Design
The NB9W is an all-in-one unit, with four Ethernet ports on the back side in addition to ports for your ADSL connection and two phone lines. On the back there is also an antenna for wireless access and a port to plug in the supplied 15 volt power supply. Like most routers, the front of the unit has a number of LED lights indicating connection status, network traffic, etc.
The unit does not include any brackets in the back for mounting and looks like it was designed to sit flat on a desk or shelf. Of course, the obvious advantage is that the unit is a modem, router and VoIP gateway all in one, so you will actually save space by not having three different boxes sitting around.
Features
To start, the NB9W is an ADSL2+ modem/router that features 4 LAN ports, with an 11g wireless access point built-in. The NB9W features switching between VoIP (Voice over IP) and your normal telephone service, meaning that you can select between either calling over the internet or using your home phone line.
And the best part is that your PC doesn't need to be turned on -- you don't even need to buy a special headset or phone to use for VoIP calls, as it has a port on the back of the unit where you can plug in a normal telephone handset. The unit also supports caller ID, call on-hold, call forwarding, call waiting and transfer as long as they are supported by your VOIP provider.
Setup is provided through a web-based interface, which is pretty standard these days and the initial configuration for the ADSL modem and router only takes a few minutes. The unit features preconfigured port forwarding rules for some of the most popular applications and games and is no slouch when it comes to network support, supporting a variety of configurations including VPN pass-through, making it flexible enough to be used in the home or office.
The VoIP setup can be a bit tricky the first time, but as long as you have your SIP server details handy it should only take you a few minutes to configure before you can start making calls.
On the security side of things, there is protection for denial of service attacks and 64 and 128-bit WEP for securing your wireless network. The unit comes with 64-bit encryption turned on, with the SSID name set and a security key already configured. To connect to your wireless network you will need to use the key shown in the user's guide or reset the key to something you can remember.
There is also a parental control feature that allows parents to restrict access during different times of the day based on a computer's MAC address. For example, if the rule is that your children can only play on the Internet for an hour after school on weekdays, you can lock down access using the web-based administration tool, based on the hours and days of the week. (Just make sure you change the default password to the console, otherwise they may change it when you're not looking!)
And a special mention has to go to the NB9W user manual as it is one of the better examples of technical documentation written for non-technical users. There are a number of glossaries throughout the guide and clear screen shots and diagrams, paired with step-by-step instructions that are well written and easy to understand.
Performance
In our tests, the unit performed well when making VoIP calls, even when other Internet-intensive applications were running at the same time. The NB9W features a "quality of service" algorithm to ensure that your voice calls get a priority over other applications and the unit performed well, even when making VoIP calls while streaming video and music.
On the wireless front, the NB9W provided a consistent, strong signal across a large area with no drop-outs or reconnections. The unit provided good performance for both an older laptop with an 802.11b wireless network card, as well as a new laptop equipped internally with 802.11g.
Over a three day testing period, the NB9W performed consistently under a variety of conditions and network loads, including heavy wired and wireless Internet usage, VoIP calls and a large amount of traffic between computers on the network. The unit's all-in-one design, VoIP features and solid performance should put it at the top of the list the next time you are in the market for a modem or router.
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Atlas
11/08/2008, 08:26 PM
rating
9/10
Reasonably sound unit. About the 4th unit I've used. Had it over 12 months now. I've had no probs with reception as some have reported - however I use a 7db antenna that I purchased.
Pros: -Allowed me to get rid of a bunch of "boxes" and cables due to all in one.
-Got it up and running reasonably quickly.
- Can use VOIP with Telstra (the box they supplied blocks it - they won't admit it [or the people on the phone don't know what you are talking about when you mention VoIP!]).
Cons: Had some problems with calls dropping out after I moved. Not sure if the problem was Telstra or the box.
Power Supply box has fallen to bits - need to reglue it (i.e. It's popped open).
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Shakira
08/08/2008, 02:30 PM
rating
8/10
Great machine! I like this router very much. Net Comm NB9W is the name of quality. My friends tell me that their are wireless speakers. So i check this experiment to run it wirelessly but it was not work but when i was do it for my xbox 360 wireless controller its really worked. I don't believe it that how i do this. Its very difficult procedure and its work on wireless internet service area only.
Pros: Cheap and reliable.
Stable uptime.
Solid 3G coverage.
Cons: Nothing.
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avgas454502
26/06/2008, 06:47 PM
rating
1/10
Great when it worked. But boy you can count on Netcomm to let you down even when the tech guy gives you that tone of 'FLINCH'.
Pros: When it worked... great. When it doesn't... you are on your own.
Cons: One day ADSL light goes off. Kaput. Contact Netcomm via helpdesk. No response. Phone Netcomm... Response? "Sorry cannot help you, buy another one, will cost too much to fix it."(tone indicated that the issue was known when described in detail.)" Unbelievably bad customer service and cannot help but think they have a known issue with overheating and are too chicken shi% to admit to it.
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hax
15/05/2008, 01:41 AM
rating
4/10
this product does not mac filtering, unstable
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fynster
11/05/2008, 10:50 PM
rating
9/10
i've had the nb9w for over a year now,it gets turned off every night,and I have had no problems with this unit,except the front face plate comes undone! and have to glue it back on!!
Pros: the voip phone setup works GREAT, i'v got 2 phones attached and its a dream to use I always call overseas and have never had any major problems, overall a good unit
Cons: its a dreadful box 6 pieces,yes i had to replace a power cap. and its a shocking piece of engineering!!
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Rice01
04/05/2008, 09:06 AM
rating
8/10
Had NB9W for a couple of years. Got it mainly for the VOIP features and on the whole it has worked well.
Pros: Web interface is good.
Has gone for weeks at a time without requiring restart.
VoIP voice quality good once settings are sorted out.
Cons: Cannot restore from backed up settings file - will probably have to do a bit more reading on forums.
Took a fair bit of research to find optimal codecs and port settings.
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thubleau
13/04/2008, 08:29 AM
rating
9/10
I have 3 netcomm units.
The NB9w was easy to set up with my VOIP and ADSL2 service.
I actually ditched the Telstra wireless modem that I purchased at setup because the VOIP would not work where as the NB9W connected after entering the correct configuration.
It performs flawlessly like the other Netcomms I have used.
I have stuck with this brand for a number of years now because they are a solid unit with no bugs to sort out unlike a number of other recommended brands which did not perform up to their advertising hype.
Pros: Good solid unit once setup
Cons: I use a booster on the wireless side as the single strength needs to be carried about 30 metres to my back bedroom and the standard single is weak at this distance and drop outs occur.
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paper shredding
30/03/2008, 08:32 AM
rating
8/10
works very well with me. Also did n;t find any problem. Using from last year. I think this is best of that given price range and completed all requirement too. I highly recommened that.
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Julie
02/02/2008, 05:33 PM
rating
2/10
I cant even get mine to power up, is there some trick to it other than simply plugging in the power supply & turning it on? no lights, nada
Pros: nada
Cons: some ppower would be good
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GEC
31/12/2007, 12:04 AM
rating
4/10
Works ok - when it works. Have now had for 6 months and has had to have VOIP settings reconfigured 3 times as something seems to get corrupted. It just stops allowing incoming calls and does not automatically 'switch' over to landline. Have uploaded most recent firmware upgrade and now can not make outgoing VOIP calls. Each time this happens it is a major pain - ISP blames Netcomm. Netcomm blame ISP. It takes at least 4 hrs to get sorted. Signal strength is also quite week. Am currently looking for alternative. Bottom line, as a wireless modem router it has a week signal. As an all in one VOIP I have found it to be unreliable.
Pros: All in one.
Cons: Unreliable. If you are going to buy I would suggest having a seperate (backup) phone directly to land line.
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