Features
Like most consumer router makers, Buffalo has a standard feature set and admin GUI used across its line. Here's the rundown:
Routing / Firewall
- Static and Dynamic IP, PPPoE and PPTP WAN connections
- MTU Adjust on all connection types
- DHCP Server, lease time setting, default domain and primary/secondary DNS
- DHCP Client list
- DHCP reservation
- Port forwarding for single or multiple ports with separate local and remote ports and TCP, UDP or all protocols forwarded. Enable/disable for each entry. 10 preconfigured common service ports
- DMZ Host
- UPnP enable/disable
- DDNS support for Dyndns (www.dyndns.org) and TZO (www.tzodns.com)
- IPv6 support passthrough support
- Firewall enable/disable
- VPN Passthrough enable/disable for PPPoE, PPTP and IPv6
- Application Layer Gateway enable/disable for FTP, TFPT, H323 and RTSP
- Ignore Ping Packet from WAN port
- Remote Management with user configurable port and SSL
- Static routes
QoS
- Enable/disable bandwidth control with four preset policies (Video, Voice, Gaming and Custom)
Access / Parental Control
- Norton ConnectSafe with 3 preset filters
- Ability to exclude websites from filter
- Ability to exclude individual addresses from filter
- Internet access scheduling per machine
USB features
- SMB storage sharing
- Network USB Print server
- Media server
- User accounts for SMB and FTP access. No per-user folders
Note that the WZR-1750DHP does not support NAT loopback.
Logging in brings you to the Easy Admin page that provides a simplified view of key router functions. This GUI is a new look for Buffalo routers and similar to the approach Buffalo is taking in its new LinkStation and TeraStation NASes. Clicking on any of the panels takes you to a simplified setttings page for that function. Clicking on the Advanced Settings panel takes you to a more familiar admin interface with sections running down the left side of the page.
GUI response is pretty quick, except for the times when a reboot is required to activate new settings. Reboots aren't required for every setting change, though.
Buffalo WZR-1750DHP Easy Admin page
I've provided a gallery of the different admin interface features below. Check it out or continue on for a closer look at a few key features.
QoS
Buffalo uses six-level priorty based QoS to control uplink bandwidth use only. The interface is simpler than others I've seen. Four default policies are provided (Video, Voice, Gaming and Manual) that you can see in the image below.
Buffalo WZR-1750DHP QoS entry page
The QoS Settings page allows you to set up a custom policy with simple dropdown boxes and limited, but adequate configuration options. The text of the different selections isn't terribly descriptive, but you can assume they are in hierarchial order and make your selections accordingly.
Buffalo WZR-1750DHP QoS Settings page
For further granularity, you can also go to an individual device under Device Settings and set the QoS policy per node. This is a really nice feature that could come in very useful for situations where a roommate or child is using all your bandwidth or where a media server should have highest priority for all uses.