D-Link DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point w/SNMP, 802.11a/g, 108Mbps

by D-Link

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1 inches ; 7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001CLYDO
• Item model number: DWL-7100AP
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 19, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

D-Link, the industry pioneer in wireless networking, introduces a performance breakthrough in wireless connectivity: The D-Link AirPremier AG, DWL-7100AP Access Point, designed for multimode network deployments capable of up to delivering 15x faster data rates than standard 802.11b in both 802.11a and 802.11g bands.

The DWL-7100AP is an ideal solution for creating a wireless backbone infrastructure or for extending an existing wireless network. For advanced configuration, network administrators can deploy multimode operation such as using the DWL-7100AP as a 5GHz 802.11a wireless bridge while simultaneously providing Access Point functionality for 2.4GHz 802.11b/g networks. The DWL-7100AP can operate as an Access Point, Point-to-Point Bridge, Point-to-Multipoint Bridge, and Repeater. For compatibility with other D-Link AirPremier AG hardware, the DWL-7100AP uses Wireless Distribution System (WDS) technology when running in Repeater mode.

The DWL-7100AP provides maximum wireless security by supporting WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), 802.1x, and three levels of WEP Encryption (64/128/152-bit). Other security features include MAC Address Filtering, Wireless LAN segmentation, Disable SSID Broadcast, and support for Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Encryption.

The DWL-7100AP delivers extremely fast wireless performance with maximum wireless signal rates reaching up to 108Mbps when set in Turbo mode for both 802.11g and 802.11a networks, while still remaining backwards compatible to 802.11b. With the ability to deliver blazing transfer speeds, network administrators have ample bandwidth to distribute amongst multiple workgroups and avoid network bottlenecks.

Network administrators can manage the DWL-7100AP settings via its Web-based configuration utility or though Telnet. For advanced network management, administrators can use D-Link's AP Manager or D-View SNMP management module to configure multiple access points from a single location.

With versatile dualband operation modes, solid security features, and extremely fast data transfer speeds, the D-Link AirPremier AG DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point offers a high return on investment and provides SMB and Enterprise network administrators an ideal solution for establishing a new wireless network or for extending the range of an existing one.

Note: Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11a and 802.11g specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors lower actual data throughput rate.

Product Description

D-Link, the networking industry leader, delivers another innovative and versatile solution in wireless connectivity with the D-Link AirPremierTM DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point. This dual-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz), tri-mode (802.11a, b, g) Access Point provides the most bandwidth coverage available in an AP. Multiple wireless clients can connect to the DWL-7100AP using both A and G wireless standards and any of its 11 non-overlapping channels to transfer data at speeds of up to 108 Mbps. Network Administrators can easily integrate various wireless managements with the DWL-7100AP Wireless Distribution System (WDS), offering modes in AP, Point-to-Point Bridge, Point-to-Multipoint Bridges, AP Client, and Repeater, allowing users to gain controls beyond a sole AP.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reliable, has many features, and is a solid performer, July 8, 2006

By 

The geeks shall inherit the earth (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: D-Link DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point w/SNMP, 802.11a/g, 108Mbps (Personal Computers)

It had the latest firmware and wireless protocols installed, and the web-based configuration interface has well organized pages of setup options. The Help pages are actually helpful. As with any networking device it is good to be a little familiar with TCP/IP so you can handle minor annoyances like giving your computer a temporary static IP address in the same subnet range as the DWL-7100AP so you can communicate with it during configuration (This is explained in the manual). Afterwards, I was able to change my computer back to dynamic IP addressing, and still access the configuration pages of the DWL-7100AP. It will work just fine right out of the box with default settings, but as with any wireless access point, better security can be had by creating your own SSID name, disabling broadcast of the SSID, changing the default user ID and password, using MAC filtering so that only your computers will be accepted by the access point, and enabling data encryption. The DWL-7100AP allows you to use two kinds of WPA encryption, which is much more secure than WEP. I highly recommend this product and it's well-written manual. Some users report having their connection dropped frequently. I found that interference from 2.4 Gigahertz portable telephones in my house was the culprit for dropped connections on the 802.11g band, which is in the same frequency band as the phones. Since I switched to the 802.11a band (5 Gigahertz) I very seldom have dropped connections from the DWL-7100AP.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Replaced a LinkSys 802.11a+b access point, August 25, 2004

By 

Scott Bartley "Mad Max" (Novi, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: D-Link DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point w/SNMP, 802.11a/g, 108Mbps (Personal Computers)

I upgraded from a LinkSys 802.11a+g PCI card in my daughter's computer to a DLink 802.11a+g card. At that time, I had a LinkSys 802.11a+b access point. The signal strenght jumped from very low to good. I believe this is due to the antenna design of the DLink PCI card. It is separate from the circuit card and connects with a 6' cable. This allows placement of the antenna on top of a computer desk hutch instead of on the back of the computer which may be on the floor.

I thought that if I upgraded the access point to a DLink I'd see another jump in signal strenght. I also wanted to pick up the 802.11g standard that my LinkSys access point was missing.

The upgrade from the LinkSys access point to the DLink did not provide any noticable improvement in signal quality. The signal strenght to the DLink PCI card was still only good. I did get 802.11g which helps with the business laptop I have but I was hoping for a little bit better signal strenght which was not found.

The firmware on the access point was old and I did have to download and apply an update. I had no problems doing this but have a lot of experience since I manage a network at work with over 200 802.11b access points (Symbol & Cisco).

Overall, I love the DLink PCI card (802.11a/b/g) and like the DLink access point. Being one of the cheap access points out I'd recommend it to any one looking for a wireless solution.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good performance, January 21, 2006

By 

it (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: D-Link DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point w/SNMP, 802.11a/g, 108Mbps (Personal Computers)

I use two of these on the 11a band as bridges between two wired networks. They are 30 feet apart and can see each other down a hallway with obstructions that nearly block the line of sight from both sides. I have both set on quarter power. The status indicates no errors on either direction.

The manual that came with the equipment leaves a lot to be desired. For instance, it did not say that WAP-PSK TKIP mode is not available for bridges, just access points.