Netgear WG302 802.11g ProSafe Wireless Access Point

...land rover. Strong and durable. Netgear seem to have mastered the art of making business products that are actually suitable for the job.

I have configured our WG302's primarily as main access points to our network for our visiting users. There isn't much you need to do to get up and running as long as you have a little advance knowledge of how to configure a wireless network. Netgear configuration interfaces are legendary for there ...
...you do have issues then Netgear support website is also very useful, full of information on the product.

Once you have the router up and running there is nothing else left other than mounting it somewhere, either on a desk/unit or flat against the wall using the provided screws and mount points on the base of the unit.

In operation the signal strength of the 302 is very good. My initial unit was setup in the far corner ... more

As a basic descrition, the WG302 is a bit of kit that is used to extend a network by means of wireless technology. e.g. to allow you to connect a wireless laptop to the network.

I have recently purchased multiple sets of these wireless access points for our business network.
The first thing that you have to say about a WG302 is the build quality. When you pick one up it feels like it is in fact a part from a land rover. Strong and durable. Netgear seem to have mastered the art of making business products that are actually suitable for the job.

I have configured our WG302's primarily as main access points to our network for our visiting users. There isn't much you need to do to get up and running as long as you have a little advance knowledge of how to configure a wireless network. Netgear configuration interfaces are legendary for there ease of use and the WG302 is no exception. You get the usual configuration pages, log pages and report / status pages. There is enough information in there without there being to much to confuse the user.

Following the web based configuration step by step you should have no problems getting this up and running. If you do have issues then Netgear support website is also very useful, full of information on the product.

Once you have the router up and running there is nothing else left other than mounting it somewhere, either on a desk/unit or flat against the wall using the provided screws and mount points on the base of the unit.

In operation the signal strength of the 302 is very good. My initial unit was setup in the far corner of an L shaped office. Coverage around 35m away behind several walls was still around 65%, not half bad.

If like me though you want 100% and its for business then adding a second repeater 302 is also easy. I have never done this before but found it not to difficult. There is a load of information on the net and Netgear website to help out. The two units work well together providing great coverage around the office. This is probably aided by the units twin aerial design to give maximum coverage.

If like me you need to have a secure network, you shouldn't have any trouble here. (WEP) data encryption comes as standard for the 302 in a variety of forms.

You can also configure the 302 to run on the different network types, 802.11b,g and double g, although I have not yet figured out how to get 108MB.

There are also a variety of other features including VPN pass through support, WPA and address filtering.

In addition to the twin antenna you also get a single standard network point on the back of the unit. If like me you have an additional unit as a repeater then you can in fact use this port to connect to a hub. This is a great method of running a network across a vast space without having to run a cable to an additional hub.

To sum up, if you need a better and faster wireless network then think about one o these. Quick and easy to use, easy to bridge with a load of fringe benefits.
 

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