Cisco-Linksys PLE200 PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)See also the Linksys PLK200 Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit, which is more economical.
This product is based on a "HomePlug-AV" chipset than runs a specialized type of sofware known as "firmware". Linksys does not design, manufacture, or maintain this chipset or its firmware. An unaffiliated company does that, and Linksys is just one of dozens of that company's customers.
I've purchased about 20 (twenty) PLE200s over the past year--from Amazon and other sellers--and all of them have shipped with firmware version 1.4.5 installed. The primary purpose of my 'review' here is to caution you that hardware running firmware version 1.4.5 cannot communicate with hardware running newer firmware versions. I hope this caution reaches people who have already purchased the PLE200 as well as those who are contemplating doing it.
Version 2.0 implemented a change that was required to achieve compliance with the HomePlug-AV standard. That change unfortunately rendered 1.4.5 unable to intercommunicate with versions thereafter. Fortunately, no subsequent firmware change will have such a devastating side-effect.
"HomePlug-AV" products currently coming off various manufacturers' production lines are likely shipping with 2.0 or later firmware installed. Be advised that if you wish to build unified network consisting of PLE200s and these other products, you'll have to upgrade the firmware in your PLE200s; otherwise, the PLE200s and the other products won't even "see" each other. Not only that, but they'll probably also step on each other's transmissions because of inability to coordinate their usage of the powerline medium.
The PLE200 ostensibly is compliant with the HomePlug-AV standard, but it actually is NOT compliant with the HomePlug-AV standard until its firmware is upgraded from version 1.4.5 to version 2.0 or newer. As of this writing, 3.0.5 is the newest version.
Linksys ought to provide a binary image of the firmware for download on their web site, but I don't see it. The Windows GUI application that Linksys ships on CD with the PLE200--it has a mechanism for programming a new firmware image into a PLE200, but I've never used it and am not certain it is able to perform the 1.4.5-to-later upgrade even if it were given the appropriate binary image.
Being an engineer who is doing development work in the HomePlug-AV space, I have the means to do the upgrade, but it requires my using some software that is not available to the general public. To the general public who already own PLE200's, I would suggest pestering either Linksys or the chipset manufacturer about the firmware. To everyone else--maybe you can find a HomePlug-AV adapter under a different brand name that comes with firmware version 2.0 or later pre-installed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys PLE200 PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter

The PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter lets you turn the existing powerlines in your home or office into a high-speed network. Now you do not have to drill through the walls and climb through the attic or cellar to install network cables -- just use the wires that already run through the building! The PowerLine AV Adapter interfaces Ethernet devices to the HomePlug AV PowerLine network standard. Just plug the PowerLine AV Adapter into the wall, and connect your Ethernet-equipped device to the Adapter using the included network cable, and you have turned your whole house into network infrastructure! Attach more computers to the network by simply plugging them into the wall anywhere in the house, using more PowerLine AV Adapters.

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D-Link DWL-1000AP 11Mb Wireless LAN Access Point 802.11b Review

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(More customer reviews)Products Tested: D-Link DWL-1000AP 11Mb Wireless LAN Access Point 802.11b D-Link DWL-650 11Mb Wireless PCMCIA LAN Network Card 802.11b vs. Linksys WAP11 - Instant Wireless Network Access Point Linksys WPC11 - Instant Wireless Network PC Card
Computer Hardware: Laptop: Dell Inspiron 600mhz, W2k Network: NT 4.0 Server, W2K Server Switches: 3Com and Linksys
Quality: After working with dlink first, linksys blew away dlink on the feel of quality and workmanship. As we all know, these components are so miniaturized that they could put them into any light-weight enclosure. dlink chose the light packaging approach....feels "cheap." linksys chose the mid-weight package...you feel as if it has higher quality...and you got something for your $250-300! linksys chose the dual antenna design over the single on the dlink. Technically, I am not sure if it is better but the actual reception really is... These are subjective and personal factors but for most, it makes a difference.
Ease of Use: From the documentation, to the support, to the software, it is really apparent dlink cut costs everywhere and with things they shouldn't. The setup is extremely confusing, the software is buggy...really, and the docs are horrible. In my manual, every other page did not have printing on it...quality control missed this! Linksys...even though I had to use the USB setup at first (dlink does not have a USB port on their access unit), the configuration was simple. The docs actually explained the parameters on the configuration screens. Once I set the IP address to one recognized on my network (I am not using DHCP), I used the linksys SNMP configuration tool to set and adjust the other parameters. I have a laptop. When using the wireless network card on the dlink, if you eject the card, the next time you re-insert the card, it does not remember your setting. You have to go back and set the parameters in order to get the card to function again. I called dlink tech support on this...on hold forever, hung up, and no call back...even when they asked and I left my mobile number, just in case... On the linksys, when I re-inserted the wireless card, it remembered the setting.
Service and Usability: Both products have a signal and quality meter in their utilities. One important note...the distance specs on both of these products (I think the 802.11b category overall) are NOT accurate. Inside of your home and through walls, etc., expect much less. How much less...you need to try it out to be sure. If you have line of sight to the access unit, these distances will go up. I mounted the access unit in my living room, on top of the entertainment center. I chose this location b/c it had the best reception. With the dlink, in the master bedroom (through one wall!), I was *barely* able to use the network...0-40 on the signal meter. On one occasion, once the dlink card lost the network, I could not get back on?? The total distance to the access unit was 30ish feet. With linksys, my signal was consistent at 40-60...once or twice is dipped to 20-30 but came right back up. I also tried a configuration with the dlink access unit and linksys card. They did work together but I could not improve the signal quality. I concluded that the dlink access unit was one of the problems. When I used the dlink wireless card, several times my computer shut down automatically??
Overall: Save tons of time and money...just buy the linksys system...access point and cards. Linksys is priced well and makes a quality offering. It is very clear to me that dlink is just focused on price and cutting their cost.

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The D-Link DWL-1000AP is an IEEE 8.02.11b-compliant, 11 Mbps wirelessEthernet access point designed for use in office and home environments. Itoperates in 2.4 GHz direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), which providestransparent bridging and roaming capabilities to wireless nodes at ranges up to100 meters indoors and 300 meters outdoors. The DWL-1000AP supports Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), MAC address control, anduser authentication to ensure a secure network connection. When connected to anEthernet LAN, the DWL-1000AP automatically identifies the IP of the host PC aswell as the subnet. In addition, the IP address of the DWL-1000AP can bemanually assigned. The bandwidth data transmission rate can be set automaticallyusing the dynamic auto-sensing configuration or set manually to 11, 5.5, 2, or 1Mbps. You can manage the DWL-1000AP remotely with its access point manager software,which can be installed on Microsoft Windows 95 OSR2, 98, 98SE, NT 4.0, Me, and2000.

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Buffalo Technology AirStation Turbo G High Power Wireless Ethernet Converter ( WLI-TX4-G54HP ) Review

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(More customer reviews)The WLI-TX4-G54HP is not perfect, but it is one of the best bridges out there. Unlike most bridges from Netgear, Linksys, and D-Link, the Buffalo Technology WLI-TX4-G54HP has 4 Ethernet ports built in, eliminating the need for a separate switch. This is key, since the advantage of a bridge versus wireless adapters is that one bridge can be used for multiple devices (e.g. in an entertainment center to support a TiVo, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, Slingbox, etc). The costly and time consuming alternative is to buy and configure a separate wireless adapter per device, one of which costs as much as the WLI-TX4-G54HP, and many of which don't even support the latest network security encryption.
Compared to other network equipment, setup was relatively straightforward. If you have a Buffalo router or access point, you can use one touch AOSS setup, which worked seamlessly, defaulting to the highest level of encryption supported by all devices (e.g. WPA-AES/CCMP). However, your AOSS settings on your Buffalo router default to supporting 125 High Speed if supported by all devices on your network which can cause issues on the WLI-TX4-G54HP (see below). Also, using AOSS to configure the converter disables any custom settings on your router such as disabling SSID broadcast (a highly recommended security practice), so you'll probably opt to configure your converter manually.
With Manual configuration you have the option of using the PC configuration software or the built-in web-based configuration tool. The only hitch with using the web-based configuration tool is that you have set your computer's wired Ethernet adapter IP address manually to 1.1.1.2 since the converter's IP address defaults to 1.1.1.1 and you have to be on the same subnet to connect to it since there is no built-in DHCP server (to do this, Right-click Network Places, click Properties, right-click your Local Area Connection, click Properties, click TCP/IP, click Properties, select Use the following IP address, and enter IP address 1.1.1.2 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0). Once you change your computer's IP, you can log into the tool, change the network and security settings and change the static IP address of the configuration tool to an IP on your subnet (e.g. 192.168.x.2) so you can manage it from any computer on your network. Don't forget to change your IP And DNS back on your computer back to automatic detection after you are done configuring your device.
On the downside, if you are using the WLI-TX4-G54HP in 125 High Speed Mode mode (aka g+ SuperSpeed, Gplus, HSM, SpeedBooster, Turbo G, Xpress, WME), which is only possible when used on a network with all 125 High Speed compatible devices, it freezes up and requires a power cycle when used under intensive bandwidth conditions, which I discovered when trying to transfer video between two TiVos connected to two WLI-TX4-G54HP converters and a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 router (all of which support 125 High Speed Mode). This can be avoided by disabling the 125 High Speed frame bursting mode on your router. You will not experience this problem on a non 125 High Speed network (or even if you have a 125 High Speed Network with any non-125 High Speed devices on it since every device must support it to enable it).
Finally, if you have WDS-compatible router, such as any Buffalo router, you are better off using another WHR-HP-G54 router as a bridge since it provides the same functionality as the WLI-TX4-G54HP but also acts as a repeater to extend your network signal, and costs about the same price online. In fact, the WHR-HP-G54 looks identical to the WLI-TX4-G54HP, except that the latter lacks a WAN port and a switch to change from router to bridge mode. The only downside to using the WHR-HP-G54 as a bridge, is that doing so requires disabling 125 High Speed Mode on your router, but since this doesn't work well anyways, it isn't really a disadvantage.

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Buffalo Technology AirStation Turbo G High Power Wireless Ethernet Converter ( WLI-TX4-G54HP )

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Cisco-Linksys WET11 Wireless Ethernet Bridge Review

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(More customer reviews)After reading the specs on the Linksys WET11 and downloading the user manual from their website, I decided to purchase a unit. I am very pleased with this product and it works as I had expected.
Setting it up was a breeze. The antenna is screwed on to the right side of the unit (which is surprisingly small). Plug in the power supply. I then hooked it up to a PC laptop with the supplied RJ45 cable and ran the setup program. I have an SMC Barricade 7004AWBR router with a built in wireless access point. The WET11 was configured to use the same SSID and channel as the SMC and then set to DHCP. All done.
The unit can then be connected to your ethernet device in one of two ways. One is directly to your desktop or laptop, for example. The other is to hook it up to a hub or switch and from there wire it up to one or more desktops or even laptops. There is a switch on the unit to select which mode will be used. While I do have a wireless card for the laptop, it's nice to have the flexibility of going wired for desktops.
The icing on the cake is that I now have wireless connectivity for my Mac Beige G3. I've been looking for a solution and the WET11 solves it. Before, I had to run a long RJ45 cable to it from the router. Now I can connect it to the WET11 through either of the two options mentioned and get on the web as before, except it's now wireless. One tip - set the Mac to a manual IP address. For some reason, setting the Mac for DHCP does not work. For me a very minor issue.
I have not seen any dropped connections for the few days I've had it and it sure runs cool. All in all, it has met my expectations, perhaps more so with the Mac. For the money, I see no comparable product out there. Check it out.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WET11 Wireless Ethernet Bridge

The versatile wireless Ethernet bridge from Linksys can make any wired Ethernet-equipped device a part of your wireless network. At home, use the wireless Ethernet bridge to connect game consoles, set-top boxes, or computers to your wireless network to share your high-speed network connection. In the office, convert your Ethernet-wired printer, scanner, camera, notebook, or desktop into a wireless networked device.
It's completely driver-free, so it works on any platform and with any operating system. Because there are no drivers to load, setup is a snap--just plug it into your device and configure the network settings through your Web browser.
You can also use the Linksys wireless Ethernet bridge as a kind of "cableless cable" to connect remote areas together. Maybe the Shipping department is all the way across the warehouse from Receiving. Or maybe you want to set up a home office in your detached garage. With a wireless Ethernet bridge in the garage and an other one (or a wireless access point) in the house, you're connected--without the hassle of cabling.

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Slinglink Turbo 1PORT Enet Connection Bridge (SL 150-100) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Firstoff, I would say this device does what it is supposed to. Having used several powerline products like this, I will say that this one performs about as well as competing units. That said, there are few caveats I would point out. First, you're only going to get acceptable throughput when both sides of the link are on the same household circuit. This is especially true with older homes who may have gone through electrical upgrades (like mine). Also, your throughput will suffer when you use other electrical devices on the circuit. For example, my video gets choppy whenever someone turns on/off the bathroom light which is adjacent to the bedroom where I have this unit located. For basic internet usage this is not a big deal, but if you're streaming video to a media center like I am, it is somewhat of an annoyance.

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Slinglink Turbo 1PORT Enet Connection Bridge (SL 150-100): Box Contents - 2 SlingLink TURBO 1-Port Units, 1 Ethernet Cable, and 1 Quick Start Guide. Plug/Powerline 85 Mbps technology. Network Interface - One RJ-45 (100BASE-T-Ethernet) and Electrical Plug (Powerline Ethernet. Power Line Networking Performance Standards - 85 Mbps Intellon Chipset. Power Supply - 100-230V 50/60Hz, Less than 5W consumption

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Netgear ME101 802.11b Wireless Bridge Review

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(More customer reviews)This has got to be one of the worst wireless products to come out of Netgear.
If you want a reliable unit, buy something else.
If you want something easy to configure and install, buy something else.
If you want something that won't get confused when it starts seeing your neighbor's wireless access point, buy something else.
If you would like to be able to call technical support and get a meaningful response, buy something else.
This thing locks up all the time. Sometimes it lasts 15 minutes, sometimes you might get 30 minutes of use out of it. Then you have to power cycle it to make it work again for another 15 minutes. I have tried to mate it to wireless access points made by Netgear, D-Link, Linksys, Adaptec, Cisco. I have tried having only one AP "visible" in its pitiful range; having multiple access points; upgrading the firmware. Nothing changes its behavior of random locks after a relatively short period of time from the moment you turn it on.
Finally, if you don't want to end up like me writing reviews on here, BUY SOMETHING ELSE! Anything.
It can not possibly be any worse than this utter failure and ripoff.

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The NETGEAR ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge makes it easy to connect your gaming console, PC or Internet radio to your wireless network. No additional Ethernet cabling is required, and no other adapter is needed to connect a device that has an Ethernet port. With its attractive, sleek platinum casing, the ME101 can be conveniently mounted on the wall without your home decor taking an aesthetic hit. The powerful, detachable antenna provides greater range and signal strength than most other Wi-Fi wireless devices.

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NETGEAR XE104 85 Mbps Powerline 4-Port Ethernet Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)Bought two. Plugged in one in my home office with a Cat5 coming from my WRT54G router.
Plugged the other one in on the opposite side of my ranch townhome. Got the blue light sync indicator within 5 seconds. Plugged in my laptop and got an IP from the Linksys five seconds after that..
Works perfectly. No drops. Just like an ethernet cable would be. Since it has four ports, plugged in the Tivo via the USB/Ethernet I already had. That also grabbed an IP and worked perfectly.
Consistent speed of copying WinXP SP2 off my PC in my home office to my laptop in the living room using the two 104s is about 15 Mbps or so as measured by Netstat on my laptop. Is it equal to Cat5? Is it ANYWHERE NEAR 85 Mbps as Netgear advertises? NOT A CHANCE. Connecting the laptop to my LAN by directly connecting into the WRT54G resulted in the same file being moved from the same PC at just over 75 Mbps. So, the 15 Mbps speed of the 104s is about 20% of the LAN's speed moving the same file.
The Netgear software says the two are connected at just about 40 Mbps. So, figure less than half that in real speed.
But overall, it does work. It's more than enough speed for me to avoid the hassles and drops of wireless, not to mention having to use WEP since my Tivo can't currently support WPA.
Clearly, this is a YMMV product. Buy it and take the shot. You might get enough speed. Or you may not even have it sync up. That's why I bought it from Amazon so I could return it if I had too. Could have gotten it a bit cheaper elsewhere, but why risk it?
If I was streaming HD files, it wouldn't work. But for not having to deal with cutting through 19 (!) wireless networks that my 802.XX Site Monitor can see, and fighting the inevitable XP wireless drops, it works fine for me. I was going to go for the Slinglink first but figured I might as well try for faster speeds. I'm glad I spent the extra $$$$ over it and the older Netgear 102s.
5 stars for ease of use. 1 star for the laughable real speed versus Netgear's advertising. Thus, an average of 3 stars.
EDIT TO ORIGINAL REVIEW: I have `SBC/ATT/Whatever they are today' DSL. I tweaked my RCP Receive Window (RWIN) from blank (whoopps) to 17,424 (as well as other settings) per DSLReports.com's suggestion in order to accommodate the new 6.0/764 RT based speed profile I recently received. In doing do, the speed of file transfers referenced above via the 104 dropped from about 15 megs to less than 10. When I removed the RWIN setting restoring it to its state before messing with it, the speed returned to the 15 megs.
So, if you've tweaked your registry settings for maximum broadband download speed and are not getting great results with the 104, you might want to do a little tweaking trade off between the two to get the speeds you're seeking on both the 104 and your broadband access. My results of both speeds is still in 'messing around with' mode and I haven't yet found that perfect blend.
EDIT TO ORIGINAL REVIEW #2 - 06/11/2006: Still working fine. Speeds are consistent with what I originally posted. It's never failed once to work the way it's intended. I've never dropped an IP and I've never plugged in the laptop and not had it work within a few seconds. A good product in my specific enviornment. I'll buy another one so I can plug in the laptop anywhere in my place, even the deck outside and not have to fight wireless drops. Now if they'd only release the 1.6 firmware....

Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR XE104 85 Mbps Powerline 4-Port Ethernet Adapter

The NETGEAR XE104 85 Mbps Powerline 4-Port Ethernet Adapter lets you easily extend a network using just the existing electric lines of your home, eliminating the need to run unsightly Ethernet wires all over your house or apartment. With four ports, you can connect multiple devices to one adapter and at 85 Mbps, you'll have more than enough speed to download music, stream videos, and make internet telephone calls without any hiccups.
True Plug and Play Installation Extending a network using the electric lines in your home requires an XE104 unit and an additional NETGEAR XE103 Powerline Ethernet Adapter. Simply plug the XE103 into a wall outlet and connect it to your router with an Ethernet cord. Then plug the XE104 into the wall outlet where you need a network connection and connect it to as many as four Ethernet-ready devices. That's it. There's no software to install. You can create as many network connections as you need by connecting more XE104 or XE103 units wherever you need them. The device has easy-to-read icon LEDs for status information at a glance.
Fast Performance The XE104 is HomePlug compatible and supports speeds up to 85 Mbps which is enough for multiple video streams without interruptions. The XE104 has four 10/100 Ethernet ports with which you can connect a PC, gaming console, Slingbox, DVR, NETGEAR's SC101T Storage Central Turbo or ReadyNAS NV+, or another networkable device. In order to enable encryption, you need a computer with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, 98 or Me.
The NETGEAR XE104 85 Mbps Powerline 4-Port Ethernet Adapter is backed by 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box XE104 85 Mbps Powerline 4-Port Ethernet Adapter, installation guide, Ethernet cable, resource CD, warranty card, and support and information card.

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Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline AV Adapter (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Encouraged by positive reviews, I tried using these to connect two Airport Extreme Base Stations (AEBS) separated by one floor and about 60 feet apart. The AEBSs were set up extend a 802.11n network wirelessly. Connecting them using these powerline adapters made the speed to drop considerably. I tested transferring a 200 MB file: with AEBSs connected wirelessly the transfer rate was about 13Mbs; with powerline adapters it dropped to 2-3Mbs.
I concluded that the wiring inside the house is not suitable for using this technology.
Otherwise, the product seems to be a polished product with easy setup.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline AV Adapter (Black)

If you need an ultra-high-speed network connection in the farthest reaches of your home, the Belkin Powerline AV Starter Kit is just what you've been looking for. This kit includes everything you need to create a reliable, high-speed home network providing data speeds of up to 200 Mbps using your house's existing electrical wiring.
The adapter can be plugged directly into the wall or placed on a desk. Streaming Video -- Even In Your Attic With the Belkin Powerline AV Starter Kit, you can send high-bandwidth content from the Internet to computers and network devices all over your home through the electrical wiring in your house. This kit lets you convert any electrical outlet in your home into a network connection.

For instance, if you have a computer in the attic or other room where a wireless signal is weak, the Powerline AV is the perfect solution. You don't need to drill holes to extend your Ethernet cable, and you won't have to worry about the slow data speeds and intermittent dropouts that weak wireless connections are plagued with. Additionally, unlike wireless connections, the Powerline AV network connection isn't affected by factors such as cordless telephones and other wireless interference.

There is no performance penalty that comes with the convenience of the Powerline AV; data speeds along at up to 200 Mbps, meaning it can handle even heavy Internet usage, such as downloading and streaming music and video files, playing online games, and making VoIP phone calls, all without any lag time or hiccups.

Enhanced Security Keeps Out Snoopers There is no need to worry about security either. With 128-bit DES link encryption, the Powerline AV ensures that your information is safe and secure from intruders. Since the information is all transferred with wires, hackers can't simply sniff your information out of the air, as they easily can with insecure wireless connections.

Simple Plug-and-Play Setup Setup is as simple as plugging one adapter into a wall outlet and connecting it into your router, and then plugging a second adapter into any outlet wherever you need a network connection. This kit includes two adapters, so you can create a network within minutes of opening the box. If you have need for another connection, just purchase another adapter.

The Belkin Powerline AV is HomePlug AV certified, can coexist with HomePlug 1.0, and is compliant with 802.3/802.3u standards. It is backed by a lifetime warranty.

What's in the Box Two Powerline Networking Adapters, two Ethernet cables, two power cords, two wall plug adapters, quick installation guide, and CD-ROM with installation software and user manual.



Belkin Powerline AV with Amazon Video on DemandWith Amazon Video on Demand, you can instantly watch thousands of movies and TV shows online. Now, instead of watching videos on your computer, you can stream it to your home theater for a premium viewing experience. To get the best streaming video quality, update your home theater and home network by adding Belkin Powerline AV to your Amazon Video on Demand. Belkin Powerline offers the best bandwidth and fastest speeds for the ultimate video experience in your home--even in HD. Belkin Powerline is simple to install and faster than any wireless connection--just plug it in and instantly connect to the Internet. Use Powerline to stream high quality video to cable boxes, TiVo, or gaming consoles and show Amazon Video on Demand programs in your home theater as well as any other TV or computer in your home.

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Cisco-Linksys WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you are considering this bridge to do video/audio streaming inside your house, think again. This review is based on over 2 months worth of testing this unit and then working with Linksys/Cisco trying to figure why it does not deliver. A saleperson at a local store may have told you that you can stream MP3s over your wireless network, or perhaps you have two DVRs in your house and your want to stream recorded TV shows from one to another. This is not the device you want to use for this purpose. Don't belive me? Ask Linksys level 3 support. Its architecture is not designed to support high levels of network traffic needed for streaming -- it has very small or zero I/O buffers to handle it -- as a result, the device will crash after 2-5 minutes of streaming. You can power cycle it and it will resume for the next 2-5 min. But forget streaming for a moment, WET54G crashed when I was simply working from home VPN'd into my company. Not for that either?! Do you think that WET54G ver 2 is better than WET54G ver 1? Been there, don't waste your time -- the architecture is the same. Alternatives? WET54GS5 might be better, but I'm yet to find that out myself. I know you want to try it yourself. Piece of advice -- buy at a retail store, and if it doesn't work, return within 30 days. Do not get into RMA exchanges with Linksys - unless you enjoy 2 months of 2-3 hours/day trying to get your money back.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

Connect any Ethernet-equipped device to a high-speed Wireless-G Network The versatile Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge can make any wired Ethernet-equipped device a part of your wireless network. At home, use the Bridge to connect game consoles, set-top boxes, or computers to your Wireless-G network and its shared high-speed Internet connection. In the office, convert your Ethernet-wired printer, scanner, camera, notebook or desktop into a wireless networked device. Its completely driver-free, so it works on any platform and under any operating system Since theres no drivers to load, setup is a snap -- configure the network settings through your PCs web browser, then plug it into your device and go. And physical installation is simplified by support for Power Over Ethernet. With an optional POE Adapter, you can mount the Bridge wherever you want -- power and data are both supplied through the Category 5 Ethernet cable.

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NETGEAR 5 GHz Wireless-N HD Access Point/Bridge (WNHDE111) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Old Setup
Netgear WGT624NAv3 (G - 108Mbs)
Netgear WGPS606 (Print Server/Bridge 54 Mbs)
New Setup
Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700
Netgear WNHDEB111
Background:
I honestly hated Netgear. The nightmares I had with my old setup were terrible. I constantly had to reboot the router; the bridge required me to reconnect wireless devices in a certain order every time; my fiance's Apple never stayed connected long; bittorrent, VPN and video streaming knocked the router out the few times it was working; and the customer service is just horrible. I swore I'd never buy another Netgear product, but I finally had to buy something that would at least work for my fiance. I waited a few months for 802.11n to mature a bit, and was going to get the DLINK DIR-655. Recently it's had horrible firmware issues though and the other brands had low reviews. Then along came the WNDR3700.
The reviews were great so I picked it up and this bridge. I fully expected it to work as badly as my previous Netgear products, but I felt I had to give it a shot.
Conclusion:
I've had this product connected to my WNDR3700 for two days now and it works flawlessly. I have had many wireless setups and this is the best I've ever seen. I've seen people complain that it's on the 5Ghz frequency only, but it works great. All of my other systems are wired or on the 2.4Ghz frequency so I have very little overlap. Of course the WNDR3700 is dual-band so that may not be the same for everyone. I will update this if anything changes but for now I'm extremely happy. It could work at half the speed it does and I would still be happy to have something that just works for once.
Update:
Everyone in my home has problems with the iphone and this router. We constantly get disconnected. It's a known issue on their forums. There is a recent update that helps a lot but almost everyday I still lose my connection and have to re-enter my password. Otherwise this router is still working amazingly. I've only had to reset it one time.
Update:
The last update pretty much fixed the iphone issues. I rarely have to reconnect my phone anymore. If you plan on using the USB storage part of the device though I'd recommend reading the Netgear forums. Some people have had some issues with this.

Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR 5 GHz Wireless-N HD Access Point/Bridge (WNHDE111)

The NETGEAR WNHDE111 5 GHz Wireless-N HD Access Point/Bridge lets you create a 5 GHz Wireless-N access point by simply connecting it to an existing router/gateway. The resulting wireless network lets you transfer data at the highest possible Wireless-N speeds, making it an ideal solution for network gaming and streaming HD videos. By utilizing patented metamaterial antenna technology, the WNHDE111 offers a speed and range far surpassing the older Wireless-G standard.
Easy Setup Simply connect the WNHDE111 to your router/gateway. Setup is easily and securely done with a simple "Push 'N Connect" feature using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), which eliminates the need to remember or input security password keys. The device automatically configures itself to access point or bridge mode depending on the type of Ethernet enabled device it connects to.
You can easily extend your wireless network by purchasing more WNHDE111 units, or start with the NETGEAR HD/Gaming 5 GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit.
Minimal Interference = Outstanding Performance Most wireless devices today, such as Wi-Fi devices, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, microwaves, and baby monitors, operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency, creating a lot of traffic and interference. The WNHDE111, however, operates on the 5 GHz band, which has up to 23 free channels and avoids the interference from most other devices.
The WNHDE111 complies with the latest Wireless-N draft specification for the fastest possible Wireless-N speeds. Automatic Quality of Service (QoS) ensures prioritization of voice, video and gaming traffic. It also supports wireless "ad-hoc" mode for wireless LAN peer-to-peer gaming and supports multicast point-to-multi-point HD video streaming.
The WNHDE111 supports WiFi Protected Access (WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK), and 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption and is backed by a 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box WNHDE111 5 GHz Wireless-N HD Access Point/Bridge, stand, Ethernet cable, setup CD, power adapter, and warranty/support information card.

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NETGEAR WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server with 4-port Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have a wirelss network w/3 pc's, one Mac Powerbook, w/netgear router, and now the WGPS606 netgear printserver (my motorola WPS870G was half the $$$ and easier to set up on my Powerbook, but got killed by lightning storm yesterday); I have an old laserjet & HP officejet d145. Contrary to rumors, you can get the WPS870G to printserve wirelessly from Mac/OSX through the network (i.e., powerbook is wireless, printserver is also wireless)
1-I set a dedicated IP address in my router to associate w/my printserver...To do this: in 192.168.0.1 (which is the router) I renewed IP addresses, looked into the router's assignment table, and figured out that the printserver was at 192.168.0.4, so I just assigned it to 192.168.0.4; to do the assignment, you also need the device (i.e., the printserver's) MAC address; that's the trick...the MAC address on the netgear printserver is called the "device" or "hardware" MAC address, and it's the number printed on the box itself; if you go to the printserver ip address (in my case, 192.168.0.4), you find netgear's set up pages for the printserver; the printserver has two mac addresses, the 2nd is called something like the `wireless' MACaddress; that wireless MAC address (which is only different by one digit at the end) is what you use when you set up a dedicated IP address for the print server; when you've done all this, you should probably go back into 192.168.0.1 (your router set up pages) try to renew ip addresses to see if the assigned printserver address (in my case, 192.168.0.4) shows up and shows up with the right MAC address
3- when setting up a new printer in printer set up utility, you select IP Printing + LPD/LPR, printer address is your new ip address that you assigned (192.168.0.4 in my case) and queue name is L1 (presumably L2 if you have a second printer)
btw, you may need to upgrade the driver (I needed an HPIJS driver for my multi-function HP d145); the original driver didn't even install from the cd


Click Here to see more reviews about: NETGEAR WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server with 4-port Switch

With the NETGEAR WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server with 4-port Switch, users on your network have the freedom to print wirelessly to up to two printers. It also functions as a wireless Ethernet bridge, allowing you to extend your wireless connection and connect up to four users to your wireless network.
Wireless Printing and Bridge The WGPS606 has two USB ports to connect two printers. Simply put your printers wherever works best and plug them into the wireless print server; a Smart Wizard will guide you through configuration in just seconds. Once configured, anyone on the network can print to either printer; business documents can be sent to the high-end laser and photos can be printed on the photo printer. No separate adapters are needed. The print server can print via Peer-to-Peer (PTP) and Windows LPD printing methods.
The print server also functions as a wireless Ethernet bridge, allowing you to connect a cluster of up to four PCs and laptops without dedicated wireless adapters.
Secure and Compatible Powerful 40/64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption and WPA-PSK keep your wireless network secure. The device is interoperable with 802.11b, 802.11g, and RangeMax (MIMO-G) networks, so you can be sure it will work with your existing wireless network.
The NETGEAR WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server with 4-port Switch is backed by a 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box WGPS606 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server w/4-port Switch, power adapter, 2 USB cables, resource CD, installation guide, warranty/support information card.

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TRENDnet 54Mbps Wireless G Access Point TEW-430APB (Blue) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have a couple of computers in one room, connected via LAN to a Linksys Wireless G router/access point, which is connected to a DSL modem. I wanted to put another computer an an Ethernet-attached printer on the floor above. The standard way to do this would be to run a Cat-5 cable from the Linksys router to a small hub on the upper floor, and connect the new computer and printer to it. It would be a long and complicated run, though, and would involve drilling through the floor. Not impossible, but I didn't really look forward to doing it.
This device seemed to be just what I was looking for: a way to replace a long run of Cat-5 cable with a wireless link. Put the TRENDnet Access Point on the upper floor along with a small hub (the Access Point has only one Ethernet jack), and plug the computer and printer into the hub.
The Access Point offers five modes of operation. The one I expected to use is called "WDS", for Wireless Distribution System. From the user manual, it appears as if this is the mode for just extending a LAN as I wanted to do. I was never able to get this mode of operation to communicate with the Linksys router. The manual is not well written, and the help windows from the Access Point's built in web server are even worse. Using browsers to look at the settings of both the Linksys and the TRENDnet, I verified that everything that I can set was entered correctly: Channel number, SSID, passphrases, MAC addresses, everything. No connection was ever made, in WDS mode.
So I tried "AP + WDS" mode; still nothing worked.
Finally I tried "AP Client" mode, in which (quoting now) "the AP will be a wireless Ethernet adapter transforms any Ethernet-enabled devices to have the wireless function." From the diagram, it would seem that only one device (computer, printer) could be attached. I tried connecting the switch with both computer and printer to the Access Point in this mode, and finally it all works.
Now that it's working, it is doing just what I wanted it to. The new computer can access the internet and share files with the ones downstairs, the downstairs computers can print on the upstairs printer, and so on.
The poor manual and even worse help text really drags this product down. I would have rated it much higher if it hadn't required so much experimentation to get it going.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TRENDnet 54Mbps Wireless G Access Point TEW-430APB (Blue)

TRENDnets TEW-430APB Wireless Access Point is todays link to Wireless Technology. Compliant with the IEEE Wireless Networking Standard 802.11g, it provides Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) operation for transparent bridging and roaming capabilities for wireless nodes. The TEW-430APB also provides WDS bridging functions, allowing users to connect two or more Access Points together, wirelessly. With TRENDnets Wireless Access Point and Wireless Network Adapters, users can connect to Ethernet/Fast Ethernet LAN at home or office to access network resources such as hard drives, CD-ROM/DVD drives, network printers, and Internet connection - with coverage up to 300 meters.

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ASUS WL-330gE_M Wireless Bridge Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Asus wireless bridge arrives with no setup guide or instructions; the theory is that it is fully plug-and-play with no instructions needed. What you will find in the shipping box are: two device boxes, marked simply 1 and 2; two ethernet cables; one power adapter to plug into the electric supply and one of the two boxes (both boxes appear identical except for their numbers); and one USB power cord to plug into a USB port on a computer, Blue-ray player or other device to be connected to the wireless network. That's it. Good luck. I didn't find a setup guide on the Asus web site, but it might have been there somewhere.
I assumed that box no. 1 should be connected to the cable modem or router (using one of the two ethernet cables) and to the power adaptor. I did see three blue lights come on (power, ethernet, wireless) which looked promising. I went to my Blue-ray player (an Oppo BDP-83) and used the other ethernet cable for box no. 2. No lights; no good wireless connection. So I tried the USB power connector. For some reason, this didn't work at this time, but later I learned that this was the correct step.
I read customer reviews here and on another vendor's site for the Asus. On the Asus site I found diddly squat. Someone (incorrectly) said that the power adaptor needs to be on the receiving box (no. 2). So I moved my power adaptor from no. 1 (which now lost all its nice blue lights) to no. 2 (which now got the blue lights). Testing the connection on my Oppo showed no connection. So I did some troubleshooting by moving the ethernet connection over from box no. 2 to my laptop computer, which couldn't get an internet connection either.
So, fortunately, I went to Oppo's own website. It did have the Asus setup guide, which is very, very simple: The power adaptor goes with box no. 1, which is connected to the electric source and (by ethernet) to your router or modem. The USB power cord is connected from a USB port on the back of the Oppo into box no. 2. The second ethernet connection goes between box no. 2 and an ethernet connection on the Oppo. Presto. Done. The connection works. Both box no. 1 and box no. 2 have pretty blue lights (three each).
Asus' failure to provide this simple setup guide in the shipping box is inexcusable. What should have taken less than five minutes took me a couple of hours of fooling around. Once you get it up and running, it works simply and great. So: 1 star for setup. 5 stars for performance (and being simple little boxes that won't clutter up your system or work area). Average: 3 stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS WL-330gE_M Wireless Bridge Kit

ASUS WL-330gE Wireless Access Point combines 4 wireless functions: Access Point, Ethernet Adapter, Gateway and Universal Repeater, into 1 - providing you with connectivity wherever you are.

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TRENDnet 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point TEW-638APB (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Home networking can be a real pain especially for someone like me who knows enough to be dangerous but not enough to be a network installer. I have a wireless router burried in my basement that wasn't getting signal to my upstairs part of the house. I tried two other different products 1) two routers connected to each other and 2) a Hawking repeater. I ended up wasting a lot of time with them and they just didnt work or had compatibility issues. I took a plunge on the no brand trendnet based on this other positive review and he was 100% right. The price is 50% cheaper than the comparable Linksys N switch and does exactly as advertised. Setup took 5 minutes and I now have coverage all over my house. No issues so far.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TRENDnet 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point TEW-638APB (Black)

TRENDnet 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point TEW-638APB Wireless Access Points

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SMC Barricade N Wireless Broadband Router SMCWBR14S-N4 - Wireless router - 4-port switch - 802.11b/g/n - desktop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Great little router, I run it in a mixed wired/wireless N environment and use it to share the Internet between two desktops, a laptop, a netbook, two Nintendo DS, one Nintendo DSI, Xbox 360 and a Wii. I bought it to replace the old SMC G router which I had for years (love the brand, so I stuck with them). Not much else to say, the set up was easy, and I haven't had to do anything else since the initial setup - it just works. Forgot to mention - didnt have to install any software, just like with SMC's other router, just logged into the web server menu and it was ready to go. Like I said, its a no brainer.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SMC Barricade N Wireless Broadband Router SMCWBR14S-N4 - Wireless router - 4-port switch - 802.11b/g/n - desktop

The Barricade N 150Mbps Wireless Broadband Router (SMCWBR14S-N4) is the perfect all-in-one networking solution for connecting and sharing your high speed cable/xDSL internet connection. Designed for the home, this platform independent multi-functional router combines a 4-port 10/100 LAN switch, 150Mbps Wireless-N access point, NAT firewall with Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and User friendly web-based management interface in one convenient device.The SMCWBR14S-N4 provides better performance than existing 802.11g technology and is fully backwards compatible with existing 802.11b/g products. It supports the latest WPA and WPA2 wireless encryption standards, which prevent unauthorized access to wireless networks and ensure data is secure. Wireless security can also be set up easily using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) that enables push button (PBC) or PIN configuration.The integrated NAT firewall with SPI provides protection from hackers and Denial of Service attacks by analyzing individual data packets, to ensure that only authorized packets are allowed access to the network. Using the Access Control feature parents or network administrators can block certain websites, limit web access based on time or dates, and/or block internet access for applications like P2P utilities or games. Finally, configuration of your internet connection and advanced router functions is made simple and straightforward with the EZ Installation Wizard and intuitive web-based management interface.

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ZyXEL P330W 802.11g Wireless Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is one of the few devices I've found that can be a bridge (a wireless Ethernet device), an AP/Router, or a WISP router. And for the money, this is a great buy.
I had a problem making WPA work in client/bridge mode, but I found a workaround that I'll share:
There is a bug in the P-330W Wireless / Security screen. The WPA/WPA2 TKIP Passphrase field is not storing the passphrase correctly.
I can reproduce this 100% of the time.
WORKAROUND:
Avoid the Wireless / Security settings entirely
1. Click on P-330W Setup Wizard
2. at WAN Interface Setup, click Next
3. at Wireless Basic Settings, set the SSID for the AP of which you want this bridge to be a client, click Next
4. at Wireless Security Setup, choose the WPA(TKIP) method (I did not try the other two WPA methods, but this probably applies to any WPA method with a passphrase).
5. Click Finish
6. Click Wireless / Basic Settings
7. Set Mode to Client, click Save
With this issue resolved, I'm enjoying this device very much.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ZyXEL P330W 802.11g Wireless Router

4 x 10/100Base-TX, 1 x 10/100Base-TX - IEEE 802.11b/g - Wireless Broadband Router

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D-Link DPR-1260 RangeBooster G Multifunction Print Server Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Okay. It isn't perfect. Installation isn't as easy as it should be. Instructions aren't as good as they should be. Some printers work with it, and apparently some don't.
But go look at the ratings on all the other print servers. You'll see the same problems. I tried at least three others, and couldn't get any of them to work. I've been able to successfully get this print server to work with an Epson R300 (USB 1.1), a Canon MP830 all-in-one(USB 2, print only), and even a Lexmark Optra T610 laser printer(parallel, with a USB-to-parallel adapter from Belkin).
Printer manufacturers have gone nuts with bi-directional information going back and forth between the printer and the computer. The result: really pretty printer drivers that give you loads of information and options, but depend on the printer being physically connected to the computer. But when you want to easily share that printer with a bunch of other people (especially a bunch of people with laptops), it's much more difficult. Either everybody has to swap cables, or you buy a print server--and give up the pretty driver screens that pop up to tell you to buy more ink.
The D-Link DPR-1260 is the only one I could find that actually listed compatible printers on the box. They say that they tested with 100 different printers. I believe it. Their competitors don't seem to have done nearly as much testing.
If you aren't comfortable setting up a wireless router on your own, or if you needed help installing your printer the first time, don't buy this. If you can figure out what the d-link is doing by setting ports on your printers to print to an IP address, give it a try.
If the market had some better entries, I probably wouldn't rate this with 5 stars. But it appears to me to be the cream of the crop.
Update (12/2007): We've had it for about a year, and we've had trouble a number of times. It repeatedly loses settings. If I could reduce the number of stars, I'd give it two or three.


Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DPR-1260 RangeBooster G Multifunction Print Server

Wireless Print Server, 802.11g 4-USB 2.0 Ports, 108Mbps

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