NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point

by Netgear

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 3 inches ; 13.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0006OCZK8
• Item model number: WG102NA
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point offers: A simple way to create an 802.11g wireless network. WPA2-Enterprise for enhanced security. Integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE) eliminating the need for power cables. A lifetime warranty.

The NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point provides a secure and reliable wireless network with enterprise-level functionality at a mid-market price.

The access point provides enterprise-level security with 802.11i, WPA2-Enterprise. View larger.

Fast and Secure
Fully compatible with the 802.11g wireless standard at 54 Mbps, with an optional turbo mode for a speedy 108 Mbps when used with supported NETGEAR adapters, the WG102 offers a network connection that is fast and widely compatible. As 802.11g is backwards compatible with 802.11b, you needn't worry about your computers with older network cards not working.

Your data is secure, as the WG102 complies with industry security standards for user authorization and wireless data encryption; 802.11i, WPA2-Enterprise technology will keep your wireless network secure and interoperable. Also supported is MAC address authentication with a 256-user Access Control List and VPN pass-through.

Bridge and Repeater Mode
In addition to functioning as an access point, the access point can also be used as a bridge and as a repeater. Used as a bridge, the device allows you to connect two LANs wirelessly; as a repeater, your wireless signal's range is extended so even the remote corners of your home or office can be covered.

Smart Design and Easy Setup
Thanks to support for the IEEE 802.3af-based Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard, the need for extra cables are eliminated and the access point doesn't have to be put near a power outlet. The Simple Network Management Protocol is supported, allowing you to use any SNMP-based network management software. NETGEAR's Smart Wizard browser-based interface makes setup a snap.

The access point comes with one detachable antenna. The NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point is backed by a lifetime warranty (power supply is backed by a 3-year warranty).

What's in the Box
WG102 Wireless Access Point, one 5 dBi detachable antenna, resource CD, power adapter, Ethernet cable, installation guide, and warranty/support information card.

Product Description

IEEE 802.11b/g - 54Mbps - Wireless Access Point

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No WPA Security in Bridge Mode!, December 21, 2005

By 

A. Wilder (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point (Personal Computers)

The NG102 works like it should--with one exception that I've found. If you set it up in Bridge Mode, it will NOT work with WPA security--you can only use the inferior WEP security.

WEP can be cracked in under 24 hours (the netgear helpfiles built into the WG102 setup pages even say this), but they still force you to use WEP security when bridging.

Additionally, Netgear's tech support is ABYSMAL. I have submitted several trouble tickets with questions, and it sometimes takes them TWO WEEKS to reply--and even then they did not give a reasonable answer to my question, they gave a stock answer to something I didn't ask. The user suport forum is much better, but you're not guaranteed to get any help there, either.

*** UPDATE: 12/27 - I'd like to downgrade this product to ONE STAR! ***

This access point would lock up at least once a day. The only solution was to unplug the power and plug it back in.

I found it had particular difficulty when trying to transfer files over the local network and when running internet speed tests (such as www.speakeasy.net/speetest). Somehow they seemed to confuse or overwhelm the access point, and it had to be hard-reset. Neither of those activities should have caused it any trouble at all--especially not this (much more expensive) "business-class" access point.

After spending way too much time troubleshooting the problem, I have finally given up and will return it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works exactly as described, January 14, 2008

By 

Johnathon M. Jones (Monterey, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point (Personal Computers)

After researching several reviews from magazines and web sites, I decided to give this a try (mainly because of such great reviews on its range). I bought three of these and set them up to bridge our wired network from the main church to the MC building, with the third WG102 connected to the other end of the bridge, acting as an access point within the MC building for client use. I have been very happy with the results, but as a disclaimer I have to point out that it doesn't get a LOT of use. The great things about these have been:
1) No maintenance. Zero. These have been in use for nine months now. I am just finally writing this review because I'm getting ready to buy another one to provide a wireless access point within the church. I have not even had to reboot one of these access points. We have had power outages, and no intervention was ever required to re-establish the bridge or access point service.
2) Very good reliability for client connectivity: Even though the MC building has a lot of walls and distances, and signal strength is low in many places, we have no problems with client connectivity.
3) No special antennas required for the two WAPS dedicated to the bridge. We went into this project fully expecting to need to purchase external antennas for each of the bridge WAPs. However, the buildings are close enough that this wasn't necessary, even though both bridge WAP's are located towards the center of each building. This was a great surprise.

A word of advice - ALWAYS upgrade to the latest firmware when you buy any IT hardware. It eliminates one additional potential source of problems. Since there was a substantial firmware upgrade available for this product on Netgear's web site, I upgraded all three units without even trying the current version first. It probably saved me a lot of headache that others have experienced.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Does what it's supposed to without problems, January 7, 2011

By 

Dmitriy Prokofyev "D" (US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point (Personal Computers)

I've had previous experience with Netgear small business line of products and it was overall a good one. This particular access point is no different. I use it in a small business office so that employees with laptops and smartphones can connect to our network. Using it on 802.11b with WPA2-PSK for several months now and did not notice any problems. Set it and forget it.