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. Edited February 24, 2008 by meastaugh1

[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.

[Kitkatninja]

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..

[Dragon]

For those using the HP 420, could you tell me how many you have per number of laptops.

[PEO]

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.

 

same here for our 3com's fannytastic

[mrforgetful]

What's the range of those 420s?

 

Sports are wanting a little wireless network and there are three adjoining classrooms that so it doesn't need to be a massive range. Plus the classrooms have like paperthin walls.

[flashsnaps]

Anyone ever had any problems with netgears?

 

I use them at home and at work, I think they are wicked!

[Duds]

Just ordered a Netgear Rangemax Next for a trial in the boarding houses.

 

I'm not interested in security, it's going to be open access I'm more concerned with range, reliability and the need to handle perhaps 20 concurrent connections.

 

I was going to go for the Procurve 10g but the suppliers wireless expert recommends the Netgear.

 

The 10g's are going for two for the price of one at some vendors and I thought there might be a reason for that... i.e. they aren't very good.

[flashsnaps]

I've always recommended netgear, as they have always been effcient - then again I have never used any other brand, except some foreign wireless Router which talktalk are dishing out to customers at the moment, I configured it for my parents.

[sahmeepee]

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

 

We have Linksys WRT54GL APs with DD-WRT on. Works a treat and lets you monitor them with RFlow Collector (or presumably other packages that understand Cisco Netflow format). We haven't noticed any stability problems running at the factory transmit levels.

[FragglePete]

I can highly recommend the HP Access Point 10ag

 

Also supports PoE, if your switches support it.

 

Can I just say that Misco have the HP Procurve 10ag on special at the moment! Buy one, get one free!

 

Considering they are £90 each normally this has got to be a bargain, just had four delivered for my school.

 

Pete

[Michael]

Thanks for the heads up FragglePete

[gwendes]

Another vote for Belkin running DD-WRT