Since I am updating this review, I should add that I spent about 20 more hours (on top of the initial 10) trying to understand how it works. The good news is that I managed to figure it out. Once you know that, then it's super easy!
So, for the poor souls who would otherwise get extremely frustrated, here are the steps for a case where you have a wired computer connected to a router.
1. Disconnect your computer from the router, and, instead, connect the Ethernet cable that comes from the router to the device (your computer has no internet connection at this point). Power the device up.
2. Use any browser to login to http://192.168.1.2 (admin, 1234) which is the device. This is the only thing your browser will be able to access at this point!
3. Go through the steps of pairing the device with your router; use the push-button WPS technique or the password one. Change the default password of the device to your own.
4. In the Network > Wireless LAN > General > Name (SSID), do NOT use the default name of your router. Choose whatever other name, say Routername-Zyxel.
5. Apply/Continue (to reboot the device). At this point you are done. So, DISCONNECT the Ethernet cable connecting your router to the Zyxel repeater, and reconnect the router back to your computer. You will still be able to login to the device under a website address http://zyxelsetupXXXX, where XXXX are the last 4 characters of your router's MAC address. That website address is created automatically the moment you pair the device with your router.
My main revelation was that the device does NOT show as a separate Wi-Fi hot spot---unless you choose an SSID name during the setup which is different from the default SSID name of your router. So, now that you are looking for Wi-Fi hotspots, you will see your router, PLUS the device which appears under the new SSID name you just gave it. Login to this new hotspot using the SAME Network Key you use to login to your router!
Depending on where I now plug the device in the house, my Minipad automatically connects to either the router or the device---depending on which one has the stronger signal.
Let's say you want to receive a good signal at a 100m distance. Plug the Zyxel about 50m from your router. You can experiment with where to exactly plug it in the house in order to maximize the signal and transfer rate at the location you want!
If you see the Zyxel itself as a hotspot at any point, just "Forget" it. You are still connected to your original router (or the repeater) with the original security, password, etc.
Update as of 11/1/13
Since I wrote the above, I have come to the OPPOSITE conclusion. This device---although working---did NOT increase my bandwidth by one single baud. I tried plugging it into many outlets around my house, and it never gave me any advantage whatsoever!
At the end, I decided to return it, and it's not for the money; it's because of it's USELESSNESS. My only regret is that I had spent at least a 100 hours for a complete and utter disappointment. What a waste of my time!!!!!!
Regards, Yair
| Wireless Type | 802.11a/b/g/n, 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency |
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