The Cradlepoint PHS300 is a single purpose device designed to bridge an EVDO connection over wifi so the connection can be shared with multiple computers. Unlike competing products, the PHS300 connects via EVDO through a pre-purchased USB-based modem and also contains a battery to provide nearly 3 hours of EVDO/wireless connectivity without needing an external power source.
To use the device, you charge it and plug in the USB modem and then connect to it via wifi and fire up your browser. The device comes with a fairly intuitive web interface that lets the user adjust network settings and establish security rules. Most users will be able to get away with just changing the default password and begin using the device immediately.
One shortcoming of the software is that the baseline security implementation is overly intrusive and there is no mechanism for an advanced user to just turn it off. For example, when trying to connect to our corporate mail server, my session was intercepted by the PHS300 and it displayed a message that the connection was being subjected to DNS cache poisoning. Email exchanges with Cradlepoint’s tech support representatives were useless in troubleshooting the problem and they even went so far as to say the problem was my browser and that if I used Firefox instead of IE I would be fine or I just needed to flush the cache settings on IE. Ironically, I was using Firefox on a MacBook Pro, so their assessment was highly inaccurate. I ended up troubleshooting the problem on my own and realized that the software was alleging DNS cache poisoning whenever an IP address was being derived via a CNAME record instead of a direct DNS entry. This is a dumb policy and Cradlepoint acknowledged that there was no way to turn this setting off. Luckily, I could simply remove the CNAME entry the problem went away, but the average user is not going to be in a position to change DNS settings for the servers they are trying to connect to. Cradlepoint needs to address this issue in a future firmware release and give advanced users a capability to establish and unfiltered network connection. (Update: This fix did not work on my MacBook Pro, so I had to manually add my mail server to my hosts file.)
With regards to performance, the news was much better. I tested the device using Verizon EVDO in the Northern Virginia area and was very pleased. In a static location in Arlington, VA I was able to connect with several devices (MacBook Pro, Asus Eee PC, and an iPhone) with no problems. While I didn’t run any formal speedtests the speed was comparable to speeds obtained by simply plugging the USB modem into my laptop. I used the connection all day, typically connected to a power source, but did unplug it to test the battery life, with the battery dying after just under three hours of heavy use. Not bad considering it is broadcasting over EVDO and wifi.
For my mobile test, I placed the device in the back of my car and connected the Eee PC to it and started streaming Internet radio at 128 kbps. I proceed to drive from Ashburn, VA to Arlington, VA and only experienced my first stream buffering after 1/2 hour of perfect connectivity. When stuck in traffic, I was able to surf the web with the Eee PC and also download a song via iTunes on the iPhone.
While it does have a few software flaws, this device provides a much needed capability for a road warrior like myself. Most importantly, it very easily extends my EVDO connectivity to devices that can’t access it natively. The Eee PC for example can connect via wifi in a couple of clicks, but getting and EVDO modem to work with is a laborious effort that requires significant user expertise. So for devices like the Eee PC and my N800, this device is a “must have”. It also increased my network spead for the iPhone as well which is an added bonus.
Physically, the device is compact and light, features simple LED lights for feedback and an on/off switch. Keep one of these devices in your car and you will be a roaming hotspot wherever you go. It will certainly earn a permanent spot in my gadget bag and if you need your EVDO connection extended to other devices, this is one of the most elegant and reliable solutions we’ve seen to date.
Update: After traveling more with this device, we can’t recommend it for purchase. The DNS Cache poisoning issue is poisonous to the user’s experience. I am getting DNS cache poisoning errors for sites like Bloglines, Gmail!, and it is not just browser based as mail clients seem impacted as well. Until this issue is fixed, this device is not worth the money, time, or frustration.
Update 2: There is an option to set a DMZ host, so we will try that as a possible fix for the primary computer. Right now, testing is limited due to lack of good coverage in Tribeca.
Update 3: I placed the MacBookPro in the DMZ for the Cradlepoint router. Here is how they describe the DMZ in the web management interface:
“The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) option provides you with an option to set a single computer on your network outside of the router. If you have a computer that cannot run Internet applications successfully from behind the router, then you can place the computer into the DMZ for unrestricted Internet access.
Note: Putting a computer in the DMZ may expose that computer to a variety of security risks. Use of this option is only recommended as a last resort.”
Given I can’t reach Gmail, I considered this a last resort. What happened?
“DNS Poisoning Has Occurred
Restart your web browser.
It may be necessary to close your web browser and restart it. Sometimes web browsers cache invalid URLs when first logging onto the Personal HotSpot. Restarting your web browser will clear it’s cache and you should be able to surf the Internet without problems.”
This sort of contradicts the statement that the computer in the DMZ has unrestricted Internet access as that is obviously not the case! I really love this product and it has so much potential, but the firmware needs a major update!
Thanks for the updates on how to troubleshoot, it works well for me!