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Cisco claims that, once set up, "Valet gives consumers a simple way to manage their family's home wireless experience. The included Cisco Connect software makes it easy to: add additional devices to the network, set parental controls, provide Internet access for guests on a separate guest network and customise personal security settings such as passwords."
The range comprises: the Valet for small to medium-sized homes with primarily wireless devices, retail price $US99.99; and the Valet Plus for medium to large-sized homes with a mix of wireless and wired devices at $US149.99. There is also a Valet Connector for use with non-wireless enabled computers, $US79.99. Australian pricing and availability has not been announced.
Simultaneous with launch of the Valet range Cisco released the Linksys E-Series family. The products look very similar in appearance but in serious shiny black rather than pale pastel shades and "designed to let [Linksys'] core audience of tech experts and enthusiasts take their home networking experience to the next level."
Despite the technical competence of the target market, the E-Series too uses Cisco Connect software designed to "make it easier for users to customise and control their wireless network settings to match their preferences,"
However those tech experts who think life was not meant to be easy will be re-assured to know that "For the advanced user, Linksys' advanced features are still available through the default IP address (192.168.1.1)."
There are four models in the E-Series range priced from $US79.99 to $US179.99. Again, Australian pricing and availability has not yet been announced.
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