Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station Router MN-500

Other products by Microsoft

Product Details

Product Manual [1.56mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006IJO4
• Item model number: L21-00001
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #100 in

  Electronics > Computers & Accessories > Networking Products > Routers

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 19, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Microsoft wireless router is the ideal central access point for your wireless network. Connect multiple computers to a single broadband connection. Roam your house or office with the freedom and mobility of a Wi-Fi equipped laptop computer, share files and printers with all the other computers on the network, or play games with multiple players on the Internet and within your own network.

Features include an easy-to-use setup wizard, designed to make connecting your computers together easier. The router comes with strong security features, including a built-in firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), and access control lists. The 4-port router easily connects to your network with universal plug and play for functionality such as voice messaging, video messaging, and games. You can also monitor your network status easily with Microsoft broadband network utility.

Included in the box with this wireless router are a stand (detachable), power supply cable, Ethernet cable, startup guide, user's guide, setup CD-ROM, and a blank floppy disk.

System requirements include: a computer with a network adapter to configure the router, an external broadband (cable, DSL, or other) modem with Ethernet port (not compatible with dial-up modems), Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape Navigator 4.7 or later to view and use the management tools, and an available 120 V AC power outlet.

Additional requirements include: a computer running Windows 98, 98 SE, Me, 2000 Professional, XP Professional, or XP Home Edition, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later (setup will install Internet Explorer 6.0 browser components, if necessary, but will not displace your primary browser), 28 MB of available hard disk space if you already have Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0 (132 MB of available hard disk space if you are installing Internet Explorer for the first time), a 4x or faster CD-ROM drive, and a VGA or higher resolution monitor.

Note: Not all Internet service providers (ISPs) allow the sharing of a broadband connection. Please check with your ISP.

Product Description

The Microsoft MN-500 Wireless Base Station is a router with integrated wireless access point and a 4-port Ethernet switch. This is the centerpiece of an 802.11b wireless network. The Microsoft easy-to-use setup software makes it easy for you to connect multiple wired and wireless computers in your home or small office to the Internet through a single broadband connection, such as a cable or DSL modem.Enjoy data transfer rates of up to 11 Mbps for wireless connections and 100 Mbps for wired connections - that's significantly faster than a typical broadband connection. Built-in security feature provides strong security features including a built-in hardware firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), and 128-bit wireless security (WEP).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't be afraid, go wireless. The MN 500 makes it easy!, February 8, 2003

By	R. L. Lewis (Tacoma, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love gadgets and technology, but I am NOT a computer expert and wireless networking terms such as MAC numbers and Port Forwarding and DMZ are pretty foreign to me. I just wanted a wireless way to share my broadband internet connection between our home office desktop, my PDA (iPAQ 5455) and our kitchen/family room based laptop. The Microsoft MN 500 Wireless Base Station is the ticket to easy wireless networking. All you really need to read is the 4 page quick start guide and the device will be up and running. I read the very informative 100 page manual as well and learned a thing or two, but I really didn't need that informtion. The base station connected flawlessly -though I did reset my cable modem after connecting. That is not in the instructions but my ISP told me it would be a good idea. The base station has worked perfectly since and the signal is very strong throughout my house, upstairs and down- and in fact even in my driveway outside (so I was certain to leave the built-in encryption feature on to prevent drive-by theft of my signal.) My base station is tucked into a cubby hole in my computer desk next to the cable modem and has no problem sending its signal throughout the house. Those who have had problems with the signal probably just need to move the device. There is a lengthy discussion about placement of the base station in the manual (away from metal computer cases, for example). The MN-500 also comes with a hardware firewall. There is much debate as to whether software or hardware firewalls are best. I'm testing. The first two weeks I had my base station I disabled the hardware firewall and continued to use my Norton software based protection. Now, I've disabled that and am using the MN 500 alone. The ease of installation and the firewall and encryption features make this a great product for people who want to share the internet at home but don't want to learn the inner workings of wireless.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product. Very helpful support., March 8, 2003

By	"mar2k" (Alpharetta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

I've always sworn by Microsoft hardware ever since I had an MS optical mouse that died and they replaced it no questions asked, didn't even ask for the old one, just mailed me the latest and greatest version by express mail after I just read a code off the bottom of the mouse.

I have two computers running XP, a desktop and a laptop. Thought I would give Microsoft's wireless hardware a try after being downright confused by all the many different companies in the wireless hardware game. After being unable to get things up and running the first night I called technical support the next day. Had to wait about 30 minutes to get someone on the phone (in fairness I called at a peak time of the day) but the technical support person was extremely nice and VERY helpful. He spent about and hour with me walked me right through setting up the base station and then walked me through setting up the wireless card in my laptop and testing everything to make sure it was working OK which it was. I definitely would not have been able to do it on my own. He told me setting up the DSL PPPoE connection is sometimes a little tricky. After thinking it was a lost cause the night before he was able to walk me right through the entire process. He even help me set up my printers for sharing on network and testing it out and also gave me some tips on some things to look for if I ever did have a connection problem for some reason. I cannot say enough about how pleasant and knowledgable the support person was.

All in all, I'm very happy with the Microsoft Broadband Networking products and I am getting a good signal all over my 2 story home. Toll free support and warranty for two years gives me great confidence in this purchase(by then I'm sure it will outdated anyway as technology marches on).

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now ready for prime time (Revised), September 30, 2002

By	Dick B. (Charleston, SC United States) - See all my reviews

Even though I could find no reviews I bought a MN 500 base station and a MN 520 laptop card anyway, reasoning that Microsoft would make wireless netwoking equiptment simple to install on XP. I initially had trouble with the installation, but with the aid of some really great techs,( included is 2 years free support on an 800 number!) discovered that I only needed to reset the cable modem (Best Data CMX110). After doing this the installation worked like a charm including the laptop card. I am now sharing the internet, files and a printer between a Dell Demension 4400 (XP Home) and a Dell Inspiron 8200(XP Pro.) The signal and speed is strong everwhere I use it in my 2500 Sq. Ft. 2 story home. A great value with all of the included features not normally found on other products.