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However, this unit works quite well as a Wireless Ethernet Bridge between an upstream Netgear WPN824v2 (192.168.1.1) and a downstream Ethernet Linksys BEFSX41 router on its own network (192.168.2.1). The WPN824 Router and WG602 channel must match, and several switches including the password need to be re-entered when the unit re-boots. I am now on my second WG602v4. Setting it up in the client, infrastructure mode is a bit difficult. The hard re-set button on the back comes in handy in case you cannot access the unit. The first one, v3 lasted 21 months. I highly suspect that Netgear and other manufactures are now using cheap electronic components that fail within about 2 years.
Not to easy to set up unless you read the instructions carefully But works fine. No Problem great product. Good delivery time.
The range of the device is sufficient also, and it is able to reach all areas of my home with no problems, or interruptions. The NetGear WG602 Wireless Access Point is a fairly easy to use device, and has a WPA security feature that is relatively easy to set-up. Connecting to the Access Point with a laptop is very easy, and if I don't deliberately connect to the Access Point, it will be automatically connected, as long as it is within range.
One of my neighbor's wifi is wide open to eavesdropping, and hacking, because they did not enable this security feature.Overall, this was easy to install, and it works great. The only problem I had was the instruction manual, or lack of it. I've owned Netgear products in the past, and they have always been a quality brand. You could read the manual, and learn about all the different encryption options, but all you really need to know is which standard your wifi device is capable of using.
Since I'm not an expert in networking, and since I do not want to spend hours trying to make it work, I decided the extra cost is worth it. I can't say much about it's reliability, or performace, since I only use it occasionally with my IPod. I purchased this unit so I could connect to the internet with my IPod Touch. I wanted to keep my wired router for security reasons, so I needed something that could plug into my router, and act as a access point. I had to hunt down all the PDF files on the web. Go back and plug it in to your PC, and change the network name, and enable security encryption.
I did not test the max range, but I can connect while in the backyard, and that's far enough for my needs. Then, you just set it to the most advanced method it can handle. After I was done, I hooked it back to my router, and waited a few minutes for the AP to initialize. I can't stress how important it is to enable the encryption. There are different manuals for different versions, so look on the bottom of the unit to see which rev you have (v1, v2, v3, etc). My IPod connected easily after I entered the password. I read that you could attach a wireless router to a wired router, but the instructions were long and complicated.
I used the WPA/WPA2 setting, and it was easy and straight forward to set up, because there are only a few things to enter. If everything works, and your device can see the network, then you are ready to customize the AP. This unit was easy to install. The installation guide was the most important, but the other manuals covered the security settings in depth.I recommend you first leave it in default mode, then try to connect to it with your device.
Setup was a cinchand the unit works extremely well. I have several other Wireless-G routers, This one has the bestsignal level and compatibily of any of them.
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