Setup and Administration

The no-frills web based administration / configuration tool (Figure 2) is located by default at 192.168.1.1 and includes Setup and Parental Control wizards that you're directed to upon first accessing the router. I liked that you're first taken through a wizard which prompts you to create a login name and password for the administrative interface, and the online Help system was, well, helpful too.

Figure 2: The Web Based Administration Tool
(click image to enlarge)

The Setup Wizard walks you through seven steps that allow you to easily configure the HS-100W for your network. Here you will set up your device to connect to the WAN as well as configure your wireless connectivity. If you opt to set things up manually, just make your way to the WAN screen (Figure 3).

Figure 3: WAN setup
(click image to enlarge)

The HS-100W supports a wide array of connection types including static and dynamic IP, PPPoE and PPTP, as well as some not-so-common authentication protocols such as Telstra, RR (RoadRunner) Manager, RR Toshiba and Telia. There's also support for setting the WAN port MAC address, in case your ISP uses that method as part of its authentication, but I couldn't find options to enter the domain or Host name. The router also has the unusual option of redirecting traffic to another router in case its WAN connection goes down.

The Parental Control Wizard guides creation of a unique profile for up to ten users. Each profile includes a username / password, which is required for Internet access, content filters that control the websites the user is allowed to browse online, and application blocking that controls access to Internet services, such as Instant Messaging and Email. Each profile also includes the ability to set times that Internet access is available and the total time that the user may use the Internet when access is enabled. I'll walk through each of these in detail later.