Cisco-Linksys WET11 Wireless Ethernet Bridge by Linksys
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Our Price: $199.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Cisco-Linksys WET11 Wireless Ethernet Bridge
Digital camera Review: Fine Product But A Little Pricey
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased a WET11 to connect a SliMP3 ethernet MP3 player to our home's wireless network. It is more than adequate for the task, and has decent signal strength throughout our entire house.The original unit had a problem passing DHCP, but a firmware upgrade fixed that problem.
The unit operates fine with my Orinoco RG-1100 base station - without WEP encryption. I did not try to see if WEP worked properly.
For what it does, I think the WET11 is overpriced, but it has a lock on the market. With the upcoming release of the D-Link bridge and other wireless bridges, I'd expect the price to drop quite a bit.
Digital camera Review: Good for Wireless to remote locations
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought two WET11 to provide a connection to a PC that is 1000ft away. I first tested it in the house by setting up one unit to a PC in the furthest end of my house. The other WET11, I connected to my DSL router LAN port (not wireless). The WET11 performed well even through several (5) bedroom walls with quality and signal level of >80%. The units are small and do not run HOT. Here is how is configured them:
1. Configure each unit by connecting it directly to a PC.
2. Set a unique but fixed IP address to each unit (eg. 192.168.1.220 and .221) & assign a new SSID (but same for both units).
3. Update F/W to latest v2.08 (very important bug fixes were made). You can get the latest F/W from Linksys website.
4. For me I used "ad-hoc" mode, channel 6, MAC=Auto,
5. For security I used 128-bit WEP and set "shared key" on!!!
6. Apply the changes and after it is done connect it to the Router and other to PC.
I was able to see all the PC's on the network and access the internet.
My final setup, I use two 14db directional Panel antenna (30 degree beam). The signal strength, via "site survey tool, reads 46%. That is good enough for 11Mbit connection. Although, I believe the throughput is more like 7Mbit with all the encryption overhead. I'll test the throughput later.
Since it is wireless, you should also set your router to not allow any other MAC address other than those you specify. You want to make it as difficult as possible for WarChalkers to get onto your network!
Cons:
1. One item it lacks is the new WPA encryption. The box says it's Wi-Fi Certified which may mean that some future F/W may include WPA ability. I checked with Linksys but they did not have good answer -- they did not say yes or no just that it is not yet available??? I suspect that if we keep requesting WPA, they will have to implement it.
2. The WET11 can not operate as an Access Point. This would have been handy for my configuration.
Good Product Linksys. I would have had given it a 5 if it had WPA an AP ability.
Digital camera Review: Good for what it is, but out-dated
Summary: 3 Stars
As easy as this bridge was to setup and get working on my network, it isn't a good choice for those concerned about security or speed. The WET11 works great, but it is only 802.11b, so placing it on an 802.11g network has the potential of slowing down the wireless network. Also, being that it only supports 802.11b, WPA encryption is not supported...only WEP. Though I'm a big fan of Linksys products, I would shy away from this one.Digital camera Review: Good product, setup a bit of a pain
Summary: 4 Stars
I initially tried to use the setup application that came on the CD with this, but never got it to work. Eventually, I used the web based admin utility and set it up myself. I would have given it 5 start if the setup utility worked, but people without experience setting up a wireless system might have trouble. I have it running with 128 bit WEP encryption, and MAC address filtering with no problems.
Digital camera Review: Good while it lasted
Summary: 3 Stars
I used this for a couple of years, and it worked flawlessly. Initially, I did not use WEP. I caught someone on my network, so I enabled WEP security. Now the bridge no longer connected. So, I tried to run the setup again and reconfigure. I was never able to connect, ever again. Not sure what the reset button does, but did not seem to make a difference.
I've owned a lot of Linksys products. The main thing I've noticed since they were bought by Cisco - most of the products do not last more that 18 to 24 months before they start failing. I've been through 3 routers and 2 modems in less than 4 years ( all on an APC UPS' ).