Advantages: Bargain bundle with wireless card for my laptop Disadvantages: Just an access point, no modem/hub/etc
I use the 3Com OfficeConnect Wireless 11g AccessPoint in my home wireless network, and bought it as part of a bundle with a laptop wireless card - check my other reviews to see if I've got round to reviewing that too...
It used the IEEE 802.11g standard (data transfer speeds of up to 54Mbps), plus is backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11b (upto 11Mbps) so works with older equipment (such as a slightly outdated laptop from a previous employer) with no problems.
The included CD installed all the necessary drivers very quickly and also contains all the manuals in PDF format. Once the drivers were installed, the configuration wizard runs in a standard web browser. This involves configuring IP addresses, encryption settings, DHCP settings and other techy bits and bobs. This was pretty straightforward, although a basic knowledge ...
Advantages: Good features, repeater and bridging modes Disadvantages: Minor installation problem
addresses (the unique address every piece of networking hardware has) and setting the mode to repeater instead of accesspoint. Once this was done, the second accesspoint was unplugged from the LAN and taken downstairs to the first floor. As its job was to simply repeat, it could be stuffed out the way on its own with the only connection being the power supply unit.
At this point, the theory was that data would go from the network to the first WG602 via a network cable, be transmitted wirelessly out into the ether where the second standalone WG602 would pick up the signal and repeat it onwards at full strength. The PC downstairs should then get a better signal as it was receiving from a unit only one floor away, not two.
Happily, it worked first time with the destination PC showing between 95 and 100% signal strength instead of the 30 ...
Advantages: Very small - Good connection and signal - doesn't overheat - does the job Disadvantages: Not sure how well it works with PCI wireless PC card
My experience of this product is that it works quite well the reason why it doesn't go from good to excellent will be explained bellow.
I have 2 PC's and 1 laptop I wanted the main PC to be hard-wired as that one is right next to the access hub and modem so no need to be wireless and anyway the main machine should always be hard-wired as no wireless can beat that.
Then I have my son's laptop a Dell Inspiron 2200 which has already a wireless network card, and this machine runs perfect via the wirelessaccesspoint anywhere in the house, and my house is a 3 storey house so plenty of range.
However I did install a wireless PCI network card on the PC on 3rd level of the house and this connection was intermittent which meant going back to hard-wire there, now I cannot say for sure if this was a card problem or the accesspoint problem or even ...
Product Information for "3Com Wireless LAN Managed Access Point 3850" »
General
MPN
3CRWX385075A-ME, 3CRWX385075A
Device Type
Radio access point
Width
16.8 cm
Depth
5.3 cm
Height
16.8 cm
Weight
366 g
Localisation
Europe
Networking
Form Factor
External
Connectivity Technology
Wireless
Data Transfer Rate
54 Mbps
Line Coding Format
OFDM
Data Link Protocol
IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Spread Spectrum Method
OFDM, DSSS
Max Range Open Space
100 m
Capacity
Connection / user qty : 500
Status Indicators
Port status
Features
Power over Ethernet (PoE), auto-negotiation, VLAN support, DoS attack prevention, Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) support, SpectraLink Voice Priority (SVP) support, Access Control List (ACL) support, Quality of Service (QoS)
2 x network / power - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
Miscellaneous
Mounting Kit
Included
Compliant Standards
FCC Part 15.247, RSS-210, EMC, RoHS, UL 60950-1, IEC 60950-1, EN 60950-1, CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-03, WEEE, FCC Part 15.407, EN 60601-1-2
Power
Power Over Ethernet (PoE)
Yes
Manufacturer warranty
Service & Support
1 year warranty
Service & Support Details
Limited warranty - 1 year
Environmental parameters
Min Operating Temperature
0 °C
Max Operating Temperature
50 °C
Humidity Range Operating
10 - 95%
Manufacturer's product description
The 3Com wireless LAN Managed Access Point (MAP) 3850 delivers secure, voice-ready reliable connectivity for WLAN users. An integral component of the 3Com Wireless LAN Mobility System, the 3Com MAP 3850 with intelligent switching offers both centralized and distributed data forwarding, with the MAP automatically determining the best alternative based on the requirements of the underlying application. This allows it to support the most demanding wireless applications indoors and outdoors, including Voice over Wi-Fi. Fully controlled by a WLAN switch or controller with which it securely communicates, the MAP contains no local data store for sensitive data, eliminating the chance of information being compromised due to hacking or theft. The end result helps reduce capital expenses and ongoing administrative costs - all while keeping the wireless LAN secure.
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