Cisco-Linksys WAP54G Wireless-G Access Point
by Linksys
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WAP54G Wireless-G Access Point
Customer Review: Some initial setup problems but works as advertised!
Summary: 4 Stars
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:
01. Disable any security you have on the router (I'm using WEP) and enable SSID broadcast prior to any configuration .
02. 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
03. Exited program setup. Run browser and connect to the AP interface using the default address [...]
04. Configured the AP in REPEATER MODE placing my router's wireless MAC address as the repeated source signal.
05. Saved the setup.
06. 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.
07. 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 [...]
Go to wireless security and enable WEP and add the key codes and save your setup.
08. Now enable security back on the router with same key as you have on the AP and save your setup.
09. 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.
UPDATE 031810
The unit I believe is starting to die on me. My internet access will get cut off all of a sudden and it has been happening frequently (like 4-5 times a week). I have to unplug then plug it back to make it function again. I might upgrade my system to the WRT610N and WAP610N soon.
UPDATE 033110
I decided to get a new WAP54G instead since reading through the WAP610N manual, there is no provision for a REPEATER mode. I placed the old one on the first floor. So now, I have the WRT54G on the basement, my old WAP54G on the first floor and my new WAP54G (with a NETGEAR 5 port switch connected to it) on the 3rd floor. I noticed that with the new one, my web browsing is a lot faster compared to the old one!
UPDATE 041110
So I had the NEW WAP54G for a couple of days since my last update and I still had the same problem of getting disconnected intermittently. I tried shutting down the OLD unit totally but the issue persists with the new unit so it looks like the AP is not the problem. Now, my IPOD TOUCH 32GB 3Gen needed repair and has been out of commission since last Friday 04/09 (bought this last January). And guess what? I have had no problems with my WIFI connection since then (both APs running). I have to see if the replacement Ipod screws up my wifi connection again but I do think I found out the culprit for my WIFI issues.
UPDATE 042510
I got my new replacement Ipod Touch a week ago. My WIFI failure started again but not as frequent. Now, I always turn off the Ipod's Wifi when I'm not using it. I guess I'm stuck with it.
UPDATE 072610
When I got the IOS 4 software update for the Ipod Touch, my WIFI issues disappeared. :)
Customer Review: Linksis WAP54G Wireless Access Point - version THREE
Summary: 5 Stars
Individuals should really specify which hardware version they're reviewing. There have been at least three versions of the WAP54G, with reviews for all evidently (based on review dates) lumped together here. This review is for the latest hardware version (3.1).
The current WAP54G has been set up to function right out of the box using the default settings. In other words, most wireless devices should connect without any changes, as my two netbooks did. However, to avoid confusion with other nearby wireless networks (the neighbor, etc), you'll want to change your wireless network's name (SSID). Likewise, to avoid any unauthorized intrusions or snooping, you'll want to change the default password ("admin") and add data encryption.
The easiest way to do this is to run the Setup Wizard CD on a computer connected to your wired network. The Setup Wizard will take you step-by-step through each process with explanations and occasional advice (this is better, write this down, etc). If you want to run the Setup Wizard on your computer without the CD, simply copy the folder from the CD to your "Program Files" folder and add shortcuts to the "Start" menu. Delete the folder and shortcuts to uninstall.
Another setup method, assuming the client device you're connecting also has this capability, is to use the SecureEasySetup feature. Run the Setup Wizard and follow the on-screen instructions. At some point, you'll press the SecureEasySetup buttons on both devices (the glowing "Cisco Systems" logo on the WAP54G and wherever on the client) and the SSID (network name) and WPA-Personal (WPA-PSK) key will be generated on their own. You'll see the result in the Setup Wizard. Only one SecureEasySetup device is allowed. Other devices must be set up manually (previous paragraph). By the way, if a client device does not have this capability, it's probably a good idea to stay well away from the SecureEasySetup button on the front of the WAP54G.
With no experience with the WAP54G and very little experience with wireless networking, I was quickly able (using Setup Wizard) to connect the WAP54G to my wired network (two PC's, D-Link switch, & broadband router) and set up a secured (WPA-PSK) wireless network including two ASUS EeePC 1000HE netbooks. The entire process took less than an hour (much easier than expected), most of that time spent carefully reading the manual or on-screen instructions in the Setup Wizard and testing the settings.
There were a couple of small surprises. For example, after I initially connected to the WAP54G as described in the second paragraph above (no security, etc), the netbook obviously no longer connected after security was added and I could not figure out how to get out of the original wireless connection. Luckily, after double-clicking on that connection in the "View Available Wireless Networks" screen, Windows XP decided it was a bad connection and deleted it. When I refreshed the network list, there was my desired wireless network.
After everything was set up, I roamed around the house with each netbook to check the wireless signal strength and test internet access. House is a modern cement split-level with main floor entrance and downstairs facing rear fenced yard. Signal strength is very good or better throughout, with the only weak spot (poor signal) on the toilet in the main floor bathroom - behind a metal washer & dryer roughly 45-feet from the WAP54G with five cement walls between. However, I was still able to access the internet. Moving the netbook out from behind the washer & dryer increased signal strength to very good.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with the Linksis WAP54G. The blue faceplate isn't very attractive and it's a bit too easy to accidently press the SecureEasySetup button, but I was able to accomplish what I want without any major fuss and wireless range is pretty good with no disconnects so far.
Customer Review: Linksys WAP54G works as repeater with WRT54G
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this to provide access from my 3rd floor to a WRT54G router that moved from our 2nd floor to 1st floor when we switched from DSL to Comcast cable. Installation took a little longer than I expected, but total was less than an hour to get it all set up.
Once installed, there have been no problems at all. Like all Linksys products I've used, it just keeps working perfectly. The WAP54G provides a strong, excellent signal, very good on 3rd floor, and also good on 1st floor in our kitchen.
One point to note: the download speed has been a little lower, like 6MB on the WAP54G repeater, instead of 12MB on the WRT54G router connection; upload speed seems the same on both. In other words, no visible difference (at 6MB download, our browsing life is pretty sweet!).
Quick summary of steps to install; I followed what "my sources" said to do, instructions at these two links:
[...]
[...]
1. BEFORE hooking up the new WAP54G: Start with login to the WRT54G router (http://192.168.1.1/ is typical IP address) to get the wireless MAC address (use the one under Status/Wireless, NOT the under Status/Router). Also get the wireless channel number and SSID (name of your wireless router).
After you have the MAC address, wireless channel number, and SSID:
2. I disconnected my laptop from the wireless network.
3. I reset the router (plug it in to power, hold down the reset button in back with pencil point, and watch until Act light on front flickers and then goes out), then unplug the power.
4. Now from your favorite web browser on your PC/Laptop navigate to http:--192.168.1.245.
5. On the PC/laptop, open network connections for LAN and config TCP/IP to a specific IP address: 192.168.1.240 / 255.255.255.0. No DNS or gateway settings need to be set at this time.
6. Plug in cable between PC/laptop ethernet connection (RJ45 jack, the usual one for network connecting) and the port on the back of the WAP54G.
7. Plug in power to the WAP54G.....wait until lights come on, Power, Act, Link.
8. Navigate laptop browser to http:--192.168.1.245 and you'll get a linksys login screen...leave the User Name blank, and enter "admin" as password.
9. At this point, you are configuring the WAP54G with the wireless MAC address, channel number, and SSID saved from the WRT54G router in step 1.
10. On the main page of the Web interface, change the channel number to the same one the WRT54G uses (5 in our case). As with all chgs, click save and continue.
11. Click "AP Mode", select the "Wireless Repeater" radio button, and enter the WRT54G's wireless MAC address (from step 1).
12. Click "Password" and change the default password (I changed to same as used for WRT54G router). After save/continue, use the new password to get back to the admin interface in browser.
13. Finally, click "Basic Setup" and change the SSID (I used a different name from WRT54G router, adding a "2" to end of name, so that we could decide manually which to connect to from various points in our home. You may want to use the same name as router--supposed to be seamless--but I preferred unambiguous knowledge of which one used).
14. If you use only MAC filtering for security (which I do, enough for our little home network), you are finished as MAC filtering is automatically "inherited" from the WRT54G. If you use WAP/WEP security, follow the rest of the instructions from the links above.
15. Finally, disconnect the cable between PC/laptop and WAP54G. And reset your network connection (step 5) for LAN, config TCP/IP, back to DHCP or whatever you were using.
Customer Review: Using as a repeater? Read this
Summary: 1 Stars
(Note: Amazon has deleted certain key info from my review. Since they don't edit comments, read the comment below for the missing info.)
After reading through many reviews here, and struggling all day to get this unit running as range extender/repeater, it looks like the negative reviews are mostly from people trying to use it as a repeater. Apparently, if you're just using it as a wireless router, it seems to work fine. In fact, the setup disk and the PDF instructions deal only with that use of the product. If you want to use it to extend the range of your signal, Linksys leaves you without any instruction whatever, despite a blurb on the box stating you can use it as a repeater.
Luckily, another reviewer (Pinoy in NJ) was kind enough to detail just how he got the unit to work as a repeater. Definitely start there. A few additional comments:
- If you are on a Mac, the installation disk won't run. If you're trying to set up a repeater, the disk is useless anyway. So are the instructions on the PDF file.
- You need to have the unit hooked up via the included CAT5 cable to your existing router, or you won't get anywhere. Once you have "programmed" the unit, you will be able to disconnect it, and place it elsewhere in the house.
- After attaching the unit to your router, go into your Internet browser and type "[...]". This calls up the setup menu. The login is blank, the password is Admin, unless you changed it.
-Type "[...]" to bring up the setup page for your WRT54G router (unless you have a different router)
-From the WRT54G pages, you need to find the MAC address. It's in the tab "Status", third line down on that page. Write this down.
-On the WAP54G page, click the Setup tab, then the AP Mode subtab. Select the third option, Repeater. Enter the Mac address from the previous step.
-I disabled all security, since I couldn't get it to work. Sorry I can't help you there. It was something of a miracle when the thing worked at all. If someone wants to camp out at the curb with a laptop browsing [...], more power to them!
-Make sure both the router and the Access Point are tuned to the same channel.
At this point, you should be able to disconnect the cable, and still be able to ping the AP using the [...] address. Try accessing the Internet now using a wireless computer somewhere in the house.
Wish I could be more specific, but honestly, I found myself repeating the same actions over and over, and it seemed to work finally for no apparent reason. I list the main points above, as these seem to be key.
What I wish Linksys (or someone) would sell is a Repeater. You would plug it in to the power (no cable at all), and it would sense the wireless network. Pop in a setup disk, configure the settings and security, and you're done. It doesn't work that way at all.
Instead, Linksys provides a button (it looks like the Cisco logo) that blinks furiously for five minutes, and seems to do nothing but change the SSID. It's SUPPOSED to "automatically" set things up, and maybe it does with a newer version of the router (WRT54G), but not mine. There is lots of opinion about the SSID (do they need to match, should you broadcast the SSID). People report that it changes by itself, which means your connection will drop until you pick the new SSID in your Network Connections.
All this just to boost the signal to a room at the end of the hall. Linksys needs to make this a MUCH easier process somehow. If someone like me, an IT person with 20 years experience with computers, struggles for a full day to get it to work, there's a problem. No more Linksys for me!
Customer Review: Used as an Access Client (wireless bridge) need Two of these.
Summary: 4 Stars
I wanted to connect a wired computer to my wireless network, so I bought one of these, and a WRT54G router (which I needed anyway) which claims to act like a Access Point (it does but..), spent several hours attempting to configure it. Then used the on line linksys help (via the web) and then was told that in Access Client mode, this device will only connect to another WAP54G device. So bought the second one, configured the first to be an access Point, and the second one to be an access client. (pretty quickly as I'm now very familiar with the web based interface) And it works!
First, it's a bit unnerving because have to configure each of the two devices one at a time using a computer attached to your router. Be sure to set the IP address to different numbers. And you have to use WEP encription, no other option appears to work. And once you have both with seperate IP addresses you can configure everything but setting the AP CLient mode. Do that last with just the client mode box attached to your router.
Then to test it, first disconnect the AP Client from the router, then be sure that the other Access Point is connected and reachable (bring up the web page), then disconnect your computer from the router, and plug it into the AP Client box. It should work.
A couple of notes, the AP Client works with the WRT54G router/Access Point IFF you turn all the encryption off. (This is why I spent so much time before calling in the online help. I kept thinking I had it set up correctly, then turning up the security levels and having it fail....) Of course I do not recommend this mode at all. Which makes me wonder why you can't make a WRT54G do the right thing, but you can't. And there is a diagram on the linksys website which shows the correct configuration. It just took me several looks to understand exactly what it saying. (that the WRT54G in access point mode is not equivalent to a WAP54G).
Second, skip the stupid installation CD, go to the linksys site and find out the default IP address, and configure it using that.
Third, look up the suggestions for increasing the security for your wireless network, and configure your boxs appropriately once you have it working on your test machine. (turn off SSID broadcast, disable configuration management from wireless devices, change the password etc.)
Be sure to use a different channel than your other wireless router. (I still wanted to connect a different computer wirelessly to the WRT54G) And use the search for networks scan to see what channels the neighbors are using and pick a different one from them too if possible.
On the speed issue, I've got a pretty small house so I regularly get the full 54Mps of data transfer. It's pretty nice. You need to pay attention to all the other comments about getting the antennas aligned to point from each of the two access points to each other for best reception. Not hard, but worth doing.
And if all this becomes too confusing, use the Web based help from Linksys, the person I had was very helpful. (Be sure that your drivers are the most up-to-date as that will be the first thing they will ask you to do.)