NETGEAR ME102 - Wireless access point 32 - Ethernet Review

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(More customer reviews)I just received my ME102 today, and it was up and running in 5 minutes (not counting the time required to drive the screws [included] to wall-mount the unit near one of my Ethernet switches).
I didn't find the USB-based configuration to be ideal. To be sure, it worked well. But I don't like installing drivers and software on my PC that will be used only once or occasionally, and the rest of the time just adds more junk to the Windows registry and is yet another thing added to program groups. (I have issues with clutter.)
In any case, as others here have mentioned, documentation is sparse indeed. And frankly, if you don't know your TCP/IP network pretty well, and/or don't know the basics of wireless Ethernet concepts, you might well find yourself in over your head. The default configuration is far from one-size-fits-all, and the average home computer user will have trouble changing it -- especially with the somewhat non-intuitive interface to the config software.
All that said, once this baby is set-up and running, it's great. I get terrific range and excellent performance, even with a basement mounted access point.
My only caution: Beware of your 2.4 GHz cordless phones. This would be true of any 802.11b set-up, but some of these cordless phones will chew-up your data stream and spit it out in chunks on the carpet. Here, I have my choice between using the wireless Ethernet, or using a Panasonic 2.4 GHz phone... Any attempts to use both, and the phone wins. (The Panasonic is going in the trash very soon; a Uniden 2.4 GHz model cooperates fine.)

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Netgear's wireless access point gives mobile users continuous,high-speed 11 Mbps access to corporate network resources, e-mail, and theInternet. It helps you quickly set up a new wireless network office or extendyour existing Ethernet network to remote locations in your building, without thetime or expense of Ethernet cabling. Equipped with a Netgear cable/DSL router,it lets all users on your wireless network share broadband Internet access.Multiple access points may be used to extend the coverage as well as increasethe number of wireless users. The ME102 supports roaming from access point toaccess point within an office and includes 40-bit WEP encryption to ensureprivacy.
Supporting 32 users per access point, the ME102 works with any 10 Mbps Ethernetand any IEEE 802.11b-compliant product. It comes with a five-year limitedwarranty.

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Sony VAIO Wireless LAN Access Point Pro, 2.4 GHz (PCWA-A200) Review

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(More customer reviews)Would have given it 0 stars, but obviously it's not available. This product is absolutely terrible. It does not work with even the Sony Wireless LAN Card. Had to return it and purchase the Linksys.

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Access e-mail, the Internet, or your network wirelessly! The new Sony VAIO Wireless LAN Access Point lets you share files, drives, printers with one or more computers on your wireless network. Using any IEEE 802.11b industry-standard wireless LAN PC Card, you are assured of secure communication, high-speed data transfer rates and a range of up to 46 m (line-of-sight).

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D-Link DWL-1000AP 11Mb Wireless LAN Access Point 802.11b Review

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(More customer reviews)Products Tested: D-Link DWL-1000AP 11Mb Wireless LAN Access Point 802.11b D-Link DWL-650 11Mb Wireless PCMCIA LAN Network Card 802.11b vs. Linksys WAP11 - Instant Wireless Network Access Point Linksys WPC11 - Instant Wireless Network PC Card
Computer Hardware: Laptop: Dell Inspiron 600mhz, W2k Network: NT 4.0 Server, W2K Server Switches: 3Com and Linksys
Quality: After working with dlink first, linksys blew away dlink on the feel of quality and workmanship. As we all know, these components are so miniaturized that they could put them into any light-weight enclosure. dlink chose the light packaging approach....feels "cheap." linksys chose the mid-weight package...you feel as if it has higher quality...and you got something for your $250-300! linksys chose the dual antenna design over the single on the dlink. Technically, I am not sure if it is better but the actual reception really is... These are subjective and personal factors but for most, it makes a difference.
Ease of Use: From the documentation, to the support, to the software, it is really apparent dlink cut costs everywhere and with things they shouldn't. The setup is extremely confusing, the software is buggy...really, and the docs are horrible. In my manual, every other page did not have printing on it...quality control missed this! Linksys...even though I had to use the USB setup at first (dlink does not have a USB port on their access unit), the configuration was simple. The docs actually explained the parameters on the configuration screens. Once I set the IP address to one recognized on my network (I am not using DHCP), I used the linksys SNMP configuration tool to set and adjust the other parameters. I have a laptop. When using the wireless network card on the dlink, if you eject the card, the next time you re-insert the card, it does not remember your setting. You have to go back and set the parameters in order to get the card to function again. I called dlink tech support on this...on hold forever, hung up, and no call back...even when they asked and I left my mobile number, just in case... On the linksys, when I re-inserted the wireless card, it remembered the setting.
Service and Usability: Both products have a signal and quality meter in their utilities. One important note...the distance specs on both of these products (I think the 802.11b category overall) are NOT accurate. Inside of your home and through walls, etc., expect much less. How much less...you need to try it out to be sure. If you have line of sight to the access unit, these distances will go up. I mounted the access unit in my living room, on top of the entertainment center. I chose this location b/c it had the best reception. With the dlink, in the master bedroom (through one wall!), I was *barely* able to use the network...0-40 on the signal meter. On one occasion, once the dlink card lost the network, I could not get back on?? The total distance to the access unit was 30ish feet. With linksys, my signal was consistent at 40-60...once or twice is dipped to 20-30 but came right back up. I also tried a configuration with the dlink access unit and linksys card. They did work together but I could not improve the signal quality. I concluded that the dlink access unit was one of the problems. When I used the dlink wireless card, several times my computer shut down automatically??
Overall: Save tons of time and money...just buy the linksys system...access point and cards. Linksys is priced well and makes a quality offering. It is very clear to me that dlink is just focused on price and cutting their cost.

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The D-Link DWL-1000AP is an IEEE 8.02.11b-compliant, 11 Mbps wirelessEthernet access point designed for use in office and home environments. Itoperates in 2.4 GHz direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), which providestransparent bridging and roaming capabilities to wireless nodes at ranges up to100 meters indoors and 300 meters outdoors. The DWL-1000AP supports Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), MAC address control, anduser authentication to ensure a secure network connection. When connected to anEthernet LAN, the DWL-1000AP automatically identifies the IP of the host PC aswell as the subnet. In addition, the IP address of the DWL-1000AP can bemanually assigned. The bandwidth data transmission rate can be set automaticallyusing the dynamic auto-sensing configuration or set manually to 11, 5.5, 2, or 1Mbps. You can manage the DWL-1000AP remotely with its access point manager software,which can be installed on Microsoft Windows 95 OSR2, 98, 98SE, NT 4.0, Me, and2000.

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ZyXEL WAP3205 Wireless N access point, Ethernet client, and universal repeater Review

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(More customer reviews)Once you have it setup it works flawlessy. Problem is setting it up for the first time. Documentation is not user friendly to the non-tech savvy. I'm using it as a wireless bridge / access point with my Sony blue-ray player. I already have a Linksys wireless router using WEP encryption (forced to use this because my XBOX 360 doesn't support WPA). To make it easy for others doing the same thing use the following steps:
1. Change your pc or laptop's ethernet adapter's IP address to 192.168.1.3 To do this on Vista or Windows 7 you open you network sharing center then you open your ethernet LAN adapter settings (or manage network connections in Vista). Select the Internet protocol v4 (IPv4) and go into properties. Manually put in the IP address with subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 and don't worry about the gateway address.
2. Connect your WAP3205 to your pc/laptop with the ethernet cable that is provided. Of course make sure you plugged in the power to it or your going nowhere. Open up your preferred browser (IE, firefox, netscape, etc.) and then type in the address bar 192.168.1.2 and now you will be connected to the WAP3205. Type in the default password of 1234, you are now prompted to change your password to whatever you want it to be.
3. Now that your in the WAP3205 click on Expert Mode. When in this mode on the far left you will see Status and below it Monitor, Configuration and Maintenance. Click on Maintenance and then hit the plus sign in front of Maintenance once you are in. Go to the last option of Sys OP Mode then select Client Mode and hit apply.
4. Go back to the far left and hit configuration then go to Wireless LAN. You will see tabs for Profile, Site Survey and WPS. Hit the Profile tab and then hit the Add button. Type in your network name / SSID and then select your security drop down box. Select WEP if you have a setup like me with the XBOX 360 or if you don't care about security select the no security option. Type in your passphrase that you use for your router's security or the actual 128 bit security code (or 64 bit if that is what you use) and hit apply. Then select your newly created profile and hit the activate button. If it's configured correctly you will get a green check. Now your done on this end.
5. Disconnect your WAP3205 from your pc/laptop and change your pc or laptop's ethernet adapter settings back to whatever it was before.
6. Go to your blue-ray player and disconnect the power cord for about a minute or more. Connect the WAP3205 to the blue-ray player with the ethernet connection and power your blue-ray player back on. The blue-ray player will automatically pick up the network settings from the WAP3205 and you will be done.
Hope this is helpful and if you don't have an XBOX 360 or if you use WPA for security the setup should be easier.
So far so good with the Zyxel WAP3205...I had used the Linksys WET610N (2 separate units) and they both failed. The first one worked a couple of days before the wireless stopped working and the second one's wireless failed right out of the box. The WET610N's are way easier to configure but they are too expensive and for me totally unrealiable. The WAP3205 is a steal and worth the effort when you consider the rock solid connection I have now, besides it was less than half the price of the Linksys. It's not as nice looking as the Linksys that's for sure but the main thing is it works as described.

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WAP3205 is more than just another 300Mbps access point; it's a multifunction 11n tool that can be used in a variety of scenarios.In addition to Access Point mode, it can also be a Universal Wireless Repeater, extending the range of your existing network.Unlike other repeaters, the WAP3205's extender mode works with the latest WPA/WPA2 security technologies, so security doesn't have to suffer when extending your network.The WAP3205 also has the ability to function as a wireless bridge, allowing you to connect non-wireless network compatible devices to your existing network.Simply plug in your Ethernet based TIVO, Smart TV, Blue Ray player, network storage device (NAS), or game system into the WAP3205, and it can now join your wireless network.No software or drivers to be installed. With an 11n compatible data transfer rate of up to 300Mbps*, which is 6 times faster than 11g, you can enjoy high-speed network connection and high-definition video streaming with no jitters or dropped calls.It also works with your existing 802.11b and 802.11g network devices. Some wired devices such as modems, set-top boxes, digital media adapters and storage devices might not be natively wireless capable. In order to connect these without additional wiring, driver installation or configuration, just plug the Ethernet cable into the WAP3205 and connect to another wired device to get connected wirelessly. With the built-in Universal Repeater mode, WAP3205 can connect to most popular access points or wireless routers while simultaneously acting as an access point to provide wireless connectivity to all other wireless devices such as notebooks. In other words, WAP3205 can extend the wireless coverage to the entire home premise and enable all wireless devices to link to the existing networkthis is especially helpful for larger home environments.Since this is all done wirelessly, there's no need to run additional Ethernet cables to extend your network

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Cisco-Linksys Certified Refurbished Wireless-G Access Point Review

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(More customer reviews)Bought 2 of these access points. One of them worked fine and is still working 1 month later. The other one did not work at all. Amazon was very efficient at returning the item paying the postage and quickly crediting my account upon receipt.

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Linksys WAP54G Access Point With the Linksys WAP54G Access Point, add wireless capability to your wired network and enjoy the convenience that comes when you eliminate cables. Add wireless devices to your network using the Linksys WAP54G Access Point. The Linksys WAP54G Access Point makes it easy to grow your network by adding computers, printers and other wireless devices, without stringing cables. With less wiring, you’ll do much more.

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D-Link DI-713P Wireless Broadband Router and Access Point with 3-Port Switch Review

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(More customer reviews)Pros: reasonable price; three ports for wired connections; reasonably simple administration procedures and usable interface; integrated print server (parallel connector)
Cons: no support for bi-directional communications with my HP LaserJet 1200se (e.g., it no longer tells me I'm out of paper, etc.).
After scouring the Web for insight and equipment reviews (the PracticallyNetworked site was especially helpful) of the myriad of router options, I decided on this one from D-Link. My housemate and I needed to share our newly installed cable Internet service in our three-story house, so wireless seemed like the easiest option. I put the router in my office on the second floor, and he has no trouble accessing the Net by laptop from his office on the first floor, and I can usually get 500+ Kbps (on a PII-333 laptop running a NetGear PC card) in the living room on the third floor. 2Wire's bandwidth meter clocks about a 1.5 Mbps connection for my P4-1.2 wired directly to the router.
I haven't had to call D-Link for tech support, so I can't speak to their abilities/response time. I did use their Web site to download a firmware upgrade. All told, I had our wireless net up and running in less than an hour (which also included a call into RCN to get them to tweak our cable modem on their end).
One thing to bear in mind: pick access clients that are solid performers, whether they're PC card or USB devices. Routers like this are only the access point portion of the wireless equation -- speed and range can be easily hobbled by anemic clients that can't hold up their end of the bargain.

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The D-Link DI-713P is a broadband IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless gateway. It provides the ability to share a broadband connection as well as a print server function. You can share a DSL or cable modem connection through its three local 10/100 Ethernet ports or via its integrated Wireless IEEE 802.11b component. The DI-713P is equipped with a bidirectional LPT port to support a direct printer connection. Its integrated router and firewall provide NAT, DHCP, and packet filtering services between the local network and the Internet.
D-Link's DI-713P allows wireless LAN users to share the Internet connection while providing the security of 128-bit encryption. Static address support, integrated DHCP, PPPoE, and device name support will allow it to connect to nearly any broadband provider, whether cable or DSL based, and at the same time simplify local area network settings.
The DI-713P provides two levels of security support. First, it masks local users' IP addresses from others on the Internet, making it much more difficult for a hacker to target a machine on the network. Second, it can block and redirect certain ports to limit the services that outside users can access. Specific ports can be opened by the user to ensure that games and other Internet applications will run properly.
The router and access point combo also provides special pass-through for common VPN implementations including PPTP (Point to Point Tunneling Protocol), L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) and IPSec*. The Virtual Server feature allows the user to expose HTTP, FTP, Game Servers, and other local services to be accessible to Internet users located outside the LAN. The User-Definable Application Sensing Tunnel feature allows the user to define the attributes to support special applications requiring multiple connections, such as Internet gaming, video conferencing, and Internet telephony. A DMZ setting can be applied to a single client behind the DI-713P to expose it to the Internet and ensure complete Internet application compatibility, even if specific ports are not known.
Unlike proxy server or NAT software that requires the software server to remain visible on the Internet, no local computers are directly externally visible when using the DI-713P. Also, the DI-713P, like broadband, is always on, removing the need to constantly boot a software server when Internet access is desired from a client.
Integrated DHCP services allow up to 252 users to obtain their IP address automatically on bootup from the DI-713P. Client machines require no software; simply set them to accept a dynamically assigned IP address and reboot. Each time they are powered up, the DI-713P will recognize them and set their IP address to instantly connect them to the LAN.
* PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec support compatibility are dependent on the platform used.

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NETGEAR WG602 54 Mbps 802.11g Wireless Access Point Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this item, because, on the back of the box, it shows the WG602 being used as a bridge to connect to a WGT624 access point. This is extremely misleading, and well, plain wrong, as a couple of other reviewers have pointed out. I was on the phone with extremely unhelpful tech support (that they outsourced to India, I believe), and it took several hours of run-around for the support guy to actually admit that the two products are not compatible (he had to ask someone else). Had he researched this properly in the beginning, hours would have been saved. I was eventually informed (after being told to upgrade firware, change numerous settings, etc.) that the WG602 would only bridge to another WG602. THE BACK OF THE BOX IS WRONG! Don't buy this if you're looking for a bridge that's compatible with any other AP.

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The NETGEAR WG602 54 Mbps 802.11g Wireless Access Point lets you easily set up a wireless network in your home so you can share a single internet connection with everyone in your household at speeds up to 54 Mbps. Note that to share an internet connection you will need a router into which you can plug the WG602 access point. If you do not have a router, consider NETGEAR's Wireless-G Router WGR614."
Easy Setup The WG602 makes it easy for even a novice to set up a wireless network: just plug the included Ethernet cable from your LAN into the device and insert the included CD into any computer on the network, which will provide step-by-step instructions. The WG602 offers a myriad of placement options by including a stand for vertical placement and slots on the bottom for mounting on a wall or ceiling. The default 2 dBi omnidirectional antenna can be removed and you can install an external antenna most suited for your needs onto the standard SMA connector.
The WG602 employs a web-based interface for configuration, allowing you to adjust settings such as the beacon interval, RTS threshold, and DTIM interval. The firmware is also upgradeable via the web interface so you can be sure your access point will always be up-to-date.
Fast and Secure Supporting the 802.11g standard, the NETGEAR WG602 offers data speeds of up to 54 Mbps, making it possible to share a broadband internet connection, stream music without hiccups, watch videos with less load time, and videoconference without problems. Downloading files is up to five times faster than it was with 802.11b. If you still have computers that use 802.11b, don't fret as the access point is backwards compatible with the older wireless standard and can be set so all your computers can connect to the network and the WG602 will automatically figure out the connection type and work accordingly.
The WG602 offers many security options to ensure your data is private. Both 40/64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption is available, as well as Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA2-PSK). You can also use MAC address authentication to allow only authorized users onto the network.
Bridge and Repeater Mode In addition to functioning as an access point, the WG602 can also be used as a bridge and as a repeater. Used as a bridge, the device allows you to connect two LANS wirelessly; as a repeater, your wireless signal's range is extended so even the remote corners of your home or office can be covered.
The NETGEAR WG602 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point is backed by a 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box WG602 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point, vertical stand, power adapter, Ethernet cable, resource CD, user's guide, warranty/support information card.

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