.asp

Are you on 802.11ac ? The ASUS USB-AC53 Dual band 802.11ac might just be the right companion for your brand new wireless 802.11ac router.

USB-AC53 Dual-band Wireless-AC1200 USB Adapter Extra-fast 5th Generation Wi-Fi at up to 867Mbps/300Mbps

Selectable 5GHz/2.4GHz dual bands increase signal clarity for better HD multimedia

Powerful 2×2 embedded patch antennas (PIFA type) improve signal range while integrating into the attractive design

Exclusive NetClip and cradle accessories for convenient placement and better performance

Extreme 5th generation Wi-Fi speed The fastest Wi-Fi ever becomes more accessible via USB, going up to 867Mbps on the clear 5GHz band. Using 802.11ac wireless, faster connectivity and enjoyment come to all your devices.

* Quoted network speeds and bandwidth based on current IEEE 802.11ac specifications. Actual performance may be affected by network and service provider factors, interface type, and other conditions. Connected devices must be 802.11ac-compatible for best results.

Selectable dual-band 867Mbps/300Mbps bandwidth

Dual-band operation suits mainstream and power users. The 2.4GHz band is perfect for web browsing, email, and social networking, while the 5GHz frequency enables smooth HD streaming and online multiplayer for blazingly fast and lag-free home entertainment

ASUS RT-AC66U Dual band (802.11ac) and USB-AC53 Dual band USB adapter review (802.11ac)
Bluetooth 17 Apr 2013

A traditional 802.11n router is probably what most people would use with their signed up broadband plans. While it delivers the connection, wireless speed is always a major complain.

While most 802.11n promises a speed of 450Mbps theoritically, most users will find that the speed doesn’t really go beyond half of it. A single band would also not be able to handle so many clients and cover a larger pool of home users.

Most users will buy their own routers to replace those bundled with their subscription plan. A Dual Band 2.4GHz + 5GHz would be a good choice. While there are various manufacturers out there with such design, the 5GHz band doesn’t really travel far enough.

With the ASUS RT-AC66U, all these issues are solved with the 802.11ac support which can deliver a theoritical speed of 1300Mbps on the 5GHz band. So, no more hanging during video streaming and you get comparable speeds as good as having a line connection.

The 3 antenna design is specifically design for better coverage of wireless signal. In fact, we noticed that most 5GHz Band routers will be out of the radar once you are around 10 metres aways from the router. For the ASUS RT-AC66U paired up with the  USB-AC53, we can still achieve pretty decent connection speeds even on the 2nd floor.

As a wireless router, the RT-AC66U is more than a simple router. It comes with built in USB ports that connect to printers, 3G/4G dongles or storage media. Other features include guest access, VPN server, DLNA server,  Download Master, 5GHz HD Streaming and Printer Sharing.

ASUS also preloads RT-AC66U with AiCloud ASUS AiCloud is the cloud service that delivers you the most at no cost. Sync your data on a home PC with an online storage account, share files with anyone using a simple link, and stream media from your home PC directly to any internet-connected device. Keep in touch with your stuff wherever and whenever like never before.

the ASUS RT-AC66U is easily setup with the web browser using the setup wizard. The menus are very intuitive and can be easily configured through the web. For Singapore users, the firmware also has option for easy set up for fibre broadband operators, M1, Singtel and Starhub.

In the subsequent pages, we will take a look at the package, setup and benchmarks.

ASUS RT-AC66U Specs

Singapore local ISP MyRepublic is reported to be undergoing intermittent connection issues. They posted a note on their Facebook Page that their network is under DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attack

Important Network Update: Our engineers have alerted us that our network is currently under heavy DDoS attack.

As a result of this, certain segments of our customer base are now experiencing intermittent access as well as much slower connection speeds.

More updates to come when we get them.

^EN

Although our servers are not hosted ther, we have been experiencing attacks lately originating from Asia. If you experience problems connecting to our website, do drop us an email at our Facebook page or twitter account.

Thank you.

PC Enthusiasts who build their own systems knows Western Digital. They have been delivering high speed and reliable hard disk all these years. The next thing one will relate to is data backup, Network Access Storage.

Western Digital realised it with the My Net N900 Central. It is a Dual Band Wireless Router with a 1TB or 2TB HDD storage built in.

The device itself comes with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for high speed access to your connected devices. There is also a USB port which allows you to add external storage such as My Book or My Passport hard drives, shared printers and scanners.

FinFisher is a spyware that is installed onto PCs by governments around the world to spy on their citizens. To our surprise, a lot number of countries are actually tracking their citizens through this spy ware FinFisher.

So, how are you affected and how are you protecting yourself from these scans and probes.  Read below.

 FinFisher: Updated Global Scan
(click image to enlarge)

Figure 1. Map of global FinFisher proliferation Around October 2012, we observed that the behavior of FinSpy servers began to change. Servers stopped responding to our fingerprint, which had exploited a quirk in the distinctive FinSpy wire protocol. We believe that this indicates that Gamma either independently changed the FinSpy protocol, or was able to determine key elements of our fingerprint, although it has never been publicly revealed. In the wake of this apparent update to FinSpy command & control servers, we devised a new fingerprint and conducted a scan of the internet for FinSpy command & control servers. This scan took roughly two months and involved sending more than 12 billion packets. Our new scan identified a total of 36 FinSpy servers, 30 of which were new and 6 of which we had found during previous scanning. The servers operated in 19 different countries. Among the FinSpy servers we found, 7 were in countries we hadn’t seen before. New Countries Canada, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Serbia, Vietnam
In our most recent scan, 16 servers that we had previously found did not show up. We suspect that after our earlier scans were published the operators moved them. Many of these servers were shut down or relocated after the publication of previous results, but before the apparent October 2012 update. We no longer found FinSpy servers in 4 countries where previous scanning identified them (Brunei, UAE, Latvia, and Mongolia). Taken together, FinSpy servers are currently, or have been present, in 25 countries. Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Qatar, Serbia, Singapore, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam. Importantly, we believe that our list of servers is incomplete due to the large diversity of ports used by FinSpy servers, as well as other efforts at concealment. Moreover, discovery of a FinSpy command and control server in a given country is not a sufficient indicator to conclude the use of FinFisher by that country’s law enforcement or intelligence agencies. In some cases, servers were found running on facilities provided by commercial hosting providers that could have been purchased by actors from any country. The table below shows the FinSpy servers detected in our latest scan. We list the full IP address of servers that have been previously publicly revealed. For active servers that have not been publicly revealed, we list the first two octets only. Releasing complete IP addresses in the past has not proved useful, as the servers are quickly shut down and relocated.* IPOperatorRouted to Country117.121.xxx.xxxGPLHostAustralia77.69.181.162Batelco ADSL ServiceBahrain180.211.xxx.xxxTelegraph & Telephone BoardBangladesh168.144.xxx.xxxSoftcom, Inc.Canada168.144.xxx.xxxSoftcom, Inc.Canada217.16.xxx.xxxPIPNI VPSCzech Republic217.146.xxx.xxxZone Media UVS/NodesEstonia213.55.99.74Ethio TelecomEthiopia80.156.xxx.xxxGamma International GmbHGermany37.200.xxx.xxxJiffyBox ServersGermany178.77.xxx.xxxHostEurope GmbHGermany119.18.xxx.xxxHostGatorIndia119.18.xxx.xxxHostGatorIndia118.97.xxx.xxxPT TelkomIndonesia118.97.xxx.xxxPT TelkomIndonesia103.28.xxx.xxxPT Matrixnet GlobalIndonesia112.78.143.34Biznet ISPIndonesia112.78.143.26Biznet ISPIndonesia117.121.xxx.xxxGPLHostMalaysia187.188.xxx.xxxIusacell PCSMexico201.122.xxx.xxxUniNetMexico164.138.xxx.xxxTilaaNetherlands164.138.28.2TilaaNetherlands78.100.57.165Qtel – Government RelationsQatar195.178.xxx.xxxTri.d.o.o / Telekom SrbijaSerbia117.121.xxx.xxxGPLHostSingapore217.174.229.82Ministry of CommunicationsTurkmenistan72.22.xxx.xxxiPower, Inc.United States166.143.xxx.xxxVerizon WirelessUnited States117.121.xxx.xxxGPLHostUnited States117.121.xxx.xxxGPLHostUnited States117.121.xxx.xxxGPLHostUnited States117.121.xxx.xxxGPLHostUnited States183.91.xxx.xxxCMC Telecom Infrastructure CompanyVietnamSeveral of these findings are especially noteworthy:

• Eight servers are hosted by provider GPLHost in various countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, US). However, we observed only six of these servers active at any given time, suggesting that some IP addresses may have changed during our scans.
• A server identified in Germany has the registrant “Gamma International GmbH,” and the contact person is listed as “Martin Muench.”
• There is a FinSpy server in an IP range registered to “Verizon Wireless.” Verizon Wireless sells ranges of IP addresses to corporate customers, so this is not necessarily an indication that Verizon Wireless itself is operating the server, or that Verizon Wireless customers are being spied on.
• A server in Qatar that was previously detected by Rapid7 seems to be back online after being unresponsive during the last round of our scanning. The server is located in a range of 16 addresses registered to “Qtel – Corporate accounts – Government Relations.” The same block of 16 addresses also contains the website http://qhotels.gov.qa/.

Read more

WD® ENTERS WIRELESS HOME NETWORKING MARKET, USHERS IN NEW ERA OF BLAZING FAST HD ENTERTAINMENT STREAMING

My Net™ Family of Dual-Band Routers with Exclusive FasTrack™ Technology Accelerates Video and Games using Intelligent, Real-Time Entertainment Prioritization

SINGAPORE – Dec. 6, 2012 – WD^®, a Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) company, and a world leader in external storage and maker of the popular WD TV^® media player family, today unveils its first line of wireless home networking products, designed specifically to accelerate movies, video and gaming, delivering a premium high-definition entertainment experience. With the My Net family of powerful and easy-to-use home networking products, WD debuts its exclusive FasTrack™ technology that instantly detects entertainment traffic on the network and fast-forwards it to gaming consoles, media players, smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, computers and other Wi-Fi connected devices.

“With increasingly more people within the home simultaneously watching movies, playing games and browsing the Web via a variety of smart devices, the network demands placed on today’s connected home has grown exponentially,” states Amy Tan, senior manager, sales management, branded products group, WD South East Asia region. “Our successes in creating Connected Home solutions with our WD TV media players and personal cloud products have given us valuable insights into the network-overload problems of home wireless users, and entering the wireless home networking market offers WD an exciting opportunity to strengthen our Connected Home offerings that are aimed at enhancing the home entertainment experience for consumers.”

Accelerated Entertainment

According to Nielsen’s Digital Media Habits and Attitudes of Southeast Asian Consumers Report, data from the fourth quarter of 2011 shows that 42 percent of Singaporeans watch TV online or stream movies from the internet. Further to that, 49 percent of Singaporean digital consumers stream, or download online video on a weekly basis. Internet video services, multi-player online gaming sites, and live video chat services, combined with the explosive growth of tablets, smartphones and other devices that connect to the home network, have created a new model of home entertainment and Internet usage.

With the industry’s only full line of HD dual-band wireless N routers, My Net customers can fully enjoy this new age of home entertainment. WD’s exclusive FasTrack™ optimization technology intelligently and automatically prioritizes Internet favorites like Netflix, Hulu Plus, VUDU, YouTube™, Xbox^® LIVE, Skype™ and others, to create a smooth streaming experience in up to Full-HD 1080p quality. By using real-time analysis to maximize bandwidth for entertainment services, My Net routers provide a premium entertainment experience on any screen in the home that is connected to the router.

Streamlined Setup and Ease-of-Use

The sleek hardware design of the My Net family of routers is complementary to the devices’ friendly and intuitive user interface, which was designed by a veteran team of developers to enable quick router setup from wireless or wired devices such as iPads and other mobile devices, as well as PCs and Mac^® computers. The streamlined router setup is designed to make it easy for novice users to be up and running in minutes, while also providing all the customization tools expert users crave. The included My Net Dashboard makes it easy for users to customize, monitor or change the settings of the network, including setting parental controls, Internet security, guest network access, network name and password, printer and scanner settings, and mapping storage drives, all in one easy view.

New Combination Router, Personal Cloud and Automatic Wireless Backup

In addition to getting a premium home entertainment experience with My Net routers, customers can centralize storage and backup for all the computers in their home, as well as create a personal cloud for their digital media and remotely access those files anytime, anywhere. Part of the My Net family, My Net N900 Central is WD’s all-in-one N900 router with an integrated 1 TB or 2 TB internal hard drive. Remote access to My Net N900 Central is available on any computer through www.WD2go.com and with WD mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch^® or Android™ smartphones and tablets.

In addition to keeping content safe at home and always accessible while away from home, users can rely on My Net N900 Central for automatic wireless backup with the included WD SmartWare™ software for Windows^®, while Mac users can utilize all the features of Apple^® Time Machine^® backup software. Additionally, any WD external hard drive with SmartWare software can connect directly to a My Net router to wirelessly backup all PC computers in the home.

My Net Router Family

• My Net N900 Central – The My Net N900 Central HD dual-band storage router provides accelerated HD streaming plus integrated storage for wireless backup and remote access. With FasTrack™ Plus optimization technology, My Net N900 Central delivers high quality, accelerated HD entertainment that is intelligently and automatically prioritized to ensure smooth streaming. The wireless-N storage router features fast wireless performance with speeds up to 900 Mbps (450 + 450 Mbps on the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands combined), as well as integrated 1 TB or 2 TB internal storage for automatic wireless backup. My Net N900 Central includes 4 LAN and 1 WLAN Gigabit Ethernet ports for up to 10/100/1000 Mbps wired speeds, 1 USB port for additional storage, printer and media share server use, and range amplifier antennas for extended range. Additionally, My Net N900 Central is Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified for easy detection and connection of Wi-Fi devices.
• My Net N900 – The My Net N900 HD dual-band router also provides a premium entertainment experience for movies, games, video, music, video chat and more. The My Net N900 offers the ultimate performance for all connected devices in the home, even while streaming to multiple devices at the same time. The exclusive FasTrack™ Plus technology provides intelligent, real-time traffic prioritization for simultaneous HD and 3D media streaming and online gaming. The wireless-N router features high wireless performance with speeds up to 900 Mbps (450 + 450 Mbps on the 2.4 and 5 Ghz bands combined) and also includes 7 LAN and 1 WLAN Gigabit Ethernet ports for up to 10/100/1000 Mbps wired speeds, 2 USB ports for additional storage, printer and media share server use, and range amplifier antennas for extended range. Additionally, My Net N900 is UPnP and DLNA certified.
• My Net N750 – The My Net N750 HD dual-band router is optimized to deliver multiple simultaneous HD media streams on the network, delivering accelerated video to all connected wireless and wired devices. WD’s exclusive FasTrack™ technology detects entertainment traffic and prioritizes bandwidth on the network to smoothly stream multiple HD movies, shows, games and more to connected devices. The router provides a combined data rate of up to 750 Mbps (300 + 450 Mbps) and features 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 2 USB ports.
• My Net N600 – The My Net N600 HD dual-band router is ideal for simple and fast web surfing and entertainment streaming with FasTrack™ technology for a smooth HD viewing experience. The router provides a combined data rate of up to 600 Mbps (300 + 300 Mbps) and features 5 Fast Ethernet ports with 1 USB port.

Pricing (MSRP)

Availability

My Net N900 Central, My Net N900, My Net N750 and My Net N600 will be available at select retailers by mid of December. The My Net family of routers will be distributed by select distributors and resellers.

ASUS DSL-N55U Gigabit ADSL Modem Router Delivers Dual-Band 600Mbps

Designed for expansion and combining functions for great convenience, this flagship dual-CPU gateway accelerates dual-band networking with three external antennas

Singapore (March 5, 2012) ― the ASUS DSL-N55U utilizes a powerful tri-antenna, dual-CPU design that offers the complete benefit of ADSL modem and router features in one streamlined and easy to use device. It supports simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz transmission at up to 600Mbps, making it an ideal choice for power users, gamers, and consumers who stream HD media regularly. Quick and simple installation gets users online complication-free, while two USB ports afford multi-role usability as a file, media, and printer server.

Two dedicated devices in one at twice the speed

Equipped with two discrete CPUs, the DSL-N55U carries out both modem and router duties in wired and wireless modes. It thus saves users the space, energy requirements, and cost of maintaining a separate ADSL modem and router. With its integrated home gateway design, the tri-antenna DSL-N55U works in dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies simultaneously, giving users access to 300Mbps per band, or a total of 600Mbps in bandwidth. The 2.4GHz band can be used for normal online tasks such as web browsing, email, and social networking, while the cleaner and less congested 5GHz band remains free for intense applications such as online multiplayer gaming and HD multimedia streaming. The DSL-N55U supports up to 300,000 concurrent data sessions, similar to other high end network products from ASUS. It therefore outperforms basic modem routers by up to a factor of 20. The three antennas combine with exclusive ASUS Ai Radar signal enhancement technology, detecting local conditions and the positions of connected devices to ensure the best possible transmission quality. Ai Radar extends coverage range by overcoming obstacles and sources of interference, and results in a more reliable signal.

EZ UI delivers ease of installation and use

The ASUS EZ UI interface auto-detects ISP settings, so a connection can be established in seconds. Users simply follow several on-screen instructions to configure their home network, with no disc or manual required. The DSL-N55U takes out the complexity from modem and router setup, and offers users the full benefit of its features within minutes of first opening the box. ASUS plans to incorporate its ASUSWRT firmware into the DSL-N55U via a live upgrade in April, offering access to multiple SSIDs, IPv6, 3G sharing, and the Download Master web-based interface. ASUSWRT was previously incorporated into the ASUS RT-N66U.

Dual USB ports enable extensive expandability

With the standardized accessibility of USB, the DSL-N55U can transform instantly into a file, media, or printer server for even greater utility and multi-role value. It comes fully DLNA-compatible for seamless integration with a variety of devices, from game consoles to set top boxes. Powered USB also serves to recharge portable devices such as smartphones and tablets.

PRICE:

DSL-N55U SRP: $219

ASUS RT-N65U: Dual CPUs and Turbo NAT Max Wi-Fi and Wired Speeds

Maximized concurrent 2.4GHz/5GHz wireless and wired speeds join the world’s first twin USB 3.0 ports on an N750 router with file, printer, and 3G sharing

Singapore (August 15, 2012) ― the ASUS RT-N65U USB 3.0 dual-band wireless-N750 Gigabit router offers consumers an attractive and powerful device that caters to HD home entertainment and content streaming, multiplayer gaming, plus heavy downloading. It utilizes dual processors and Turbo NAT to optimize concurrent 2.4GHz/5GHz wireless and wired throughput, resulting in the fastest-performing N750 router available. It ships with twin USB 3.0 ports to enable easy device connectivity and flexible usage as a server, and the entire package is made readily accessible to users via the exclusive ASUSWRT dashboard interface. The artistic black diamond design seen on ASUS routers such as the RT-N56U has been applied on the RT-N65U.

Dual CPUs accelerate simultaneous dual-band wireless

The RT-N65U improves network performance for smoother and more satisfying online experiences. Using powerful yet efficient dual-processor System on a Chip (SoC) architecture, it dedicates a CPU to each operating band, set to 2.4GHz and 5GHz. This allows both frequencies to reach maximum throughput, unlike single-CPU designs where compute power has to be shared. The two bands offer up to 750Mbps combined, and users can take advantage of the less crowded and cleaner 5GHz band for tasks such as HD streaming and online gaming, while the 2.4GHz band easily handles more routine applications, including web browsing, social networking, and emailing.

Turbo NAT: hardware network address translation

Wired connections reach maximum speeds in concurrent operation with Wi-Fi to guarantee the smoothest online experiences. Dedicated Turbo NAT IP address resolution and packet control exceed software NAT capabilities, resulting in sustainable 900Mbps speeds. Working together, wired connections and wireless channels experience no performance drop, making the RT-N65U the fastest N750 router available and an extra-stable platform for continuous downloading and online multitasking.

Exclusive AiRadar signal shaping technology

To make the most of the enhanced speed of the RT-N65U, ASUS includes its proprietary AiRadar design, ensuring the strongest and most focused transmission possible. While improving connection stability, AiRadar also expands wireless coverage, which means the RT-N65U can easily support large home and office networks, as well as multi-floor locations.

Better sharing and productivity with twin SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports

ASUS includes two USB 3.0 ports on the RT-N65U, instantly turning the router into a multi-function server. Users can apply it as an FTP, Samba, UPnP AV, and printer server, making better use of resources by sharing across different devices. The router can download content directly to USB storage with no PC required, helping users get more done with improved multitasking and time savings. The RT-N65U works with DLNA-compatible devices, and can be used as a foundation for a fast home entertainment setup. It also works as a 3G sharing enabler, allowing several devices to get online through a single cellular account while offering failover protection in the event of WAN connection failure.

Power functions and easy management

As with other recent ASUS routers, the exclusive ASUSWRT dashboard interface offers streamlined setup in just 30 seconds*, allowing users to get online quickly. It also provides extensive network monitoring and control, all with an intuitive graphical design that can be learned in minutes. Client management and one-click updates are included alongside several ASUS applications such as VPN Server, Download Master (24-hour downloading even post-shutdown), parental controls, and guest network supervision.

Specifications

Product specifications and features may change without prior notice. Check http://sg.asus.com/ for further details.

*ASUS-tested and verified setup time. Actual duration may vary by ISP, specific connection type, location, and other factors.

Prices:

RT-N65U SRP: $229

ASUS Launches the EA-N66 Dual Band Wireless-N900Ethernet Adapter

Delivers fastest available Gigabit network speeds withpatented antennas to fulfill a wide range of home networking andentertainment needs

Singapore (April 02, 2012) ― the ASUS EA-N66 3-in-1 dual bandwireless-N900 Gigabit Ethernet adapter is equipped with a unique 3 x 3patented antenna design, providing users high speed internet access. Withselectable dual band operating modes and speeds of up to 450Mbps per band,the EA-N66 caters to web browsing, smooth HD video streaming, and lag-freeonline gaming with ease.

Clearer and stronger signals with a unique 3 x 3 antenna design

Using custom patented antenna architecture, the EA-N66 minimizesinterference and provides consumers the fastest Gigabit network speedscurrently available, enabling access to wide-reaching coverage for internetaccess anywhere around the home.

Dual band operation adds to network flexibility

Operating at 2.4GHz allows users to download files and browse the web,while the faster and less crowded 5GHz band handles more demanding taskssuch as HD content streaming. The two selectable frequencies thereforeoptimize performance for the best internet experience. With standardEthernet cables, users can easily link Ethernet-supporting devices such asdesktops, notebooks, multimedia players, or smart TVs via the EA-N66 tostart browsing the internet, stream content, or game online withoutdelay.

3-in-1 functionality accommodates diverse user scenarios

The EA-N66 works in Ethernet adapter, repeater, and access point modes.As an Ethernet adapter, it can quickly connect to a variety ofEthernet-capable devices with wireless support, operating at up to 450Mbpsper band. In repeater mode, the high-powered EA-N66 can rebroadcast signalsto extend wireless range if a direct connection cannot be established,offering better coverage for larger residences with special utility inmulti-level locations. Users simply need to scan for the strongest Wi-Fisignal and link it to their SSID of choice. As an access point, the EA-N66works with wired modems and routers, instantly adding wireless support toan existing network. All of these can be activated easily with the ASUSintuitive user interface in a few steps and with no install discrequired.

ASUS Launches the RT-N53 Black Diamond dual band wireless router

Bringing the best experience in wireless coverage for home & office

Singapore (7^th February, 2011), ASUS today launched the RT-N53 Black Diamond dual band wireless router, designed to bring the best home and office networking experience with data rates of up to 600Mpbs. With its slim and elegant wall-mountable design, space constraints will never be an issue. Its universal repeater mode extends and enhances Wi-Fi network coverage. No software installations are needed for accessing the network and with its intuitive user-friendly interface; users can easily configure router settings.

Extended Wi-Fi Coverage

The repeater mode can rebroadcast the signal to extend wireless range if a direct connection cannot be established. If space is an issue, the RT-N53 can be wall mounted. Once set up, users will just need to scan for the most viable Wi-Fi signal and connect it to any SSID of choice.

Dual Band Feature

The RT-N53 doubles the wireless performance and bandwidth with simultaneous 2.4GHz, 5GHz bands with speeds of up to 600Mbps concurrently. The 2.4GHz band lets users download files and browse the web, while the 5GHz band takes care of HD content streams. With the dual band feature, users will be able to achieve optimized speeds at all times.

Enhanced Network Security
The RT-N53 features enhanced network security with support for up to four SSIDs. It allows single independent wireless networks to be created, each with their own performance and security settings, enabling users to prioritize a secure but high-bandwidth network for personal use alongside a more open low-bandwidth network for guests.

Plug-n-surf and Hassle-free Management
ASUS QIS and EZ UI offer users an intuitive router setup without the need for set-up manuals or software installations. Run any browser and the QIS wizard will automatically connect to the internet no matter what OS is being used. The EZ UI provides users with a user-friendly graphics-based management interface through which they can easily manage their network settings.

*Please take note that all repeaters, including this Universal Wireless Repeater mode, will sacrifice half of the bandwidth available from the primary router for clients wirelessly connected to the repeater. Currently, the RT-N53 only supports the 2.4GHz repeater setting.

ASUS Launches the RT-N15U WirelessRouter

Bringing you the best experience for homeand SOHO networking solutions

Singapore (8th February, 2011), ASUS today launched the RT-N15Uwireless router bringing the best out of home and SOHO networkingexperience with blazingly fast 300Mbps data rates and quality Gigabitconnections. No installations are needed for accessing the network and withthe user-friendly interface, it allows users to configure the router in asimple but yet intuitive way. The USB port allows the RT-N15U to support amyriad of applications and functions like an all-in-one printer, a FTPserver, and UPnP streaming.

Increasing Wi-Fi range

The RT-N15U’s unique design enables it to be wall-mounted and byadding the functionality of repeater mode it is used to bridge the gap andrebroadcast the signal to an extended range if the distance is too long fora direct connection to be established. With everything all set up, userswill just need to scan for the most viable Wi-Fi signal and connect it toany SSID.

Enhanced Network Security

The RT-N15U Black Diamond further enhances its wireless secure networkwith its support of up to four SSIDs. With this, it allows singleindependent wireless networks to be created, each with their ownperformance and security settings. This enables users to prioritize asecure but high-bandwidth network for personal use alongside a more openlow-bandwidth network for guests.

ASUS EZ UI
The ASUS RT-N15U wireless router features EZ UI,a powerful graphical user interface that provides intuitive setup and easymanagement of printers and other networked resources. It features a suiteof innovative connectivity solutions including EZ All-in-One Printer, QIS,and Ai Disk. EZ All-in-One Printer allows multiple users to share printersand scanners without a dedicated server managing the process; thusincreases office efficiency by handling multiple printing requestssimultaneously. The EZ All-in-One Printer also supports and detects allmajor printer brands on the market. QIS (Quick Internet Setup) facilitatesdevice connection to the Internet in three easy steps, while Ai Disk allowsusers to easily set up a FTP server at home in three simple steps.

*Please take note that all repeaters, including this UniversalWireless Repeater mode, will sacrifice half of the bandwidth available fromthe primary router for clients wirelessly connected to the repeater.Currently, the RT-N15U only supports the 2.4GHz repeater setting.

A few weeks ago, we attended an event by Promise technology, showing off it’s Thunderbolt NAS devices. As Apple is the only company that builds Thunderbolt capable notebooks, PC which is based on Intel processors and chipsets do not have motherboards which cater to this new transmission standard. According to Digitimes, Intel has recently notified its partners that the company will fully release its Thunderbolt technology in April of 2012 with several first-tier PC players already preparing to launch Thunderbolt-supported motherboards, notebooks and desktop PCs, according to sources from PC players.

Most board makers are still using third party USB 3.0 solutions while the Apple has it adopted into its products such as monitor, MacBook Pro, iMac, MacBook Air and MacBook Mini, it has strongly boosted demand. With the price of Thunderbolt technology dropping in 2H 2012, it is expected that board makers and notebook makers will adopt this technology onto to PC platform.

Currently Sony is expected to adopt Thunderbolt technology into its product lines with players such as Asustek Computer also expected to adopt the technology into their high-end notebook products. Gigabyte Technology, which has been aggressively adopting new transmission technology into its product line, is also expected to launch Thunderbolt-featured motherboard by April 2012 to compete against other brands.

Here is a link to the Promise SmartStor products which feature the Thunderbolt technology.

Taipei, Taiwan, Sep 27th 2011 – GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd.. a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced the launch of LAN Optimizer, a free software application that offers user-friendly, intelligent network management. Prioritizing network-sensitive applications such as streaming media content, communications and online gaming, LAN Optimizer intelligently manages your network to deliver an optimized online experience. “LAN Optimizer is a unique and exclusive GIGABYTE application that allows our customers to get the very best online experience by taking charge of their internet bandwidth in a way that was only available to very high-end solutions in the past,” commented Henry Kao, Vice President of Motherboard Business Unit at GIGABYTE. “GIGABYTE motherboard users can now intelligently manage different types of network traffic at the touch of a button, dynamically optimizing their home network according to their needs.”

 GIGABYTE LAN Optimizer
LAN Optimizer offers intelligent and adaptive network analysis and management for all network traffic types. Automatic prioritization of data streams from online games, streaming media content and web browsing helps to prevent your network from being strangled by network-intensive traffic such as large data downloads. This means users can now enjoy optimized gaming, communications and entertainment connectivity, while performing multiple online tasks. In cases where an internet connection is shared, LAN Optimizer ensures that the whole family will enjoy sufficient network bandwidth, on all connected devices. Key FeaturesLAN Optimizer is a free software application that works in conjunction with the Realtek 8111E Network LAN Controller to monitor and manage your PC’s network behavior. It’s simple user interface allows you to select the types of network traffic you want to prioritize, including gaming, media streaming, communications or web browsing data traffic. You can also target specific applications, choosing to prioritize or block accordingly. LAN Optimizer also features automatic management options that use adaptive networking intelligence to ensure that you are getting the best online experience possible. See the GIGABYTE LAN Optimizer in action on GIGABYTE’s MoboTV Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjX3fr3LMlU LAN Optimizer is freely available to GIGABYTE motherboard customers and will work on applicable motherboard models. Get the latest version here: http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/Utility.aspx. GIGABYTE LAN

Optimizer: Applicable Models*ChipsetModelRev.ChipsetModelRev.
Z68GA-Z68X-UD3H-B31.0Z68GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B31.3
GA-Z68X-UD3H-B31.3GA-Z68MA-D2H-B31.0
GA-Z68A-D3H-B31.0GA-Z68MA-D2H-B31.3
GA-Z68A-D3H-B31.3GA-Z68M-D2H1.0
GA-Z68XP-UD41.0P67GA-P67A-D3-B31.x
GA-Z68XP-UD41.3GA-P67-DS3-B31.x
GA-Z68XP-UD3P1.0H67GA-PH67-DS3-B31.0
GA-Z68XP-UD3R1.0GA-H67MA-USB3-B31.0
GA-Z68XP-UD3R1.3GA-H67M-D2-B31.0/1.1
GA-Z68XP-UD31.0H61GA-P61-USB3-B31.0/1.1
GA-Z68XP-UD31.3GA-P61-DS3-B31.1
GA-Z68AP-D31.0GA-H61M-S2V-B31.0/1.1
GA-Z68P-DS31.0GA-H61N-USB31.0
GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B31.0

*1.This list is subject to change without notice。 2.Product features may vary by model, if your motherboard is not on the list, please refer to the GIGABYTE website for more support information. To learn more about the GIGABYTE LAN Optimizer, please visit: http://www.gigabyte.com/MicroSite/300/lan-optimizer.html

ASUS WL-330N3G

ASUS WL-330N3G 6-in-1 Wireless-N Mobile Router, world’s smallest multi-role device

Ultra-portability with Footprint Smaller Than a Credit Card
Industry-leading 6-in-1 Multi-role Functionality: Router, Access Point, Universal Repeater, Ethernet Adapter, Hotspot, 3G Sharing
Plug-n-Surf Installation with Graphic Management

Delivering spectacular utility and value, the WL-330N3G works as six different devices rolled into one. What’s worth highlighting first is its Hotspot Mode and 3G sharing Mode. As a hotspot, it can serve as a mobile Wi-Fi connection for several devices at no extra cost. While in 3G sharing mode, it provides internet connectivity for several devices through the 3G network. This mode works in conjunction with a 3G USB adapter. The other four modes allow your devices to get connected in different scenarios!

The 6 modes are : Router, Access Porint, Universal Repeater, Ethernet Adapter, Hotspot, 3G Sharing

M1 Fibre Broadband 100MBps tuning Guide
Bluetooth 15 Mar 2011

Fibre broadband is not new. A lot of users already have it at home but aren’t able to get the speeds they want. IT Show 2011 is just over and I bet most people who have gotten hold of the Huawei residential gateway are eager to know how you could maximise the network speed of your system.

For M1, if you have got their 100Mbps Fibre broadband which delivers up to 100Mbps down and 50Mbps up, you would have to fine tune the Residential Gateway from Huawei. The Huawei RG256 is rented to the subscriber and comes with a fixed voice line. That is probably the reason why many people got it but are also complaining about bad speeds.

What we are going do in this guide is to make things simple. We look at the FIX Ethernet direct connection from the port on the RG256 to our netbook. We will see the configurations required on both.

In the next page, we detail the configuration screens of the RG256 that is required for a better speed.

SINGAPORE, 11 November 2010 – An exciting new channel for home infotainment is now available with the launch of 1box by M1 tomorrow. Internet, movies, celebrity concerts, exciting games and fun learning modules will be available via high-speed broadband from this multimedia device. 1box will bring the World Wide Web and an array of compelling content and services to the TV screens of M1 Home Broadband customers.

1box is offered as a value-added service with a lifestyle and entertainment focus for M1’s Fibre, Cable and ADSL Home Broadband customers. It is a simple to use plug-and-play device that connects to the HDMI slot of high definition television sets (HDTV) and rides on M1’s advanced Home Broadband network. Customers can lean back and enjoy the exciting suite of services on television via 1box with a remote control or a wireless keyboard and mouse.

1box offers customers the pleasure of accessing the Internet on TV, including streaming videos on popular websites such as Sesame Street, YouTube, Clicknetwork.tv and Discovery Channel and staying in touch with family and friends on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

By connecting their external media storage to 1box via the USB port, customers can also share their personal videos, music or photos with family and friends on television.

1box will be offered to customers on a monthly rental of $5 for 50 Mbps and above fibre

Home Broadband plans. (Please refer to Table 1 for the 1box rental rates).

There will be four main categories of content services that will be offered to customers: Education, Music, Movies and Games. Customers can subscribe to the content services on a monthly subscription basis while content such as movies will be charged on a pay-per-view basis. (Please refer to the list of services and charges).
“We are excited to offer our customers more lifestyle and entertainment choices via this new multimedia platform. With its wide range of TV Internet and content capability, 1box will provide many hours of entertainment for the whole family. Most importantly, it will enable customers to get more out of their current M1 Home Broadband service,” said P. Subramaniam, Chief Marketing Officer of M1.
“1box will be one of many more innovative services from M1 that will leverage on our ultra-fast fibre broadband service that was launched on the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network,” he added.

Table 1 : 1box Rental Plans

Content Services on 1box

• Education : Subscribe to MC Online for fun and interactive learning programmes for primary school kids. At only $2.14 per month per channel, parents can share the fun of learning Chinese, Maths and Science with their kids.

• Music : Subscribe to “iConcerts Unlimited Pass” for recorded “live” concerts featuring international artistes such as Lady Gaga, U2, Coldplay and more. At only $5.35 per month, subscribers can watch the concerts as many times as they want and transform their living room into the hottest concert hall.

• Movies : M1 Recommends provides movies for viewing anytime. At only $3.21 to $5.35 per view, for a range of movie titles.

• Games : Subscribe to M1 Game Zone at only $1.07 per month and enjoy family time playing these fun TV games.

M1’s response to IDA’s decision on 3G spectrum allocation

SINGAPORE, 5 October 2010 – We are delighted that M1 has been awarded its choice of 3G spectrum lot at the reserved price. This is very good news for M1 and for our customers. It will complement the ongoing modernization of our network to drive innovative services and excellent customer experience as well as support the growth of our data traffic – Patrick Scodeller, Chief Technical Officer.