First of all, i am writing this review for the DWL-900AP+_rev c product not the DWL900AP and not the DWL900AP+. I don't know the difference if you ask me, i just wanted to make something clear so i wont be held for any mistakes. Anyways you can tell whether you got the rev_c or not from the label under your product, if it shows H/W: C1 F/W:3.02 then you have the rev_c, any thing else is another revision of the product. I assume there is a slight difference between both of the revisions but i just don't know, so u can go to the d-link s and check, and please tell me what is the big difference to make this revision. Anyways, considering the DWL-900AP+_rev c, it includes an ARM9 processor and it is enhanced 2.4GHz Wirless Access Point. The DWL-900AP+ can be configured to perform in any one of five modes — as a wireless access point, as a point-to-point bridge with another access point, as a point-to-multi-point wireless bridge, as a wireless client, or as a wireless repeater. It also includes an embedded DHCP server that once enabled will automatically assign IP addresses to wireless clients and LAN clients, so it is considered a DHCP client which eliminates the need for a separate DHCP server on the network. This unique feature is ideal for quickly creating a wireless local area network whether in offices or other workplaces or a temporary network at trade shows or other events.
DETAILED FEATURES
1. Wireless
1.a. Channels You can choose between 13 different channels for your DWL-900AP+
1.b. WEP It include WEP key with a 64,128,256 encryption key with a HEX or ASCII type. So you will never need to worry about the security of your wireless network again.
2. Local Area Network You can specify whether through the webpage of the product of the included software the IP and all teh configuration settings for your product like the DNS and gateway, as it is very easy to manage.
3. DHCP Server The DWL-900AP+ include a DHCP server for the wireless and wired clients. It can manage the computer on the network and assign dynamic IP for each one of them by the LAN (section 2) settings. You can also specify the range of IPs you want to offer, the lease time per each computer. It also included a detailed DHCP clinet table to easily manage your network and the computers connected to the network. NOTE: please note the network which i mean is the wireless and the wired network if you have both as i do.
4. Access Point Modes The AP mode allows the user to specify the mode settings for the Access Point. This selection allows the DWL-900AP+ to perform as a wireless Access Point for other wireless devices to connect.
4.a. Access Point This selection allows the DWL-900AP+ to perform as a wireless Access Point for other wireless devices to connect.
4.b. Wireless Client This selection allows the DWL-900AP+ to be used as a wireless client. In this mode, the Access Point will act a wireless client and the user will need to enter the MAC address of the remote Access Point for wireless connection to be established.
4.c. Wireless Bridge This selection allows the DWL-900AP+ to connect to another wireless Access Point capable of bridging. However, be aware that most manufacturers use proprietary settings when enabling bridging mode in the Access Point. A typical scenario for this selection is connecting two buildings through a wireless connection.
4.d. Multi-point Bridge This selection allows the DWL-900AP+ to connect to multiple wireless Access Points using the bridging function.
5. Performance Use the client MAC Address filtering to authorize network access through the Access Point.
6. Filters The DWL-900AP+ can be setup to deny access to wireless clients using the MAC addresses for the wireless adapters. This is the same as an "Access Control List". Use MAC Filters to deny computers within the wireless local area network (WLAN) from accessing the network through the DWL-900AP+. You can either manually add a MAC address or select the MAC address from the list of wireless clients that are currently connected to the unit.
7. 802.1X The IEEE 802.1X is a standard for user authentication on networks. The DWL-900AP+ supports EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) as specified by 802.1X. EAP provides wireless LAN with strong, mutual authentication between a client and an authentication server. The DWL-900AP+ can serve as a 802.1X Authenticator between 802.1X wireless clients and the Authentication Server typically installed on a RADIUS server. Please keep in mind that enabling 802.1X requires a RADIUS server for user authentication to the network.
8. Tools The DWL-900AP+ supports an adminitrator password to change its settings from the software or its default webpage. It also include the SNMP feature
9. System Settings The current system settings can be saved as a file onto the local hard drive. The saved file or any other saved setting file can be loaded back on the DWL-900AP+. To reload a system settings file, click on Browse to browse the local hard drive and locate the system file to be used. You may also reset the DWL-900AP+ back to factory settings by clicking on Restore.
10. Firmware upgrade This process allows users to download the latest files compatible to this particular device. Firmware upgrade may contain information for this device to fix any problems acquired in the past. Please visit http://support.dlink.com for the latest firmware for this device.
11. Device Information It will display what version of firmware you are currently running, as well as Ethernet and Wireless parameters.
11.a. Log The DWL-900AP+ keeps a running log of events and activities occurring on the Router. If the device is rebooted, the logs are automatically cleared. You may save the log files under Log Setting.
11.b. Log Settings You can choose to Enable or Disable logging for the Access Point Select Enable to monitor the wireless station associations with the Access Point. The log file will be sent to the computer with the specified IP Address.
11.c. Stats Displays the network traffic statistics for both received and transmitted packets through the Ethernet port and wireless connections associated with the Access Point.
11.d. Wireless A list of connected wireless clients. This can be a useful tool in finding a MAC address for specific wireless client or in finding out the number of wireless clients currently connected to the DWL-900AP+.
12. Help It includes a detailed help for each and every feature for the device.
SPECIAL FEATURES This device is considered AirPlus, so if you have any other D-Link AirPlus, you can connect at a speed of 22mbit per second, which is fairly good connection speed for a wireless device.
SOFTWARE The software included is not that good in the interface, but you can use the web page for the device as it is very easy to manage and to use. Anyway, the software provide full list of options and features that I mentioned, and u can use it to also configure the device. There is a link to emulate the webpage of the device on d-ink website http://support.dlink.com/techtool/dwl900ap+_revC/emulator/
