As home networking continues to spread and evolve at rapid speed, some users find that their wireless router does not reach all corners or their home, or that they would like to... more
their wireless router does not reach all corners or their home, or that they would like to have their wireless network originate from a point of their choosing,
their wireless router does not reach all corners or their home, or that they would like to have their wireless network originate from a point of their choosing,
A review by JVL on NETGEAR Powerline Wireless Range Extender WGXB102 May 2nd, 2008
Author's product rating:
Speed
Average
Ease of Installation
Excellent - very quick and easy
Ease of use
Very easy
Reliability
Average
Value For Money
Satisfactory
Advantages:
Easy to install, up and running within 15 minutes
Disadvantages:
Wall units seem to get very hot, very quickly
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
In the dim and distant past, installing any sort of peripherals for a home computer used to be an exercise fraught with unexpected pitfalls and problems. The wrong jumpers were set, you didn't have enough expansion ports, or your PC was incompatible with the hardware you wanted to add. Times have changed of course, with the advent of developments such as the USB standard and Plug&Play - and the more complex the computers become, the more manufacturers seem intent on convincing us that everything really is as easy as A-B-C. Nonetheless, experience tells me to always approach adding anything extra to my computer with a wary eye, no matter how easy the instructions say the process will be.
This is why I was so surprised at how simple it was to get the Netgear WGXB102 wireless booster kit up and running - it genuinely was a 15-minute job from opening the parcel to connecting to the extended wireless network. The package consists of a quick start installation guide, extensive documentation in several languages on the accompanying CD, and the hardware itself: two plug-in units and an Ethernet cable (this is only about 1 metre long, which is a bit on the short side). The quick installation manual describes the steps you need to take with the minimum of fuss, using simple instructions and clear diagrams to explain the points.
Assuming that you already have a functioning wireless set-up, all you need to do is plug the primary unit, the Ethernet Bridge, directly into a wall socket (using power strips or splitters is not recommended of course) and connect this unit to your router with an Ethernet cable. The secondary unit, the Wireless Range Extender, is plugged into a socket elsewhere in the house - typically, this would be on another floor or beyond a wall that may be blocking the signal, for example. This second unit takes about a minute to warm up and then the extended wireless network is available for reception and use by any appropriately equipped devices in the vicinity. A not-really-scientific check (i.e. walking into the garden until the signal failed) revealed that the wireless field is good for about 15-20 metres from this secondary unit.
Connecting to the extended field is easy too - any wireless receiver now shows your original wireless network (with its power boosted), plus a new Netgear entry in the list. This is an unsecured network as default, but you can change the settings to allow the entry of an access key if you want to employ the same security settings as you have for the primary network. The WGXB102 is not cheap, costing anywhere in the region of 80-100 pounds from most electronics retailers. However, some suppliers abroad do provide it at a much reduced price and I found a good deal from a French store - 70EUR is a bargain for this, and even after adding the price of shipment outside France it is still considerably cheaper than anywhere I found it in the UK. At that price, and taking the ease of installation and use into account, it's hard to find a reason not to recommend this, but one important minus point to consider is that this product might well not be suitable for permanent use, as even after a few hours both units were very hot to the touch indeed.
System Requirements:
Microsoft® Windows® for Workgroups 3.11
Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, XP, Windows NT® 3.51, 4.0 or Novell® * NetWare® Client32 for DOS Client for Windows 95/98 Server™ 4.10, 4.11, 5.0
RedHat® Linux® 5.4, 6.0
CO OpenServer™ (Unix®)
NDIS 2.0 for DOS driver for operating systems that require it
A wired or wireless home router
For more information, see the Netgear website: http://www.netgear.co.uk/wallplugged_range_extender_wgxb102.php
Advantages: Easiest home network I have ever used Disadvantages: Slight decrease in speed with four connections
Do you want to get the internet round your house but fall foul of the technical agility to get motivated? I have found that setting up Wi-Fi connections can be a real strain, sometimes the technology is not compatible with existing set-ups, and sometimes the signal being transmitted is just not enough to get you going. My very first Wi-Fi set up was terrible, I had to sit in certain positions, and could not move my laptop in case I lost my connection.
... ...my eyes to the world of Powerline Extenders, and their phenomenal use. There are three major advantages to using a powerline extender over a Wi-Fi connection, the first that the signal strength is almost as good at the output source (where you are receiving your internet connection), the second is that you can get the internet wherever you have a plug, and third and finally no worries about anyone else using your internet connection, your connection ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Speed
Ease of Installation
Ease of use
Reliability
Value For Money
very helpful
06.12.2007
Quick review of NETGEAR Powerline Wireless Range Extender WGXB102 Review ofNETGEAR Powerline Wireless Range Extender WGXB102by
PronStar
Product works out the box, but as soon as you want to change the settings it becomes very flakey. like for instance setting a WEP or WPAPSK key, or the homeplug key.
BTW, the last reviewer was a bit of a retart, you cant use surge protection products with any homeplug device. This is because surge protectors are essentially low pass filters, to filter out any high frequency crap that may get onto the mains (i.e. like homeplug signals........ sound of penny dropping). I'd recommend taking a look at the alternatives that are about - solwise being a good starting poing.
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
OS Required: SCO OpenServer, Red Hat Linux 6.0, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Microsoft Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
Manufacturer warranty
Service & Support: 2 years warranty
Service & Support Details: Limited warranty - 2 years
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Listed on Ciao since : 12/01/2006
Manufacturer's product description
As home networking continues to spread and evolve at rapid speed, some users find that their wireless router does not reach all corners or their home, or that they would like to have their wireless network originate from a point of their choosing, rather than be tethered to the point where the Internet enters their home. Other users would rather have a wireless network where no product is on the floor, and no cables are visible at all. The WGXB102 allows the user to have their wireless network originate from the middle of their home, or from even the furthest extremity, with no cables visible. The kit consists of the XE102 Wall-Plugged Ethernet bridge and a WGX102 54 Mbps Wall-Plugged Wireless Range Extender. The XE102 connects to an existing wired or wireless router from any vendor, and the WGX102 can be plugged into any electrical outlet to create an area of wireless access. Plug the XE102 into a wired or wireless router from any vendor, and then plug the WGX102 into any power outlet at your desired location to provide wireless access where desired. A new wall-plugged form factor allows the user to have a full wireless network without any visible Ethernet cables, and without any floor or desk space occupied. The sleek platinum casing blends well into any home decor.
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