Best Wifi access point, not Belkin or Linksys, read on...

[Jons]

Hi

Just thought I'd feeback on a couple of wireless access points if you're considering buying one. These boxes just bridge wireless and wired on your LAN. So, the box should forward an IP lease to a client laptop for example, just like the laptop was wired in.

Anyway, we tried this box:

BELKIN Wireless G access point/range extender.

This item works until you add more wireless clients. Then the box freezes. Six purchased, all same problem. Sometimes the box locks during boot up. Firmware would fix the problem, but Belkin has not release any in 10 months. Unbelievable. Software does not work. Don't buy.
(Designed for home use - we kept 1 with 1 laptop. After a week or so it locked up too, and this is with WEP, WSK or none.)

LINKSYS WAP54G

This performs very well with numerous clients at once (15). However, they invented a one-touch-button-setup-security gimmick called SES.
And, would you believe it, the unit changes the SSID (the broadcast wireless network name) to LINKSYS_SES_XXXX (where XXXX is 4 random numbers).
So all your laptops will not log on.

It's bizarre, and we sent it back after trying to flash the firmware back to 2.8 from 3.5 (2.8 - no SES) and it died.
We sent it back.

Ordered now a Netgear WG602. So let's see how that goes...

[Michael]

I can highly recommend the HP Access Point 10ag

Also supports PoE, if your switches support it.

[localzuk]

The HP Procurve 420 wireless access point is superb - we have 2 in our school and they are reliable as can be. PoE powered too.

[K.C.Leblanc]

The HP Procurve 420 wireless access point is superb - we have 2 in our school and they are reliable as can be. PoE powered too.

We've got loads, they're really good. Just set them up and forget about them. I havn't even had to reset one in the last year.

[Grommit]

I find the Buffalo is da bomb... Belkin and Netgear don't have the range or power,,

[meastaugh1]

I went through a phase of purchasing Netgear equipment for non-core network kit, but am happy with Procurve too now.

[plexer]

I have 20 something 420's deployed never seen that 10ag one before.

Ben

[Geoff]

We have Buffalos, however we flashed the firmware with DD-WRT. Making them much more reliable/featureful.

[Jons]

Yes but how much are we talking for thos Procurves? And the others, prices please!

[farmerste]

i have found the apple airport extreme to be reliable, but it doesn't have a web based admin utility, you have to install software to change any settings.
still its good for the price.

[Geoff]

Yes but how much are we talking for thos Procurves? And the others, prices please!

The ProCurves are around £200.

[wagnerk]

We use the 3com Unified Wireless switch and WAP's. They have a web interface and have had relatively no problems with them.

-Ken

[Michael]

The HP Wireless Access 10ag comes in at around £80 - £90 each if you shop around. They're excellent little devices! These also have an easy to use web interface.

[Jons]

OK I installed the Netgear WG602 and it works a treat for 15 laptop clients over WPA-PSK.

I will monitor it to see if it crashes or not!

The user interface was very quick over the browser (and the reset), with the supplied ethernet cable working as a cross-over (PC-unit) or normal.

Hey, it's really nice

[Grommit]

I have 20 something 420's deployed never seen that 10ag one before.

Ben

Why? just put 4 high powered ones up high around the site.. NESW and it should cover everywhere..