Netgear DG824M

Netgear doesn't appear to know a great deal about giving products catchy names but it does knows a great deal about building networking equipment.

The DG824M, to give it its full title, is a single box that fulfils three main functions.

First, it is an ADSL modem and router. If you use ADSL, you already have a modem and another one would seem superfluous, but this is also a Wi-Fi access point.

That means you can access your high-speed internet connection from anywhere in your house using a notebook computer or other desktop computer that also has Wi-Fi.

If you simply want to connect another PC to the internet connection using good old-fashioned wires, it can do that too.

Up to four PCs can be added directly but it claims to handle up to 253 computers, plenty for even the most demanding group.

Traditionally, networks are tough to set up and configure. Not here. The documentation supplied with the DG824M is first class and all the configuration is done through your internet browser, with no drivers required. It also works as a firewall.

Contact: Netgear 01344 397021
www.netgear.com