Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station Router MN-500

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.

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).


Now ready for prime time (Revised)   October 1, 2002
Dick B. (Charleston, SC United States)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

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.


MN-500 - Doesn't get any easier than this   July 12, 2003
Melvin Scott Chu (Carrollton, TX (Dallas))
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

I recently upgraded my internet connection from a regular 56K modem to Verizon's DSL service, and wanted to share my new connection with my secondary computer in a bedroom. I looked at several different options including running wires through the attic, but the resounding choice was to go wireless.

I have had over 6+ years dealing with computer hardware and software, but networking I have never had real formal experience dealing with, so I was a bit ansy when it came to purchasing and setting up my first wireless network. The wireless hardware market is relatively consolidated between Linksys, Netgear, DLink, and to a smaller extent, Microsoft. I chose to go with MN-500 over the others because of my excellent previous experience with other Microsoft hardware.

I purchased it, got home, opened the box - was surprised that the router could stand up or lay flat on it's side - a great feature. Came with all necessary cables and great instructions. Hooking up cables and driver installation was a breeze on Win98. Then it came to setting up my wireless information: my SSID, base station password, channel, WEP key, and some other information. Having not worked with wireless before, it was very intuitive. Got everything correct, then went through the painful process of setting up my wireless USB adapters. Had to reboot the MN-500 once in order to get the USB adapters to recognize the network, but after doing so it worked perfectly.

The MN-500 configuration page shows what computers are hooked up to your network, and the management page has all the usual options: WEP, NAT Firewall, Mac and Client Filtering, LAN and WAN setup, and logging. Very easy to use.

In terms of performance - the MN-500 has been reviewed by many major sites and has been called the slowest in terms of performance of any wireless router. I don't transfer files often between computers so that is not much of an issue. The speed it does transfer files at is more than adequate. In terms of download speed over the internet, the speed is the same on the wireless computers as it is on the wired computer.

The base station itself - features 4 ports for wired access, and status indicator lights showing if the router is having problems, what port is using the network, and so forth. The MN-500 automatically assigns DHCP IP Addresses, so there's no need to manually do it unless you enjoy the challenge. Also, the MN-500 is XBox Live! and XBConnect compatible, so getting your XBox online is as simple as plugging it into the router.

My only gripes about the router: you cannot turn off auto broadcast. That might be a security concern to some, especially if you live in an apartment. (My router is next to a window so I'm kind of concerned) My other gripe: this might be wishful thinking, but you should not be able to lock yourself out of the router through mac filtering, which unfortunately, is possible with this router. (Easily avoided by doing a hard reset on the router)

Overall however, this router is great for the newbie wireless user or even the advanced. It's a great piece of hardware that's easy and simple to use and I'd recommend it to anyone.


Microsoft Enters Wirless Arena in Style   January 3, 2003
Marc C David (Walnut Creek, CA USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Having been a previous owner of a Linksys ethernet DSL/Cable router, I had high standards. The linksys was flawless to setup.. very easy.. and worked with my PPoE account information at SBCYahoo.

But rather then go with the Linksys wireless, I had some gift cards and decided that change is fun when it comes to computer stuff.

I was correct. This MS product is sweet. It worked easily. I've had great reception. The base unit is downstairs and the USB adapter is upstairs. Excellent to Very Good signal strength.
Laptop PCcard works just as well.

I think the floppy based configuration information and the broadband networking CD for setting up additonal computers really makes this very easy for the average user.

I'd have to say that this wireless product is much easier then the competition. So far, this is a 5-star product.