Features

Overview: The Cisco Valet Plus Wireless Hotspot (M20) lets you and others in your home access the Internet wirelessly with a wireless equipped device such as a laptop or desktop computer, gaming device, or mobile phone. The Valet Plus wireless hotspot also has Gigabit Ethernet ports that allow you to connect up to four wired devices. The Cisco Valet Plus (M20) includes a wireless Internet hotspot (router), easy-setup key, and pre-loaded Cisco Connect software. The Valet Plus router (hotspot) unit gives you the ability to quickly and simply make your home network wireless. The included easy-setup key gets you connected to the Internet in minutes with its integrated Cisco Connect software that lets you quickly link your other wireless devices and manage your home wireless network. The Cisco Valet Plus offers a variety of security features to help protect your data and your privacy while online.

Note: A cable or DSL modem with an Internet connection is required.

Wi-Fi Certified: The Cisco Valet Plus Hotspot (router) is a Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n certified 2.4GHz wireless router and uses three built-in wireless antennas for a reliable connection to your home network. It also features Wi-Fi protected Access 2 (WPA2) encryption for security, helping to protect your data and privacy.

Note: The Cisco Valet (M20) has an operating range of approximately 230' (indoor) and 820' (outdoor).

Wireless Network Connection: The Cisco Valet Plus (M20) creates a wireless (Wi-Fi) hotspot in your home so you can quickly connect your laptop, desktop, game console, wireless printer, and mobile devices to your local network and the Internet.

Note: If your computer doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi, use the Valet Plus Connector (750AM10, sold separately) as the bridge to your wireless network.

Wired Network Connection: The Cisco Valet Plus (M20) is equipped with one rear-panel Gigabit Ethernet input and four rear-panel Gigabit Ethernet outputs to connect to your local network and Internet fast.

• Ethernet Input (Internet): The Internet Gigabit Ethernet port is where you connect the network (Ethernet) cable from your Internet connection. In most cases you will be connecting one end of the network cable to the Ethernet port on your cable or DSL modem and the other end to the Internet port on your Valet Plus wireless hotspot.
• Ethernet Outputs (1-4): Using network cables, these Gigabit Ethernet ports (4, 3, 2, 1) connect the Valet Plus to your computer or other electronic devices on your wired network that have Ethernet ports such as gaming consoles, HDTVs, Blu-ray disc players, or printer.

Mobile Device Connection: The Valet Plus (M20) also allows you to connect your iPhone, iPod, smart phones, or other wireless mobile devices to your home's network.

Easy-Setup Key: The Cisco Valet Plus (M20) includes an easy-setup key with built-in Cisco Connect software to make the setup process quick and simple. During the installation process, the easy-setup key downloads the Cisco Connect software to your computer. The easy-setup key is a USB flash drive that stores the Valet Plus's settings such as wireless network name and password. You can insert the easy-setup key into your computer's USB port to easily connect your computer to the Valet Plus (M20). If you change the wireless network name or password settings, you are prompted to update the easy-setup key with those new settings so you can use it to re-connect other computers. You should always update the easy-setup key whenever you change the Valet Plus's settings.

Note: The included easy-setup key is not the same as your wireless adapter. Even though they look similar, they are different and perform different functions. If the Easy Set-up key that comes with the router is lost, the set-up information that was downloaded to your computer can be written back to any USB thumb drive.

Cisco Connect Software: The pre-loaded Cisco Connect software guides you through the setup of the Valet Plus with on-screen easy-to-understand instructions. Cisco Connect software provides a step-by-step setup wizard that will have your computer connected wirelessly in minutes. During installation, the inserted easy-setup key installs the Cisco Connect software on your computer. The Cisco Connect software then offers options to connect additional computers or devices to the Valet Plus (M20) and allows you to modify the Valet Plus's settings. Cisco Connect also offers powerful tools for managing your wireless network such as security settings, Guest Access, Parental Controls and Advanced Settings.

Minimum System Requirements: The Cisco Valet Plus (M20) and the Cisco Connect software supports Windows and Mac operating systems.

Parental Controls: Parental controls allow you to limit your kids' time online, block specific sites and/or certain times of the day. Safe web surfing alerts you when you are about to visit a potentially harmful website. You can choose whether to visit the site or not. You can customize the settings on each computer for a safer Internet experience for all of your family.

Instant Guest Access: The Cisco Valet Plus (M20) lets you give friends and visitors password access to the Internet, but not your local network or private information. Once the Valet Plus (M20) has been successfully set up with the Cisco Connect software, another wireless network is automatically created for guests. It is different from your private wireless network. This is very convenient especially if you always have guests in your home who would like to access the Internet. The maximum number of total guests allowed is 10.

Note: The Guest network is a virtual network which operates on a different IP address range (192.168.33.*). This allows your guests to connect to the Internet without becoming a part of your local network. The guest will need the password to the network if they want to access the Internet.

LED Indicators: The Cisco Valet Plus (M20) features various green & blue LED indicators to display operational status.

• 1-4 LEDs: The numbered LED indicators (1-4), corresponding with the numbered ports on the back of the Valet Plus, serve two purposes. The LED is continuously lit when the Valet Plus is connected to a device through that port and flashes to indicate network activity over that port (the LEDs light up green when the port is connected to a gigabit or blue when the port is connected to a 10/100 port).
• Wireless: The Wireless LED lights up when the wireless feature is enabled. It flashes when the Valet Plus sends or receives data over the wireless network.
• Internet: The Internet LED lights up when there is a connection made through the Internet port. It flashes to indicate network activity over the Internet port (the LEDs light up green when the port is connected to a gigabit or blue when the port is connected to a 10/100 port).
• Power: The Power LED lights up when the Valet Plus is powered on. When the Valet Plus goes through its self-diagnostic mode during every boot-up, the LED flashes. When the diagnostic is complete, the LED is continuously lit.

Mounting: The Valet Plus (M20) has four rubber feet on its bottom panel so you can place it securely on a flat-surface. The Valet Plus (M20) also has two key-hole slot on its bottom panel, which allows you to wall-mount the unit.

Power Supply: The Valet Plus (M20) operates off of standard AC household current (AC 100V-240V, 60/50Hz) using the supplied AC power adapter.

Specifications: