SMC EliteConnect WLAN Access Manager SMC2502W

Advantages: Good features, repeater and bridging modes
Disadvantages: Minor installation problem

...Here's the story. I have an existing wireless network. The access point is in the office in the loft. I have a laptop I wander around with (as you do) and there is a PC on the ground floor. On a good day with a strong wind, the downstairs PC gets a weak to medium connection. All too often though it is intermittent or fails completely. Web browsing is quirky and the whole experience is less than satisfactory. The bottom line is that despite being well within the theoretical range for wireless devices, there are just too many walls, floors and sundry other obstacles getting in the way. There are several things you can do do improve the signal but most are more suited to open spaces. One option that would help in this situation is to use a pair of access points in repeater mode. After a quick look around, Netgear's WG602 looked like... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: easy to set up, good range.
Disadvantages: a bit sensitive

...I bought one of these access points for work because of the two aerial functionality. These aerials work in one of two ways, either diversity where they both send and recieve and can tell which aerial has the best signal to you and uses that, and simplex where one aerial sends and one receives and one sends and you have to have a good signal on both for the system to work. the diversity system makes it more flexible and we have a larger aerial on an extension on one of the RP TNC aerial connectors, this covers our manufacturing area, and one standard aerial which covers our office space. this works well and extends the range and thus the value for money of this unit. the advantage however using the aerials simplex is that in situations like an office with a good signal to both aerials one sending and one receiving cuts down... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Bargain bundle with wireless card for my laptop
Disadvantages: Just an access point, no modem/hub/etc

...simple 256-bit WPA (Wireless Protected Access) encryption and/or 40-/64-bit and 128-bit WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol) shared-key encryption, along with the ability to allow only listed MAC addresses access. In addition, you can de-select the "Broadcast SSID" option so your network is effectively invisible - folks can't see the Site Specific ID... It has LED Indicators on the front for: Power; LAN port status (Link, Speed and Activity) and WLAN port status (Link, Activity; Alert). Dimensions - Height: 2.5 cm (1 in) - not including twin antennae (!) - Width: 22 cm (8.7 in) - Depth: 13.5 cm (5.3 in) - Weight: 592 g (1.3 lb) (These dimensions are the same as my 3Com OfficeConnect Dual Speed Switch 5 - check out my review - so they look great stacked....) I hope this helps...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful