Price : Too low to display
IEEE 802.11b/g - 54Mbps - Wireless Access Point
This review is from : NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point
No WPA Security in Bridge Mode! . The NG102 works like it should--with one exception that I've found. If you set it up in Bridge Mode, it will NOT work with WPA security--you can only use the inferior WEP security.
WEP can be cracked in under 24 hours (the netgear helpfiles built into the WG102 setup pages even say this), but they still force you to use WEP security when bridging.
Additionally, Netgear's tech support is ABYSMAL. I have submitted several trouble tickets with questions, and it sometimes takes them TWO WEEKS to reply--and even then they did not give a reasonable answer to my question, they gave a stock answer to something I didn't ask. The user suport forum is much better, but you're not guaranteed to get any help there, either.
*** UPDATE: 12/27 - I'd like to downgrade this product to ONE STAR! ***
This access point would lock up at least once a day. The only solution was to unplug the power and plug it back in.
I found it had particular difficulty when trying to transfer files over the local network and when running internet speed tests (such as www.speakeasy.net/speetest). Somehow they seemed to confuse or overwhelm the access point, and it had to be hard-reset. Neither of those activities should have caused it any trouble at all--especially not this (much more expensive) "business-class" access point.
After spending way too much time troubleshooting the problem, I have finally given up and will return it.
No WPA Security in Bridge Mode! . The NG102 works like it should--with one exception that I've found. If you set it up in Bridge Mode, it will NOT work with WPA security--you can only use the inferior WEP security.
WEP can be cracked in under 24 hours (the netgear helpfiles built into the WG102 setup pages even say this), but they still force you to use WEP security when bridging.
Additionally, Netgear's tech support is ABYSMAL. I have submitted several trouble tickets with questions, and it sometimes takes them TWO WEEKS to reply--and even then they did not give a reasonable answer to my question, they gave a stock answer to something I didn't ask. The user suport forum is much better, but you're not guaranteed to get any help there, either.
*** UPDATE: 12/27 - I'd like to downgrade this product to ONE STAR! ***
This access point would lock up at least once a day. The only solution was to unplug the power and plug it back in.
I found it had particular difficulty when trying to transfer files over the local network and when running internet speed tests (such as www.speakeasy.net/speetest). Somehow they seemed to confuse or overwhelm the access point, and it had to be hard-reset. Neither of those activities should have caused it any trouble at all--especially not this (much more expensive) "business-class" access point.
After spending way too much time troubleshooting the problem, I have finally given up and will return it.
NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point Reviews
Works exactly as described . After researching several reviews from magazines and web sites, I decided to give this a try (mainly because of such great reviews on its range). I bought three of these and set them up to bridge our wired network from the main church to the MC building, with the third WG102 connected to the other end of the bridge, acting as an access point within the MC building for client use. I have been very happy with the results, but as a disclaimer I have to point out that it doesn't get a LOT of use. The great things about these have been:
1) No maintenance. Zero. These have been in use for nine months now. I am just finally writing this review because I'm getting ready to buy another one to provide a wireless access point within the church. I have not even had to reboot one of these access points. We have had power outages, and no intervention was ever required to re-establish the bridge or access point service.
2) Very good reliability for client connectivity: Even though the MC building has a lot of walls and distances, and signal strength is low in many places, we have no problems with client connectivity.
3) No special antennas required for the two WAPS dedicated to the bridge. We went into this project fully expecting to need to purchase external antennas for each of the bridge WAPs. However, the buildings are close enough that this wasn't necessary, even though both bridge WAP's are located towards the center of each building. This was a great surprise.
A word of advice - ALWAYS upgrade to the latest firmware when you buy any IT hardware. It eliminates one additional potential source of problems. Since there was a substantial firmware upgrade available for this product on Netgear's web site, I upgraded all three units without even trying the current version first. It probably saved me a lot of headache that others have experienced.
Works exactly as described . After researching several reviews from magazines and web sites, I decided to give this a try (mainly because of such great reviews on its range). I bought three of these and set them up to bridge our wired network from the main church to the MC building, with the third WG102 connected to the other end of the bridge, acting as an access point within the MC building for client use. I have been very happy with the results, but as a disclaimer I have to point out that it doesn't get a LOT of use. The great things about these have been:
1) No maintenance. Zero. These have been in use for nine months now. I am just finally writing this review because I'm getting ready to buy another one to provide a wireless access point within the church. I have not even had to reboot one of these access points. We have had power outages, and no intervention was ever required to re-establish the bridge or access point service.
2) Very good reliability for client connectivity: Even though the MC building has a lot of walls and distances, and signal strength is low in many places, we have no problems with client connectivity.
3) No special antennas required for the two WAPS dedicated to the bridge. We went into this project fully expecting to need to purchase external antennas for each of the bridge WAPs. However, the buildings are close enough that this wasn't necessary, even though both bridge WAP's are located towards the center of each building. This was a great surprise.
A word of advice - ALWAYS upgrade to the latest firmware when you buy any IT hardware. It eliminates one additional potential source of problems. Since there was a substantial firmware upgrade available for this product on Netgear's web site, I upgraded all three units without even trying the current version first. It probably saved me a lot of headache that others have experienced.
NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point Opinions
Does what it's supposed to without problems . I've had previous experience with Netgear small business line of products and it was overall a good one. This particular access point is no different. I use it in a small business office so that employees with laptops and smartphones can connect to our network. Using it on 802.11b with WPA2-PSK for several months now and did not notice any problems. Set it and forget it.
Does what it's supposed to without problems . I've had previous experience with Netgear small business line of products and it was overall a good one. This particular access point is no different. I use it in a small business office so that employees with laptops and smartphones can connect to our network. Using it on 802.11b with WPA2-PSK for several months now and did not notice any problems. Set it and forget it.
Works well and does much more than many WAP's I have seen. . I decided to try this model because I was disgusted with other brands of access points, mostly because they either seemed to have trouble supporting simultaneous multiple wireless connections, or would stop assigning new IP addresses (via DHCP) to wireless units requesting access until I reset or restarted the access point. At last, this Netgear WG102 WAP works well and never fails to connect any Wi-Fi unit requesting access. Furthermore, I never realized that any WAP could support multiple SSID's with different encryption modes all at once. But this one does! So, for the first time, I have no complaints about a wireless access point! This one doesn't screw up, & it has more features than I ever thought could be packed into one unit for a decent price (I had ordered it using wishful "blind-faith" not realizing all its capabilities until I received it). Not a smart thing to do, but I was rewarded nonetheless. _Church
Works great - once it's configured right . This unit works great but it took me 3 days to figure out how to configure it. Netgear support was no help, although they did respond to my e-mail - which just didn't read correctly, so their answer was of no help. The problem turned out that the laptop needed the address of the Verizon DNS server. The Netgear instructions don't get you a clue about that; just how to configure the unit with it's address. I recommend the unit for experienced techies. I've only been working with computers and networks for 40 years - what do I know?
CANNOT support WPA2 in Bridge Mode. . We purchased this unit to bridge our LAN between two buildings. But it cannot support Bridging in WPA2 mode. The manual claims WPA2 (which it can do) and Bridge Mode (which it can do) but it cannot do BOTH at the same time.
Works as it should . This product works as it should. I run a linux server off of my cable modem. I've tried multiple consumer priced wireless routers, but they all (3 of them!) had lock-up issues or slowness. I now have a complete "Netgear blue box" solution- the FR114P wired router with the WG102 wireless access point connected to it. I also have a Netgear GS108 gigabit switch. All are attached to my Motorola SB5100 cable modem. No lockups and my server is working wonderfuly well (I serve email and web for a handful of relatives.) It seems that this wireless access point is a bit more expensive than it should be, but I'm glad to finally have reliable networking! Now to get a wireless print server...
solid for now . Just deployed one of these on a remote site over a VPN Tunnel to the main office. So far its rock solid..
Pretty easy to use range could be better . This was a snap to set up due to excellent instructions. I must caution however that you must follow the instructions. The default subnet is strange (comes configured for 192.168.0.229 -- wouldn't 192.168.1.xxx be more likely what someone is already using?). Once you switch the default IP to your subnet, it's really easy. Could be a little more powerful or come with a directional antenna. Signal strength drops of noticably after 40 feet when going through a couple regular house walls (still very usable, just not at the fastest speeds). However, if you can centrally locate it (I ended up moving mine since the most convenient location was at one end of my house), it will cover an entire house with excellent signal strength.
Cons Review
Misleading advertising and packaging . Netgear advertises in various places and documents and even mentions on the box that it offers wifi bridging -- it does NOT mention the caveat that it can only bridge open or WEP protected networks not WPA protected networks.
Back to the store it goes.
Back to the store it goes.
Feature NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point
- Wireless Access Point offers an easy way to create a secure, 802.11g wireless network
- Enhanced enterprise-level security including 802.11i, WPA2 Enterprise
- Integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE) eliminates need for extra power cable and outlet
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- Device measures 5.56 x 1.06 x 3.94 inches (WxHxD)
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Product Details
EAN : 0606449037678UPC : 606449037678
MPN : WG102NA
Brand : Netgear
Weight : 3 pounds
Height : 3 inches
Length : 11 inches
Width : 9 inches
Binding : Personal Computers
Format : CD
Hardware Platform : Pc
Manufacturer : Netgear Inc
Model : WG102NA
Operating System : Windows
Platform : Windows
Publisher : Netgear Inc
SKU : MCE88-DHWG102NA
Studio : Netgear Inc
Where To Buy
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