Linksys WAP54G Wireless-G Access Point
See it at Amazon.com for $78.44Average Customer Rating
(3.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
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(4 out of 5)Easy Conversion to Wireless from Wired Network
I have a SOHO that uses a wired 10/100 switched network. Already part of this network is a Linksys single port Cable / DSL Router. When it came time to make the jump to wireless, the WAP54G seemed the logical choice, as I would not have to reconfigure anything on my existing network. For the record, I selected the WUSB54G and WPC54G adapters for two different purposes. Look for reviews on those items posted separately.
I had no trouble installing my original piece of Linksys gear. Now, since Cisco acquired Linksys, this effortless installation is even easier. The software installed seamlessly and I was able to modify the default settings, to match my network and increase security, occurred without any problem. A nice touch is the included patch cord to perform the initial setup. If you have a single port Cable / DSL Router already on your wired network, simply plug the other end of the patch cable into any open port on your switch or hub and the WAP54G will establish communication.
One small item left out of the manual was how to access the Web based administration interface. For first time installers, this may be critical. You need to open you web browser by entering the IP address for the Access Point. Once there, you can access the proper screens to assign a static IP address, strongly advised, and set any key options.
If you are not familiar with WEP Keys, these are electronic codes that keep your network private. While not as fool proof as wired security, they do go a long way to keeping strangers from using your network. If you create a key, keep a hard copy somewhere secure but handy. Like any password, treat them as a guarded secret. If you enable WEP Keys on the access point, any network adapters must be supplied with the key before a connection can be established.
Once the Access Point is configured, place it a good location and your done. Now you only need to add a wireless network adapter to any PC and your good to go. One nice feature is this model is also compatible with the 802.11b spec and will handle the slower traffic of this spec. With the 802.11g adapters, the network will send traffic at the full 54 Mb/sec for that spec.
Bottom line: nice price, nice performance and painless installation.
(5 out of 5)Excellent WAP -- 802.11g Linksys Rocks!
I plugged this WAP54G into my existing home network, slapped the Linksys PCMCIA card into my laptop, and I was up and running in unsecure mode immediately. I then had no problem enabling MAC address filter, 128-bit WEP, and the SSID Change for security. It was a piece of cake. I flashed the firmware to the latest version and have had no issues. I consistently link up at 36 Mbps to 54 Mbps.
The thing screams. I can't tell the difference between file transfers across my 100 Mbit home network and file transfers across this wireless network. The speed and range are fantastic.
I read the other reviews and I am surprised that this is the same product being reviewed. I have been in the I/T industry for almost 10 years and I researched wireless security for a year before buying -- and this product is fantastic.
(4 out of 5)Some initial setup problems but works as advertised!
I'm using the unit in a REPEATER mode. My house have 3 floors and my router (WRT54G) is located in the basement. I get a signal of 11 Mbps on the sec flr using a centrino powered notebook. The signal would drop to 1 Mbps after some use and the only way to get the signals back is to to reboot the notebook for some reason or go to the first flr. Hence, decided to get this unit and use it as a repeater.
Steps that worked for me are as follows:
1. Disable any security you have on the router (I'm using WEP) and enable SSID broadcast prior to any configuration .
2. Configure the unit using the setup disk and provided the ff:.
- provided a different SSID (or you can provide the same SSID) with enabled broadcast.
- no encription
- the same transmission channel (Chan 11) as with my router
- new password
3. Exited program setup. Run browser and connect to the AP interface using the default address http://192.168.1.245
4. Configured the AP in REPEATER MODE placing my router's wireless MAC address as the repeated source signal.
5. Saved the setup.
6. Test if working by removing the wire behind the AP. On your PC/Notebook, open up a command window (START,RUN, type in "cmd" and click [OK]). Type in "ping 192.168.1.245" and press [ENTER]. You should see something like "Reply from 192.168.1.245 bytes=32 time=3ms TTL=225". If you get a "Request timed out." then that means your AP cannot be seen in your network and was not configured successfully go through STEP#1 again.
7. If successful, you need to enable security back (NOTE: At this point, the AP is running stand alone with no wires connected at the back from the router). Since I'm using WEP, connect to the AP using a browser at http://192.168.1.245. Go to wireless security and enable WEP and add the key codes and save your setup.
8. Now enable security back on the router with same key as you have on the AP and save your setup.
9. Test connection again by running STEP#6.
10. Place the AP where you want it to.
11. With a wireless PC/Notebook, scan for wireless networks. You should see the new SSID as well as the old one. Connect to it so that your PC/Notebook would save that information.
12. Connect to your AP, disable SSID broadcast, save setup.
13. Connect to your roter, disable SSID broadcast, save setup.
14. You're done!
I placed the WAP54G on the third floor. After all is said and done, my signal was boosted to 45 Mbps (max at 54 Mbps). Works like a charm!!!
NOTE:
- These procedures is specifically if you want to configure your AP as a REPEATER.
- If you configure the AP with WEP security on the get go, you will never be able to get it to work!! I spent hours on this to no avail.
- You can use the same SSID. I used a different one because I want to see what wireless unit I am connecting to when i transfer from floor to floor.
(2 out of 5)Buy the AirPort Extreme instead
Connecting a single 802.11b client drops the entire network to 802.11b speed, according to CNet's review of the item (which another person here mentioned). That's disappointing, to say the least. Most people buying 802.11g probably have some 802.11b equipment already. So without the ability to support mixed networks well, this is just an overpriced 802.11b access point.
In contrast, an AirPort Extreme base station will continue to give 802.11g cards faster connections than 802.11b ones, according to Apple's knowledgebase document 107372. This difference is more than enough to justify the AirPort Extreme base station's higher price.
(4 out of 5)It's the specification
Some other reviews are complaining that if there are 802.11b and 802.11g cards in the area, the access point drops to 802.11b speeds only. This is NOT the fault of the router or access point. The 802.11g specification requires that behaviour. The Apple AirPort Extreme does the same thing according to the fine print on their web site.
So...if you want g speeds you need to convert all of your equipment to g cards...or maybe have a b and a g access point.