Customer Reviews

Linksys by Cisco WAP4400N Wireless-N Access Point - PoE

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I read the prior reviews but went ahead and bought this on the advise of a friend who intalls wireless networks for a living and he uses this access point a lot. I am completly pleased with this Linksys product. When you plan to use it for what it is designed for, an Access point, and don't have any notions that it is anything more, it chugs right along. I ran CAT 6 cable, (keeping under 300 meters total length) and used the AC adaptor supplied to power the unit. It is ran off a Linksys wireless-N router and a 5 station Linksys Workgroup hub. I mounted it in the downstairs coat closet behind my TV room and turned on my laptop, found it, and connected. I then entered it's webbased setup utility and configured it to my liking, (WPA2 security to match my wireless router) and I works like a charm. I am writing this review on my laptop, in my bedroom, where my upstairs router alone could never reach. I now have full bar service all over my complete property, inside and out. It is just what was needed.

I purchased this WAP about two months ago and it has performed flawlessly. It was easy to setup and configure; I'm not sure what the problem is with the other reviewers. In fact, I almost didn't buy this product because of the amount of negative reviews. I have always experienced great performance with Linksys products, so I thought I'd give this one a try too. If you have basic knowledge of wireless networks and can follow simple instructions, this product is for you. If not, you'll probably have to hire a technician for any product you purchase. Don't disparage a fine product. Purchase with confidence.

I'm not sure why other people are having problems with this access point. With the the latest firmware (as of 06/2008) the access points are stable and run for many months without crashing. I've configured 7 of these to cover a 100,000 square foot warehouse with the AP's suspended from the ceiling. No power had to be run to each access Point because they are all power over ethernet - we simply had to get a power over ethernet switch and run a standard ethernet drop to each access point.

I've gone back to the warehouse two months later and all access points had an uptime of 61 days - not a single one had crashed. I decided to reboot each of them, just in case, but they were all up and running, responding, and supplying a wireless signal, after 2 months. I was actually a little shocked, I figured at least one would have crashed. The nice thing is since they are power over ethernet I just had to unplug each one by one from our power over ethernet switch - no running around anywhere. I figured 2 months of being stbale in a hot warehouse over the summer for all 7 access points is an excellent test of stability.

The best thing is that all the AP's share the same SSID and password and I can roam from one end of the warehouse to the other while downloading a file and without dropping a single ping. I did have to plan the wireless channel configuration ahead of time and I tried to minimize the interference with each other. Remember there are really only 3 distinct channels, 1, 6, and 11, so try to space your access points apart so that you get the least amount of conflict. There is a serious problem with the 802.11G specification where each channel overlaps with channels +-3 channels from it - so an access point on channel 3 conflicts with both channel 1 and channel 6. Short story - use only 1, 6 and 11 for your wireless channels.

In any case, with proper configuration and the latest firmware, everything runs stable and has tremendous range. I'm getting a good signal with every access point spaced 200 ft apart. Each access point is able to supply a medium but stable signal at a 120ft radius so placing the AP's 200 ft allows for a little bit of overlap to ensure good coverage everywhere. This was tested with all the racks in place in the warehouse, metal racks with wooden shelves.

In short, a tremendous access point for the price, great for businesses that require long term stability.

Installation, setup, operational were all exceptional. For 15 days. Then the transmitter quit and my customer service nightmare began. They teased me with a free 800 number that was disconnected. I tried the free chat, and was told that they didn't support this product thru the chat. So, I tried the 900 number referred in the 800 number for $9 a pop. After accepting the charge, the number went to directory assistance. I resigned myself to return the product (again, a 900 toll number) and was finally directed to customer service, after bouncing around a few people I was told to download the new firmware. I downloaded same, and the WAP started working! I submit that Linksys would do their customers a service if they were honest about downloading the latest firmware, and not so inclined to milk them for $.

I bought this about 4 weeks ago and haven't had a problem yet. I don't know what the other reviewers are talking about, except sound like they don't understand the difference between an Access Point and a Router. I am using this with a 8-Port Desktop Switch & a Wireless Router. I bought this on my previous experience with Linksys, the strength of reviews from PC World & others, and a couple of friends that work with Wireless Networks on a daily basis.

Have had my WAP440N since Linksys made it avaiable. Easy install and no fuss (included quick setup easy to follow). Never had a single problem with it. Works like a champ!

This Access point worked like it was suposed to and it is nice to see.

I purchased two of these AP's. they are a POS. They constantly need rebooting. I upgrade firmware and it doesn't take the change. Tech support tells me to reset the AP to factory defaults after upgrading firmware, which I try and the firmware still does not upgrade. When they work they work ok except the WAP mode did not allow wireless clients to attach, only the bridge worked. I only use them as a point to point bridge now and still it's reboot, reboot, reboot.

The WAP4400N is acceptable, but the WAP4410N is much better... It has the new Cisco Web GUI interface and supports more advanced options like VLANS and multiple SSID.

I had this Wireless Access Point for a little bit more than a year, and today it quit working, no more Wireless access for any of the computers nor web interface access. This is the second device I have from linksys that stoped working suddenly.