Belkin Wireless Network Access Point: Roaming Network Capability
Written: Oct 01 '02
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Pros: Easy to install.
Cons: Claimed transfer rates seriously exaggerated.
The Bottom Line: If you need to hook up that last out of reach computer to your wired network, or to that notebook, this wireless access point can do the trick.
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| rpllingrock's Full Review: Belkin (F5D6130) 802.11b Wireless Access Point |
My Configuration
I thought it would be more helpful to explain how I was using this Access Point in my situation.
Currently I have a 4 computer home network and all hardwired to a SMC7004BR 4-port broadband router. I am eliminating one of the desktop computers in exchange for a notebook. My goal is to install this Wireless Access Point (WAP) into one of the router ports to serve this wireless notebook. With this setup, the notebook could be networked throughout my house and even outdoors. Maybe.
The configuration computer is Windows XP Pro, and the wireless notebook is XP Home.
What’s Included
A power adapter, install CD, installation and configuration booklet, and of course the WAP (Universal 802.11b Compliant). What’s missing is a connecting cable found in some WAP products.
The WAP itself is quite small. It’s about 6“long, 2 ½ “wide, and ¾ thick. It has rotatable antennas. This allows for placement on walls or angled surfaces. It has 3 indicator lights which represent Ethernet activity, transmit/receive, and power. There’s a reset button located on the back which I did not use.
Installation and Setup
Simple Installation
1. Find a location for your WAP. (preferably centrally located to your desired coverage)
2. Install the Ethernet cable to your networking device (in my case my router)
3. Plug in the power cable.
4. Install the included Belkin Access Point Manager software used to configure your router. If using Windows XP, there are updated drivers on the Belkin web site.
Setup
To be honest, initially I didn’t have to setup anything with the WAP. All of the configuration was on the wireless notebook. My router instantly recognized the WAP and properly assigned it an I.P. address.
On the notebook side, things were a bit different. The notebook has both an integrated wireless adapter and a traditional hardwired NIC.
The documentation was fairly good, explaining most of what’s needed to know to get the WAP up and running. Some of the options include changing the Access Point’s name, SSID (both WAP and wireless computers must be the same), one of 11 channels, RTS Threshold, DHCP or if you’d like to manually set IP, Subnet, or Gateway addresses.
There are also settings for WEP, or Wired Equivalent Privacy. In this setting, you can choose from 64 or 128 bit encryption. I suggest getting your wireless connection up and running before screwing around with encryption because you may spend hours trying to figure out why the WAP’s not working, only to find out you screwed up on these settings.
Here’s the stinker on encryption. You may not notice much of a speed drop using 64 bit, but kick it up to 128 bit and there’s a noticeable slowdown in speed between the wireless computer and its wired counterparts. I imagine this would hold true if it were just between wireless systems.
Instead of playing with encryption, I chose to use MAC address filtering. What this does is only allow access to a certain address. To clarify, each network interface device has a unique MAC address, much like a serial number. So, by setting the WAP to only recognize, or allow access to that device number, I am in effect, preventing unauthorized use of my network. This doesn’t prevent anyone from “eavesdropping” on activity, but access only. Frankly, I’m not too concerned with someone sitting outside my house just to see what’s going on in my network. ;)
Of course the most secure form would be encryption even at 64 bit, but I chose the easy road! ;)
Claimed Range verses Actual Range
Do you think for a minute that what they claim, and what I am about to tell you are going to be close? I hope not!
Belkin Claims :
Typical Indoor
590 feet at 11 Mbps
984 feet at 5.5Mbps
1476 feet at 2Mbps
1800 feet at 1Mbps
Now this has got to be a typo! Either that or the fine people at Belkin have been hanging out with the New York Mets! ;)
If my house were one big room 590 feet long, no appliances or electrical wiring, maybe. But that wouldn’t be a “typical” house now would it?
Here’s what I’ve been able to accomplish with the WAP at various locations. My home is of wood construction and the WAP is located on the same floor as the access notebook.
To maintain 11 Mbps, the notebook can be no farther than 25 feet and 1 wall separating the two.
At 5.5 Mpbs, I cannot be further than 35 feet and 2 walls between. (you see where I’m going here?)
2 Mbps at we’re looking at 50 feet and 3 walls.
Ok, so let me try this. I put the WAP near a window; remove the metal screen so it has a clear shot out the window. I take the notebook outside and BANG!!!! 100 feet and 11 Mbps. As I walk further away, the transfer rate drops significantly.
Now here’s a thought. Maybe it’s the notebook’s wireless adapter which is malfunctioning?-Maybe not. I borrowed another notebook with wireless capability (wireless notebook card) with similar results. Actually if anything, they were worse.
A few things come into play here.
1. First location, location, location! Choose a spot away from appliances (so they say)
2. Make it a location which would be central to where you want coverage.
3. Place the unit as high as possible. It does include two keyholes on the rear of the unit for wall mounting. Do you know how ugly that would be?
After a few hours of trial and error, I have come up with the “sweet” spot for the WAP. I now get 100% coverage ranging about 40-50 feet away while maintaining a 6+/- Mbps rate. The notebooks happy, my wife’s happy, so I’m happy! :)
Trust me; Belkin is not the only company which puts extraordinary claims on their wireless products. I’ve read countless reviews of other products which deceive the public on expected ranges.
Overall
I would recommend this type of wireless networking for someone who would like to include their notebook into a network. Personally, as wireless sits with today’s technology, I wouldn’t make it my choice for a complete network. Not yet anyway.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 69
Driver Availability: Windows only
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