Wireless-N Broadband Router WRT160NL – New Linux-powered router proclaimed by Cisco

By Mey Lia

Who doesn’t know Cisco? When it comes to networking devices, Cisco is quite famous and well known name, especially this time they have proclaimed a new Linux-powered router and it’s known as the Linksys by Cisco Wireless-N Broadband Router with storage link (WRT160NL). This router model of WRT160NL is actually the next generation of WRT54GL that complements the existing Linksys.

It actually closely resembles other Linksys by Cisco N-routers, if you carefully look at that model, yet the difference is only it comes with built-in connectors for external antennae. The new Linksys router design also comes and equipped with the integrated R-SMA antenna connectors, so if you prefer external aerials, this new Linksys WRT160NL is suitable for you as well.

In order to create a powerful media sharing solution, this router also equipped with the integrated storage link that functionality allows consumers to hook up their USB storage device to the router so that it will makes room for video, photo and music sharing through the integrated media server.

As a user, we are allowed and able to connect USB storage devices to the router using the Storage Link port that also support FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS file systems in both read and write mode. Furthermore, by using the integrated storage link, it will also enable other people connected to the network to share file items like music, video and data files. It’s also supported with the media server that will enable us to stream to computers as well as other UPnP AV digital media adapters.

In addition, to enable tech savvy users to be more flexible, the two R-SMA  antenna connectors are specially designed in their antennae choice and placement.

Here are the specifications for WRT160NL router as follows:

-          Linux powered

-          Storage Link port (USB 2.0)

-          8MB Flash memory

-          802.11n draft 2.0 certified

-          400 Mhz processor

-          2 x R-SMA antennae connectors.

-          Wi-Fi protected setup pushbutton security

-          UPnP AV Media server

-          32 Megabytes DDRAM

In the past, Cisco had many successful Linux powered devices, such as WRT54GL and NSLU2 for example, and this Cisco router of WRT160NL is the logical next step combining Linux, 802.11n technology and USB storage functionality that will possibly be a successor of the WRT54GL as the market transition to 802.11n with storage functionality on top of that – said Aaron Marinari, Cisco Consumer Business Group senior product manager.