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49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
Works as expected, June 9, 2008
I've configured the DAP-1522 as a wireless bridge to a DIR-655 (2.5Ghz). I've got a PS3 and a Satellite DVR connected to two of the four ethernet ports on the DAP-1522. I have configured the 1522 to use WPA2 security as well.
Setup was a little tricky, but it was my fault not the fault of the 1522. If you choose to manually configure the 1522 be sure you follow the directions and connect the 1522 to your computer and with your computer configured to use a static IP address in the 192.168.0/24 subnet. I mistakenly had my computer still trying to use DHCP when connecting to the bridge and it took me a little while to figure out what was wrong. My computer couldn't get an IP address and so Windows kept assigning an address from a different subnet, so I was not able to establish a connection to the DAP-1522's default 192.168.0.50 IP address.
The 1522 works as expected. Performance is very good with a max of 162Mbps through 3 drywall walls (approx 40 ft) to my entertainment center as displayed on the DIR-655 console. I haven't run any local network bandwidth tests to verify the throughput yet, but I can easily stream HD content without blocking between a PS3 and a wired media server. Previously I was using the PS3's internal 802.11g network interface, and HD media was not viewable as it overwhelmed the 11g link.
I did notice that the orientation of the DIR-655 and the DAP-1522 did make a difference in the reported signal strength and data rate as seen from the DIR-655 console. So after you've gotten things to work, don't forget to run some experiments to determine the best position for the devices to get the best performance possible.
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38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
Great Access Point, Great Software, Poor Range, November 6, 2008
It might bear noting that I'm technically proficient, and I've used several access points and switches over the years. This was my first D-Link purchase in years only because Linksys's reputation has become pretty terrible. Overall, this piece of equipment is GREAT, with a HUGE caveat that the range SUCKS.
I used this router for about 3 weeks before I replaced it with the D-Link DIR-825 because of the range problem. The 1522's user interface isn't bad. I had no problem configuring this switch to do everything I wanted. I did not experience any dropped connections or dropped packets. Granted 3 weeks isn't a terribly long time - but I never had to power cycle the Access Point. It just worked and did a great job.
I should have known that since the DAP1522 uses an internal antennae the range would not be comparable to my old Linksys WRT54G. I am intentionally trying to share my wireless with my neighbors, and the DAP1522 is unusable, and I'm not exaggerating, 30 feet away. To be fair, there are 3 (non-thick, normal wood) walls between the DAP1522 and the laptop - but still 30 feet? On the other hand, this could be a major selling point. Scared that your neighbors might be stealing your wireless signal? Just buy a DAP1522!
If you have a large house or coverage area, this isn't going to cut it. But if you live in a small apartment, this thing is perfect. For anyone who needs better range, I'd recommend the slightly more expensive DIR-825.
PS For anybody who's confused - this bridge/AP is essentially a switch plus an access point. It lacks the "router" capability and WAN port that similar pieces of equipment have which make them routers. For the typical person, you only need a bridge/AP if you already have a router and want to add a wireless access point to your network.
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5 stars for how well it works, minus 2 for angering me during set-up, January 25, 2009
I purchased to pair with the DIR-655 router and a DSM-750 media extender, both from Dlink. Depending on how you feel, this product could be anywhere from a 1 - 5 star item. The thing works great, which is the most important aspect to me. However, I would say that the range is less than excellent, thus a half star off for that. Another half star off because the reset button is pretty much useless. I'm taking the other star off for it being a massive pain in the butt to get it working - in bridge mode.
AP mode is easy to set up. All you have to do is set the switch to AP on the back and connect it to your router with an Ethernet cable. You should then be able to access the configuration page by typing in 192.168.0.50 in your web browser. You can then set up the wireless broadcast as you see fit (enter in an SSID in the box (different from your router for a separate broadcast) - use a static IP address, set up the IP address of your router as the gateway address, etc). You can also update the firmware.
Bridge mode is a completely different matter. Theoretically, you should be able to press the WPS button on your router and then press the button on your bridge and it will connect automatically (probably still helps to connect via Ethernet cable first so you can access the config page). Maybe that worked for some people, but it did not work for me. I tried push button connect, tried connecting using pin numbers, tried manually setting everything up, but nothing worked. I was tempted to think I had a defective unit, but it worked fine in AP mode, so I was sure the thing was functioning properly.
Here is how I configured it to make it finally work in bridge mode. First, I reset this and my router to factory defaults. I set the switch on the back to bridge mode. I connected the bridge to the router via Ethernet cable. I turned on the router and then the bridge. I set up the router as before - broadcast in 802.11n only mode, 40MHZ and WPA2 (AES encryption), which enabled me to achieve 300 mbps network speed. I then went to the config page for the bridge. On the wireless set-up, I manually set it up to match the router. I selected the static IP. I left the SSID box blank and used the site survey to select the wireless connection from my router. I then de-selected the clone MAC box. As if by magic, the stupid thing finally connected wirelessly, and i have been pleased with its performance since. I was even able to unplug it and set it up in another location, and it was still able to connect.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
DOA 2x, Plus Worst Tech Support Ever, March 31, 2009
Certainly wish I'd had the kind of wonderful experiences with this unit that others have enjoyed. Unfortunately, both of the units I've received have been DOA: Neither would boot up in Bridge mode. In both cases, putting the mode selector into Bridge position results in both the Bridge and AP lights coming on (not blinking) and staying on.
To make matters worse, I've spent over 6 hours with D-Link's grossly incompetent product support (generally overseas folks - hard to understand, in addition to being nearly completely ignorant of both the products and the general technologies). On the third call - for the first unit - the tech decided that the problem was with my D-Link DIR-825 router (nevermind that the DAP-1522 wouldn't even boot in Bridge mode) and ended up totally trashing the configuration of the wireless router! (Thankfully, I had taken the initiative to back up the DIR-825 configuration before following the tech's misguided instructions.)
Finally - adding insult to injury - after spending 5 hours with the tech support at the ("D-Link is here to help") support number included with the unit, I was informed I was calling the wrong number for this particular product. Unfortunately, the tech at the "correct number" for the DAP-1522 was every bit as ignorant as the tech at the original support number (seemed to think the problem was with my cable modem!). Tier 2 support didn't even seem to know there was a difference between bridge and AP modes - or that there was a switch on the DAP-1522 to select the mode (I had to have her pull up the Quick Installation Guide on the screen and show her the switch).
I truly wish this thing worked, but after having received two defunct units in a row - and spending the better part of a full day on the phone with incompetent (and nearly unintelligible) support staff, I've pretty much given up.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Works well as an access point, too!, May 25, 2008
I already have a wired router (D-Link DGL-4100 Broadband Gaming Router, 4-Port Gigabit Switch), so I bought the DAP-1522 to add Draft-N wireless connectivity to my existing wired network, through its ability to act as an access point. It is small, light, and has no projecting antennas, so you can put it just about anywhere. The built-in browser-based wizards made setting up the network easy - I chose to go with the 5 GHz band to avoid interference from our cordless phone and microwave oven, and to limit the network to draft-N devices only - and the results are really impressive. We carried a laptop all over the house, including upstairs in a two-story house, and it got the maximum signal strength everywhere. Internet access seems to be every bit as fast as over a wired connection, as I would have expected since draft-N connections are supposed to be quite a bit faster than the internet connection itself (via cable modem). Highly recommended!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
No Worries, April 8, 2009
Just received this product - using it as a bridge. It took a little longer that I thought it would for initial boot up so don't worry if that happens to you. I used WPS and it automatically went to the lower band. (I have a D-link dual band N router as well (DVR-825.) WPS did connect quickly - but I had to go in manually and change it to the higher (5 ghz) band. This really didn't take much time at all. I think I spent a total of 10 min setting this up. 5+ min of waiting until it did its first complete boot up and the rest just with WPS and manual setup. It installed quickly and no issues.
On a very positive note, I noticed the 5ghz band to have about the same strength as the 2.4 ghz band. The bridge is in a room about 75-100 feet away through 3 drywalls - both bands were at about 60%. Now that might not sound great, but typically the 5ghz band is much lower than the 2.4. I am extremely happy with the results I have seen. I am using this connected to my slingbox so heavy media use. I tested it out and it was a great picture. I really like the feature that I can hook 4 devices into this. I haven't tested this feature out yet, but I am looking forward to it.
All in all, this product works well with my D-link router and it was very quick to setup. It is my opinion that if you are looking for a good router and bridge that work very well together, even in the higher 5 ghz band, then this is the best ones to get. Almost shocked at how easy this bridge was to setup.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Best wireless Product ever made!, May 8, 2008
I have a D-link Xtreme Gigabit router connected with this device and the speed is blazing.
I bought the linksys game adapter that only has one ethernet port, but I found this product on D-link's website. I returned the Linksys adapter immediately. It's only available online right now, but this product is a must have if you have multiple devices that require internet access. The price is only around $100, has 4 ethernet ports, and it's uses 802.11n. The linksys adapter has 1 port and it cost $99. The Xbox 360 wireless adapter is $99 and it uses 802.11g. It's a no brainer! I have a Xbox 360, Directv HD-DVR, and my new Samsung 52in 6 series connected to this bridge. I'm about to add a Slingbox. Best wireless product of the year!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Superb Bridge for your Home Theater, December 31, 2008
HI all. Happy New Year.
Everything these days has an ethernet port and not necessarily is wireless. The solution is here....this bridge paired with an D-Link DIR-655 router is the best answer, in my opinion.
I had apple base stations and ditched them for the DIR-655 and the DAP-1522. See my review for the DIR-655.
The DAP is very easy to pair with the DIR and works flawlessly. I have 4 devices plugged in to the ethernet ports on the back....a xbox360, a ps3, a blu-ray player, and a dish-network box. I have done some speed tests and I am impressed...I am getting well over 150mbps locally. The DAP is 1 floor and about a total of 100 feet away from the router. NO ISSUES.
I wont go into too many details on setup...but I do recommend a firmware update on this right out of the box...as I would with any new hardware. If you buy the router...update that also...first things first. ;-)
Great product, great pricing.
My only issue....bright led lights...but there are ways to overcome that problem with tape, etc....
Check it out....its the same price as a wireless adapter for the xbox 360...but you get 3 extra ports. :-)
GREAT GREAT GREAT!.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Great Item, July 10, 2008
So, this basically replaces my wi-fi adapter for xbox360. The benefit of this item is it is much faster than a g wifi adapter, and allows me to use a high security network, wpa2. I know, its much to aggressive for residential use, but its much faster on my router. I wish the signal strength was better, and after some initial setup issues (setting Ip addresses so I could access the device) it works no problem. I have two of them, one in my entertainment center for my xbox 360, and my brother has one in his bedroom for his xbox 360 as well. Both work great, are fast, and have had no issues. My house does have some signal strength issues, but I hope to get a fancy antenna to add to my dlink 655 router, which should solve my problems.
I recommend this item
UPDATE SEPT 3, 2008
I have switched up my network a bit, as previously I had my router in a basement closet. I have moved my router to my entertainment center, and now use one of the devices for my desktop, which does not have a wifi card, and the other sits in a bedroom and is attached to a PS3, 360, and old laptop. Setup can be a huge hassle, took me a while for the first device, but the second one was no problem. Still fast, and now have a better connection, so even faster. Works great with all the other devices we have, such as a home server. My Dir-655 did not have the button to link the two devices so I did it the old fashion way with the menus and such.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent Wireless Bridge; Poor Instructions, July 5, 2009
I've set up 4 of the DAP-1522's in bridge mode, 1 for me and 3 for friends and family, all connected wirelessly to D-link wireless routers (DIR-655 and DGL-4500) utilizing WPA2 encryption.
WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) makes setup a breeze if your router also supports WPS (you don't even have to access the web-based coniguration utility). Push the WPS button on your wireless router until it starts blinking and within 120 seconds, push the WPS button on the DAP-1522 until it starts blinking. Within a short time (less than a minute?), the DAP-1522 connects securely and wirelessly to your router.
In my setup, I have a 2 standalone blu-ray players, a PS3 and a Denon 3808CI receiver connected to the bridge with Cat6 or Cat5e cable. My wireless router is located about 50 ft. away in an upstairs room. Both blu-ray players and the PS3 have wireless built-in, but I was getting better signal strength using the bridge. Also streaming Netflix (including Netflix HD), Pandora and YouTube through the blu-ray players. All four components can also stream media from any other pc on the home network.
Where D-link fails is when you have to actually manually configure or want to update the firmware on the DAP-1522. The instructions, imho, are really unclear and dealing with D-link support over the phone is a test of patience. Basically, if you have a router and need to access the web-based configuration page of the DAP-1522, you'll need to connect it to an open router port. The switch on the back of the DAP-1522 should also be set to AP (access point). Once that is done, type in the ip address, 192.168.0.50, into the address field of your browser and you'll get to the login page of the web-based configuration utility.
Other than the instructions, the product has been working as advertised and having 4 ports instead of 1 like other bridges is also a major plus.
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