4. Wireless Features

Wireless configuration features are similar to those on the WL-300g except, again, the WL-HDD doesn't have any routing features. Figure 7 shows the Wireless Interface screen where most setup - including WEP and WPA-PSK security - is performed. As you can see from the links in Figure 7, WDS-bridging, MAC address control and Client mode get their own screens.

Figure 7: Wireless Interface setup
(click image to enlarge)

Security options include Open System and Shared Key, Shared Key, and, WPA-PSK. Encryption levels are 64 and 128bit WEP and both standard TKIP and optional AES encryption are supported for WPA-PSK. Note tht neither WPA "Enterprise" (RADIUS) nor 802.1x authentication is supported.

ASUS's bridging setup page is essentially the same as that on the WL-330g. I've included the WL-330g's screen below for your reference and just click on over to that review if you want more details on Bridging / Repeating features.

Figure 8: Wireless Bridge setup
(click image to enlarge)

The Access Control List feature (MAC address filtering) is also the same as the WL-330g's with both Accept and Deny modes, but also lacking a pick list of associated clients or allowing a pre-made list to be loaded in order to ease setup. Monitoring features are the same too, with only a list of MAC address of associated clients.

The Advanced wireless screen lets you tweak Fragmentation and RTS Threshold and DTIM and Beacon Period values. It also lets you enable Frame Bursting, which is disabled by default.

Figure 9: Wireless Client setup
(click image to enlarge)

Finally, Figure 9 shows the Wireless Client controls for getting the WL-HDD to associate to a non-WDS AP or wireless router. I was disappointed to not find a list of in-range APs to pick from, but ASUS says they're considering adding this in future firmware.