PCR’s guide to networking equipment

From super-fast WiFi routers to smart plugs and antennas, PCR rounds up the top networking devices on the market.

Asus Lyra AC2200 home Wi-Fi System

Distributor: Spire, VIP, TechData, Exertis

Lyra uses three interconnected Wi-Fi nodes to deliver a fast, reliable and secure signal. It gives users the freedom to roam anywhere around the house, automatically connecting to the best signal without interruptions.

Specs: Tri-band, tri-node system, smart antenna design, commercial-grade security with AiProtection 

SRP: TBC

TP-Link SR20 Smart Home Router

Distributor: CMS, Exertis, Spire, TechData

The TP-Link SR20 is a central intelligence hub for smart or IoT home devices. Consumers can use their smartphone, tablet or the router’s touchscreen to monitor and customize interactions between their devices.

Specs: AC1900 class Wi-Fi performance on 5GHz (up to 1300Mbps) and 2.4GHz (up to 600Mbps) bands

SRP: TBC 

TP-link Deco

Distributor: CMS, Exertis, Spire, TechData

Deco is a home Wi-Fi solution that delivers fast, uninterrupted Wi-Fi for up to 4,500 sq ft of coverage. Deco also has built-in adaptive routing technology that automatically chooses the clearest path for all devices on the Deco unit. 

Specs: Quad core CPU, wireless speed of 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz, two gigabit ports 

SRP: TBC 

TI-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug

Distributor: CMS, Exertis, Spire, TechData

Control devices connected to the smart plug via the TP-Link Kasa app on a smartphone or tablet. Users can schedule the smart plug to automatically power electronics on and off as needed. 

Specs: Wireless type 2.4GHz, 1T1R, requires Android 4.1 or higher, iOS 8 or higher

SRP: £34.99

INTELLINET 5-in-1 Cable Tester

Distributor: Meroncourt 

The Intellinet 5-in-1 Cable Tester is a MIS tool that tests five common LAN and computer cables up to 600 ft. It checks for continuity, crossover and shorting. Testing is completed with the press of a button.

Specs: For Cat5/6 network and ISDN connection tests, USB AB and IEEE1394 6 pin FireWire cable tester

SRP: £34.99

DYNAMODE Nano-Sized 600Mbps USB Adapter

Distributor: Meroncourt 

The new WL-AC-600M is the next generation of compact, nano-sized USB adapters for Windows, MacBook and Linux computers. Featuring dual-band, 2.4 and 5Ghz frequencies, it is ideal for congested wireless areas.

Specs: Dual-band 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Wi-Fi, 600Mbps Wi-Fi performance, Plug ‘n’ Play USB2.0 interface, Soft AP 

SRP: £19.99

INTELLINET Outdoor Range Extender

Distributor: Meroncourt

The Intellinet Wireless 150N Outdoor CPE/ Access Point is a long-distance wireless bridge solution, combing a wireless access point, an WISP client, a 10 dBi high-gain antenna and an IP65 weatherproof enclosure.

Specs: Connectivity to 2.4 GHz Wireless ISP (WISP), built-in 10 dBi antenna, suitable for long-range PtP connections

SRP: £79.99

DYNAMODE 24 Port Ethernet Switch

Distributor: Meroncourt 

Compatible with existing Cat5E and Cat6 cabling, enjoy reduced return-to-application times on client/server applications, fast backup and restores from your SAN. A robust, aluminium outer case enhances RF shielding. 

Specs: Gigabit ethernet, 24 ports, auto sensing 10/100/1000 Mbps, Plug ‘n’ Play, works on all TCP Operating Systems

SRP: £119.99

INTELLINET 100-Pack Cat5e RJ45 plugs

Distributor: Meroncourt 

A 100 pack of Cat5e RJ45 modular plugs for solid wire, on unshielded twisted pair applications. These networking accessories are compatible with all RJ45 connections and use standard 8P8C design. 

Specs: Cat5e RJ45 modular plug, 15 Micron gold plated contacts, three-prong terminal for solid wire

SRP: £14.99 

Netgear Orbi Home Wi-Fi System

Distributor: Exertis, TechData, Ingram Micro

Netgear’s Orbi WiFi System covers up to 4,000 square feet. An industry first, the Orbi is the only system to utilise Tri-band Wi-Fi and has the capability of providing a wireless channel between router and each Orbi satellite.

Specs: WiFi speeds: AC3000 (1733 + 866 + 400Mbps), one 2.0 USB port per device, 4GB flash memory 

SRP: £349.99

Nighthawk X10

Distributor: Exertis, TechData, Ingram Micro

The Nighthawk X10 Smart Wi-Fi router combines a 1.7GHz Quad Core processor and Quad-Stream Wave 2 WiFi architecture with next generation high speed 802.11ad Wi-Fi. Wireless speeds reach up to 7.2Gbps.

Specs: Wi-Fi speeds of 7.2Gbps, seven 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports, two USB 3.0 ports

SRP: £409.99 

TP-Link RE305 Wi-Fi Range Extender

Distributor: CMS Distribution

The RE305 lets users keep more devices connected at the same time with its 2.4GHz 300Mbps and 5GHz 867Mbps dual bands. The 2.4GHz band is ideal for sending emails and browsing the web, and the 5GHz band for gaming.

Specs: Two external antennas, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, combined speed of up to 1.2Gbps, intelligent signal light

SRP: £44.99

D-Link EXO AC1900 router 

Distributor: Ingram Micro, Exertis, Tech Data

The EXO AC1900 (Dir-879) router has antennas with signal amplifiers that will send multiple Wi-Fi streams for a reliable connection. Ideally suited to a smart home environment with a multitude of connected devices.

Specs: 10/100/1000 gigabit Ethernet WAN port, four 10/100/1000 gigabit Ethernet LAN ports

SRP: £149.16 

Linksys WRT 3200 ACM

Distributor: Ingram Micro, TechData, Westcoast

Equipped with innovative Tri-Stream 160 technology, the WRT3200ACM delivers untouched Wi-Fi speeds that never lag. Tri-Stream 160 effectively doubles the bandwidth of the 5 GHz band for faster speeds.

Specs: One Gigabit WAN port, four Gigabit LAN ports, one USB 3.0 port, four detachable antennas

SRP: £199.99 

Synology RT2600ac

Distributor: CMS Distribution, Ingram Micro, Tech Data

SRM’s Smart WAN capability on the RT2600ac supports 2Gbps Dual WAN combined bandwidth when multiple connections are established. If one connection goes offline, traffic can fall over to the other interface.

Specs: 1.7GHz Dual-core processor, 4×4 802.11ac wave 2 radios with MU-MIMO and 2.53Gbps breakthrough speeds

SRP: £260 

Asus RT-AC88U

Distributor: Spire, VIP, TechData, Exertis

RT-AC88U uses the latest NitroQAM technology to boost the Wi-Fi speeds for everything connected to the network. It also comes with wide Wi-Fi coverage, lighting-fast USB and WAN/LAN speed plus AiProtection.

Specs: 802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi router, boosts speeds up to 3167 Mbps, 4K UHD video playback, 

SRP: £250

CONTACT

CMS Distribution 0208 962 2500

Exertis 01282 776 776

Ingram Micro 0871 973 3440

Meroncourt 01462 680 060

Spire 0120 282 8444

Tech Data 01256 788 000

VIP 01925 286 900

Westcoast 01189 126 000