business-centric features. Most
important is failover, where the
router can be set to automatically
start using the 4G connection if
the main internet goes down. But
it can also be set to provide load
balancing, and use 4G data if the
main connection is maxed out, or
prioritise certain essential traffic
that needs extra bandwidth.
You can also share bandwidth
between the connections for
extra performance.
We tested 4G/LTE connectivity
on the Optus network in Sydney,
Australia. In an area of strong 4G
signal, the 2926 was able to
achieve speeds of 82 Mbps down
and 19 Mbps up. Not achieving
the full 150/50 Mbps possible is
not a failing of the router, as the
maximum speed is highly
dependent on factors such as
how many other people are
using the same cell tower.
In an area of low signal, the
2926 managed 2.77 Mbps down
and 1.4 Mbps up. To put that
result into perspective, in the
same area a mobile phone had
zero signal, and a portable 4G
router with internal antennas
could only maintain an intermittent
connection to the net.
The 2926 is an advanced router,
and overall we are impressed with
how flexible it is, from prosumer
usage all the way up to larger
businesses. The ability to control
other Vigor networking products
also makes it very easy to expand a
network over time without losing
any functionality, or paying big
upfront costs.Well worth the price, and well
equipped to handle network
management for a business.to have a fairly complex interface.
But one aspect that really helps
DrayTek stand out is its dedication
to simplifying the setup process, as
well as providing a large variety of
guides online. That said, the
interface doesn’t have the same
polish you might find in home
routers, but it is relatively
straightforward and logically laid
out. If you truly get stuck, there is
also email support available.
Once you have the router
plugged in and all six antennas
screwed into place, setup is quite
easy thanks to the quick-start
wizard. Even better, there are
wizards for dealing with wireless
setup as well as VPNs and other
services. The SIM card slot is behind
a screw-in panel on the rear (two
fine Phillips-head screws) and
needs a full-size SIM or an adaptor
if using a micro or nano card.
All in all, the DrayTek
Vigor2926Lac is straightforward to
get up and running, even for those
without much IT experience. If you
can log in and configure a home
router, then this really isn’t much
harder until you hit some of the
more complex features.
Performance
While the 2926Lac is undoubtedly
a great business modem, it can
also do double duty in a high-end
home environment. While there
are some cheaper DrayTek LTE-
equipped routers, the 2926 also
has some very handy features for
extra redundancy. A basic home
installation might include a
primary internet connection via
WAN, and an affordable SIM card
from a cellular provider. If the main
internet ever drops out, the 4G
connection can be configured to
automatically step in.
DrayTek has some great
examples of business deploymenton its website, such as providing
Wi-Fi internet at an outdoor
event, or provisioning internet
at a mobile office. It can even
handle restricting access to the
network, and having users log
in using Facebook or Google
and allowing for the monitoring
of their activity.
The 2926Lac could also be used
as a stop gap measure at a new
site, providing 4G based internet
until a wired connection is up and
running. DrayTek even includes
information on how the router
can be powered from 24V (for
example, in a truck) using an off
the shelf DC-DC converter.
Compared to a more traditional
Wi-Fi hotspot aimed at the home
user, the 2926Lac has loads of“One aspect that really helps DrayTek stand out is
its dedication to simplifying the setup process”
Upgrade
DrayTek Vigor2926Lac
April 2020 | |^83
i
DrayTek Vigor2926Lac
Supplier http://www.draytek.co.uk
WAN ports 2 x GbE WAN
LAN ports 4 x RJ-45 1GbE
Wi-Fi 802.11ac Dual Band 1.7Gbps
4G/LTE Cat 4, 2x antennas
USB 2.0 ports 1 x front
Maximum VPN tunnels 50
Maximum VLANs 16
Power 12 v, 2 A
Dimensions 241 x 166 x 46 mm
Warranty two-years back to base