NETGEAR WNHDEB111-100NAS Wireless N Access Point
by Netgear
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Our Price: $149.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of NETGEAR WNHDEB111-100NAS Wireless N Access Point
Customer Review: FAST... but know what you're buying
Summary: 5 Stars
Although this is marketed as an "HD/Gaming" wireless kit, it's important to know what this really is and how to use it.
MOST IMPORTANT: This kit isn't a router -- you cannot create a Wireless N network with it alone. It is designed to add to your existing network... often a wireless 2.4 GHz network (commonly 802.11 b/g). This will provide high-speed "802.11n" at 5 GHz so it doesn't interfere with a current b/g network. Any wireless b/g devices (Xbox wireless adapter, PS3 internal wireless, b/g laptops, b/g network cards, etc.) currently used on the network will be unaffected by this addition.
HOW THIS WORKS: The kit features two identical units -- one unit will plug into your existing network's router via Ethernet as an "access point", and the other unit will plug into the Ethernet device(s) (Xbox, PS3, computer, etc.) as a "bridge". Once the two units sync, it will behave as if the device(s) plugged into the bridge is hardwired to the network router.
Each unit has two Ethernet ports... if you want to plug a 3rd (or more) devices in to the "bridge", you will need to add a switch like NETGEAR FS105 ProSafe 5-Port 10/100 Desktop Switch.
TECH NOTE: The Ethernet ports on these devices are NOT Gigabit ports, so even though the wireless N signal can achieve 300 Mbit/s, the fastest speed you will achieve on these devices is 100 Mbit/s. However, this speed is more than enough for multiple HD streams and high-speed gaming.
BENEFITS: As mentioned, your current B/G network is unchanged, so any wireless activity using that will remain the same. This kit is not designed to replace that network... just add to it. Any device(s) plugged into this Netgear kit will have greater wireless range and a MUCH faster connection than using the older B/G network.
Customer Review: Wireless Networking That Works
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been struggling with wireless networking for two and a half years. The home we moved into would have cost a bundle to run CAT5 cable everywhere we needed it. I tried four or five different wireless router/adapter systems, and none of them worked reliably.
I picked up a WNHDEB111 kit based on a review I read. It was the simplest wireless system I've ever used. Setup was brain-dead simple. Once I had it connected, I took the bridge unit and a laptop to every room in the house. I got a strong, fast connection everywhere. Even in the basement, where I have never been able to get a connection at all.
I now have eight units around the house. Each unit is connected to a network switch, and connected to those are 12 computers, four TiVos, and a couple of network printers. And it's a huge benefit to be able to plug standard network switches into the units, and not have to put wireless adapters on all the computers.
After I had installed four of the units, I started experiencing connection drops and very poor performance. I did some web searches, and based on some recommendations I found, I turned off the WISH feature on all the units. Bingo... I was back to full speed and rock solid connections everywhere in the house.
I also don't believe in letting boxes make their own decisions about things. So where there's a choice, I select the best option so the box doesn't have to think about it.
So in the 'Wireless Settings' section of the configuration, I set:
- 802.11 Mode to '802.11n only'
- WPA Mode to 'WPA2 only'
- Cipher Type to 'AES'
This is a fantastic product. I recommend it to anyone who needs wireless access.
Customer Review: plug-and-play - works great!
Summary: 5 Stars
Just set up my 5Ghz Wireless-N kit. And I have to say, it's been amazingly simple so far. I added this pair as a high-speed bridge for my X-box 360 and Slingbox. I had a 802.11b/g WiFi network already in place, but wanted a faster, dedicated net for media streaming. I followed the suggestions of other comments on this board and manually set one unit to AP (access point) and the other to BRIDGE (there's a toggle switch on the back of each unit). That's all I had to do. Connected one unit to an Ethernet port on my b/g router, and the other unit to my xbox and slingbox (using the two available Ethernet ports on the Netgear bridge). After about 20 seconds of blinking lights, they were both up and running.
With just this, I could stream Netflix to my xbox and watch my slingbox from other computers at 'N' speeds. Everything worked. (My 802.11b/g setup still works fine as well)
I could have stopped there, but just to be sure, I logged on to the ACCESS POINT configuration page and checked the security settings. The Netgear pair come pre-configured with WPA security. Matching keys were already in the units. Again, as per the suggestions in other comments, I deselected all the auto features (band select, channel select, etc), hoping to create the most stable link. But they were working fine before I did this.
I also managed to log on to the Netgear ACCESS POINT with an 802.11n laptop, and I'm seeing a real-world, 10x speed improvement in file transfers (10x better than my old 802.11g connection).
I'd read the mixed reviews in the comments, and was a little worried. But my experience so far has been great.
Customer Review: Great speed and connectivity, no true Wii support
Summary: 5 Stars
This really is a superb system for networking. For a basic user, the setup could not be more simple. I placed both devices in the same room next to one another and connected one to my router and went off from there. Really no need to use the software at all -- you push a few buttons and you're done (unless you want to do a more advanced setup, but this is not needed). Once I new everything was communicating, I put one device upstairs and one down. I recommend near center in your house if possible.
The range throughout my home is fantastic. Upstairs I have the router and a TiVo connected. Downstairs I have a TiVo and an Xbox 360. Everything worked instantly with no hassle.
If I have one gripe, it is this: All of the advertising material for this product states it is compatible with the Wii. This is false, or at least very misleading. The Wii cannot connect to a 5Ghz signal. Netgear Support will tell you that it is compatible if you use it as a network bridge and hard-wire the Wii into the WNHDEB111. The problem is that the Wii has no network port. To add a network port to a Wii, you must buy a USB Network Adapter for an MSRP of $24.99. So, while it is true that the Wii can be connected, additional hardware and cost is required to do so. So, out of the box, this device is not compatible with the Wii.
For me, I have a wireless G router which is still broadcasting. The Wii is connected wirelessly to this 2.4Ghz signal and now the new signal at 5Ghz connects all other devices in my home.
So, to conclude: fantastic signal, speed, and setup -- Wii support is false.
Customer Review: Easy Set Up-- Works Well for Me-- Your Mileage May Vary
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Old house (built 1912) with a lot of electronic stuff going on it it-- wireless network at 2.4 ghz, cordless phone system at 5.8 ghz (purchased because the prior Siemens Gigaset system and the wireless network clashed. Two microwaves and a wireless doorbell and anytime I check for wireless networks I pick up about half a dozen from the buildings around me.
Add to this that I bought Neuros Technology's Neuros OSD Media Center-- it's a way cool gadget that lets you put DVDs, CDs and anything you can record in digital form, on an external hard drive for ease of storage and playback. But it doesn't have wireless so I have had it sitting next to my TV with a ethenet cord running to my router-- it only gets pulled out a couple of times a day when the dogs run into it while roughhousing.
So I plugged one of these units into my router and attached the electrical cord. Then I plugged the other into my OSD and attached the second electrical cord. I pushed both buttons and it connected. That was it. Yeah, I will probably be doing some tinkering in the future, especially with security, but this has to be easiest thing I have ever done wireless network wise.