Linksys WAP54G Wireless Access Point

The Linksys WAP54G Wireless Access Point lets you connect Wireless-G (802.11g) or Wireless-B (802.11b) devices to your wired network so you can add PCs to the network with no cabling hassle. Create a "wireless bubble" in that hard-to-wire home or office space, and save the time, hassle, and expense of running cables. Plus, notebook PCs can travel around your home or office and stay connected wherever they go.

This wireless product can work with other Linksys wireless devices by acting as access point, AP client, wireless repeater and wireless bridge. The new push button setup feature makes it easy to configure your wireless devices. Just push the button on the Access Point and on your other SecureEasySetup-enabled wireless device to automatically create an encryption-secured wireless connection. Also the latest and strong WPA2 encryption is supported by this wireless device.

The Linksys Wireless-G Access Point is the best way to add wireless capability to your existing home or small office network.

Important Specifications:

Device type:
Wireless access point

Wireless Network Standards:
- IEEE 802.11g
- IEEE 802.11b

Wireless Data Transfer Rates:
- 54 Mbps

Ports/Buttons:
- One 10/100 Auto-Cross Over (MDI/MDI-X) Port
- One SES Button
- One Reset Button
- One Power Port

Security Features:
- Wireless Security Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA, WPA2), WEP
- Wireless MAC Filtering
- Linksys Wireless Guard

Other Features:
- AP Client, Wireless Repeater and Wireless Bridge Support

You can check more on this Linksys WAP54G here!

User reviews on www.amazon.com:

Easy Conversion to Wireless from Wired Network Mitchell Small September 5, 2004
I have a SOHO that uses a wired 10/100 switched network. Already part of this network is a Linksys single port Cable / DSL Router. When it came time to make the jump to wireless, the WAP54G seemed the logical choice, as I would not have to reconfigure anything on my existing network. For the record, I selected the WUSB54G and WPC54G adapters for two different purposes. Look for reviews on those items posted separately.

I had no trouble installing my original piece of Linksys gear. Now, since Cisco acquired Linksys, this effortless installation is even easier. The software installed seamlessly and I was able to modify the default settings, to match my network and increase security, occurred without any problem. A nice touch is the included patch cord to perform the initial setup. If you have a single port Cable / DSL Router already on your wired network, simply plug the other end of the patch cable into any open port on your switch or hub and the WAP54G will establish communication.

One small item left out of the manual was how to access the Web based administration interface. For first time installers, this may be critical. You need to open you web browser by entering the IP address for the Access Point. Once there, you can access the proper screens to assign a static IP address, strongly advised, and set any key options.

If you are not familiar with WEP Keys, these are electronic codes that keep your network private. While not as fool proof as wired security, they do go a long way to keeping strangers from using your network. If you create a key, keep a hard copy somewhere secure but handy. Like any password, treat them as a guarded secret. If you enable WEP Keys on the access point, any network adapters must be supplied with the key before a connection can be established.

Once the Access Point is configured, place it a good location and your done. Now you only need to add a wireless network adapter to any PC and your good to go. One nice feature is this model is also compatible with the 802.11b spec and will handle the slower traffic of this spec. With the 802.11g adapters, the network will send traffic at the full 54 Mb/sec for that spec.

Bottom line: nice price, nice performance and painless installation.

nice AP, after figured out how to use as AP client matt.mingkee December 2, 2005
the primary reason to get this AP is using it as wireless repeater however, I also would like to make it wireless ethernet bridge I found it has a lot of restriction to make AP client and repeater work, even with 3rd party firmware the configuration is fairly easy, pick 192.168.1.245 (or your own IP) on AP function page, it shows that wireless AP client works ONLY with another WAP11, WAP54G; and the repeater works ONLY with WRT54G and WAP54G (I have WRT54G V3.3) such restriction makes it far from perfect, because you can't use it to make your PS2 or XBOX to connect to wireless there're a lot of no-brand name AP has a lot of flexible function, such as regular AP, wireless client (AP-AP, AdHoc or Infrastructure), repeater (WDS) Linksys and 3rd party should consider this when writing newer version of firmware update: after figured out how to connect to my wireless router, it works perfectly use AP client mode, temp turn on SSID broadcast and turn off MAC filter, then use site survey, your wireless router info should appear, pick it, and revert to normal if you use MAC filter, you need to add the MAC address on your LAN card connected to WAP54G to your wireless router you can also use 3rd party firmware to adjust the output power, however, the signal don't have big improvement when the power is more than 40mW

Excellent WAP -- 802.11g Linksys Rocks! Benjamin F. Green "Ben Green" (Charlotte, NC United States) March 14, 2003
I plugged this WAP54G into my existing home network, slapped the Linksys PCMCIA card into my laptop, and I was up and running in unsecure mode immediately. I then had no problem enabling MAC address filter, 128-bit WEP, and the SSID Change for security. It was a piece of cake. I flashed the firmware to the latest version and have had no issues. I consistently link up at 36 Mbps to 54 Mbps. The thing screams. I can't tell the difference between file transfers across my 100 Mbit home network and file transfers across this wireless network. The speed and range are fantastic. I read the other reviews and I am surprised that this is the same product being reviewed. I have been in the I/T industry for almost 10 years and I researched wireless security for a year before buying -- and this product is fantastic.

Some initial setup problems but works as advertised! Pinoy in NJ "arprince" (NJ USA) January 17, 2006
I'm using the unit in a REPEATER mode. My house have 3 floors and my router (WRT54G) is located in the basement. I get a signal of 11 Mbps on the sec flr using a centrino powered notebook. The signal would drop to 1 Mbps after some use and the only way to get the signals back is to to reboot the notebook for some reason or go to the first flr. Hence, decided to get this unit and use it as a repeater.

Steps that worked for me are as follows:

1. Disable any security you have on the router (I'm using WEP) and enable SSID broadcast prior to any configuration .
2. Configure the unit using the setup disk and provided the ff:. - provided a different SSID (or you can provide the same SSID) with enabled broadcast. - no encription - the same transmission channel (Chan 11) as with my router - new password
3. Exited program setup. Run browser and connect to the AP interface using the default address http://192.168.1.245
4. Configured the AP in REPEATER MODE placing my router's wireless MAC address as the repeated source signal.
5. Saved the setup.
6. Test if working by removing the wire behind the AP. On your PC/Notebook, open up a command window (START,RUN, type in "cmd" and click [OK]). Type in "ping 192.168.1.245" and press [ENTER]. You should see something like "Reply from 192.168.1.245 bytes=32 time=3ms TTL=225". If you get a "Request timed out." then that means your AP cannot be seen in your network and was not configured successfully go through STEP#1 again.
7. If successful, you need to enable security back (NOTE: At this point, the AP is running stand alone with no wires connected at the back from the router). Since I'm using WEP, connect to the AP using a browser at http://192.168.1.245. Go to wireless security and enable WEP and add the key codes and save your setup.
8. Now enable security back on the router with same key as you have on the AP and save your setup.
9. Test connection again by running STEP#6.
10. Place the AP where you want it to.
11. With a wireless PC/Notebook, scan for wireless networks. You should see the new SSID as well as the old one. Connect to it so that your PC/Notebook would save that information.
12. Connect to your AP, disable SSID broadcast, save setup.
13. Connect to your roter, disable SSID broadcast, save setup.
14. You're done!

I placed the WAP54G on the third floor. After all is said and done, my signal was boosted to 45 Mbps (max at 54 Mbps). Works like a charm!!!

NOTE: - These procedures is specifically if you want to configure your AP as a REPEATER. - If you configure the AP with WEP security on the get go, you will never be able to get it to work!! I spent hours on this to no avail. - You can use the same SSID. I used a different one because I want to see what wireless unit I am connecting to when i transfer from floor to floor.

easy setup, good performance David Levy (Fort Washington, PA USA) November 25, 2004
Setup was easy. I did not install the included setup software, but rather accessed the WAP54G console via the http address using IE6.

The console was easy to understand. All security features are set to "off" out of the box. You must manaully go in and change setting to provide any level of security.

They provide excellent directions on how to tighten up security (http://www.linksys.com/splash/wirelessnotes.asp).

I am connecting this to my Linksys 4 port dsl/cable router.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with this product.

Check more user reviews here!

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