Customer Reviews

Cisco-Linksys WAP54G Wireless-G Access Point

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(47)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(48)

 

 

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. :)

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.

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.

I purchased this WAP to add wireless capability to my existing wired network at home. It worked correctly right out of the box with minimum configuration. During installation I changed the following values:

1.) Changed the default IP address to coorespond with my addressing scheme.

2.) Changed the gateway address to point to my existing wired router.

3.) Changed the default SSID and disabled SSID broadcast.

4.) Enabled MAC address filtering and added the MAC addresses of all five devices on my wired and wireless network.

This device has worked flawlessly and I am getting very acceptable data rates with no lost or dropped packets. Overall, I am very satisfied with this WAP and I would recommend highly for someone looking for an inexpensive way of adding 802.11g capability to an existing wired network.

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.

I'll admit after reading some of these reviews I was a little weary of purchasing this unit, but I got it for $32, so couldn't pass it up. I was replacing a LinkSys BEFW11S4 (wireless B).

In a nutshell, I followed the instructions to connect the hardware, popped the CD in my "hard wired" desktop PC, took a couple of minutes to step through the setup screens (which are totally simple to navigate), enabling WEP along the way. When I was done, I fired up my laptop (which has built in wireless-G card). Network was detected immediately... all I had to do was type in the WEP key (which was generated from my passphrase entered during the setup) and viola! Connected at 54 Mbps!!
Awesome. The setup procedure could NOT have been any easier. I would recommend this device to anyone that already has a cable/dsl router (with a free port) and simply wants to add (or upgrade) wireless-G connectivity in their home.

(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!

UPDATE:

I updated my router/access-point and found that the WAP54G does not seem to work in mode 2 (see below: "wireless client") with the new router (D-Link DIR-655). This matches the documentation which says (from memory) words to the effect that "wireless client" mode only works with a compatible Linksys as the router/access-point. I read that as a CYA disclaimer but at least in my case it appears to be true.

I suspect that modes 3 and 4 have the same story.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

(Note to Brian: The WAP54G *can* be configured as a bridge. I have two of them in just such a configuration. Took me about 10 minutes to set them up.)

Major modes of operation are:

1. Wireless Access Point (its default set-up)
2. Wireless Client (connect a wired ethernet device via cable to the WAP54G and you now have a wireless ethernet device)
3. Wireless Repeater (extend range of wireless coverage)
4. Wireless Bridge (connect two ethernet networks without running a cable between them -- acts as one end of a "virtual" cable; you need two to get the job done)

A pair of wireless bridges is just what I needed but hesitated to buy the WAP54G because of Brian's comment that this wouldn't work. Because of my newness to the wireless world it took a bit of investigation to come to the conclusion that Brian was wrong. I bought a pair and they do work.

I rate it 4 instead of 5 stars for a few reasons.

1. I understand that higher-end, more expensive, equipment can be had with more range than this box. Gotta leave some room to rate more powerful equipment!
2. One must dig very deeply into the users guide (a PDF on the CD) to find the default IP address in order to configure this device. Luckily I had read elsewhere what that IP address is (192.168.1.245). Other manufacturers make this info readily available, even going so far as printing it on the device itself. This will be critical info to any Linux user. Also, the users guide says that the default userid for logging in is "admin". Well, it's not. The only allowed userid is an empty field. This had me going for a few minutes.
3. Something that 99% of the world won't care about -- I like to have more access to the firmware. For example other Linksys products allow one to telnet to the box and do low-level analysis of the box and the network it's attached to. I think there are third-party firmware loads that enable this.

I tested this device, among many others, while writing the Wireless# Certification Official Study Guide and have to say that I was surprised. It performed equally well with Netgear and Intel access points when an 802.11b client connected and when an 802.11g client connected it actually outperformed the others. The reason for my surprise was that the WRT54G wireless router from Linksys is horrible compared to Netgear's hardware. In the end, I can definitely recommend this device for small office and home use.

In response to Mr. Frandzel's later posted comments, I'll add that the SSID for the WAP54g should differ from that of the router. Otherwise, in some circumstances, one or more wireless adapters can switch from the WAP54g's signal over to the router's signal, and then perhaps eventually visa versa. That type of switching may lock up the WAP54g. At the very least, that arrangement complicates troubleshooting. Now, back to my original review:

I purchased the WAP54g to work as a repeater in my network. I have one pc wired to my wrt54g in my basement and another pc in the far corner of a bedroom 2 flights up, as well as a wga54g in same room as the wireless pc. Although the signal strength had generally read from about 18% to about 40%, I suspected that the signal was fluctuating much more, since the signal would drop out for several seconds at a time. Also, the signal would become unreliable in the summer, perhaps due to high humidity. The wre54g that I had purchased had been a nightmare to setup, and caused my wga54g to lock up. I decided I was better off without it.

Anyway, with the 2.07 firmware the wap54g, and the wap54g positioned on the first floor (between the bedroom and basement) I'm getting a consistent signal strength of 46-60%, with no dropouts.

This being a Linksys product, there are bound to be gotchas. One gotcha is the lack of wpa support. Another gotcha is the lack of written documentation for the repeater function (not even written on the box). The repeater function is also poorly documented in the online setup help included with the wap54g. That help section tells you that if your wrt54g uses MAC filtering, you should type in the LAN MAC ID for the router in the appropriate box of the wap54g's web utility. That won't work. Instead, as the Linksys internet site states, you should type in the Wireless MAC ID for your wrt54g. Finally, the repeater function only works in comibination with select wireless Linksys products, such as the wrt54g.

BTW, one reviewer complained of being unable to find antenna to fit the wap54g's "non-standard mounts." That person apparently never visited Radio Shack, which has 5.5 dBi antenna (catalog #278-844) that fit the wap54g just fine. I'm using them now.

The same reviewer complained that the wap54g was so old that it complied only with the draft 802.11g draft standard. The 802.11g standard was finalized in mid 2003, which was some time after several other 802.11g products had been on the market.