Belkin F5D7132 Wireless-G Universal Range Extender
by Belkin Components
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Our Price: $499.90 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $120.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin F5D7132 Wireless-G Universal Range Extender
Customer Review: Great product. Very versatile.
Summary: 5 Stars
I just purchased two of these because of their versatility. I am using them as access points, although I did try the different configurations just to see how well it worked. Basically, you can use it three ways...
1. Access point. Connect to it with a hardwired connection and configure it through the web interface. Use the quick installer to detect it a little easier.
2. Range extender. Use the button on the back if you don't have encryption on your network. If you have encryption, best way is to connect with a hardwired connection and put in the Encryption settings manually through the web interface. I suggest starting by setting the router's settings first. Allow it to reset. Then go back in and set the Parent Network. The site survey is the easiest way to do it. When it saves and restarts, DISCONNECT the wired connection. You should be set.
3. Bridge. For network A, make sure you have an Access Point. If not, configure one of these as an Access Point (as stated above). For network B, plug one of these into the wired network B and configure it according to the instructions for Range Extender (as stated above). However, don't disconnect it from Network B when you are done. The unit in Range Extender mode will link to the access point and allow all hardwired connections on Network B to access Network A.
Everything worked fine for me without a single hitch. Just know that the auto button will only work if you have no encryption.
I'm adding that I have unplugged and moved the two units I have numerous times as I was finding the ideal placement, and they never lost their config. If you are losing config when you lose power, you may have a defective unit and/or maybe there is a problem with your electrical wiring. Perhaps a surge protector or inexpensive UPS would help.
UPDATE: One thing I discovered with these is that they seem to remember which interface you connect to it with. In other words, if you start configuring it through a LAN connection and at some point switch to connecting to it wirelessly (or vice versa) from the same MAC address, you will have trouble connecting to it from the wireless side until the device's ARP table (I guess) clears. An example of where this could be an issue is like if you have more than one access point on your network, and you are using this as an AP, you may access the configuration screen from one part of your network, but if you then move into range of the AP and try to access the configuration again, you can't unless you reset the AP. I hope that's clear enough... Basically, if you can't connect, try resetting the AP. As long as you are not going into the configuration screen often, you probably won't have any issues. Otherwise, try to always access the configuration from a computer that is hard-wired to the network.
Customer Review: Best of all and the cheapest with lifetime Guarantee
Summary: 5 Stars
Belkin Range Extender
I have seen so many negative reviews about this product. I really don't understand why. But one thing I figured out was that everyone who wrote a negative review was not able to set it up properly, or missed a clue or two somewhere in the setup.
This is the best extender I have seen so far. Moreover, it is the cheapest, Universal(it can be used with any router) and with life time guarantee..... What more you can ask. I am using this Extender in a radius of 300 - 400 feet. and I am getting all 5 bars or 100% connectivity.
I advise all those who had problem with setting up this router to take time and read the reviews as well as the manual. Let me tell you the cd is not of much help so get ready to set it manually.
Let me give you some easy steps.
A) If you don't have security set on your wireless router then setting up the belkin is a piece of cake.
But if you have security then follow the following steps and enjoy the excellent range and continuous connection.
1) remove the security setup of your wireless router (WR)
2) Connect Range extender (RE)using the auto button (press for 10 to 15 sec).
3) Connect the RE directly to your computer using the cable provided. open internet explorer and at address write 192.168.2.254 and hit enter
Now you are inside the RE.
4) Change the SSID name (I kept BRE ---- Must be different from your WR name). Type the name of your WR at PARENT AP SSID. Hit apply changes. Disconnect the power cable and reconnect after the router reboots.
5) Now set the security of RE the same way as you are about to set in WR.
I will advice wpa-psk. After clicking apply, unplug the current cable as well as internet cable.
6) Now set the security of your WR. Make sure you are doing the same in your WR. If needed unplug the current cable as well as internet cable.
7) Plug the WR and RE and let RE search the WR. You are good to go now. In your computer's view wireless connection. Choose BRE and Connect to the BRE (instead of WR) from the selection of wireless connections.
After using it for more than two weeks. There has been some problems with my LAN but I have faced no problem with RE.
If you think you can follow the above steps then ,, trust me you will not repent this purchase.
Note: It also converts your wireless connection to a wired connection, that means that you can connect your Vonage (or any other similar service) wirelessly.
Edited April 6th, 2008
Thank GOD I bought this great router. I am more than satisfied.
Customer Review: Easy, Cheap, Effective
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a wireless router hooked up to a cable internet connection and the primary computer is about fifty feet away from the router with several walls and a kitchen (lots of EM distortion) in the way. After installing the wireless range extender, the signal strength was boosted from 32% to 68%. This is actually faily impressive considering the low cost and the fact that this house was constructed with several materials that hurt radio signals such as tinted UV windows and large iron structures.
The installation was very simple but there are a couple of minor problems that I encountered that, if you follow these instructions which are actually not in the Belkin manual, you should be fine.
1. If you have any kind of encryption enabled on your router, the extender will be able to connect to the router but won't relay any signals. You'll need to connect your computer directly to the ethernet port on the wireless extender and access the configuration menu by typing in 192.168.2.254 in your browser. You'll also need to change your IP address to do this. Information on how to do this is found in the online Belkin product manual, NOT the quick setup guide that comes with the product. Once you're in the configuration menu, change the wireless extender's encryption protocol to match your router's and that should do it. Make sure to use the same 64bit sequence and key number. Now your extender will have the same SSID and encryption as your router and the network should be up and running.
2. The only other consideration is where to put the extender. There has to be enough signal strength coming from your router to the extender for it to boost and send out again. I found that placing the extender one third of the distance from the computer to the router so it was closer to the router worked very well. Anything further away and the extender's "searching" light keeps blinking and there is no connection.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a seamless way to double the signal strength on G and B wireless protocols without spending a ton of money, this is it. Most instances all you have to do is push a button and it matches your router's name and channel but if you have encryption, as stated above, there's about five minutes of more work to be done but well worth it.
Customer Review: Yes, you can use this to hook up your XBOX360, instead of the $100 Microsoft wireless internet adapter!
Summary: 5 Stars
This product was a breeze to set up. I don't use a locked/encrypted network, so I'm sure that helped. All I did was plug it up, hold the auto connect button for 10 seconds, and that was it! It hooked right up. When i moved it in the living room to see if it would hook up to my XBOX360 thru the included ethernet cable, I did have to turn off my PS3 on the back of the machine, because I guess it was trying to connect to my PS3 instead of my router. So maybe more than one signal confuses this thing. But, after I turned the PS3 off, it connected right up. I plugged into the back of the XBOX and it connected right up to XBOX live like it was a wired connection. Awesome. I don't know why all of these other people had so many problems. I really don't care if people mooch off my internet as long as it doesn't slow my stuff down, so forget the locked network. It works almost too easily without it. I'd also like to add that I tried this thing at home with a Belkin router, at my grandparents with a Netgear router, and at work with a Lynksys router, and it worked flawlessly with all three. None of these networks are encrypted, so all I had to do was plug the thing in and hold the auto connect button just like the instructions said. This thing is awesome, plain and simple. The wifi at my work does not reach my desk without this thing. This repeater did exactly what I wanted it to. I don't see how all of you people can complain about this thing just because you are trying to encrypt your network. Although, you would think that they would give you the instructions on how to connect to an encrypted network when you bought the thing. But, trust me, if your network is not encrypted, this thing is plug and play. 10 second set up. UPDATE: I wanted to add that if you want to use ad hoc party on the PS3 but your PS3 is running on a wireless network, this thing is your solution. It will pick up the wireless signal, and then you plug an ethernet cable from this repeater to your PS3, and set your PS3 up like it is on a wired network. Now you can use ad hoc party even on a wireless network!!! Great for ad hoc only games like Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Final Fantasy: Dissidia.Customer Review: Great Product and Inexpensive
Summary: 5 Stars
Before I set up my range extender, I absorbed as much as I could from everyone's reviews. My overall consensus was to be patient and carefully read the instructions. I chose the auto setup for the range extender. First step in setup, disable your wireless security. This means accessing your wireless router web page and disabling WEP settings. I also disabled my WEP settings on my laptop (wireless device). I placed the extender device (as per directions) next to my wireless router and pressed the button for 10 seconds. After a few seconds, the light stopped blinking. I relocated the device 2 floors down near my laptop. As per the directions, I plugged it in and within 10-15 seconds the light stopped again. I searched for the wireless connections on my laptop. I noticed the extender took on my router's name. I could easily figure out that the extender had a much improved signal over my router. I secured my wireless connection by enabling my WEP settings on both my wireless router and laptop. I noticed that the extender was operating unsecure even though I was connected. I called tech support. Alot of the reviews indicated that tech support was worthless. I must have been lucky because the gentleman knew what steps needed to be taken and followed me through them. I had to connect the extender to my laptop with a ethernet cable. Next, I connected via the internet to the belkin website for the extender (192.168.2.245). I performed the same steps as I did for my router to set up the WEP security. Once set, He recommended unplugging the extender and waiting 20 minutes to power up and connect. When searching for wireless connection, both router and extender showed up secure. I connected and have a 40% improvement in signal. It is maxed out at 100%. I also what to mention that the instructions for setting up the security for the extender were in the manual. I probably did not have to call tech support at all.