TRENDnet 14dBi High Power Wireless Outdoor PoE Access Point TEW-455APBO (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased 2 of these units to setup WiFi for a mountain condo building (3 floors by 5 units). Both units are mounted on opposites end of the building on the top (3rd) floor. Setup was relatively easy (maybe not if a first timer). The one time I had a question for Trendnet (prior to purchase) their response was prompt and helpful. Units are attached to a DSL modem/router. Since we can only get 7MB DSL service I have limited the APs to 11b. So can't comment on higher speeds. So far all units are reporting good service.
These units are hard to beat for the price. Not as powerful as the Cisco units but you can buy 2 (or more) for the same price.
Note: Units have been installed about 5 months now at a condo building in the Colorado mountains at about 9000 feet. Units are mounted outdoors. Temperature range in that time has been about 85 to -20 F. So far so good.

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Linksys-Cisco WIRELESS G EXTERIOR ACCESS ( WAP54GPE ) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have installed 2 of these and both have the same bad performance issues. I have to reboot them several times a day because the device loses its connection between it's own wireless interface and it's own wired interface. If your computer connects via the wireless, you will loose access to anything past the device. You can not even ping the device's own IP address. If yoiu reboot it, then it works for a while. I did a little more research and found out that this is a common problem. I am now trying to return them.

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D-Link ANT24-0801 8.5dBi Pico Cell Patch Antenna Review

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(More customer reviews)This antenna (and all D-Link high gain antennas) require an additional 1 watt inline amplifier in order to achieve the extended range as rated by D-Link. This will be an additional expense of approximately $300.00, purchased from a 3rd party. Without the amplifier the antenna(s) produce a signal at or below the standard antenna. Once the amplifier is installed the antenna works as rated. No where within D-Link's information or installation instructions do they inform you of this requirement. When I inquired from D-Link as to why I was no obtaining the range as rated, I received the following:
"To boost output you will need to use an amplifier. The Antenna is going to change the shape of the signal, and the direction. the problem with using an external antenna without an amp is the Router does not have enough power to push the signal through the extra media."
I then asked as to where within their documentation does it state that an amplifier is required, I received the following:
"The initial reply that you received that the router does not have a strong enough amplifier to push the signal to any great length is correct, unfortunately. The loss in signal strength that you noticed is possibly due to losses in the conversion cable. I do agree with you that does not seem to mention amplification in the product specs as you have pointed out. I shall talk it to a supervisor and see if there can be some mention of extra amplification might be needed, to get best results for APs."

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NETWORK, 8.5DBI PICO CELL PATCH

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Wireless G Range Extender Review

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(More customer reviews)Once I finally had it up and running it worked fine. Installation is pretty straightforward however there are a couple of details that aren't completely accurate in the set-up instructions. When it says to place the extender half-way between your router and the problem area, not always true. My problem area is outdoors about 150 feet away. I have several computers on my network and when I placed the extender close to the the door, no one could get a signal. I called support several times, reset the extender several times and after a week finally someone from support told me to just put the extender closer to the router! Now I have it literally 15 feet from the router and it works perfectly fine! So overall, this product works but pay attention to the details. Support is available. Be patient.

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ERB9250 11N 300MB 11N Range Extender Removable Antenna 1 10/100 Review

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(More customer reviews)EnGenius ERB 9250 Range Expander
I feel it is necessary to give my review on the EnGenius ERB9250 2.4 GHZ 300 Mbps Wireless N Range Extender to help others like myself with bad wireless connections. 03-15-2011-update My Linksys WRT600N router blew the 2.4 Ghz circuit (5-6 years old), the 5.0 Ghz remained, but this is the signal that doesn't penetrate walls. I now have a new EnGenius ESR 9855G Wireless N, 2.4 Ghtz-only router. This is working fine. The remaining content is based on my Linksys WRT 600N wireless router. I have used in the past a Linksys WRE54G - G Range Expander b/g with a with a Linksys WRT54G router to the same location. I am currently running 300Mbps with an excellent signal. In the past my Linksys WRE 54 G range expander had a maximum 54 Mbps with a fair to poor signal strength, used in combination with the WRT600N router and a HP premium "N" adapter. This old setup ran typically 2-20 Mbps with a fair to poor signal.
I am technical average, below average or novice when it comes to wireless networking. After reading someone's comment maybe I'm an expert and just doesn't know it. I have spent hours enhancing locations, changing configurations, and praying for a decent signal. I have by pure accident discovered solutions to problems that no one ever addresses. I've come to the conclusion that the advanced techs out there work for the manufactures sales department and really don't understand wireless systems and their wireless routers. Very seldom can you actually talk with someone. If you do get a hold of someone, they seem to know a lot less than me, which is frightening.
I have a home office in a separate building from my home. The nearest exterior stucco wall to exterior stucco wall is 17 feet. I have my WRT600N (now ESR 9855G) wireless router in my family room which is a straight 49 feet from my EnGenius ERB9250 Range Expander in my office. The Range Expander is 7 feet from my computer. The signal is going through 3 walls with windows.
I am writing to help people like myself.
Number 1 -Important Things That All Web Sites Stress -you can just ignore. You REALLY DO NOT need to pay attention to: 1) line of sight (you shouldn't have obstacles) between the router and the range expander. They must be living in a tent, but I really don't know anyone that is so lucky as to not have obstacles i their way. DUMB LESSONS are important lessons or information I have learned creating a decent wireless network and is probably more information than what you need. DUMB MISTAKES are mistakes I made, but because of frustrations, and trying to think logically when I am tired and frustrated; these mistakes have eaten a tremendous amount of my time and were quite easy to fix.
Dumb Lesson #1 the 2.4 GHz setting is to broadcast all Wireless N, Wireless G, and Wireless B systems all at the same time on all this same frequency. REMEMBER THIS RANGE EXPANDER (WRT600N) IS USING ONLY THE 2.4GHz part of the Wireless Router, not the 5.0GHz. My new router only broadcasts in 2.4 GHz. I originally thought that 5.0 Ghz was only N systems, and 2.4 Ghz was only B or G systems, wrong. 2.4 can be for all three. A, B, G, and N are just standards. N is the most recent allowing higher transfer speeds and more unused frequencies. The frequencies are by far the most misunderstood.
Dumb lesson # 2, Misinformation is very prevalent even from known authorities. Just remember, this is part of the problem we all deal with and affects our judgment, when we try to make improvements to our wireless networks. The higher the frequency the more likely it will penetrate walls. This is the complete opposite from what all the wireless geeks say. 5.0 GHz will do better than 2.4GHz going through walls. This is straight from my engineer father-in law who helped put the lander on the moon. So ignore what is being said by so called experts, I am a wireless novice with real scientific information. 5.0 GHZ has less distortion from other electronic products in your home. Therefore it has a clearer less obstructed and distorted signal from other household devices. Items that can overlap the 2.4 GHz are: wireless telephones, remote controls, wireless game controls, microwaves, and many more. Ignore this concern. Using a wireless G router, my 2.4 GHz cordless phone blocked all wireless signals. I bought a new DECT 6.0 phone. No more problems. WHY 5.0 Ghz APPEEARS TO BE WORSE is that 5.0 Ghz takes an extremely large amount of power to go the same distance as 2.4GHz, which the best consumer wireless routers don't have. The router and adapters signals are really going around walls and through windows to best of their abilities. My need has been getting my wireless signal to a far distance with a decent signal and decent speed. The 2.4 GHz is the only way to go with the "N" standard setting allowing the faster transfer rates up to 300 Mbps and a much longer distance with a range expander. Maybe someday 5.0 Ghz wireless routers with be available with more power, but don't count on it with all the energy efficiency requirements.
For the WRT 600 N wireless router:
A) Get access to your router through the IP address using your web browser at 192.168.1.1, click on the "Wireless" button next to "Set Up" - Basic Wireless settings the 5.0 GHz setting the 3 bottom categories for Radio Band, Wide Channel, Standard channel set all of them to AUTO. The Basic Settings for the bottom 2.4 GHz are Standard 20 MHz, Auto, and Auto. Under the 5.0 GHz -Wireless Mode setting, set it to Wireless N, Network Name SSID to something similar to your original network you have chosen, such as Digital add underscore media so you know what name you are looking for "Digital_media" and your regular Network to "Digital".
B) Under 2.4 GHz set the Wireless Mode to "Mixed." "Mixed" allows everyone in your network to use your Wireless Network no matter what kind of adapter they have (a, b, g, and n) for their computer. This is probably the biggest mistake and most misunderstood setting.
Dumb lesson # 3, I learned that the Dual Wireless Adapters will LOOK FOR MORE THAN ONE NETWORK AT THE SAME TIME, hence the name DUAL.
C) You need to set up your wireless adapters that are dual G & N adapters on each computer to do just that, by going to Control Panel, "Network" or "Network and the Internet", you need to get into the network adapter setting. It is very easy in Windows XP and Windows 7, which is what I use. The web also has good details on doing this.
D) If you have a Wireless Router N router always use security at least WPA2-Personal and give each of your network users the password, set the encryption at "AES". It is easiest to use the same password for 5.0 GHz as well as 2.4GHz. Remember old "B and A" standard adapters don't allow encryption. If you are using Older Network Adapters in your network of computers you can't have a WEP or WPA security password. The old computers and adapters don't allow encryptions and won't be able to connect to you network. My new ESR 9855G router allows up to 4 accounts using the same setup and guest users. I enable an additional account with a simple password for my visiting clients and friends and then uncheck the additional account box when they leave so it doesn't disrupt the 4 users and 2 businesses at my home.
CONTINUEING
Dumb lesson #4, The real reason the N standard is important is the transfer rates and MIMO. MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) refers to the ability of 802.11n and similar technologies to coordinate multiple simultaneous radio signals. MIMO increases both the range and throughput of a wireless network.
Dumb Lesson # 5, My wife would come to visit in my home office (separate building) in the late morning to see how my day was going. When she left my wireless signal disappeared. I was beginning to think she was really from Venus. This went on for 2 months and had me totally baffled. Solution - when she came to visit me in the morning I had my sliding glass door closed to keep the heat in the office. In the late morning after warming up outside, she left my office by opening the sliding glass door and closing the screen door behind her and saying, "enjoy the nice weather outside." My wire screen door was blocking my signal. I went down to the hardware store and replaced my screen with a heavy duty pet screen material made of some tough durable synthetic rubber/fiberglass material and I had my solution and signal back. I also replaced 2 other screen doors in my house, because of this issue. The signal strength did improve significantly.
DUMB MISTAKES WHEN TIRED AND SETTING UP THIS WIRELESS RANGE EXTENDER
Dumb mistake #1, I tried to setup my Wireless ERB9250 Range Expander using the "Manual Configuration," I plugged the LAN connection into the back of the wireless router for a network connection. Then I tried to go to the ISP 192.168.1.2. Wrong you must plug it into the wired LAN connection in the back of your computer's wired LAN connection. I had to reread the booklet. The online booklet doesn't specify this.
Dumb mistake #2, When I resolved my dumb mistake #1, and plugged it into the LAN connection, I went to ISP 192.168.2 and it wouldn't connect. It just said Windows Internet Explorer connection is not available. After scratching my head a few minutes, it dawned on me that I had to connect to the wired LAN (Local Area Network), not the wireless LAN. So I disabled the wireless adapter and allowed the computer to connect to LAN with ISP 192.168.1.2 and then followed the directions in the booklet. Note: it may be easier to print out the setup booklet online at EnGenius web site than to read the small size 6 font in the booklet, especially at night (see the missing note on the...Read more›

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Cisco-Linksys WRE54G Wireless-G Range Expander - REFURBISHED Review

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(More customer reviews)There was a lot of information out there about this product but I decided for $25 (Refurbished) I'd try it. Plugged it in, hit the "auto" button and away it went. It boosted the signal in an outbuilding from "Low" to "Excellent" and seems to be working just fine. I ignored the directions and the CD that came with it and didn't do any of the techno stuff like configuring the Host name, etc, etc. It just worked!

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D Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ Wireless 22MBPS Access Point Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought another one of these to repeat my existing 900AP+'s signal to extend the range of my wireless network. It works great since I set it all up 2 weeks ago. I am not able to go all the way out to my backyard by the pool and still have Internet access on my laptop. This is very convenient when swimming or just laying and you get the urge to look something up on the Internet, but usually you don't because the PC is so far away. Not anymore. I am now able to bring my laptop out with me and maybe watch a DVD outside while I BBQ or just drink with my friends.
The repeater function looks like it only repeats other D-Link products. It also brings the speeds down to 11Mbps when you are connected to the network via the repeater. If you can get a signal with the main AP, then you are able to maintain your 22Mbps speeds.
Everything else about this AP has worked great for me as well and I'd highly recommend it.

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The D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ can be configured to perform in any one of four modes--as a wireless access point, as a point-to-point bridge with another access point, as a point-to-multipoint wireless bridge, or as a wireless client. It also includes an embedded DHCP server that, once enabled, will automatically assign IP addresses to wireless clients. It also eliminates the need for a separate DHCP server on the network. This unique feature is ideal for quickly creating a wireless local area network in offices or other workplaces, or a temporary network at trade shows or other events.
The DWL-900AP+ also features 256-bit WEP encryption for a higher level of security for your data and wireless communications.
The DWL-900AP+ is fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11b standard, making it interoperable with all existing 802.11b-compliant devices. But unlike standard 802.11b access points, its data transfer rate can be up to 20 percent faster. When your wireless network is comprised of other D-Link AirPlus products, such as the DWL-520+ wireless PCI adapter, the DWL-650+ wireless CardBus adapter, and the DI-614+ wireless router--transfer rates can be as high as 22 Mbps.

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Hawking HOWABN1 Hi-Gain Outdoor Wireless-N Multifunction Access Point Review

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(More customer reviews)Great box. The setup can be confusing. Use the utility on the CD to discover it, or plug your laptop straight into the ethernet cable (no switch in between) into the power/ethernet adapater, or try browsing for the SSID or URL (4 ways to hit it).
Try various channels in the wireless setup for finding the best performance: try 3, 7, 11 as 'preferred'.
You can run the ethernet/power cable 300'. I ran 100' with no issue.
The two external antennas are omni, but the internal receive (which talks with your hotspot/base) is unidirectional: face the logo on the main body towards your main wireless (the one you are trying to extend) - so you get the best reception.


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Hawking Technology's HOWABN1 puts multiple solutions into one weather proof outdoor unit. The Hi-Gain Outdoor Wireless-N Multifunction Access Point functions as an Outdoor Wireless-N Access Point, Universal Repeater or Ethernet Bridge. It features a Power over Ethernet connection and includes wall and pole mounting kits for easy installation and setup. Create a wireless network in an outdoor or indoor location by setting the HOWABN1 in Access Point mode. In Access Point mode the HOWABN1 enables wireless access to any existing wired networking. Enable any wired Ethernet-ready device or existing wired network to connect to your existing wireless network using the HOWABN1. Wirelessly connect the network of your remote office building to your main office building easily by setting the HOWABN1 in Bridge Mode. Repeat the wireless signal from your existing network and extend the total wireless range of your network to an outdoor location. Setting up the HOWABN1 in Universal Repeater mode allows you to extend the range from an indoor or outdoor Wi-Fi network to your desired new location.

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Edimax EW-7416APn - Wireless access point - 802.11b/g/n (draft) Review

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(More customer reviews)I highly recommend NOT to buy this product! I lost my Internet while installing the Extender. No service. They do not react on my Emails. I am very disappointed.

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Belkin F5D7132 Wireless-G Universal Range Extender Review

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(More customer reviews)I have shared the same experience as the most helpful reviews here: this is a pain to install when you want to configure this Extender to be secure (so strangers can't mooch off of your internet or worse). On the other hand, once you have it set up, it works like a charm.
It's possible, but prepare to burn an hour or three. I would like to add some instructional steps, which are a variation of the very helpful ones already present here on Amazon.
Dummies Guide on How to set up the Extender with security turned on:
1. Completely ignore the instruction sheet that comes with the product. At first, I tried following it stubbornly despite reading these Amazon reviews, and I found that it is an embarrassment. Shame on you Belkin, for giving us so much unnecessary grief.
2. Find a computer in your home to use for this setup. Any computer (that isn't Vista) will do.
3. If this computer happens to be plugged into your router (I'm not talking about not the Extender), unplug it from the router. If this computer happens to have a wireless connection, disable the wireless connection.
4. Plug in the power cord for the Extender into the wall, then connect an ethernet cord (looks like a fat telephone cord) into the back of the Extender, then stick the other end into your computer. The "LAN" light will now light up. Just in case you're concerned, you can ignore the red "search" light that may blink.
5. Install the "Belkin Range Extender Utility" onto this computer. The installation CD will place a program in your Start->Programs menu once you run the install.
6. Go to start->settings->network connections. At this point the only enabled network connection should be Local Area Network (or Local Connection... the name may differ slightly for you). If anything else is enabled, disable it. Right click Local Area Network and select Properties. You're now looking for a new window to pop up that lists a bunch of internet-sounding words like Network or QoS. Look for the item called Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Double click that.
7. Select manual IP, and enter 192.168.2.100
8. The subnet mask will get filled out automatically. Ignore the gateway. Hit OK, you're finished.
9. Start up the Belkin utility, and hit "refresh" if nothing shows up on the list of detected Extenders. If you're lucky, you will see the Extender show up, and you can now click "Web Management".
10. If no items show up on the Belkin Utility's list, or an item does show up but the "web management" icon is unclickable, then repeat steps 6-9 but enter the IP address 192.168.1.100 instead. Then the Extender should show up.
11. Finally, once you are able to click "Web Management", it will bring you to a webpage that is very much like a Router setup page. The details of what you need to do here can be found in instructional docs on the web elsewhere. The basic idea is that you want to copy pretty much everything over to be identical to what your router settings are. The only exception is possibly the SSID of the Belkin Extender. Depending on your preference, you may want to choose a different name for it just so you can confirm that its really working later on.
12. Save those settings (there's a systems tab at the bottom of the web management panel that allows you to save the settings into a file as a backup).
13. Unplug the Extender from the computer, unplug the power for the Extender, and move the extender to wherever you want. Plug the power back in.
14. Go back to steps 6-9. Remove the manual IP configuration for your Local Area Connection, and revert the panels back to the way they were (which is probably "automatically obtain ip address"). Hit OK. Enable all your network connections if you disabled them in step 6.
15. You should now be able to use your wireless connection to see the Extender under its fresh new SSID. Enjoy.
A version of the above for those that are network-saavy:
1. Disconnect all wireless from your computer, then connect your computer directly to the Extender as if it were a router. Power up the Extender.
2. Manually specify your computer's IP address to be 192.168.2.xxx with subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Yes, I know this step is weird. I'll explain the reason for it in step#4.
3. Install the Belkin Network utility. Its a simple executable. Start it up. It's purpose is to scan for the Extender, provided that your Extender is directly wired to your computer (which we did in step 1).
4. You should see your Extender show up in the utility. If the Extender does not show up or the "Web Management" button is greyed out, this is because your computer and the Belkin Extender are on different subnets. The Belkin Extender is usually shipped from the warehouse hardwired to the IP Address 192.168.2.254. What??? When you plug your computer into the Extender, you need to hardwire your computer to be on the same subnet so the stupid utility will work. Hence, since the factory setting for the Extender is 192.168.2.254, hardwiring your computer's IP to 192.168.2.100 will get the utility to connect to the Extender. However, if for some awful reason your Extender is hardwired to some other IP Address (which is configurable once you get to step#5), you need to change your computer's IP Address to have a value that matches the Extender's new subnet. In other words, if the Extender IP somehow changes to 192.168.5.254, you should change your computer IP address to 192.168.5.100
5. Once you click "Web Management" you can configure the Extender via a browser window. Replicate your router's settings here (they all need to match the original router's, with the exception of the Extender's SSID).
6. Hit Save, then unplug the Extender's power cord and ethernet, and then move it to wherever you would like. Power it up again.
7. Remove your computer's manual IP address. You're now officially done.
*As a note, I had occasional connection problems when I had my Belkin router & extender encryption set to WPA-PSK. I just switched my encryption to WEP and now it is fine. Not everyone has this problem.
Up this review, if you found it useful. I want to see other people spared from the excessive pain the rest of us have already experienced!

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SHARES DATA & PERIPHERALS AS WELL AS A SINGLE INTERNET ACCOUNT AMONG ALL COMPUTERS CONNECTS TO THE NETWORK SWITCH & JOINS WIRELESS-EQUIPPED PCS TO A WIRED ACCESS POINT NETWORK INCREASES THE COVERAGE OF EXISTING WIRELESS NETWORK OF UP TO 1500 FT STANDARD 802.11G54 MB RAMLIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

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TL-WA730RE Wireless Range Extender 150MBPS Ap Mode 1ANTENNA Review

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(More customer reviews)Used this with a TP-Link WL RT TD-W8960N, configuration was a push-button experience. Plug it in, press one button, press the other bitton, and you are good to go with a secure network.

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EnGenius ESR-1221 EXT - Wireless router + 4-port switch - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, 802.11b, 802.11g - external Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been using EnGenius as a wireless router/repeater for over 2 years now and find it very simple to configure and use. Did not have to reset it more than twice in the last 2 years. And the price for which it comes, no other router/repeater can beat it currently in the market. And it's transmission power is great too. So 5 stars from me to EnGenius.

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ASUS RT-N12 Wireless-N Router, Access Point, and Repeater Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The short review is: excellent router, extremely easy to set up, great range, good stability, nice white color, absolutely no complaints.
Here's the longer review:
I took a total risk on this router...there were no reviews on Amazon, I'd never heard of ASUS, and wasn't convinced that ordering it was a good idea. However, the price was right, and I had just spent frustrating hours trying to configure a Netgear route. My previous router, a D-link, had a "known issue" that the manufacturer solved by discontinuing the model's support. So, I thought, let me try this unknown brand and see what happens. If worse comes to worse I'd just return it to Amazon.
WOW was I pleased! Literally, 10 minutes after I had opened it, I had it configured as an access point, had logged into the router from my wireless laptop, and had set up a password to encrypt the network. I've set up maybe 5-7 routers in my life and always dread it... this was by far the easiest experience I've ever had. In the picture on the site, this router looks like it's an ugly grey color. It is a shiny smooth white - think Apple ipod aesthetic - with nice white antennas. Very aesthetically pleasing.
Though the advertising for this router states "diskless setup" it come with an optional setup disk. I did not use it as I wanted to test the advertising's claim...and am pleased to say it's an example of truth in advertising!
I'm also getting very good signal strength, speed and stability...I will DEFINITELY update this review if I run into issues, but overall I'm giving this thing 5 stars (and I almost never give 5 stars because I think everything has room for improvement) because it was so inexpensive and easy to set up, and performs exactly as advertised.
I am using this router as an "access point" which means it is connected via ethernet cable to another router and serves to extend the range of my wireless network. There's a switch on the back that allows you to select access point mode, standard router mode, or bridge/repeater mode.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Update 5/10/2010- still working great... I put some white electricians' tape over the blue LEDs in front as they were too bright, but other than that, no issues at all. I forget it's there - it just works all the time without needing to be unplugged every so often like my other routers.... my wireless devices are always connected to it and don't lose signal. Still a 5-star review.

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Hawking HWREN1 Hi-Gain Wireless-300N Range Extender Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was skeptical about this product due a lack of reviews on the net but decided to take the plunge...
My wireless network consists of a Belkin Wireless N Router (F5D8233-4)using WPA,WPA2 w/ TKIP+AES security and the Hawking range extender has no problem communicating with it.
I chose to forgo the setup CD and went directly to the web interface to set things up. The interface is simple and pretty self explanatory. Out of the box the ip is 192.168.1.240. Login is: admin, pw:1234
Initially I was getting intermittent and/or limited connectivity when trying to connect to the internet; this is usually due to the security/encryption settings so make sure to enter your info carefully to match your parent router exactly. To remedy this here's what apparently worked for me (my security settings were matched up)
-Updated the firmware. Mine came shipped with ver. 1.10 There is a new one out 1.13 that you can find on the Hawking Technology website.
-In the "Advanced Wireless setup" I unchecked the WMM option...possible conflict with parent router?
-Set CTS protect to auto (as suggested in manual)
-Unplug the power for 10 seconds and plug back in.
After that I was all connected!
The am VERY impressed with how much my overall network range has increased, especially considering the 5 or so walls this it has to go through...where there used to be no signal, I have full bars and an excellent signal. In contrast, the belkin g range extender it's replacing did little to improve my range. On a plus note is that you can upgrade the antennas if needed.
Primary use is for my Direct TV HR-21 for VOD. As far as I know there are few marketed "N" options available to do the job...two are:
-Linksys WGA600N- Wireless bridge that reportedly works very well.
-D-Link DAP-1522- includes 4 LAN slots. (I was concerned w/ compatibility issues with my router)
I chose the Hawking because it advertises to work with "any" AP or router and for roughly the same $$ of the Linksys, I can extend the range of my signal too. If I need another LAN port I'll just buy a cheap 10/100 switch.
I can't give it 5 stars because I have no long-term experience with the product.
In short, if you're looking for a "N" WURE solution for your network, give it a try. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
UPDATE 1/15/10...
Well it has been over a year and I am still thoroughly satisfied with this product and has performed flawlessly for me. Over this time I have swapped out my parent router for a D-Link 655 and have added a 10/100 switch to the Hawking to also connect a new PS3 Slim. I am still running the same firmware since I have not had any issues with it; going with the philosophy of, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I'm considering picking up another one when the price is right to further extend my network. On a side note, my apologies for not addressing questions over the year; I didn't select to receive notifications for comments on my review.

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Mini Wireless 3 in 1 Router, Access Point, and Wireless Bridge-WiFi IEEE 802.11n Router, WiFi AP and Bridge Repeater-Power Saving MiFi Firewall Router with Green AP Technology Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a cute little unit -- footprint is only about 3.5" x 2.25" -- which appears to function as advertised, but the software and documentation leave much to be desired. The unit has a switch on the back that puts it into (R)outer mode, (A)ccess point mode, and (W)ireless repeater/bridge mode. It also has two Ethernet jacks on the back, one for the WAN and one for the LAN, though you don't need to use either (depending on the mode). The unit is set up using an Ethernet cable (plugged into the LAN port) and a computer with an internet browser.
If you are a basic user and can work with all the default settings, it might just work fine for you -- but I haven't tested the unit this way.
I use a non-broadcasted SSID, encryption, and never use the default IP addresses assigned to routers. So it took a lot of time fiddling and struggling with the software to get everything set up the way I like it.
Pros:
- very compact unit, nice design
- very compact power supply; can run power off a USB 2.0 cable too
- works in multiple modes
- supports 802.11b, g, n
- inexpensive
Cons:
- documentation is minimal (Quick setup guide) with no additional documentation available from the Sapido website
- when you switch modes using the hardware switch, the unit reverts back to default settings. It would have been nice if it saved different settings for each mode. However you can manually save the configuration settings to your hard drive, and reupload them later, if needed.
- software is very slow -- takes 25 seconds or longer to save most changes
- tricky to change the unit's IP address, and when you succeed, you need to wait about 2 min before you can access the unit's software again (hint: on the IP Config/LAN page, put the unit in "Server" mode in order to change the IP address, save the changes, then put it back into "Client" mode. Do not use "Disable" mode since it seems to disable the ability to use the unit's software altogether.)
- once the unit is operating as a Wireless repeater or bridge, you can no longer access the unit's software so you can't make any further changes (unless you reset the unit and lose all your settings). Hopefully this isn't the case in the (R) and (A) modes.
- I have my unit set up as a wireless repeater, and Internet access seems fast enough (I have full 54 mbps in 802.11g mode), but access to my server is much slower than when I'm hooked up wirelessly to my wireless router. I don't know if this is a problem with all wireless repeaters, or some other issue that can be debugged.
Overall, it took me longer than usual to set this little unit up, particularly due to the long "save" cycles, but now that it's up and running it seems to work ok.


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D-Link DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point w/SNMP, 802.11a/g, 108Mbps Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It had the latest firmware and wireless protocols installed, and the web-based configuration interface has well organized pages of setup options. The Help pages are actually helpful. As with any networking device it is good to be a little familiar with TCP/IP so you can handle minor annoyances like giving your computer a temporary static IP address in the same subnet range as the DWL-7100AP so you can communicate with it during configuration (This is explained in the manual). Afterwards, I was able to change my computer back to dynamic IP addressing, and still access the configuration pages of the DWL-7100AP. It will work just fine right out of the box with default settings, but as with any wireless access point, better security can be had by creating your own SSID name, disabling broadcast of the SSID, changing the default user ID and password, using MAC filtering so that only your computers will be accepted by the access point, and enabling data encryption. The DWL-7100AP allows you to use two kinds of WPA encryption, which is much more secure than WEP. I highly recommend this product and it's well-written manual. Some users report having their connection dropped frequently. I found that interference from 2.4 Gigahertz portable telephones in my house was the culprit for dropped connections on the 802.11g band, which is in the same frequency band as the phones. Since I switched to the 802.11a band (5 Gigahertz) I very seldom have dropped connections from the DWL-7100AP.

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D-Link, the networking industry leader, delivers another innovative and versatile solution in wireless connectivity with the D-Link AirPremierTM DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point. This dual-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz), tri-mode (802.11a, b, g) Access Point provides the most bandwidth coverage available in an AP. Multiple wireless clients can connect to the DWL-7100AP using both A and G wireless standards and any of its 11 non-overlapping channels to transfer data at speeds of up to 108 Mbps. Network Administrators can easily integrate various wireless managements with the DWL-7100AP Wireless Distribution System (WDS), offering modes in AP, Point-to-Point Bridge, Point-to-Multipoint Bridges, AP Client, and Repeater, allowing users to gain controls beyond a sole AP.

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Hawking HWREG1 Wireless G Range Extender Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this Hawking HWREG1 repeater after a miserable experience with the Linksys repeater. The Hawking unit works perfectly and was very easy to configure. It truly was a 10 minute deal from start to finish. It is extending my Linksys WRT54G wireless network using WPA encryption. You assign the Hawking unit a second SSID (I called mine EXTEND) and then your computer will connect to what it "thinks" is a second wireless network, but everything continues to operate as if you are still on the same network.
I placed this unit on a table that is about half way between the original router and the room with low signal. It is small, and you can easily locate it in an out of the way area. When I use my laptop in the far corner of my house, the original linksys network is still visible as it always was, with a very low signal level. But the EXTEND network has a strong signal, and I just connect to it.
Once connected, you are assigned an IP address from the ORIGINAL Linksys router, and you can ping and communicate with all other devices on your network, even if they are connected to the original network instead of the repeater. So everything continues to work and operate like one network, including shared folders on other computers, printers, etc. I am 100% satisfied with this repeater.
Linksys repeater comparison:
The problem I had with the Linksys WAP54G in repeater mode is that it simply does not work with WPA encryption. It only works with WEP encryption, or no encryption at all. Note that the Linksys website and documents claim that the repeater is compatible with WPA. I can assure you that as of September 2006, up to version 3.04 firmware, the WAP54G access point/repeater does NOT work with WPA encryption. After spending 30 days emailing Linksys tech support back and forth, you will finally be escalated to an engineer that will admit that it doesn't yet work correctly with WPA, but they hope to have it fixed soon! They even sent me some beta firmware, but it did not work with WPA either. Don't waste your time with Linksys, get this HWREG1 Hawking instead. It is easier to configure than Linksys, and works with WPA. Highly recommended.


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