Product Description

Netgear 54Mbps Wireless Access Point WG602UK Networks Wireless Routers

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6733 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: NetGear
• Model: WG602
• Released on: 2003-08-12
• Platform: Windows
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 2.65 pounds

Features

• Access Point Wless 54Mbps 802.11g

Manufacturer's Description
Up to 5x Faster and Backward Compatible with 802.11b Wireless Networks NETGEAR's future-ready WG602 Wireless Access Point connects to all IEEE 802.11b wireless networks. And it lets you add new clients at the screaming-fast IEEE 802.11g standard at 54 Mbps, while it maintains support for your existing 802.11b network–taking care of today's needs as well as tomorrow's. With its high-speed data transmissions of up to 54 Mbps, you accomplish a lot of work in a short amount of time. Network users can share a broadband Internet connection, access e-mail, download large files, videoconference, and distribute and play digital images, videos, and MP3 files. Easy to set up and use, NETGEAR's intuitive Install Assistant makes driver installation a cinch. And with up to 128-bit WEP encryption, you can rest assured that your wireless network communications are private.

High-Speed Simultaneously supports both IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g standard devices and networks. This dual mode capability protects your 802.11b wireless investment and, at the same time, has you ready for the up to five times faster 802.11g. Provides connectivity to a wired or wireless network for expanded bandwidth. Higher speeds expedite large file downloads and facilitate videoconferencing and the distribution and playing of high-quality multimedia content.

Secure Provides the highest available level of industry-standard WEP encryption: 128-bit for both 802.11b and 802.11g devices. MAC address authentication offers enhanced security by ensuring only authorized users can access the network. Will support 802.1x and WPA with a future firmware upgrade.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Take care if using in repeater mode
If you want to use this product in repeater mode to extend the range of a wireless network, you need a second WG602 access point connected to your router. It won't work with any other Netgear product. This limitation is not described on the product packaging, the Netgear website, or the Amazon website - I only found out by making a tech support call. The product itself is otherwise fine.

Just about all you could ask for
This is an excellent system providing all the capability you could ask for in a small-office-home-office wireless network access device.

It has a utility that runs over standard HTTP, so you can access all the administration and management services via your browser. It contains all the capabilities required to generate 64- and 128-bit WEP keys from pass-phrases and you can lock down your wireless application so that only certain �known� devices can access it wirelessly (i.e., it can be MAC address locked). It has all the security devices that you could possible want.

If you want to use this for a medium-sized house or office, then you will almost definitely want to purchase a more suitable antenna. It comes with a 2dB antenna with a �reverse-SMA� plug so you can easily plug up antennae with greater power. I have used a couple of these devices, one serving an office of about 6000sqft. With this device the reception was a little inadequate with the default antenna, but remarkably good throughout the office with an 8dB omni-directional purchased separately. Here, 54Mbps is achievable throughout.

With the Netgear�s dual capability, older devices with built in wireless cards (such as tablets, laptops and PDAs) can connect with ease at 11Mbps using 802.11b. The Netgear access point can also provide and entry point for a multitude of other services including wireless VoIP (voice-over-IP).

A good benchmark for the other manufacturers to complete against.

Compatibility with WG602 (v2)
Having already bought three WG602 (v2), I opted to buy a fourth with the intention of increasing coverage and signal strength. The item arrived promptly with Amazon's free delivery and at a better price than anyone else. Thanks Amazon!

A few notes.. Aesthetically the v2 and v3 are almost the same - but not quite: the v3 is white (not silver) and has NO mounting holes (despite what the September 2004 installation guide says). It does however come with two supports to allow the unit to sit as a 'tower' as opposed to the default 'desktop'.

Firmware was immediately available and flashed perfectly well.

After some testing, I'm not convinced the v3 unit likes operating on the same network as three v2s (interference is an issue, but not a problem). Several times whilst configuring the v3 I've been locked out of the three v2s - I can authenticate but the web interface remains blank (this isn't a connectivity issue as it happens regardless of wired/less routes).

Given the option, I'd rather have bought another v2 but if this is your first and only access point - you probably won't have any issues at all.

Netgear's technical support number has changed from the free number on the back but you can call 01344 397021 and ask to be transfered to technical.