The Linksys WAP54A we tested was an early production unit. Its features and functionality--support for normal and turbo modes, WEP-based security and the ability to adjust transmission power--are similar to that of the NetGear HE102, except for few minor differences, such as online help. As you might suspect, Linksys' offering, like those from NetGear, SMC and Skyline, is geared toward a value-conscious customer and is probably not well-suited for enterprise deployment.
We found that the simple installation of the Linksys access point can't quite measure up to the NetGear H102's ease of use. We first had to configure a Windows client computer on the same network as the access point default network. Then, we had to enter the default IP address of the Linksys access point in the URL field of our browser to bring up the configuration and management page. The first thing that struck us was the product's lack of DHCP client capabilities, a feature available from NetGear. This issue may not be a major one in the SOHO market but is a very serious enterprise limitation. According to Linksys, DHCP support will be added in the next firmware upgrade.
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The Linksys Web interface is relatively easy to use, and unlike NetGear, there's a good online help system. However, there seem to be some bugs. For example, even when we enabled turbo mode on this access point, the management interface displayed the same data rates available in normal mode.
The WAP54A didn't impress us with its management capabilities or feature set, and it finished at the back of the pack for range as well, with a maximum of 118 feet in one direction. The ping coverage showed up to 25 percent packet loss at spots C and E and up to 20 percent packet loss at spot F. At the remaining spots there was zero packet loss.
Linksys WAP54A Instant Wireless 802.11a Access Point, $349. Linksys, (800) 546-5797, (949) 261-1288. www.linksys.com or [email protected]
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