Let's be up front here with expectations: Don't get yourself frustrated. This is a $25 router and is newest generation of Atheros chipset (ar9xxx chips). 802.11n Draft 2.0 It is young and a bit troublesome - and you have more than just the router here. Interference can be a factor, the clients you use, etc.

Using as an Access Point
If you are having problems with the wireless and getting connect and want to try and experiment: IT IS SUGGESTED that you not unplug your main Internet router and keep it as your "Internet gateway/NAT system". You can use the Trendnet as an access point by plugging cable into the LAN ports instead of WAN and turning off the DHCP. That way you can change settings and reboot the router without disrupting your internet every time.

130Mbps data rate

You are likely to find 130Mbps it he maximum rate you can connect on N, and that is typically within 15 feed. The modes > 130mbps require twice as much channel 40Mhz and that there be no interference from other routers, otherwise it goes back to 20Mhz which has 130mbps Future software updates may improve this, but this router tends to be conservative in sensing other routers on same channels and will drop back. Trendnet didn't rip you off, this is how things can be.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON ENCRYPTION: "The Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN adapter can only achieve transfer rates greater than 54 Mbps on 802.11n connections when using AES security, or no security." Also remember that many older systems do not yet know how to use WPA2. WPA2 with AES only is best security.

Basic Tips

1) Move the router around. Move antennas around. Move in another place in the room. This is the fun nature of WiFi.

2) Latest firmware is 1.10B08 on the Trendnet website, update it. http://www.trendnet.com/downloads...PE_ID=1259

3) Try turning off all encryption on the router and try to connect. Make sure that eliminates the encryption as the reason you can't connect.

Intermediate Tips

1) The antennas aren't that great. They are short. if you have compatible antenna from another 2.4Ghz router you can change them (turn off router first to not damage radio). They both don't have to be the same length, so even replacing one antenna may help. MIMO design allows for this.

2) If you can't connect a particular client system, try setting the router into G-only mode, save, turn router off and on. Also try N-only mode if you have only N devices.

OpenWRT or D-Link DIR-615C1 Firmware

If you try alternate firmware, you are going to void your warranty and you shouldn't call Trendnet or D-Link for support.

The firmware can be flashed with either the Recovery Mode or the main website method on this router. There are unique ID numbers for the D-Link and Trendnet that have to be revised. Discussion of flashing the D-Link firmware and putting it back to Trendnet are on the dd-wrt forum here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/view...p?p=254664

OpenWRT is not recommended right now unless you are experienced Linux user who wants to tinker. The Wifi driver is very new on these routers... at least give it another few weeks. RoundSparrow will put up a download in a couple days (January 29) if you want to try. But again, VERY NEW Alpha right now. Don't do it unless you are prepared.

Don't worry, be happy

Again, don't get frustrated. Try it out, you only spend $24.99, don't go crazy over it WiFi is just this way, maybe you have been lucky in the past. Maybe people help figure out better settings, new firmware come, etc. In worst case put the damn router on the shelf for 3 weeks and try again later.

If you get way too frustrated, sell your router to a local Linux programmer for $22 slightly used and make them happy! Or sell it on eBay, you got a good deal, just remember that a lot of effort was made to set your expectations that this is an inexpensive modern router with some interesting properties - it isn't the most perfect router ever made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update of 2/2/2009:
piece of crap Trendnet router is.


I hooked up 3 laptops. Tried various combinations(n only, n & g). The connectivity fluctuates between 130 to 11 Mbps when using 802.11n carbus (airlink) or the inbuilt N wireless (of Dell latitude d630).

No wonder these were selling for $25. Not at all stable.

The actual upload transfer rates I got (when laptop was in line of sight, 15 feet away) was mere 3Mbps. Took 40 mins to transfer 7GB movie. This is lower than what I was getting with Linksys 54G router.