Question 1

Can is be configured as just an access point?

Accepted Answer

I think it depends on your home network. For instance, my subnet from my cable company is 192.168.0.x. This Linksys router DOES NOT like that. And then with some devices being on the Linksys (printer) and others on the cable modem, they couldn't communicate over different submits. I ended up having to reconfigure the connections so that everything was plugged into the Linksys and getting DHCP information.

Question 2

3 questions:
1.  does this device support NAT/Port forwarding?
2.  does it support parental controls?
3.  Can I set the subnet for the router to 192.168.0.X?
Unfortunately I can't find a full manual on the linksys website....

Accepted Answer

I ended up buying the device and figuring it out since no one else had an answer to this.
1.  Yes, standard NAT/port forwarding on this device
2.  Yes, full parental controls
3.  Yes, though it is a bit hard to find. Connectivity/Local Network/IPV4/Edit (Router Details).   
Then you can change the subnet for the DHCP-connected devices in DHCP Server/Start IP address.
Overall this is a pretty easy router to configure if you have any experience with routers/firewalls.

Question 3

Does the router software do MAC filtering, and if it does, how man device slots are allotted in the software?

Accepted Answer

it does do mac filtering and it seems like you can add as many as you want. I stopped counting at 20. its been a great router for me an I do recommend the purchase although I don't know what you plan to use it for.

Question 4

How does a monopole antenna achieve a "beam" as in "beam forming" technology? Pretty much straight out of the marketing department.

Accepted Answer

It is a difference in internal design. It used to be called "wave-guide", but the science is the same. You make the windings horizontal with insulators below and sometimes above for Omni-directional and you make the windings vertical with insulation to the left and right for what you call "beam". Most "beam" type antennas can only face or be oriented in one direction where-as omni's can be twisted in any direction.

Brand	Linksys
Model	EA7500

Standards	IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
WiFi Generation	Wi-Fi 5
Wireless Standard	IEEE 802.11a / IEEE 802.11ac / IEEE 802.11b / IEEE 802.11g / IEEE 802.11n
Security	64 / 128-bit WEP WPA2-Personal WPA2-Enterprise
WPA	WPA2
WAN Ports	1 x 10/100/1000M
LAN Ports	4 x 10/100/1000M
LEDs	Internet, Ethernet (1-4), Linksys Logo, WPS
Wireless Data Rates	AC1900 / Up to 1.9Gbps
Antenna	3 x External, dual-band, detachable antennas
Interface	1 x USB 3.0 1 x USB 2.0
Power Supply	Input: 100-240V ~ 50-60 Hz Output: 12V, 3.5A
Processor	Dual-core
System Requirements	MacOS (10.X or higher), Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
Dimensions	2.20" x 10.12" x 7.24"
Weight	1.23 lbs.

Linksys MAX-STREAM AC1900 Next Gen MU-MIMO Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Gigabit Router with Seamless Roaming (EA7500)

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Item#: N82E16833124607