Initial Installation as a Router
The BR-6258n router comes with an CD with contains the QIG and manual in PDF format as well as the Ezmax software utility which allows one to perform initial setup and firmware upgrades. To install, insert the CD, let the autorun function open the setup program (or open it manually), and follow the onscreen instructions.
Important! Be sure to actually click on the box to indicate that you have hooked the router as indicated,
and continue to fill in the information as required. To keep the existing password, enter in the default password (1234) into the “Current Password” field and click “Apply”.
Or change it if so desired.
Next, you need to indicate your modem type (cable modem in my case),
clone the MAC address,
and let the utility finish up.
Please note that this utility is a simple and easy way to set up the modem if you are actually using the BR-6258n as a router for your home network. At this point, you can finish setting up Wi-Fi security and other remaining router parameters as needed. As a router, the BR-6258-n has all the advanced security setting capabilities and advanced settings that other routers have.
With the initial setup I went through above, I actually connected it through my existing router. This gave me the rather interesting network setup as shown below.
If so inclined, I could have simply removed my other router and replaced it with the BR-6258n. If one were to actually use this as a router, you would almost certainly need a switch for any wired clients. While the LAN and WAN ports are only 100 Mbit capable, this is a moot point once the LAN port is connected to a 1Gbit switch. While one could certainly use the BR-6258n as a router, I would simply consider it a backup to an existing router. Why? The BR-6258n is much more useful in other roles as I shall go through below.
As a final comment, you may not really need the Ezmax utility as you can perform the configuration of this device using a normal browser window.
Alternate Uses of the BR-6258n
While the Edimax BR-6258n can be used as a basic router, it is the ability of the BR-6258n to perform other roles that I found quite intriguing. One such role is the ability to be a
Wi-Fi Adapter
While you may say “so what”, you may change your mind when you understand that this is driverless Wi-Fi adapter. Hook it up to make your wired Ethernet printer wireless. Turn your wired Xbox or PS2 into a wireless game box.
I plugged it into my HP C6280 printer and instant Wi-Fi printing. The same can be said for the Xbox 360. To get an idea of performance, I hooked it to my netbook and performed the same folder copy test I do for Wi-Fi and powerline adapters. The result at ~15 feet:
and the result at ~50 feet:
Both numbers indicate that BR-6258n is an acceptable device for use in this role. Particularly when combined with it’s ability to be a driverless adapter.
To set up the “router” for use in this role, connect the LAN port to an Ethernet port on a computer. Leave the LAN port unplugged. Open your default browser, and type in 192.168.2.1 into the address bar.
You will notice in the following picture that I had disabled my internal Wi-Fi adapter of my netbook, which meant I had no connection to my LAN or the Internet.
Open the browser, type in 192.168.2.1 and when the Security Window comes up, type in admin for the User Name and 1234 for the Password.
This brings a window similar to any other window you see for a router.
Open the General Setup tab and go to Wireless Settings.
Change the AP mode to
Station-Infrastructure mode
Click on “Select Site Survey” (not shown above until the option is selected) which brings the following window to allow you to connect to an existing network. Select a network and click on Done.
Click on Continue. Do *not* click on Apply.
Move down to Security Setting and configure it to match your router and enter your key.
Once again, click on Continue. Do *not* click on Apply.
Moving over to LAN settings, disable the DHCP server and once again, click on Continue.
Under the NAT settings, Enable Static Routing.
Finally it is time to click on Apply. After restarting,
the “router” is now an driverless Wi-Fi adapter.
According to the FAQ for this procedure, it is possible that you may have to perform an IPCONFIG/release action.
Once again, while this may not be the most sought after feature for a PC, it is a nice option for non-PC devices such as printers and gaming machines.
The next very cool role that the Edimax BR-6258n can perform is its use as a
