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Features

The NetPassage 26G-USB has a lot of advanced features and a handful that are not found on similar routers. The first and most obvious difference is the inclusion of the USB ports on the router. A good number of wired routers had a parallel port to support printers previously but very few if any had support for USB printers. The Compex manages to add in this functionality.

The second USB port is for a Web Cam and is something that is definitely unique to the Compex. With the appropriate firmware upgrade, the NP26G functions as a wireless Webcam server making it a cost effective monitoring device. The only downside is that the Webcam firmware disables router functionality- the NP26G will only act as a switch because DHCP is disabled and there is no way to turn it back on. Compex is aware of this issue and have no plans to merge the different router and webcam firmware files citing security as the reason behind this implementation. Another potential hiccup is that Compex has chosen only to support some of the more popular webcams. The list of supported webcams is here with the possibility of more models being added in future revisions of the firmware.

• Creative Labs Webcam 5
• Creative Labs Webcam Pro Ex
• Logitech QuickCam 3000 Pro
• Logitech QuickCam 4000 Pro
• Logitech QuickCam Notebook Pro
• Logitech QuickCam Zoom
• Logitech QuickCam Orbit/Sphere
• Samsung MPC-C10
• Samsung MPC-C30

An interesting and maybe somewhat controversial approach is that there additional functionality available on Compex that require activation through another firmware upgrades which require keys. Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) is available for a flat rate of 25$ US

This is an interesting approach as end users who do not need these extra features will not be subsidizing those who will actually be using them, but potentially it may drive away users who would ideally like this stuff included in the cost of the router especially since the technology is already developed and it does not cost Compex anymore to bundle in the SPI functionality. Nonetheless it is an interesting approach and may be a sign of things to come in the peripheral industry. A router is basically a piece of hardware with a specialized OS that contains a collection of specialized programs tailored for a specific function so from that angle it is not too farfetched to be asking for extra money to upgrade the functionality of the programs.

Another neat feature that is not usually found on routers is the Wireless Distribution System (WDS). Basically it allows the multiple NP26Gs to act in unison forming one large network instead of multiple smaller ones. This is similar to the repeater functionality that is found on the Apple Airport series of products.