Cisco Unveils New Dual 450 Mbps Wireless-N Router

Cisco's new Linksys router is a beefed-up version of its previous , boasting upgraded hardware and software.

The new Linksys E4200 v2 Maximum Performance Dual-Band N900 wireless-n router provides networking speeds of up to 450 Mbps on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band. It's Cisco Linksys' first dual 450 Mbps router to market—TrendNet and Netgear both delivered dual 450 Mbps router earlier this year.

Cisco's new router features 3x3 spatial stream MIMO antenna arrays on both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. This simultaneous dual-band router has six internal antennas along with internal and external amplifiers designed to help increase the signal strength across greater distances—key to reducing Wi-Fi "dead spots" and improving whole home network coverage.

Additional hardware features include Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB port for connecting external storage devices and printers. The processor has been upgraded from 533 MHz from the previous E4200 to 1.2 GHz. Per a Cisco statement, this is to increase download speed from a connected USB storage device.

The router software is now fully created by Cisco and no longer ODM. This will allow Cisco to create add-ons and complementary software to extend the functionality of the E4200 v2.

Cisco has also launched a new mobile app called Cisco Connect Express. The app helps users monitor and make changes to their home network and is available for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Android phones. Cisco Connect Express is now available at no charge in the Apple App Store or Android Market and works with most Linksys E-Series and X-Series wireless routers. Mobile devices with the app installed must have an active Wi-Fi connection to the home router.

"Cisco's Linksys products consistently deliver the ultimate performance, quality, and usability for today's home networking consumer," Scott Kabat, director of marketing for Cisco Home Business Unit, said in a statement. "Our new E4200 v2 fits the bill with fast wireless performance that just works—no hassles, no disruptions."

The E4200 v2 wireless router is now available at major online retailers and at the Linksys online store for $199.99.