Fonera 2.0g: The Web 2.0 WiFi Router

Created by the same guys that brought to market the original La Fonera, the Fonera 2.0g surpasses even the most demanding expectations. It successfully combines the benefits of joining the Fonero community, a top notch WiFi router and an application platform.

Yes, believe it or not, this little stylish box will actually take the load off your computer. Whether YouTube, Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, BitTorrent, RapidShare, or Megaupload is your favourite web 2.0 app, the Fonera 2.0g will take care of upload and download, without keeping your computer turned on.

For example, connect an external USB 2.0 hard drive to the port on the back, select the torrent you’d like to download and leave it do its job. By the time you get back from work or school, the file would have been already downloaded and waiting for you. You can connect to the the router’s file server wirelessly from any Windows, Mac or Linux machine and even stream video files. The second Ethernet port allows you to connect any computers without WiFi to the Fonera (if you have more than one, you can use a cheap switch to interface).

The NAS (Network Attached Storage) functionality can be accessed by either a local FTP, a Samba share or  web interface, which goes to show how versatile this device is.

The way the router is built allows for its functionality to be extended by using small plugins, much like the ones you use in Firefox. Fonera 2.0g comes pre-loaded with a bunch of these, including one for wireless printing support, live webcam streaming, music streaming, and backup – like Apple’s Time Capsule. Adding more is very simple, by simply clicking to the + sign next to the description. The router also supports VPN, QoS and can be used in conjunction with 3G/UMTS modems.

For example, let’s say you’re at a conference or party and want to share some WiFi? An AC plug, a Fonera, your standard USB mobile modem and ta-dah: internet connectivity for the whole floor. This feature also works for people who use the internet for just email and browsing, allowing them to ditch their home wired connection and use the modem with the Fonera to provide wireless internet to the whole house. Don’t forget though, that many of these mobile modems have bandwidth caps.

You’d expect such a feature rich device to have a gloriously complicated interface. Well, it’s beautifully simple and logically constructed. You can check out a live demo of the Fonera Web User Interface over at FON. The router itself has a simple and inconspicuous design with a white shiny finish that resembles the polycarbonate MacBook. LEDs on the front will point out the status of the power, local connectivity and internet.

For the specification oriented folks, here are the numbers:

• 93.5 mm x 25.5 mm x 110 mm (excluding antenna)
• 1 USB 2.0 port that can be expanded by using a hub (preferably self-powered).
• External detachable antenna (1,5dBi)
• Encryption methods supported: WEP 64bit/128 bit, WPA, WPA2, WPA mixed with cyphers: TKIP, AES, Mixed.
• 2 SSIDs, one public (for sharing with the Fonero cummunity) and one private, for your personal use. You can disable the public signal, but you will lose you Fonero status and won’t be able to use free wifi at any Fon hotspot worldwide.
• Range 20-70 meters depending on your surroundings.

Another nice feature of the Fonera 2.0g is that you can easily replace the MAC of the router, directly from the Web UI. This is useful because some ISPs tend to lock the account to a single computer, to limit the use of WiFi unsecured networks, that tend to rack up bandwidth from all neighbours in a 50 meter radius. The firewall is another treat, with settings for enabling and disabling FTP, Samba, port forwarding, UPnP, WAN-LAN access and so on.

For the less tech-savvy, the wiki page provides walkthroughs and information an all of the features in plain english.

The Fonera 2.0g is without a doubt the swiss knife of routers and gets you free WiFi access around the world from the Fonero community. The only thing better is its bigger brother, the Fonera 2.0N, which shares the same features and adds the faster 802.11N wireless chipset. I have one, and I love it.

Thanks to Inouk from FON who kindly provided this review unit for testing.