Wireless Access Point, which one...?

[andrey]

I'm looking for Wireless Access Point which will suport 128-bit WEP encryption, as well as which will allow me to choose which MAC addresses can access it. I know for sure that Apple AirPort will do that, but are there any other Wireless Access Points which have the same features?

 

[DnetMHZ]

Yes.. My Intel Pro 5000 covers all your req's .. did i mention it's 54 megs?

might be a little pricey.. as there are plenty of 802.11b products that do what you want.

<< happy with his upgrade to 802.11a

 

[JackMDS]

look here:

Wireless Gateway Total: 27 entries.

 

[andrey]

Looks like Belkin Wireless Acess point support the MAC address filtering feature.... I'm leaning towards it, but it doesn't seem that Belkin supports web-based interface. www.practicallynetworked.com has a very good review of it and seems to recommend it. Has anyone have had real life experience with Belkin Wireless Access Point and has something good or bad to say about it?

 

[JackMDS]

It does not use IE for configuration. However the Belkin program is a Windows program, i.e., no need to telnet or to use additional cable for configuration.

I think (not sure), that the Belkin WAP uses the Lucent chipset. The Lucent Orinoco is considered one of the best of the Wireless appliances.

Reviews:

Belkin Wireless 802.11b Networking Review.

Belkin's 802.11b Wireless Networking Line.

 

[SaigonK]

I have said it before and I will say it again.
Cisco...when you buy a cheap AP you get what you paid for.

Granted a Cisco 350 is WAy expesnive and not needed for most home users, it is the best out there.
Watch when you buy home units as some of them dont even do 128bit WEP.

 

[manly]

Get real.

That's like saying everyone should only buy Mercedes Benz S-class cars and travel First Class when they fly. Completely impractical advice that ignores value.

 

[CWoolmer]

Buffalo by far the best WAPs. Cheap(ish), reliable and cover your encryption needs. Will also allow for future expansion easily. Try theBuffalo website
Sometging will take ur fancy!


Craig

 

[SaigonK]

Ok so another bashing i am handed....

Get real.
That's like saying everyone should only buy Mercedes Benz S-class cars and travel First Class when they fly. Completely impractical advice that ignores value.

No not everyone can afford it, I did NOT say he should buy one, he merely asked my opinon and I handed it out.
If you also look at my post you will see that i stated it is WAY more $$$ than a home user needs to spend, but of course you must have also missed that he didnt state about price being an issue.
If i could afford an S-Class i would drive one, if i could afford first class flights i would do that too...it so happens I was able to afford a Cisco....why the hell is that so bad?

I am unusre how that got interpreted into "buy big or dont buy at all" by you but whatever....home units generally lack quality and security features most people are worried about, if you dont care about security then go by a cheap 40bib encryption unit.
If you do just make sure you buy a home unit that actually supports 128 encryption and possibly other features such as MAC address limiting.

 

[manly]

No, not a bashing but a counter-point.

I'm not very familiar with SOHO WAPs but the only key security feature that Cisco and Orinoco has that the SOHO units doesn't have is disabling of SSID broadcast.

If you read your original advice, it does sound like you're saying Cisco 802.11b gear is the only good way to go; the strong implication is the rest is no good. What I'm saying is for the SOHO user (i.e. someone considering an Apple Airport), there are alternatives that deliver clearly better value than Cisco.

Besides, WEP is generally considered broken by security experts, so 128-bit WEP isn't that big of a deal (I'd still try to get it if possible since most people won't run VPNs). Personally, I own an inexpensive Compaq wireless router that has both 128-bit WEP and MAC address filtering (I wish it would do port ranging though).

In short, I would say that JackMDS would do a better job (than I) of disagreeing with your sentiments that SOHO units lack quality or security.

Finally, if Belkin really does use Lucent internals, then you can steal one at CompUSA this week for $100. I'm not sure why they don't implement a web-based administration interface, but that's not a deal breaker IMHO.

 

[SaigonK]

Manly, Point well taken.

I agree that the higher end units dont neccessarily give you more bang for your buck, espsecially since many are in the over $500 range.
yes 128bit encryption is broekn (in a sense) but it isnt that easy to break "on the fly". Cisco's LEAP implementation is one component you will not get on a SOHO AP/router and it is a big step in security. Enterasys is now using an X-client to do rapid rekeying from the client machine to the AP. Another option SOHO based AP's dont have.
I do imagine most home units will begin to offer some type of encrypted security (like VPN) in the future as all the bad press from beingopen ended is giving them a headache I am sure.

802.11a is the least secure protocol right now, and even though 54mbit seems enticing to me, I am avoiding it as their is no real standard yet...wait for the second and third adopters on this one, not the "right out of the gate" people.

One unit to think of is a Cisco 1200AP (if you dont mind the $$$) it does both 802.11b and 802.11a.
If you are looking to save cash then defintiely shy away from a Cisco, or Nortel or Enterasys or Spectrum setup. They will break the bank.