NETGEAR ProSafe Dual Band Wireless VPN Firewall reviewed



Internal details

Figure 1 shows that each of the radios is hard-wired to two external dipole antennas so that they can support antenna diversity.

FWAG114 internal view

Figure 1: FWAG114 internal view

The unusual flat shape of the non-upgradeable antennas is explained by the detail photo in Figure 2 of the printed circuit board contained in each plastic housing.

Antenna detail

Figure 2: Antenna detail
(click on the image for a full-sized view)

Although Atheros' technology is used in the separate 802.11a and 802.11b/g radios, Figure 3 shows that Broadcom's BCM4702 Wireless Network Processor handles the FWAG's processing duties. LAN switching and Ethernet are handled by a Broadcom BCM5325 5 port switch/PHY and WAN port, and an Altima AC101 is used for the WAN port.

FWAG114 main board with radios removed
Figure 3: FWAG114 main board with radios removed