Content area
Full Text
The latest "whole home coverage" system to cross paths with the Cool Tools testing team is from Amped Wireless. The ALLY Plus system includes a router and extender unit that looks a bit like a wireless mesh system (since both units have somewhat the same design), but in fact is more in line with a traditional router/extender offering. However, like those wireless mesh systems, the ALLY Plus is installed via mobile app that makes setup go quicker for those non-techie types. In addition, features such as in-depth parental controls and a security partnership with AVG means device protection for all clients connecting through the router.
Router-and-extender
The router portion, which connects to your broadband modem, includes three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and a USB port (in case you want to add a USB storage device). The extender device, which looks exactly like the router, only has one Ethernet port (so, in effect, you're getting four Ethernet LAN ports, you just have to put the fourth Ethernet device in the same room as the Extender).
In a rather amusing "dummy-proof" situation, Amped has already connected the Ethernet cable on the router device, so you don't get confused when connecting it to your broadband modem (putting that end in the correct port is still up to the end user). In addition, both power adapters and cables are labeled either "router" or "Extender," so there's a 99% chance that grandma or Dad will get this right.
Before you even plug things in, Amped asks you to download the ALLY app to your mobile device (iOS and Android supported, I tested via iOS). This will then give you the step-by-step directions for installation. This means unplugging the modem and re-plugging it in, connecting power to the router and then attaching the aforementioned Ethernet cable.
The app then takes over, asking you to connect to the router's internal wireless SSID (via the Settings on your mobile device), and then having you change the name and password to something more your liking (this time, my network name was GoPats24 and GoPats5Gig). Because this is a dual-band network system, you can provide different names and passwords for the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz network bands.
You can stop there and have a...