With its overwhelming settings, complex technical language, and confusing connections a wireless router is one of the hardest devices to set up in the home. No wonder it has one of the highest return rates at stores. Thankfully two companies this year have tackled the problem, drawing inspiration from very simple gadgets like the Flip Camcorder to create routers that are simple in design and plain in use. Both Belkin and Cisco now offer a line of routers for self-described “Dummies” and as we head into the Back-To-School season, it’s the perfect time for a comparison.

The Problem – To protect your home, your network, and computer from nasty online threats you need complex technology. There’s no getting around that. When it comes to security it’s ultimately better if you are in charge, if you make all the decisions, if you create all the passwords, and decide what level of protection you need, but this is all so very demanding. Few consumers today have the time, the patience, or even the inclination to educate themselves on how to create a name for their hotspot or choose a system for their security passwords. More often than not, they simply recruit a tech-savvy friend to help if they have one or hire someone from a store to do the set-up if they can afford it.

The Solution – Since consumers are not making these decisions themselves, manufacturers have realized its better for all if the router itself took care of these tasks. The average consumer simply doesn’t want to be burdened with the process and frankly, would be happy if their routers were equipped with the most common, average, let’s call them “medium” security settings. The routers listed below do not have fewer features, or less components, they are just as capable as regular routers, instead they simply burden you with fewer questions, fewer steps, and use plain language with pictures, no manual.

Cisco Valet

Basic model - $100Valet Plus - $130

When they saw the success enjoyed by the Flip, a simple pocket camcorder with basic controls, Cisco bought the company that made it and asked them to work their simplicity magic on their routers. The result is the Valet.

Set-Up is quick. Inside the box is a USB drive. You plug this into your main computer, run the software and follow a guide that shows you how to plug the router into an electrical outlet and then connect it to your internet modem with an included cable.

The software then finds the router, connects to it, creates a name, a password, and sets common security settings for you. It then stores all this information onto the USB drive for safe-keeping.

To get other devices in your home connected, you insert the USB Drive into other computers or type in the password created for you into portable devices or game systems, such as an iPhone or Nintendo Wii.

It takes just minutes and the hardest part is simply clicking through all the set-up screens to install the Cisco Connect software onto your computer. Should you still have issues there’s a twenty-four hour tech support line you can call for free.

When it creates a name for your Wi-Fi hotspot, it does so by combining two words together, such as “JadeDolphin”. This creates a name that is easy for you to remember and identify and that’s a nice touch.

Should you reach a point of confidence over time and wish to create your own passwords and set more advanced security changes, you can still access the traditional router controls by logging in through your main computer and the Cisco Connect software. This is needed for port-forwarding and other tasks associated with peer-to-peer networks or internet-based phone and television services.

Guest Accounts

If you have visitors to your home who have brought their own laptop or smartphone you can set-up a guest service that works similar to the ones used by hotels and coffee shops. With this feature turned on, the software gives you a very simple password to hand out. Guests simply open their web browser and enter the password when the log in screen appears.

Only people accessing your network locally will be able to connect and you can limit how many people the password will work for, between one and ten, before it blocks new users.

Parental Controls

You can use the Valet router itself to manage access to the internet for your children. This is better than installing software onto all of your computers and it works with mobile devices and game systems too. When you log into the router through your main computer and select this feature you’ll be given a list of all the computers or devices in use. You can then select one and set how many hours of access is allowed or specify which times of the day are permitted to access the internet.

You can also apply a blacklist of websites known for their inappropriate content. There’s two settings; “Teen “ covers a wide range of topics including porn, shopping, instant messaging, file sharing, and controversial topics including abortion and religion. “Child” includes those same topics, but also restricts access to forums, social networks, downloads, and email amongst others. Unfortunately you can’t pick and choose from the list.

What you can do is create your own custom list of web addresses to block, either adding them to the above lists or using it as your own alternative.

All of these controls are password protected. When a user tries to access a blocked website they receive a message informing them of the block. Parents can then enter their password in order to counter it.

This feature is a great first step towards offering simple parental controls. What’s needed is a system to notify parents when their password has been breached and features aimed at helping parents manage the issue of social networks.

The Cisco Valet is offered in two models. Both offer the same features, set-up and accommodate both wired and wireless devices. Both support all the current wireless frequencies including 802.11n, but for an extra $30 the “Valet Plus” has a better range, meaning you can connect to it from farther away.

Belkin

Hard to believe, but Belkin has come up with an even easier set-up system for their new routers. Every cable and component in the box comes with its own paper tag and IKEA-like images showing you what to connect and where. Cables and connections are colour-coded and simple pictures show you the steps involved.

You plug the router into an outlet, connect it to your modem, and then insert the included CD into your main computer. It auto runs, finds the router, updates its firmware for you if needed, and saves the settings.

All of the security settings are already set, in fact the router comes with a name and password built-in and includes a handy card with this information printed on it and tucked away into the bottom of the router itself. If you want to connect another computer or mobile device, just simply pull out the card and use the information printed there.

The software is a breeze to install, but with the rising popularity of netbooks and devices that lack a disc drive, especially amongst students, a USB drive system would be more appropriate. As with the Valet above, Belkin also offers a free 24 hour tech support line if needed.

Should you reach the point where you are ready to customize these settings yourself or need to access more complex functions, the advanced controls are very easy to access and are identical to the normal menu system found in previous Belkin routers.

Applications

All of Belkin’s new routers use the same simplicity features, support the latest wireless frequencies including 802.11n, but differ in price, speed, and included applications. At $50 the Belkin Surf offers average speed and wireless range for household with few users. The $80 Belkin Share offers increased speed and range for a household with multiple users and devices while the more expensive $90 Belkin Play delivers the highest speed and wireless range for households filled with devices of all descriptions. Finally, there’s the $130 Bellkin Play Plus which includes extra software to help with bit torrent users.

They all include an application called Self-Healing that will automatically detect and resolve common issues. The Share model includes applications to help set-up wireless printers and data back-up, while the Play model includes software to help organize your music library and work with your favorite music software to create playlists.

These applications do work as advertised and for some users might be helpful, but I think generally their value is mixed and only serve to add more complexity with more software. The apps that help manage music or share media, for example, merely duplicate features easily found in other popular programs.

Recommendations

For my comparison I’ve tested the Valet Plus and the Belkin Play. Both perform comparatively well in speed and range, offer similar specifications, and make significant steps in making their use easier. Of the two Belkin is easier to install thanks to its colour-coded connections and tags.

I recommend the Belkin Play for households where users are a bit older or more advanced. Teens and users involved withpeer-to-peer networks will need the better access Belkin’s routers give to more advanced controls and the included apps are geared towards digital media uses.

I recommend the Valet Plus for new households where there are tweens and young children active. The built-in parental controls make it easy to manage internet use while the Guest feature makes it easy to set up their friends when they visit with their own laptops and devices.