Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The WLI-TX4-G54HP is not perfect, but it is one of the best bridges out there. Unlike most bridges from Netgear, Linksys, and D-Link, the Buffalo Technology WLI-TX4-G54HP has 4 Ethernet ports built in, eliminating the need for a separate switch. This is key, since the advantage of a bridge versus wireless adapters is that one bridge can be used for multiple devices (e.g. in an entertainment center to support a TiVo, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, Slingbox, etc). The costly and time consuming alternative is to buy and configure a separate wireless adapter per device, one of which costs as much as the WLI-TX4-G54HP, and many of which don't even support the latest network security encryption.
Compared to other network equipment, setup was relatively straightforward. If you have a Buffalo router or access point, you can use one touch AOSS setup, which worked seamlessly, defaulting to the highest level of encryption supported by all devices (e.g. WPA-AES/CCMP). However, your AOSS settings on your Buffalo router default to supporting 125 High Speed if supported by all devices on your network which can cause issues on the WLI-TX4-G54HP (see below). Also, using AOSS to configure the converter disables any custom settings on your router such as disabling SSID broadcast (a highly recommended security practice), so you'll probably opt to configure your converter manually.
With Manual configuration you have the option of using the PC configuration software or the built-in web-based configuration tool. The only hitch with using the web-based configuration tool is that you have set your computer's wired Ethernet adapter IP address manually to 1.1.1.2 since the converter's IP address defaults to 1.1.1.1 and you have to be on the same subnet to connect to it since there is no built-in DHCP server (to do this, Right-click Network Places, click Properties, right-click your Local Area Connection, click Properties, click TCP/IP, click Properties, select Use the following IP address, and enter IP address 1.1.1.2 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0). Once you change your computer's IP, you can log into the tool, change the network and security settings and change the static IP address of the configuration tool to an IP on your subnet (e.g. 192.168.x.2) so you can manage it from any computer on your network. Don't forget to change your IP And DNS back on your computer back to automatic detection after you are done configuring your device.
On the downside, if you are using the WLI-TX4-G54HP in 125 High Speed Mode mode (aka g+ SuperSpeed, Gplus, HSM, SpeedBooster, Turbo G, Xpress, WME), which is only possible when used on a network with all 125 High Speed compatible devices, it freezes up and requires a power cycle when used under intensive bandwidth conditions, which I discovered when trying to transfer video between two TiVos connected to two WLI-TX4-G54HP converters and a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 router (all of which support 125 High Speed Mode). This can be avoided by disabling the 125 High Speed frame bursting mode on your router. You will not experience this problem on a non 125 High Speed network (or even if you have a 125 High Speed Network with any non-125 High Speed devices on it since every device must support it to enable it).
Finally, if you have WDS-compatible router, such as any Buffalo router, you are better off using another WHR-HP-G54 router as a bridge since it provides the same functionality as the WLI-TX4-G54HP but also acts as a repeater to extend your network signal, and costs about the same price online. In fact, the WHR-HP-G54 looks identical to the WLI-TX4-G54HP, except that the latter lacks a WAN port and a switch to change from router to bridge mode. The only downside to using the WHR-HP-G54 as a bridge, is that doing so requires disabling 125 High Speed Mode on your router, but since this doesn't work well anyways, it isn't really a disadvantage.
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Buffalo Technology AirStation Turbo G High Power Wireless Ethernet Converter ( WLI-TX4-G54HP )Buffalo Technology AirStation Turbo G High Power Wireless Ethernet Converter ( WLI-TX4-G54HP )
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