Being on sale at Fry's, an extra wireless router wouldn't hurt. Especially since I work on the side as a in-home computer guy, I pretty much will go through some common computer-related parts. I decided to get a couple on the whim.

I opened one up to test it out. A realized that my friend also have one too. Airlink is pretty popular because of their low cost!

In the Box
In the box, you get a very light (cheap feeling) router unit, an AC adaptor, and a pamphlet for a manual. Unlike most other routers of this kind, a CD that has an electronic version of the manual was not included, nor was a CAT5 patch cable.

Very spartan package, if you ask me.

Setup
Setting up the router is just like any other. Once you power it up and connect a PC to one of the switch ports (there are 4 ports), as long as your PC's network settings are set to grab an IP address from a DHCP server, you will grab the first available IP address, as the router's DHCP server is on from the factory. You can then access the router by typing "192.168.1.1" in your browser.

The default login is "user/password". Once in, it is pretty self explainitory for anyone already familar with setting up popular routers (such as Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, and the like). The inteface screams "cheap", but does it's job.

Features
As expected, there really isn't much features for a basic wireless router. I like the fact that even at this price, you get WPA encryption, though only the passphrase-type (not the server-based rolling type). This is enough for home users, which the Airlink AR315W was geared towards. 64-bit and 128-bit WEP is also supported for users who have adaptor cards that are not WPA enabled.

DMZ is available as well as port forwarding. However, the DMZ feature on the AR315W is more advanced than ones I've seen on other brand-name routers! This Airlink model offers multi-DMZ zones, which means you can DMZ several internal IP addresses according to which outside (internet) server is being accessed.

There is even some basic parental control (such as domain blocking and online/offline schedules). There isn't much else.

There is one feature sorely missing, however. It is unfortunately a big deal for those who have jumped on the VoIP bandwagon. Even if not, it will be important if you are a hardcore online gamer. The feature I am talking about is QoS (Quality of Service), which is pretty much packet prioritizing. This feature is present in almost every current router (wireless or not). Voice and gaming packets are assigned high priority and are let through to avoid lengthy latencies which causes near virtual death in games or dropped and/or crackling voices in VoIP phone calls.

This an unfortunate outcome for a friend of mine who currently subscribes to Vonage.

Performance
Amazingly, wireless performance is on par with the brand name routers in both distance and speed. At around 50 feet through 4 walls, I was still getting 4 out of 5 bars using Windows XP's built-in wireless utility.

I was able to get a solid 3 MB/sec, which is also on par with other 54G routers I've used. So far, if performance is what you feared may be compromised by buying this router, rest assured that this area is covered!

Connections have been solid with almost no disconnects.

AP use
Their website officially supports using the AR315W as an access point. Although you can do this with ALL wireless routers, none have come forward officially with instructions on how to do so. Howeve, Airlink has it in their FAQ:

8. Using the wireless router as an access point

In order to configure the AR315W as an access point, you first need to log in to the routers web based configuration page (http://192.168.1.1)

Click on the LAN link located on the left-hand side

In order to be able to communicate with the AR315W when it is connected to your network, you need to change the IP address of the router to something that is compatible with your network. The first three blocks of numbers of the IP address have to be the same as your existing network. If your network uses a gateway of 192.168.0.1, the AR315W needs to look like this: 192.168.0.x, where x is any number between 1 and 254. The subnet mask has to be exactly the same as the subnet mask that your other computers use.

Change the IP address and the subnet mask of the router to match your existing network.

Un-check the DHCP Server box

Click Save

To connect your AR315W to your existing router, you need to connect a cable from one of the LAN ports on your main router to one of the LAN ports on the AR315W. You will not be using the WAN port on the AR315W.

Bravo, Airlink. This proceedure should also work with most other routers.

Conclusion
If you aren't a gamer/VoIP user, have a router already and just need an AP, need to upgrade from your 802.11b wireless network, and have a shoe string budget, the Airlink AR315W Wireless G router is for you. If sorely need QoS, you will have to look to another brand. D-Link is pretty inexpensive as well (compared to other name-brands), and offers just as much features as Netgear or Linksys. However, D-Link is still no match for a $15 Airlink (when bought at the right time!).

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 15
Driver Availability: Windows, Linux, and Mac