Rosewill RNX-300RT

Here's another bit of hardware to get rolling with the semi-relaunch. This go around it's a network router, specifically Rosewill's RNX-300RT.

According to the DD-WRT forums this is a rebrand of the TP-Link TL-WR841ND V7. So the important bits of hardware are the same. The CPU is an Atheros AR7241 clocked at 400mhz with 32megs of RAM to play with, and an Atheros AR9287 provides the 802.11 b/g/n wireless communication. 

There actually is only one major drawback to the system. The Ethernet ports.

The RNX-300RT's 10/100 Ethernet ports only support up to 100Mbps transfer speeds. The 802.11n wireless supports up to 300Mbps. In theoretical terms this means that 802.11n enabled wireless devices can talk to each other faster than they can talk to hardwired devices. 

In realistic terms the theoretical speeds probably won't be that big of a factor. Very few Internet Service providers in the US are positioned to offer higher than 100Mbps access speeds. Those that are in a position tend to charge a hefty premium, and let's be honest, if you can afford a faster than 100Mbps Internet Service, you are probably not going to be shopping for entry level devices. 

One of the main reasons you would want to buy this router is that it does support DD-WRT. As shown here I have already replaced the firmware with the October 10th Eko Brainslayer build. For those interested, no, I do not actually screen-cap the replacement steps. All users have to do is just go to update the firmware in a normal matter and just use the .bin file from DD-WRT.

So, quick commentary on the factory default Rosewill firmware. I would describe the default firmware as serviceable. It will get you connected, but I get the distinct impression the default software is just a place-holder. 

Now, something that users do need to be aware of is that the fastest 802.11n operating modes will need to be manually enabled. The best way to get both the 802.11n speed and the 802.11g compatibility is to run DD-WRT in the NG-Mixed operating mode. 

Then set the channel width with Dynamic 20/40mhz

For those who have never used DD-WRT before, this is where things can get a little different from normal router operating. DD-WRT allows you to save configuration changes, without actually activating those changes.

So make sure to use the Apply Settings button. Then go check out the status:

If all went right the Data Rate should be sitting at 300Mb/s.

Now, would I recommend this router to anybody else?

Yes.

Setting the the 10/100 hardwired speed limit aside for a moment, the Rosewill RNX-300RT follows in the footsteps of the RNX-GX4. This is, hands down, one of the cheapest ways to obtain a DD-WRT capable router. 

Another factor to consider is the rise in mobile computing. More and more consumers are buying tablets like the Nexus 7, phones like the Galaxy S III, or $250 ARM based notebooks like the Samsung Chromebook. To the average consumer these days the wireless to wireless transfer speeds can be more important than the wired transfer speed. Whether or not this was something Rosewill or TP-Link were counting on is up for debate.