Buffalo Technology AirStation High Power N300 Wireless Router & AP WHR-HP-G300N (Black)
by BUFFALO
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: BUFFALOAudio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD-ROM
Platform: Windows XP
Model: WHR-HP-G300N
Product features:
- For Windows® 7, Windows Vista® (32-bit), Windows® XP, Windows® 2000
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Buffalo Technology AirStation High Power N300 Wireless Router & AP WHR-HP-G300N (Black)
Customer Review: Nice Access Point but Difficult to Setup
Summary: 4 Stars
BACKGROUND - I'll provide some background so that people can put my comments in context. First, I have what I consider an average understanding of computers and home network technology. I wired my house with a Cat 5e ethernet system. My home network now includes 3 desktops, 1 netbook, 2 laptops, iPods, network printer, network attached storage device (2TB RaidX), patch panel, 8-port switch, router, and cable modem. The patch panel, switch, router, and modem are located in a panel in the basement where all my computer, video, and phone cables originate. With the recent addition of the netbook and ipods, I decided to add a wireless access point for greater mobility. I wanted a device with good range, data transfer capacity, and security. I couldn't care less about "peripheral" features that are often bundled with todays routers such as the NAS capabilities. Keep that in mind with respect to my evaluation of this product.
On a side note, I have operated on Windows XP and found it a real struggle to manage all the various permissions between different users and devices. I am in the process of upgrading to Windows 7 and find the network features much easier. If you have an extensive home network, Windows 7 is worth the upgrade.
APPEARANCE - Now for the Buffalo Nfinity WHR-HP-G300N router. It came well-packaged. It's a really nice looking device and can be positioned horizontally or vertically. I give it a rating of 5 stars for looks.
EXTERNAL SWITCH (AUTO MODE) - It's advertised as a router and wireless access point. This is important, because not all routers can function as access points. Furthermore, one of the advertised features is an external switch that allows users to switch the device as a router, access point, or "auto." Theoretically, "auto" is supposed to detect the present of a router or modem and then the Nfinity G300N will function as an access point. I don't think I was able to get it to work because when I tried auto, the Nfinity G300N never disabled it's router functions. You cannot have two devices on one network trying to assign IP addresses to other devices connected on the network. It doesn't work.
EXTERNAL SWITCH (AP MODE) - Then I switched the router to the Access Point (AP) mode figuring that it would turn-off the Nfiniti's router function. That didn't work either. I don't think the external switch is much of a feature because in the end, you have to learn how to identify IP addresses, switch the router from from a dynamic to static IP address, and assign a static IP address that is compatible with your router or modem. There's no getting around it. Like I said, I have an average technical level and ultimately could not figure it out despite referring to the online user manual and various web-site suggestions. In the end, I ended up calling the Buffalo Technologies technical support phone line.
SETUP SOFTWARE - For my application, I found the setup software on the enclosed CD to be useless. It really assumes a simple installation like plugging it in and using it as a router. If that's your type of installation, then the setup software might be the best thing since sliced bread.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT LINE - The Buffalo Technical Support line on the other hand, was very helpful. Be prepared for a long wait (30-45 minutes), but the wait was worth it. The person I talked to was very knowledgeable and spoke English. I'm guessing that he was actually located within the U.S. which I almost consider a bonus since so much technical support is overseas. The technical support phone line was responsible for my giving technical support 4 stars. If I only considered the software or internet user manual I would have rated technical support as 2 or maybe 3 (at best).
HOW TO SETUP AS AN ACCESS POINT - The Technical Support representative walked me through the setup of the router. We did not use the software. Since I didn't find the software or user manual useful to help setup the Nfinity G300N as an access point, I'll try to summarize what we did in case you're one of the unfortunate people like me who are relatively ignorant about manipulating IP addresses to setup an access point.
1. Get important system information about your primary router or modem. Windows 7: Click the "start" icon in the lower left corner > control panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > and then click "See full map" under the heading "View your basic network information and setup connections." Move your pointer over the device icon labeled "Gateway". You'll see a number that looks something like 192.168.X.X. This is an IP address. I learned that the first digits "192.168" are industry standard for private networks. However the "X.X" are different between home networks and "X" may generally be one, two, or three digit numbers.
2. Open a web browser. Type the Gateway IP address (192.168.X.X) into the browser address bar. A Windows Security window should open asking for a username and password that you previously setup to get into your primary router or modem setup software. It will depend on who makes your router or modem but there should be something like a "status" menu option. In my case, I clicked on "Status" and then on "System Data." I wonderful summary window appears that shows LAN and Internet IP information. The important number your looking for is the DHCP range. Your router or modem has a LAN IP address and then will assign addresses to other devices on your network in a given range which means the second "X" referenced above will range between two numbers. Record this range because when you assign a static IP address to the Buffalo Nfinity it will need to be in this range. On my first attempt, I assigned a static IP that was outside the range of my primary router so I had to go into my router setup and change my router's range so my router could "see" the Nfinity Wireless Access Point.
3. Reset the Nfinity G300N using the reset button. This undid all the changes I made during previous attempts to set it up and restored factor defaults. If you haven't messed with your router, you may not need to do this.
4. Set the external Nfinity G300N switch to AP mode (switch is in the "off" position).
5. Plug in the Nfinity G300N power and connect it to the computer with an ethernet cable. Make sure the ethernet cable is plugged into Nfinity's LAN port and not the WAN (blue) port. This also means, the your computer is no longer connected to your network and is "focused" on setting up your Nfinity G300N.
6. Open another browser window. Type the IP address for Nfinity's setup page. This might be the most useful information I got from the software disc. The default IP address from Buffalo Technologies was 192.168.11.1 for my device. Type the default into the browser address window and the Buffalo DD-WRT setup window should appear. My setup window was a grey and red color scheme.
7. The first time you login, you might need to create a username and password. After changing the username and password, you should end up on the "Setup-Basic" screen. Under the "WAN Connection Type", click "disable" to disable "Automatic Configuration - DHCP". Scroll down to "Network Setup" information and enter a Local IP Address for the Nfinity. Remember, this is going to be 192.168.X.X where X.X puts the Nfinity in range of your primary router. The first "X" will be a number identical to that of your primary router or modem. The second "X" will be a number that is in the range of numbers that will be assigned by your primary router or modem. Then enter your Gateway IP address from you router or modem. The "Local DNS IP" address will be all zeros in most cases. Scroll further down to "Network Address Server Settings (DHCP)" and make sure that the DHCP server is "disabled." Scroll to the bottom and click "Apply Settings."
8. Click on "Wireless" heading on the Buffalo setup homepage. Then go to "Basic Settings" subheading and change Wireless Network Name (SSID) to something you like. Don't make it too cute or interesting which might encourage hackers. Make sure SSID Broadcast is enabled. It should be. Then click on "Wireless Security" subheading which is next to the "Basic Settings" subheading. The Buffalo Tech Rep had me change Security Mode to "WPA Personal", change WPA Algorithms to "AES", and change the WPA Shared Key (which is the password used to enter the network wirelessly. Use a pretty difficult password. Click "Apply Settings."
9. I unplugged my new Nfinity G300N and moved it to a central location where I already had an ethernet jack installed. Make sure that the Nfinity Wireless Access Point is connected to your network by a LAN port and not the WAN (blue) port.
SUMMARY - I'm happy to say that despite much frustration with setup, the Bufflo Nfinity G300N is working fantastic as a wireless access point with great range. And it's sleek and sexy looking as well. I can only wonder why Buffalo Technologies doesn't post a video on their web site that shows exactly what their Technical Representative went over with me. It probably would have saved a phone call to their support line.
I hope I accurately captured my notes from my call to Buffalo Technologies and that you find my notes helpful. I cannot make an open-ended claims that my settings will ultimately work for you but hopefully my comments will help.
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Description of Buffalo Technology AirStation High Power N300 Wireless Router & AP WHR-HP-G300N (Black)
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