Cisco Linksys E4200 - Built for the Fast Lane

Redefining The E-Series

Linksys E-series routers have been referred to as ashtrays, dinner plates, and even UFOs since their augmentation last year. Hoping to change that impression, Cisco has since revisited the drawing board to recreate a swanky new N-router, which hopefully, is able to shun those awkward descriptions. Apart from its sleek and stylish outfit, Linksys' biggest marketing spin has to be the six internal antennas packed inside the E4200, capable of 3x3 MIMO spatial streams on the 5GHz band. Being a dual-band contender, the router also supports the more conventional 2.4GHz frequency (fixed at 2x3) on a simultaneous connection. 

Powered by a Broadcom BCM4718 chip, the E4200 is marketed, not surprisingly, as a compatible companion to fiber networks. Theoretically, it is capable of top speeds of up to 450Mbps on 5GHz, and 300MHz on 2.4GHz. Impressive, no doubt, although the device's real world performance matters more. Can the router's actual wireless throughput and range truly deliver? Recently, we understand the E4200 also earned a nod from the DD-WRT camp, which gives networking enthusiasts an alternative Linux firmware to tinker with. Last we checked, Linksys has also added support for native IPv6 Internet connections with its stock 1.0.02 (build 13) firmware as well. That's well and good. Now it's time to find out if the E4200 is competent enough to fill its big shoes.

Design And Build

External antennas are passe, if recent offerings from Linksys are anything to go by. Dressed in matte black shell with a grey "metallic" band slapped across the middle, the E4200 is by far the sleekest and classiest router we've laid hands on. It's a little less ostentatious than the glossy ASUS RT-56U, with a little more class to boot. One obvious upside is you get to display this router like a decorative accessory instead of stowing it away from view. Unlike conventional designs, this minimalist networking unit is also devoid of status indicators, save for a white LED-backlit Cisco logo which serves as a power indicator.  

The back panel features four standard Gigabit LAN ports, plus a single Gigabit WAN port for the modem. Crossover cables aren't required since auto-crossover features (Auto-MDIX) are supported as well. Additionally, a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button and a sunken Reset button are also catered for. Further to the right sits a USB slot which serves various purposes. For starters, you may use it to share data from external storage devices via the router's NAS-like feature. Alternatively, transmission of multimedia content across the home network is also possible with the integrated UPnP Media Server. The E4200 is packaged with a Cat 5 cable, a 12V power adapter, and a CD containing the Cisco Connect software if you prefer to setup the router in a snap.

Cisco Connect And Web Interface Features

Cisco Connect

Surprisingly, the installation process wasn't as quick as anticipated. In fact, the setup took more than eight minutes before the router was finally initialized. On the up side, Cisco Connect enables you to configure the E4200 for basic usage without any prior networking knowledge. For example, it allows you to add computers to your network, set guest access, or enable parental controls with much ease. On the other hand, its limited functionality may frustrate enthusiasts since it does not provide access to the meatier advanced settings. The web browser can still be used for this purpose, fortunately. One minor gripe is the initial prompt to install Cisco Connect on the browser's splash page. We observed this only happens with the new native firmware (build 13). Also, a single SSID is given instead of discrete SSIDs for each frequency band.

Features

The router comes with a default IP address of 192.168.1.1, with "admin" as its ID and password assuming Cisco Connect wasn't used previously. For its web interface, Linksys has retained its sterile white and blue layout, although the detailed field settings and practical Help tips are a definite plus. We applaud features like its customizable QoS prioritization, guest access (up to ten clients), IPv6 support (with manual options for 6rd tunneling), VPN pass-through, plus an UPnP media server for streaming. Linksys' detailed Internet Access Policy (IAP) filtering system is worth a mention too, especially if you have kids at home. Essentially, you can restrict access from networked computers on a weekly schedule or block applications via various network protocols. The Disk Management application enables you to share specific folders or the entire drive. However, you can't assign specific read or write rights.      

Test Setup

To create a wireless network scenario, our routine test setup typically includes a desktop PC, the reviewed router, and a wireless client. The desktop system (with a Gigabit Ethernet port) is designed to simulate a host machine, while the router in question acts as the gateway. And lastly, a notebook plugged with a dual band Wireless-N USB adapter fulfills the role of a wireless remote client.

To gauge the router's peak potential and to prevent any possibility of varying wireless standards used, the evaluated router is locked down at the 802.11n-only mode for both bands. The QCheck application provides an indication of the wireless throughput (TCP) and streaming (UDP) finesse between the host and client endpoints. TCP throughput is measured against a 1MB data packet, whilst any significant packet loss is registered with the UDP test. On the other hand, NetIQ's Chariot benchmark offers a more detailed account with average throughput and response time readings recorded over 30 seconds, based on a High Performance throughput script. Range is determined by the distance between the router and wireless client. Now, let's run through the results proper.

Chariot and QCheck Performance Testing 

On the 2.4GHz band, it is apparent that the E4200's specialty lies with its stable throughput performance rather than impress with blistering speeds. As you can tell from UDP streaming figures, packet loss across all distances were almost non-existent as well. On average, the router clocked a healthy downlink speed of 45Mbps at 2 meters and a decent 31Mbps at 25 meters. Results improved slightly with WPA2-Personal enabled. We also observed that uplink speeds were marginally higher than downstream figures in most instances. Transfer of a 1GB file was completed in just under 3 minutes, although the ASUS RT-N56U only required a minute and 52 seconds to accomplish the transfer. On the other hand, the E4200 was able to match the N56U in the long range department, with both routers hovering around the 30Mbps mark.

Chariot and QCheck Performance Testing

Pay closer attention to the average throughput results at 2 meters. Notice how the uplink numbers are significantly higher than the downstream results? This anomaly was further amplified with WPA2 encryption at close proximity. Generally, we expected the router's 5GHz results to surpass its 2.4GHz performance since it was a simple case of 3x3 versus 2x3 streams after all. At 10 meters, average throughput speeds were recorded at 70Mbps or thereabouts. At 25 meters, the E4200's downstream throughput clocked 59Mbps on average. It is not staggering fast, but at least it's almost twice as fast as test results gathered from the 2.4GHz band. However, it is apparent the E4200 was unable to breach the 100Mbps ceiling as ASUS did for distances near and far.

The Final Word

If we had to choose between the Linksys E4200 and ASUS RT-56U based on looks alone, then our verdict is clear. We'd pick the Linksys contender without question. The stylish E4200's deviation from the usual (and boring) router dress code is also what makes it appealing. Thankfully, it isn't laudable simply for its looks. The E4200 has many built-in features you might want in a modern day N-router, like its guest access and access policies. As proven in our lab tests, the router's 3x3 and 2x3 MIMO streams have translated into stable throughput figures, while its UPnP media server and IPv6 support also lends a hand to its multimedia and future-proofing accolades.

Essentially, the E4200 is a competent networking device (more so on the 5GHz band) with a decent range; just maybe not quite as fast as its ASUS adversary or Linksys' advertised speeds. Software wise, Cisco Connect can be useful for users unfamiliar with a router's configuration process. The application might not provide extensive choices, nor is it as snappy as Linksys claims it would be, but it does accomplish the task reasonably well. As for its price tag, $279 is quite a fair bit to fork out for a wireless router. Its consistent performance and comprehensive features (minus print server services), however, could make it a worthwhile consideration in the end. As we see it, Linksys biggest threat still lies with its cheaper and speedier ASUS RT-N56U nemesis. 

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