The Option XYfi is the world's smallest personal 3G wifi hotspot, concealed within the form factor of a USB 3G modem.
The unit can be used either as a regular USB modem, or can optionally be used to provide wifi coverage to additional clients when connected to a PC, or can be used as a standalone wifi router without the need for a PC.

Click here for information on technical specifications and usage scenarios. In this article I shall look at how to install and configure the device on a Windows PC.

Installation

To install the XYfi, insert your data-enabled SIM card into the unit, then connect it to an available USB port on your Windows PC.

Windows will detect the new hardware automatically as a removable storage device and launch an installation wizard. If the wizard does not launch automatically, simply open My Computer and run "Autorun.exe" on the drive that has been added:

Click Next:

Click Install. The required program files and drivers will be copied to the PC. When complete Windows will detect additional new hardware automatically. This process may take a few moments. When complete, click Finish:

To manage the unit, an icon will have been added to the desktop automatically, but you can access the XYfi from your web browser by simply connecting to a URL of http://xyfi

You can also connect to the wireless network created by the XYfi from another wireless client and browse to the default IP address of the unit - http://172.22.2.1

The default SSID and security key information will be contained in the shipping package.

When connecting to the web interface for the first time, you will be prompted to create an administrative username and password, make a note of whatever details you choose to use. Once logged in the following window will be displayed:

The unit can be managed by clicking on the Settings link at the top of the page, next to the Home icon

Hotspot WiFi Settings allows you to edit SSID, password and wireless channel information

Advanced Settings allows you to enable and disable WPS authentication, and optionally add port forwarding rules to allow routing of incoming connections to specific hosts sat "behind" the XYfi

Mobile Networks Settings allows you to specify whether the unit should connect automatically to the home network operator or suitable roaming partner, or you can optionally manually select which mobile network to use

Cellular connection settings can be edited. The XYFi will determine the correct connection settings to use automatically based on the SIM card inserted, but settings can be defined manually should you wish to, for connecting to a private APN, for example.

The unit can also be set to 2G only mode for use in areas of poor or borderline 3G coverage

Cellular connection settings can be defined, whether the unit should connect to the cellular network automatically as soon as it is turned on, only when a request is made to the Internet from a client, or manually by the administrator.

SIM PIN security can also be configured:

WiFi Networks Settings allows the XYfi to be used as a repeater for existing WiFi networks, rather than as a cellular router

Users and Devices Settings allows you to specify the maximum number of allowed simultaneous wireless client connections

Under the About Settings you can edit the administrative username and password you created during the initial setup

Edit the network addressing scheme used by the unit for connecting wireless devices:

View MAC address and data transfer information

Perform firmware update and factory reset operations, and check software version information

Mobile

The XYfi can also be administered from a mobile device, provided that it is connected to the wireless network created by the XYfi. Simply open your device web browser and connect to the IP address of the unit (http://172.22.2.1 by default):