802.11g wireless access points

[bmw]

I just went thru the process of comparing these 802.11g WAPs:

- Apple Airport Extreme
- D-Link DI624
- Belkin F5D7130
- Linksys WAP54G

My environment is a heterogenous network of PCs, *BSD clients and servers, and now one Mac: a new Powerbook G4 (12"), for which I'm going to pickup an Apple Airport card asap.

I decided on the Linksys finally. I first considered the Apple Airport access point because "it's Apple, so it will be most compatible". But I found I couldn't stomach $300 bucks for that because reviews suggest that without an external antenna, the performance falls very fast somewhere between 25 and 50 feet. As the house is fairly large, performance while roaming is important. Also, it's annoying that the only way to setup the Airport is using the MacOS X utilities.

So I looked for a box that was similar. The Linksys has better distance performance (according to wi-fiplanet.com), uses the same chipset as the Powerbook card (Broadcom), uses a web interface for setup, has MAC access filters, disableable ESSID broadcast, supports WPA with RADIUS, has SNMP, detatchable antennas, and is only $136 Can from Microwarehouse (CDW). It's not a router like most of the other boxes, but I don't care about that.

None of the other boxes have SNMP (not a killer, but nice), but are otherwise very similar. Some have clunky configs, at least one (D-Link) reboots after every setting change(!).

So, while I can still cancel the order, does anyone have any contrarian views? :-) Anyone actually running this stuff out there?

[bsdjunkie]

I just use a OBSD box with a lucent wavelan gold card as an access point/gateway. No need to spend $$$ on a AP. :D

[elmore]

I have a linksys and a netgear WAP. The linksys blows the netgear away. BTW I have no problems connecting with my G4. I think |MiNi0n| may have a D-link WAP.

[bmw]

That's a good point! I hadn't even considered just sticking a card into a *BSD box. D'oh!

OTOH, the 802.11g PCI cards are around $100 Can. in these parts (I think), and this box is only $136, so I'm not too badly off.

I just discovered that the entire firmware is GPL'ed and can be downloaded from the website. Looks like this box is running Linux! :-) And I don't even like Linux. Oh well, it's just an appliance ...

[bsdjunkie]

I agree with elmore up above as well..... Ive seen better performance with a linksys over a dlink.

[bmw]

I have a linksys and a netgear WAP. The linksys blows the netgear away. BTW I have no problems connecting with my G4.
Ahh, that's great Elmore, that puts my mind at ease. It's one thing to do a paper analysis and another thing completely to get actual physical stuff working. :-)

Cheers!

[molotov]

Ive thought the cisco wireless gear was sexy, but kinda on the expensive side. Later Ill be playing with an aironet in an obsd laptop. Should be a good time.

[Kernel_Killer]

I have to agree to an extent on the D-Link ability. Some of the older models didn't seem to have the mA to push good frequncies far from the AP. It seems the later models have more amperage to provide more dBa. After switching from an old D-link wireless router, to a more recent D-Link AP, I've actually been able to go to the farthest part of the house and still get a good connection. Now if they could just posts these specs with the models. :P