Linksys WAP51AB Wireless Dual Band Access Point (802.11a + 802.11b)

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Product Details

Product Manual [522kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006G2OI
• Item model number: WAP51AB
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 2, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Install an access point that protects your infrastructure investment without limiting you to a single type of wireless technology. The Linksys Instant Wireless dual-band wireless access point works simultaneously with both 802.11a and 802.11b wireless standards to bring you the ultimate in wireless freedom. This means you can enjoy the broadest spectrum of wireless networking without the worry of a costly upgrade later.

The dual-band wireless access point's high-powered antennas enhance reception and provide seamless roaming throughout your wireless network. An advanced user-authentication feature and security encryption of up to 152 bits give you the highest level of network security. It's easy to install and easy to use. With Internet browser-based diagnostics and a setup wizard, you're always in control.

Compact, lightweight, and power-efficient, the Instant Wireless dual-band wireless access point from Linksys is the perfect wireless networking solution, no matter which wireless networking standard you choose to use.

For more information on the differences between an Access Point and a Router with Access Point, see the following table:

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere -- without wires. Outside of the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, airports -- great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. What Wireless Standard is Right for Me? Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed. For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

Product Description

Install an access point that protects your infrastructure investment without limiting you to a single type of wireless technology. The Instant Wireless Dual-Band Wireless Access Point works simultaneously with both 802.11a and 802.11b wireless standards to bring you the ultimate in wireless freedom. This means you can enjoy the broadest spectrum or wireless networking now without the worry of a costly upgrade later.The Dual-Band Wireless Access Point's high-powered antennas enhance reception and provide seamless roaming through your wireless network. An advanced user authentication feature and security encryption of up to 152 bits give you the highest level of network security. It's easy to install (just plug it in and you're ready to go!) and easy to use. With Internet browser-based diagnostics and Setup Wizard, you're always in control. Compact, lightweight, and power-efficient, the Dual-Band Wireless Access Point is the perfect wireless networking solution, no matter which wireless networking standard you choose to use.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Product!, October 27, 2002

By	Robert Y. Lamaute "blamaute" (Scarsdale, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The product works great! I have it in my basement and I can roam with my laptop to any room in the house and the performance is excellent!

Someone should be experienced in networking to fully take adavantage of the products features but the "step-by-step" guide would allow a novice to set it up just the same.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Print the manual, please!, December 28, 2002

By	Stephen Holmlund (Montara, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As I was setting up this device, I had the mental image of a product meeting where some beaten-down product manager was caving to some executive's demand to only include a PDF user manual on the CD. If Linksys wants to save a buck or two, they can forego the 4-color artwork on the CD and at least laser-print the user guide.

The Quick Start guide assumes the 80-20 rule for configuration. If you have a different network setup, you're going to be scratching your head until you search the web for help (thanks go to SmallNetBuilder in this case). For example, the device has a default IP address of 192.168.1.250, not mentioned in the quick start and only by obscure reference in the user manual, which I finally printed. The setup program couldn't find the WAP51AB on my network until I reconfigured my computer to the 192 IP block, with 255.255.255.0 subnet mask.

The Troubleshooting chapter does not address troubleshooting, it's just an FAQ on terms you do admittedly need to know. There's no problem/resolution format. Some obvious questions are not addressed in the manual, as far as I can tell. For example, does it matter in what order you install the WAP vs. the PC card in your computer? I guess not. If you are using DHCP from a Linksys or other router, can the WAP51AB get its IP address dynamically? I don't think you want it to but it's another question that may cross your mind.

Ultimately, I got things working by moving my configuration more to the 80% side of things (local network configured to 192 IP block, etc.). Things are working well but I have to say that my freedom of movement is quite limited in my rather small house. I'm probably going to have to run "wire for my wireless" to position it in a more central location.

In summary, Linksys needs to invest more in technical writing and less in graphic design for its packaging.

UPDATE: 4 days later, I've had more experience and learned that 802.11a, while faster, pretty much needs to be in the same room (access point and client computer). So I switched to 802.11b and seem to have better range, even though the Linksys System Tray application indicates only a "fair" connection for both A and B networks. Go figure. Also, I can't really tell that 802.11b is slower than 802.11a (during basic web browsing). These aren't tests, just impressions. But maybe the "a" wasn't worth it. I don't know yet.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Two units failed. Tech support worthless., November 26, 2002

By	"mgcarland" (Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews

When I configured the first unit, it froze when disabled WEP on 802.11a. After waiting almost an hour for support, I was told to reset it (I already had), and then return it since the "diag" light still lit.

When I disabled WEP on the replacement unit, it froze just the the previous one had. My email to support described the status of the indicators, and that I had already tried to reset it. Supports reply was for a different product, asked me to try to reset it, and asked for the status of the indicators. Not at all helpfull.

Since I knew the exact steps I went through that caused the second unit to freeze, I asked that support try the steps I went through to determine if they had a firmware problem. They asked me to take my laptop back to the store I bought the AP from, and see if I can't get my laptop to work there. No mention of my broken access point.

I highly recommend that you do not purchase this unit.