Wireless Extenders zBoost YX540 METRO Dual-Band Cell Phone Signal Booster (Black/Grey) Review

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(More customer reviews)I live in an area that is about equidistant between cell towers. My best signal strength in the house is 2 bars or less. I lost calls all the time, sometimes just because I pivoted while talking and placed my head between the phone and the tower. The lower level of the house is partially sub-grade and I can never rely on maintaining a connection.
This extender has solved all the above problems. I have a clear conversation now, but no increase in cell strength (still 2 bars), When I turned it on, the phone showed no bars and thought I was too close to the repeater, but reception was clear. Routine contacts have commented that my voice is not choppy as it was before. I can definitely recommend this product's signal boosting capacity.
INSTALLATION: Windows on 2 sides of the house showed the same cell strength. I chose one that was the easiest to string cable along the wall and placed the transmitter as close to mid-house as possible. I placed the antenna as high in the window as possible. Do clean the window before mounting the antenna. It took less than 10 minutes to unpack and install. The hardest part was unraveling the coaxial cable. Instructions are short and clear. The trouble shooting table consists mainly of being certain to have more than 8 feet between the antenna and the transmitter, otherwise they interfere with each other.

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Designed for use in single-story urban homes, the Wireless Extenders zBoost Metro YX540 cell signal booster boosts indoor signal for all cellular mobile devices that use the 800 and 1900 Mhz frequencies--including AT&T,T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint (but not Nextel phones). The zBoost Metro enables you to take full advantage of your mobile phone's voice, data and Internet services, including 3G high-speed data, streaming video, instant messaging, sending pictures, and more.

Like the entire line of zBoost products, the zBoost Metro features patent-pending technology that protects the carrier network, and the wide radio wave beam width directional antenna receives signals from multiple cell towers. Easy to set up, simply attach the signal antenna onto a window in an area in your home that offers the best signal (using the included suction cups) and then place the base unit in the area of your home where you want to strengthen the cell signal (see an illustration of the zBoost setup).

Key Features and Specifications
Boost indoor signal coverage up to 1500 square feet
Compatible with all U.S. carriers and mobile devices using 800 & 1900 MHz (except Nextel/iDEN or 4G, 2100MHz phones)
Supports multiple users simultaneously
Increases voice and data transmission
Decreases dropped or missed calls
Perfect for single story settings--no outside antenna placement required, no vertical antenna separation needed
No cradle or connections to your phone
Extends phone battery life (uses less power when signal is stronger)
Protects the carrier network using patented technology
Networks: CDMA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, EVDO, 1xRTT, UMTS, HSPA, 3G
Dimensions (base station): 5 x 7 x 1.25 inches

What's in the Box
zBoost Metro YX540 amplifier base unit, power supply, base unit antenna, coaxial cable (RG59-mini), signal antenna and mounting hardware

Setup Overview
Before placing a zBoost Metro in your home, make sure that you can place calls near the window or wherever you plan to place the Signal Antenna. zBoost can only bring signal into your home when signal reaches the Signal Antenna.

Using your cell phone, place a call near this location to confirm that enough signal is present to complete the call. If you can reliably make and receive calls at that location then zBoost can bring the signal into your home. If only one signal bar is displayed on your cell phone, indoor coverage will be limited to one small room.

Proceed through the following steps to set up the zBoost Metro:

Place the Signal Antenna on the interior of a window located in the area of best signal.
Determine the location that provides the strongest signal using the signal strength indicator on your cell phone. Find the location on the window that provides the most bars of signal strength. Before proceeding, make sure that the intended surface is clean and clear of any dust. Then choose the suction cup attachments appropriate for your setting (short or long), fasten to the Signal Antenna, and secure to your window.

In order to capture the strongest signal, you may do one or all of the following:

Move the antenna around the window--higher is usually better.
Use the long suction cup attachments provided, in order to create a greater angle in which to capture the signal. The suction cups must be vertical on the window.
For best performance keep the Signal Antenna 2 feet from any metal.

Place the zBoost Base Unit where you want to create a Cell Zone
Connect the Base Unit Antenna and coax to the Base Unit and place it where you need signal. For the widest possible signal area, it is recommended that you position the Base Unit near the middle of a room or mount it on an interior wall. This Base Unit uses an omni-directional antenna that delivers signal in a circular pattern around the antenna. The zBoost Metro does not require vertical separation; however, the Signal Antenna and Base Unit Antenna should have at least 8 feet of horizontal separation. Increasing separation of the 2 antennas will optimize zBoost performance.

The Base Unit can be mounted either directly on a wall or placed on a flat surface (e.g., a bookshelf, desk, end table, etc.). For best results, keep the Base Unit off the floor and at least 2 feet away from other cords, metal objects or other wireless devices such as wireless routers or wireless access points. The zBoost Metro performs best when there are no obstructions between the zBoost Base Unit and your mobile device.

Run the provided coaxial cable between the Base Unit and Signal Antenna
Use the provided RG-59 (mini) coaxial cable to connect the Signal Antenna and the Base Unit. Coaxial connections can loosen when the cable is moved. Be sure the connections stay hand-tight.

Connect the zBoost Base Unit to the provided power supply and plug into a power outlet
Upon initial power up, a solid green LED should appear indicating normal conditions. If a red light appears, adjustments may be needed.

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Sony VAIO Wireless LAN Access Point Pro, 2.4 GHz (PCWA-A200) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Would have given it 0 stars, but obviously it's not available. This product is absolutely terrible. It does not work with even the Sony Wireless LAN Card. Had to return it and purchase the Linksys.

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Access e-mail, the Internet, or your network wirelessly! The new Sony VAIO Wireless LAN Access Point lets you share files, drives, printers with one or more computers on your wireless network. Using any IEEE 802.11b industry-standard wireless LAN PC Card, you are assured of secure communication, high-speed data transfer rates and a range of up to 46 m (line-of-sight).

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ERB9250 11N 300MB 11N Range Extender Removable Antenna 1 10/100 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)EnGenius ERB 9250 Range Expander
I feel it is necessary to give my review on the EnGenius ERB9250 2.4 GHZ 300 Mbps Wireless N Range Extender to help others like myself with bad wireless connections. 03-15-2011-update My Linksys WRT600N router blew the 2.4 Ghz circuit (5-6 years old), the 5.0 Ghz remained, but this is the signal that doesn't penetrate walls. I now have a new EnGenius ESR 9855G Wireless N, 2.4 Ghtz-only router. This is working fine. The remaining content is based on my Linksys WRT 600N wireless router. I have used in the past a Linksys WRE54G - G Range Expander b/g with a with a Linksys WRT54G router to the same location. I am currently running 300Mbps with an excellent signal. In the past my Linksys WRE 54 G range expander had a maximum 54 Mbps with a fair to poor signal strength, used in combination with the WRT600N router and a HP premium "N" adapter. This old setup ran typically 2-20 Mbps with a fair to poor signal.
I am technical average, below average or novice when it comes to wireless networking. After reading someone's comment maybe I'm an expert and just doesn't know it. I have spent hours enhancing locations, changing configurations, and praying for a decent signal. I have by pure accident discovered solutions to problems that no one ever addresses. I've come to the conclusion that the advanced techs out there work for the manufactures sales department and really don't understand wireless systems and their wireless routers. Very seldom can you actually talk with someone. If you do get a hold of someone, they seem to know a lot less than me, which is frightening.
I have a home office in a separate building from my home. The nearest exterior stucco wall to exterior stucco wall is 17 feet. I have my WRT600N (now ESR 9855G) wireless router in my family room which is a straight 49 feet from my EnGenius ERB9250 Range Expander in my office. The Range Expander is 7 feet from my computer. The signal is going through 3 walls with windows.
I am writing to help people like myself.
Number 1 -Important Things That All Web Sites Stress -you can just ignore. You REALLY DO NOT need to pay attention to: 1) line of sight (you shouldn't have obstacles) between the router and the range expander. They must be living in a tent, but I really don't know anyone that is so lucky as to not have obstacles i their way. DUMB LESSONS are important lessons or information I have learned creating a decent wireless network and is probably more information than what you need. DUMB MISTAKES are mistakes I made, but because of frustrations, and trying to think logically when I am tired and frustrated; these mistakes have eaten a tremendous amount of my time and were quite easy to fix.
Dumb Lesson #1 the 2.4 GHz setting is to broadcast all Wireless N, Wireless G, and Wireless B systems all at the same time on all this same frequency. REMEMBER THIS RANGE EXPANDER (WRT600N) IS USING ONLY THE 2.4GHz part of the Wireless Router, not the 5.0GHz. My new router only broadcasts in 2.4 GHz. I originally thought that 5.0 Ghz was only N systems, and 2.4 Ghz was only B or G systems, wrong. 2.4 can be for all three. A, B, G, and N are just standards. N is the most recent allowing higher transfer speeds and more unused frequencies. The frequencies are by far the most misunderstood.
Dumb lesson # 2, Misinformation is very prevalent even from known authorities. Just remember, this is part of the problem we all deal with and affects our judgment, when we try to make improvements to our wireless networks. The higher the frequency the more likely it will penetrate walls. This is the complete opposite from what all the wireless geeks say. 5.0 GHz will do better than 2.4GHz going through walls. This is straight from my engineer father-in law who helped put the lander on the moon. So ignore what is being said by so called experts, I am a wireless novice with real scientific information. 5.0 GHZ has less distortion from other electronic products in your home. Therefore it has a clearer less obstructed and distorted signal from other household devices. Items that can overlap the 2.4 GHz are: wireless telephones, remote controls, wireless game controls, microwaves, and many more. Ignore this concern. Using a wireless G router, my 2.4 GHz cordless phone blocked all wireless signals. I bought a new DECT 6.0 phone. No more problems. WHY 5.0 Ghz APPEEARS TO BE WORSE is that 5.0 Ghz takes an extremely large amount of power to go the same distance as 2.4GHz, which the best consumer wireless routers don't have. The router and adapters signals are really going around walls and through windows to best of their abilities. My need has been getting my wireless signal to a far distance with a decent signal and decent speed. The 2.4 GHz is the only way to go with the "N" standard setting allowing the faster transfer rates up to 300 Mbps and a much longer distance with a range expander. Maybe someday 5.0 Ghz wireless routers with be available with more power, but don't count on it with all the energy efficiency requirements.
For the WRT 600 N wireless router:
A) Get access to your router through the IP address using your web browser at 192.168.1.1, click on the "Wireless" button next to "Set Up" - Basic Wireless settings the 5.0 GHz setting the 3 bottom categories for Radio Band, Wide Channel, Standard channel set all of them to AUTO. The Basic Settings for the bottom 2.4 GHz are Standard 20 MHz, Auto, and Auto. Under the 5.0 GHz -Wireless Mode setting, set it to Wireless N, Network Name SSID to something similar to your original network you have chosen, such as Digital add underscore media so you know what name you are looking for "Digital_media" and your regular Network to "Digital".
B) Under 2.4 GHz set the Wireless Mode to "Mixed." "Mixed" allows everyone in your network to use your Wireless Network no matter what kind of adapter they have (a, b, g, and n) for their computer. This is probably the biggest mistake and most misunderstood setting.
Dumb lesson # 3, I learned that the Dual Wireless Adapters will LOOK FOR MORE THAN ONE NETWORK AT THE SAME TIME, hence the name DUAL.
C) You need to set up your wireless adapters that are dual G & N adapters on each computer to do just that, by going to Control Panel, "Network" or "Network and the Internet", you need to get into the network adapter setting. It is very easy in Windows XP and Windows 7, which is what I use. The web also has good details on doing this.
D) If you have a Wireless Router N router always use security at least WPA2-Personal and give each of your network users the password, set the encryption at "AES". It is easiest to use the same password for 5.0 GHz as well as 2.4GHz. Remember old "B and A" standard adapters don't allow encryption. If you are using Older Network Adapters in your network of computers you can't have a WEP or WPA security password. The old computers and adapters don't allow encryptions and won't be able to connect to you network. My new ESR 9855G router allows up to 4 accounts using the same setup and guest users. I enable an additional account with a simple password for my visiting clients and friends and then uncheck the additional account box when they leave so it doesn't disrupt the 4 users and 2 businesses at my home.
CONTINUEING
Dumb lesson #4, The real reason the N standard is important is the transfer rates and MIMO. MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) refers to the ability of 802.11n and similar technologies to coordinate multiple simultaneous radio signals. MIMO increases both the range and throughput of a wireless network.
Dumb Lesson # 5, My wife would come to visit in my home office (separate building) in the late morning to see how my day was going. When she left my wireless signal disappeared. I was beginning to think she was really from Venus. This went on for 2 months and had me totally baffled. Solution - when she came to visit me in the morning I had my sliding glass door closed to keep the heat in the office. In the late morning after warming up outside, she left my office by opening the sliding glass door and closing the screen door behind her and saying, "enjoy the nice weather outside." My wire screen door was blocking my signal. I went down to the hardware store and replaced my screen with a heavy duty pet screen material made of some tough durable synthetic rubber/fiberglass material and I had my solution and signal back. I also replaced 2 other screen doors in my house, because of this issue. The signal strength did improve significantly.
DUMB MISTAKES WHEN TIRED AND SETTING UP THIS WIRELESS RANGE EXTENDER
Dumb mistake #1, I tried to setup my Wireless ERB9250 Range Expander using the "Manual Configuration," I plugged the LAN connection into the back of the wireless router for a network connection. Then I tried to go to the ISP 192.168.1.2. Wrong you must plug it into the wired LAN connection in the back of your computer's wired LAN connection. I had to reread the booklet. The online booklet doesn't specify this.
Dumb mistake #2, When I resolved my dumb mistake #1, and plugged it into the LAN connection, I went to ISP 192.168.2 and it wouldn't connect. It just said Windows Internet Explorer connection is not available. After scratching my head a few minutes, it dawned on me that I had to connect to the wired LAN (Local Area Network), not the wireless LAN. So I disabled the wireless adapter and allowed the computer to connect to LAN with ISP 192.168.1.2 and then followed the directions in the booklet. Note: it may be easier to print out the setup booklet online at EnGenius web site than to read the small size 6 font in the booklet, especially at night (see the missing note on the...Read more›

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The Wireless-N Range Expander works with most Wireless access points and wireless routers, and is compatible with Wireless-B, Wireless-G and Wireless-N devices so you'll get the benefits of increased coverage even with a mixed network. The EnGenius ERB9250 300Mbps Wireless-N Range Extender is the easiest way to extend wireless coverage in your home or small office without running cables. Just put the EnGenius ERB9250 300Mbps Wireless-N Range Extender in between your main access point or wireless router and the dead spot in your area that you want to cover with the wireless signal. The EnGenius ERB9250 300Mbps Wireless-N Range Extender is designed to "repeat" signals into the far, hard-to-reach areas of your home or office. Eliminating the need to run cables lets you build a wireless network in a most cost effective way.

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Netgear Universal WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is an update to my previous review shown below. Less than a month after installing and setting this unit up, it started dropping the connection with my router. After over an hour with tech support, they determined the unit defective. They sent me a warranty replacement unit which exhibited the same annoying trait...dropped connections after 24-48 hours of operation. The unit sits only 20 feet from the router, shows 85% signal strength and is not affected by other electrical, electronic or microwave devices. Save your money and don't bother buying this product. It is a waste of time and money.
Initial Review: After trying numerous WIFI range extenders and experiencing lousy performance and incredibly useless tech support, I took a chance on this Netgear unit. What an incredible unit this is! I had it set up and functioning in less than 15 minutes, AND, I didn't even have a second computer for the wireless setup as suggested in the instructions. I actually set it up using my iPhone browser. I set the unit in the middle of the house, with my router at one end and the iPhone at the other (125' away). The signal strength on my iPhone changed from no bars to a full signal strength set of bars. This Netgear unit is awesome!

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What is Netgear's Universal WiFi Range Extender? Keep your current wireless equipment and improve coverage to eliminate ‘dead zones' Compatible with wireless b/g/n routers, gateways and Internet Service Provider‘s devices Freedom to roam anywhere in the house and access Internet without worrying about coverage Bonus feature-4 Ethernet ports to connect to gaming consoles, Internet TV's, and Blu-ray players. Features : Works with any wireless b/g/n router or gateway from Netgear and other brands Works with all security standards including WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, mixed mode and WEP Real-time link-rate LED locates the best placement spot to provide optimal wireless coverage Step-by-step, graphical Installation Guide makes installation easy. No need to insert a CD or plug in Ethernet cables! Dynamic LEDs display live network connection status and signal strength between your existing network, Extender and computers (or other Internet-connected devices) Push ‘N' Connect using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) connects computers to the Extender quickly and securely1 Four (4) Ethernet ports allow the Extender to function as a wireless bridge to connect to home AV devices. Disclaimers: 1 Works with clients supporting Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS); Package Contents : Universal WiFi Range Extender (WN2000RPT) Stand Power adapter, localized to country of sale

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D-Link DAP-1360 Wireless N Range Extender Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It came in the mail yesterday and I had it up and running in about 15 mins. So installation gets 5 stars. And it definitely works as an extender as I am now getting full signal strength upstairs in my bedroom while the router is in the far corner of the basement. All appeared to be good until I started to do more than surf the internet. I couldn't hold a connection to my company's VPN and I kept losing connection when I tried to download podcasts to itunes. I unplugged it and I haven't seen the problem since, so it has to be the extender causing the issue. It not only causes a problem with my laptop upstairs, but any computer on the network. The D-Link forum has several complaints with the same issue, but D-link has yet to respond to these complaints. The closest I saw to a recommended fix was in their Knowledgebase - they recommended changing the "Preamble" setting to "short" (default is "long") for busy networks or for downloading large files. I will try this when I get home tonight and see if this corrects the issue.
UPDATE: 5/26/2010 - I switched the Preamble to "short" and that did nothing to solve my problem. Back to the ol' drawing board! Next stop, tech support. Ugh!
UPDATE: 6/3/2010 - I emailed customer support a week ago and have heard nothing. Also, they have failed to respond to their own customer forum regarding this same issue. Lame, very lame. They leave me no option but to return this item.

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D-LINK WIRELESS MEDIA BRIDGE/REPEATER/ACCESS POINT

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D-Link DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point w/SNMP, 802.11a/g, 108Mbps Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It had the latest firmware and wireless protocols installed, and the web-based configuration interface has well organized pages of setup options. The Help pages are actually helpful. As with any networking device it is good to be a little familiar with TCP/IP so you can handle minor annoyances like giving your computer a temporary static IP address in the same subnet range as the DWL-7100AP so you can communicate with it during configuration (This is explained in the manual). Afterwards, I was able to change my computer back to dynamic IP addressing, and still access the configuration pages of the DWL-7100AP. It will work just fine right out of the box with default settings, but as with any wireless access point, better security can be had by creating your own SSID name, disabling broadcast of the SSID, changing the default user ID and password, using MAC filtering so that only your computers will be accepted by the access point, and enabling data encryption. The DWL-7100AP allows you to use two kinds of WPA encryption, which is much more secure than WEP. I highly recommend this product and it's well-written manual. Some users report having their connection dropped frequently. I found that interference from 2.4 Gigahertz portable telephones in my house was the culprit for dropped connections on the 802.11g band, which is in the same frequency band as the phones. Since I switched to the 802.11a band (5 Gigahertz) I very seldom have dropped connections from the DWL-7100AP.

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D-Link, the networking industry leader, delivers another innovative and versatile solution in wireless connectivity with the D-Link AirPremierTM DWL-7100AP Wireless Access Point. This dual-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz), tri-mode (802.11a, b, g) Access Point provides the most bandwidth coverage available in an AP. Multiple wireless clients can connect to the DWL-7100AP using both A and G wireless standards and any of its 11 non-overlapping channels to transfer data at speeds of up to 108 Mbps. Network Administrators can easily integrate various wireless managements with the DWL-7100AP Wireless Distribution System (WDS), offering modes in AP, Point-to-Point Bridge, Point-to-Multipoint Bridges, AP Client, and Repeater, allowing users to gain controls beyond a sole AP.

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Hawking HWUR54G Wireless G Universal Range Extender Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This extender ends up as a SECOND wireless network, with a different SSID than the network you're extending. This wasn't obvious (at least to me) from either the product descriptions or the the documentation. Hawking should be more clear - it's as simple as stating "this product works by creating another wireless network in your home, and that network has a different SSID". Why does this matter? Because I am unable to get either my laptop, running Windows XP Pro, or my PDA, running Windows Mobile 2003, to smoothly transition from one network to another when moved about the house. In both cases manual intervention is required, and in the case of the PDA I actually have to delete the network settings I don't want to connect to and add new settings for the one I do. Perhaps there's a better way to configure these devices, but I haven't found it. If you end up connecting only to the extender you should be fine, but I find that if I'm too close to either the WAP or the extender, I have to connect to a different SSID for reliable communications.

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Hawking Technologies (HWUR54G) RANGE EXTENDER 802.11G 2.4GHZ

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Mini Wireless IEEE 802.11n Router, WiFi Access Point and Bridge Repeater Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a cute little unit -- footprint is only about 3.5" x 2.25" -- which appears to function as advertised, but the software and documentation leave much to be desired. The unit has a switch on the back that puts it into (R)outer mode, (A)ccess point mode, and (W)ireless repeater/bridge mode. It also has two Ethernet jacks on the back, one for the WAN and one for the LAN, though you don't need to use either (depending on the mode). The unit is set up using an Ethernet cable (plugged into the LAN port) and a computer with an internet browser.
If you are a basic user and can work with all the default settings, it might just work fine for you -- but I haven't tested the unit this way.
I use a non-broadcasted SSID, encryption, and never use the default IP addresses assigned to routers. So it took a lot of time fiddling and struggling with the software to get everything set up the way I like it.
Pros:
- very compact unit, nice design
- very compact power supply; can run power off a USB 2.0 cable too
- works in multiple modes
- supports 802.11b, g, n
- inexpensive
Cons:
- documentation is minimal (Quick setup guide) with no additional documentation available from the Sapido website
- when you switch modes using the hardware switch, the unit reverts back to default settings. It would have been nice if it saved different settings for each mode. However you can manually save the configuration settings to your hard drive, and reupload them later, if needed.
- software is very slow -- takes 25 seconds or longer to save most changes
- tricky to change the unit's IP address, and when you succeed, you need to wait about 2 min before you can access the unit's software again (hint: on the IP Config/LAN page, put the unit in "Server" mode in order to change the IP address, save the changes, then put it back into "Client" mode. Do not use "Disable" mode since it seems to disable the ability to use the unit's software altogether.)
- once the unit is operating as a Wireless repeater or bridge, you can no longer access the unit's software so you can't make any further changes (unless you reset the unit and lose all your settings). Hopefully this isn't the case in the (R) and (A) modes.
- I have my unit set up as a wireless repeater, and Internet access seems fast enough (I have full 54 mbps in 802.11g mode), but access to my server is much slower than when I'm hooked up wirelessly to my wireless router. I don't know if this is a problem with all wireless repeaters, or some other issue that can be debugged.
Overall, it took me longer than usual to set this little unit up, particularly due to the long "save" cycles, but now that it's up and running it seems to work ok.


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Complies with wireless 11n standard, which upgrades data transfer rate to 150Mbps.One touch WPS encryption and connection.Green Ethernet Technology- Power consumption savingMulti-AP, Network groups setup for flexible management.Secure Internet- Support various internet filters and advanced encryption types.Unique domain name- Easy to find your server router by typing the unique domain name.Virtual ServerVirtual DMZPower it up by connecting to a laptop, and share Public WiFi Internet connections.Router Mode: Share the Internet ConnectionsAP Mode: Extend Network Coverage, and Turn Wired to WirelessWiFi AP Mode: Wireless Bridge, Extend Wireless Coverage EffortlesslyAutomatically detect status of Internet connection and packet transmission, and then adjust power consumption accordingly.

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ASUS RT-N12 Wireless-N Router, Access Point, and Repeater Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The short review is: excellent router, extremely easy to set up, great range, good stability, nice white color, absolutely no complaints.
Here's the longer review:
I took a total risk on this router...there were no reviews on Amazon, I'd never heard of ASUS, and wasn't convinced that ordering it was a good idea. However, the price was right, and I had just spent frustrating hours trying to configure a Netgear route. My previous router, a D-link, had a "known issue" that the manufacturer solved by discontinuing the model's support. So, I thought, let me try this unknown brand and see what happens. If worse comes to worse I'd just return it to Amazon.
WOW was I pleased! Literally, 10 minutes after I had opened it, I had it configured as an access point, had logged into the router from my wireless laptop, and had set up a password to encrypt the network. I've set up maybe 5-7 routers in my life and always dread it... this was by far the easiest experience I've ever had. In the picture on the site, this router looks like it's an ugly grey color. It is a shiny smooth white - think Apple ipod aesthetic - with nice white antennas. Very aesthetically pleasing.
Though the advertising for this router states "diskless setup" it come with an optional setup disk. I did not use it as I wanted to test the advertising's claim...and am pleased to say it's an example of truth in advertising!
I'm also getting very good signal strength, speed and stability...I will DEFINITELY update this review if I run into issues, but overall I'm giving this thing 5 stars (and I almost never give 5 stars because I think everything has room for improvement) because it was so inexpensive and easy to set up, and performs exactly as advertised.
I am using this router as an "access point" which means it is connected via ethernet cable to another router and serves to extend the range of my wireless network. There's a switch on the back that allows you to select access point mode, standard router mode, or bridge/repeater mode.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Update 5/10/2010- still working great... I put some white electricians' tape over the blue LEDs in front as they were too bright, but other than that, no issues at all. I forget it's there - it just works all the time without needing to be unplugged every so often like my other routers.... my wireless devices are always connected to it and don't lose signal. Still a 5-star review.

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ASUS RT-N12 - SuperSpeedN Wireless Router 300Mbps Super Speed - CD-Free Installation and Manual-Free Management - 4-Network-in-1 - Hardware EZ Switch for router, repeater and AP mode quickly changing.

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Alfa Network Router / Client Bridge 802.11g up to 400mW Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am computer literate and live in an apartment that hates any number of wireless frequencies. The other reviews for this router made it appear to be a good compromise - difficulty in set-up in exchange for awesome signal strength.
Unfortunately I was unable to verify this as I never made it through the "set-up" process. The included documentation is sketchy, poorly laid-out, and very obtuse, and there is no simple walk-through for a home set-up. I've set up wireless networks before and have built my own computer, but I was completely defeated by this device. I do not recommend it except perhaps for the networking professional. Honestly, DO NOT BUY this product if that doesn't describe you.
I am only giving it two stars because it does seem to have good signal strength - and I'm hopeful that I'll be able to return it to DBROTH.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alfa Network Router / Client Bridge 802.11g up to 400mW

This is a high-power indoor Wi-Fi mesh router and it's available in 2.4 GHz (802.11b/g) model. AIP-W610H is a High-Power WLAN Broadband Router which fully supports the AP / Bridge/ Client/ Repeater/ Router / Mesh/WISP/Gateway / AP+WDS / WDS features and functional compliance of IEEE 802.11b/g standard. It is designed to provide good performance and enhance the advantages of robust system and cost-effective.AIP-W610H is targeted at competitive price-performance, better power management, SOHO and business offices. Full Passive PoE Support (4LAN+1WAN)Data Sheet

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ASUS WL330GE Wireless pocket access point Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought two of these, one to use as a wireless adapter and one as a repeater. My primary wireless router is a Dlink DIR-622 running the original 1.11 firmware.
Initial setup is fairly easy. The manual is TERRIBLE but you really don't need it for basic setup. Out of the box, or after a hard reset, the device is in "Gateway Mode" with it's DHCP server active and ready to hand out addresses in the 192.168.1 subnet. Connect it to a PC's ethernet port, open your browser to http://192.168.1.220 and you get the configuration screen. From there, it is easy to choose one of the other (3) modes and make a connection to your wireless network.
If you want to make additional configuration changes to other parameters, it gets harder. Once you switch from Gateway mode to one of the other (3), the device no longer acts as a DHCP server for the ethernet port; rather, it effectively becomes a device with a static IP of 192.168.1.220. To make additional configuration changes, you must open your PC's TCP/IP settings and change from DHCP (i.e., "obtain an IP address automatically") to a static address (i.e., "use the following IP address") in the 192.168.1 range. Only then can you again open your browser and use http://192.168.1.220 to access the device.
I setup the first unit in "Adapter mode", configured it for wpa2 and then connected it to my Dish Network 622 dvr. Everything connected and worked perfectly.
I have a large house with my wireless router at the North end, so signal quality at the South end of the house is poor. I configured the second wl-330ge for "Repeater mode" and placed it near the center of my house. Devices in the South end now get excellent signal quality from the centrally located wl-330ge repeater. Devices that used to get 6mbps now hit 35mbps.
Both my units came with firmware 2.0.1.8, but I noticed a newer 2.0.1.9 firmware on the ASUS web site with 11-23-2009 release date. As it mentioned a fix related to Repeater mode, I decided to download it and update both units. I then hard reset and reconfigured them. The one in Adapter mode still worked just fine. The one in Repeater mode ceased to function; devices would connect to it momentarily then lose the connection. After several hard resets and reconfiguration cycles, I gave up and flashed it back to 2.0.1.8, and it immediately started working again. If you are using Repeater mode, I recommend avoiding the 2.0.1.9 firmware.


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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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TP-Link WL TL-WR841N 300Mbps Routr Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The router now sits in the corner, and I almost forgot about it. The reason - it just works with no issues so far.
It was easy to set up, it automatically found all the right settings to connect to my cable modem (once I figured out that I needed to power cycle the modem after I connected the router to it). I manually changed all the WLAN security settings to use an advanced encryption. Similar to the previous reviewer, I did not use the installation CD.
Now the router pairs nicely with a laptop (WLAN N) and a desktop (using another great TP-LINK product - 150Mbps USB adapter TL-WN722N). Desktop reports 150Mbps link all the time (about 30 feet distance), and so far I experienced no dropped connection, despite having many active WLAN routers around my apartment. During installation, I looked for the least used WLAN channel and set the router to use it.
I did an extensive research to find the best moderately priced 300bps WLAN N router before choosing this product, and so far I am very happy with my choice.

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Wireless N Router, Atheros, 2T2R, 2.4GHz, 802.11n/g/b, Built-in 4-port Switch, with 2 fixed antennas

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Belkin F5D7132 Wireless-G Universal Range Extender Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have shared the same experience as the most helpful reviews here: this is a pain to install when you want to configure this Extender to be secure (so strangers can't mooch off of your internet or worse). On the other hand, once you have it set up, it works like a charm.
It's possible, but prepare to burn an hour or three. I would like to add some instructional steps, which are a variation of the very helpful ones already present here on Amazon.
Dummies Guide on How to set up the Extender with security turned on:
1. Completely ignore the instruction sheet that comes with the product. At first, I tried following it stubbornly despite reading these Amazon reviews, and I found that it is an embarrassment. Shame on you Belkin, for giving us so much unnecessary grief.
2. Find a computer in your home to use for this setup. Any computer (that isn't Vista) will do.
3. If this computer happens to be plugged into your router (I'm not talking about not the Extender), unplug it from the router. If this computer happens to have a wireless connection, disable the wireless connection.
4. Plug in the power cord for the Extender into the wall, then connect an ethernet cord (looks like a fat telephone cord) into the back of the Extender, then stick the other end into your computer. The "LAN" light will now light up. Just in case you're concerned, you can ignore the red "search" light that may blink.
5. Install the "Belkin Range Extender Utility" onto this computer. The installation CD will place a program in your Start->Programs menu once you run the install.
6. Go to start->settings->network connections. At this point the only enabled network connection should be Local Area Network (or Local Connection... the name may differ slightly for you). If anything else is enabled, disable it. Right click Local Area Network and select Properties. You're now looking for a new window to pop up that lists a bunch of internet-sounding words like Network or QoS. Look for the item called Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Double click that.
7. Select manual IP, and enter 192.168.2.100
8. The subnet mask will get filled out automatically. Ignore the gateway. Hit OK, you're finished.
9. Start up the Belkin utility, and hit "refresh" if nothing shows up on the list of detected Extenders. If you're lucky, you will see the Extender show up, and you can now click "Web Management".
10. If no items show up on the Belkin Utility's list, or an item does show up but the "web management" icon is unclickable, then repeat steps 6-9 but enter the IP address 192.168.1.100 instead. Then the Extender should show up.
11. Finally, once you are able to click "Web Management", it will bring you to a webpage that is very much like a Router setup page. The details of what you need to do here can be found in instructional docs on the web elsewhere. The basic idea is that you want to copy pretty much everything over to be identical to what your router settings are. The only exception is possibly the SSID of the Belkin Extender. Depending on your preference, you may want to choose a different name for it just so you can confirm that its really working later on.
12. Save those settings (there's a systems tab at the bottom of the web management panel that allows you to save the settings into a file as a backup).
13. Unplug the Extender from the computer, unplug the power for the Extender, and move the extender to wherever you want. Plug the power back in.
14. Go back to steps 6-9. Remove the manual IP configuration for your Local Area Connection, and revert the panels back to the way they were (which is probably "automatically obtain ip address"). Hit OK. Enable all your network connections if you disabled them in step 6.
15. You should now be able to use your wireless connection to see the Extender under its fresh new SSID. Enjoy.
A version of the above for those that are network-saavy:
1. Disconnect all wireless from your computer, then connect your computer directly to the Extender as if it were a router. Power up the Extender.
2. Manually specify your computer's IP address to be 192.168.2.xxx with subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Yes, I know this step is weird. I'll explain the reason for it in step#4.
3. Install the Belkin Network utility. Its a simple executable. Start it up. It's purpose is to scan for the Extender, provided that your Extender is directly wired to your computer (which we did in step 1).
4. You should see your Extender show up in the utility. If the Extender does not show up or the "Web Management" button is greyed out, this is because your computer and the Belkin Extender are on different subnets. The Belkin Extender is usually shipped from the warehouse hardwired to the IP Address 192.168.2.254. What??? When you plug your computer into the Extender, you need to hardwire your computer to be on the same subnet so the stupid utility will work. Hence, since the factory setting for the Extender is 192.168.2.254, hardwiring your computer's IP to 192.168.2.100 will get the utility to connect to the Extender. However, if for some awful reason your Extender is hardwired to some other IP Address (which is configurable once you get to step#5), you need to change your computer's IP Address to have a value that matches the Extender's new subnet. In other words, if the Extender IP somehow changes to 192.168.5.254, you should change your computer IP address to 192.168.5.100
5. Once you click "Web Management" you can configure the Extender via a browser window. Replicate your router's settings here (they all need to match the original router's, with the exception of the Extender's SSID).
6. Hit Save, then unplug the Extender's power cord and ethernet, and then move it to wherever you would like. Power it up again.
7. Remove your computer's manual IP address. You're now officially done.
*As a note, I had occasional connection problems when I had my Belkin router & extender encryption set to WPA-PSK. I just switched my encryption to WEP and now it is fine. Not everyone has this problem.
Up this review, if you found it useful. I want to see other people spared from the excessive pain the rest of us have already experienced!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin F5D7132 Wireless-G Universal Range Extender

SHARES DATA & PERIPHERALS AS WELL AS A SINGLE INTERNET ACCOUNT AMONG ALL COMPUTERS CONNECTS TO THE NETWORK SWITCH & JOINS WIRELESS-EQUIPPED PCS TO A WIRED ACCESS POINT NETWORK INCREASES THE COVERAGE OF EXISTING WIRELESS NETWORK OF UP TO 1500 FT STANDARD 802.11G54 MB RAMLIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

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Hawking HWREG1 Wireless G Range Extender Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this Hawking HWREG1 repeater after a miserable experience with the Linksys repeater. The Hawking unit works perfectly and was very easy to configure. It truly was a 10 minute deal from start to finish. It is extending my Linksys WRT54G wireless network using WPA encryption. You assign the Hawking unit a second SSID (I called mine EXTEND) and then your computer will connect to what it "thinks" is a second wireless network, but everything continues to operate as if you are still on the same network.
I placed this unit on a table that is about half way between the original router and the room with low signal. It is small, and you can easily locate it in an out of the way area. When I use my laptop in the far corner of my house, the original linksys network is still visible as it always was, with a very low signal level. But the EXTEND network has a strong signal, and I just connect to it.
Once connected, you are assigned an IP address from the ORIGINAL Linksys router, and you can ping and communicate with all other devices on your network, even if they are connected to the original network instead of the repeater. So everything continues to work and operate like one network, including shared folders on other computers, printers, etc. I am 100% satisfied with this repeater.
Linksys repeater comparison:
The problem I had with the Linksys WAP54G in repeater mode is that it simply does not work with WPA encryption. It only works with WEP encryption, or no encryption at all. Note that the Linksys website and documents claim that the repeater is compatible with WPA. I can assure you that as of September 2006, up to version 3.04 firmware, the WAP54G access point/repeater does NOT work with WPA encryption. After spending 30 days emailing Linksys tech support back and forth, you will finally be escalated to an engineer that will admit that it doesn't yet work correctly with WPA, but they hope to have it fixed soon! They even sent me some beta firmware, but it did not work with WPA either. Don't waste your time with Linksys, get this HWREG1 Hawking instead. It is easier to configure than Linksys, and works with WPA. Highly recommended.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Hawking HWREG1 Wireless G Range Extender

Hawking's Wireless G Range Extender, HWREG1, effectively doubles the operating distance of your entire wireless network.Whether its an area in your home that has limited or no wireless coverage or a warehouse in your office, the Hawking Wireless-G Range Extender takes the signal from your wireless access point and retransmits it at a higher rate.Simply place the Range Extender halfway between your Wireless Access Point and wireless trouble spot.The HWREG1 is the ONLY wireless repeater on the market that supports most wireless 802.11b/g networks so you never have to worry whether the wireless network you have at your home or office will work with the Range Extender.The HWREG1 also features a Hassle Free installation.All you have to do is enter in the ID of your wireless network and youre ready to go!The HWREG1 features a new advanced setup wizard that allows for setup in seconds.Simply run the wizard from the setup CD and do a wireless site survey of all local wireless networks in your location.Select the one you wish to extend and youre done!The new Wireless-G Range Extender features increased reliability and stability, resulting in no or minimal signal drops and support for the most 802.11b/g wireless access points on the market.The HWREG1 also features a removable Wi-Fi antenna that can be upgraded to any Hawking Technologies Hi-Gain Wi-Fi Range Extending Antenna for added range and throughput.Simply unscrew the original antenna and screw on a Hawking Hi-Gain Antenna.

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ZyXEL WAP3205 Wireless N access point, Ethernet client, and universal repeater Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Once you have it setup it works flawlessy. Problem is setting it up for the first time. Documentation is not user friendly to the non-tech savvy. I'm using it as a wireless bridge / access point with my Sony blue-ray player. I already have a Linksys wireless router using WEP encryption (forced to use this because my XBOX 360 doesn't support WPA). To make it easy for others doing the same thing use the following steps:
1. Change your pc or laptop's ethernet adapter's IP address to 192.168.1.3 To do this on Vista or Windows 7 you open you network sharing center then you open your ethernet LAN adapter settings (or manage network connections in Vista). Select the Internet protocol v4 (IPv4) and go into properties. Manually put in the IP address with subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 and don't worry about the gateway address.
2. Connect your WAP3205 to your pc/laptop with the ethernet cable that is provided. Of course make sure you plugged in the power to it or your going nowhere. Open up your preferred browser (IE, firefox, netscape, etc.) and then type in the address bar 192.168.1.2 and now you will be connected to the WAP3205. Type in the default password of 1234, you are now prompted to change your password to whatever you want it to be.
3. Now that your in the WAP3205 click on Expert Mode. When in this mode on the far left you will see Status and below it Monitor, Configuration and Maintenance. Click on Maintenance and then hit the plus sign in front of Maintenance once you are in. Go to the last option of Sys OP Mode then select Client Mode and hit apply.
4. Go back to the far left and hit configuration then go to Wireless LAN. You will see tabs for Profile, Site Survey and WPS. Hit the Profile tab and then hit the Add button. Type in your network name / SSID and then select your security drop down box. Select WEP if you have a setup like me with the XBOX 360 or if you don't care about security select the no security option. Type in your passphrase that you use for your router's security or the actual 128 bit security code (or 64 bit if that is what you use) and hit apply. Then select your newly created profile and hit the activate button. If it's configured correctly you will get a green check. Now your done on this end.
5. Disconnect your WAP3205 from your pc/laptop and change your pc or laptop's ethernet adapter settings back to whatever it was before.
6. Go to your blue-ray player and disconnect the power cord for about a minute or more. Connect the WAP3205 to the blue-ray player with the ethernet connection and power your blue-ray player back on. The blue-ray player will automatically pick up the network settings from the WAP3205 and you will be done.
Hope this is helpful and if you don't have an XBOX 360 or if you use WPA for security the setup should be easier.
So far so good with the Zyxel WAP3205...I had used the Linksys WET610N (2 separate units) and they both failed. The first one worked a couple of days before the wireless stopped working and the second one's wireless failed right out of the box. The WET610N's are way easier to configure but they are too expensive and for me totally unrealiable. The WAP3205 is a steal and worth the effort when you consider the rock solid connection I have now, besides it was less than half the price of the Linksys. It's not as nice looking as the Linksys that's for sure but the main thing is it works as described.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ZyXEL WAP3205 Wireless N access point, Ethernet client, and universal repeater

WAP3205 is more than just another 300Mbps access point; it's a multifunction 11n tool that can be used in a variety of scenarios.In addition to Access Point mode, it can also be a Universal Wireless Repeater, extending the range of your existing network.Unlike other repeaters, the WAP3205's extender mode works with the latest WPA/WPA2 security technologies, so security doesn't have to suffer when extending your network.The WAP3205 also has the ability to function as a wireless bridge, allowing you to connect non-wireless network compatible devices to your existing network.Simply plug in your Ethernet based TIVO, Smart TV, Blue Ray player, network storage device (NAS), or game system into the WAP3205, and it can now join your wireless network.No software or drivers to be installed. With an 11n compatible data transfer rate of up to 300Mbps*, which is 6 times faster than 11g, you can enjoy high-speed network connection and high-definition video streaming with no jitters or dropped calls.It also works with your existing 802.11b and 802.11g network devices. Some wired devices such as modems, set-top boxes, digital media adapters and storage devices might not be natively wireless capable. In order to connect these without additional wiring, driver installation or configuration, just plug the Ethernet cable into the WAP3205 and connect to another wired device to get connected wirelessly. With the built-in Universal Repeater mode, WAP3205 can connect to most popular access points or wireless routers while simultaneously acting as an access point to provide wireless connectivity to all other wireless devices such as notebooks. In other words, WAP3205 can extend the wireless coverage to the entire home premise and enable all wireless devices to link to the existing networkthis is especially helpful for larger home environments.Since this is all done wirelessly, there’s no need to run additional Ethernet cables to extend your network

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ASUS COMPUTER INTL - ASUS WL-330g Pocket Wireless Access Point Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had purchased after not being able to get the Apple Airport card to work on my wireless network. Not only does this work GREAT, but it was quick and easy to setup and pulls the full 54g from the edge of my network!
Don't waste your money on the Apple cards, this is the way to go!

Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS COMPUTER INTL - ASUS WL-330g Pocket Wireless Access Point

ASUS COMPUTER (90-I2B2A0-1UAZ) WL-330g Pocket Wireless - Wireless access point - External - 54 MBps - IEEE 802.

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Cisco-Linksys WRE54G Wireless-G Range Expander - REFURBISHED Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There was a lot of information out there about this product but I decided for $25 (Refurbished) I'd try it. Plugged it in, hit the "auto" button and away it went. It boosted the signal in an outbuilding from "Low" to "Excellent" and seems to be working just fine. I ignored the directions and the CD that came with it and didn't do any of the techno stuff like configuring the Host name, etc, etc. It just worked!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WRE54G Wireless-G Range Expander - REFURBISHED

WRE54G Wireless G Range Expander

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