LINKSYS WAP54G Wireless Access Point: Love Them and Hate Them

I have installed the WAP54G wireless access pointof them (often too many) a place them in a small
since its release and found it a great access pointspace. Just like all wireless access points
to work with. I have installed the WAP54Gplacement is the key to having seamless quality
wireless access point in small offices, largewireless coverage in you operations area. If a
warehouses, schools and office buildings.company says that its wireless network is slow
Companies like the WAP54 so much because firstor they are always losing connections they might
it's cheap and second it's cheap.If you have thehave too many wireless access points in a small
money you will always want to purchasearea. Too many WAP54g in a small area will
enterprise class wireless access points. They arecause chaos, turn them all off and start placing
sturdier and have many more power and antennathem in better higher positions one at a time,
features that the WPA54G wireless accesspreferably mounted on the wall.
point.If you don't have the money and need aYou will need less wireless access points if you
wireless network the WAP54g is the mostuse the correct wireless antenna. The WAP54g
versatile and cheapest access point you can buycomes with two di-pole omni-directional antennas
on the market. Cheap does come with Quarksthat emit a wireless signal in a doughnut pattern.
and over the years I have noticed many which IIf you place the WAP54 wireless access point
will list here.near a wall half of your signal is going out the
1. Firmware - Before you start configuring yourwindow. Purchase a directional antenna to replace
wireless access points upgrade the firmware firstthe rubber duck antennas. You will find that you
to avoid head aches. WAP54g's will work 100have a better signal quality and your wireless
times better if you have the correct firmwarenetwork will be more secure because nobody can
version installed. Linksys is very good at fixingsit in the parking lot and pick up your SSID.
bugs and if they have a more recent firmware4. Bad Access Points - I due recommend the
version out you better install it. If you don't haveWAP54g wireless access point but I have run into
the most up to date firmware and plan on usingmany lemons. If you install a wireless access point
WPA2 with AES you will have problems.and many people are having problems connecting,
2. Power Cycling - A common problem with allafter you have upgraded the firmware and
Non- Enterprise class access points is thatupgraded their drivers, You could have a lemon
sometimes they need to be restarted or powerwireless access point. As a network admin you
cycled. The WAP54g is no exception, if yourdon't have hours and hours of time to screw with
wireless users are experiencing slow connectionsone thing, if everyone connects fine to all the
or they are not associating with the wirelessWAP54g's except for one toss it or return it.
access point then restart it. It is a quark but itWPA54g's are sensitive to power fluctuations and
does fix many of the WAP54g's issues.it could have got zapped, always have it plugged
3. Less is More - Because the WAP54g is a cheapinto a surge protector.
wireless access point companies will purchase a lot