Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I use a wireless router in the house with great success. However, the range is pretty weak or my house is too big, and I am pretty sure it's not the latter. As a result, I researched a variety of solutions, none of which seemed too appealing to implement (bridges, wireless range extenders, new RF antenna, etc). It just all seemed too complicated, and I consider myself pretty tech savvy.
Fortunately, I was reading through some tech reviews and stumbled upon the Netgear Wireless wall-plugged router kit. It seemed like it was pretty simple to setup and easy to use. Well, I can report that it is exactly that.
There is no software to install at all. You simply plug in the ethernet cable from the cable modem in one room into the Netgear plug and then plug that into the wall. Check that all three green lights are lit and you are good to go.
The next step is to take the second half of the Netgear plug into the desired room in the house and plug it into an electric socket. When its three lights are lit, you have a connection and are good to go in there. My laptop computer picked up wireless signal immediately and I was surfing the web in no time flat. Basically, it was flawless.
So, WHY am I am only giving it four stars? Two reasons:
First, the wireless range of the Netgear plug is pretty weak. It definitely doesn't have the power of my main wireless modem. Then again, it doesn't have an antenna AND it still works, so it's no big deal; it's just not perfect.
Second, the Netgear plugs need to be plugged in somewhat near each other to function correctly and get the Homelink green light to turn green. When the Netgear plugs were plugged in on opposite ends of the house (what I was hoping for to maximize range), it did not achieve a homelink connection. However, when I moved the plugs to outlets that were closer together (but still outside my wireless routers range), it DID work. So, partial credit again here. While I cna't explain why it did not work, perhaps the electrical homelink signal degrades the farther the outlets are apart.
Anyway, everything is working pretty smoothly now and I am excited that I can get a signal in another area of the house that was not covered by internet previously.
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The NETGEAR WGXB102 Powerline Wireless Range Extender includes everything you need to provide wireless access to an existing network using only power outlets. You can now extend an internet connection to even the farthest reaches of your home without a tangled mess of cables.
Elegant Design and Simple to Install The WGXB102 is a kit that comes with two devices, the Wireless Range Extender (WGX102) and the Powerline Network Bridge (XE102).
The WGX102 is a small silver-colored box with rounded edges that has no wires or ports of any sort. Installation is truly plug and play: simply plug the device into the outlet and you have a wireless network originating from that spot.
The XE102 is a similarly shaped box that connects from an existing wired or wireless router to the power line. It then sends a network connection between connected NETGEAR Powerline devices. In addition to the included WGX102, other compatible devices include NETGEAR's XE104, XE103, XEPS103, and XE102, all sold separately.
Fast and Secure The WGX102 complies with both the Homeplug 1.0 and 802.11g wireless standards for compatibility with a wide range of devices. Since 802.11g is backwards compatible with 802.11b, you don't have to worry about your older devices that might not yet support the newer standard. The WGX102 supports 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption as well as WPA so you can be sure your data is safe from prying eyes. Additionally, it has VPN (IP-Sec and PPTP) passthrough, as well as the option to turn Wireless SSID broadcast on and off.
The NETGEAR WGXB102 Powerline Wireless Range Extender is backed by a 2-year warranty.
What's in the Box WGX102 wireless range extender, XE102 Powerline network bridge, ethernet cable, two setup CDs, installation guide, and warranty/support information card.
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