1. Aruba Brings Wi-Fi to Wall Plates
  2. Review: Meraki Enterprise Cloud Controller for APs
  3. Logitech Harmony Link Review
  4. Ask the Wifi Guru: Episode 42
  5. Cisco Accelerates Wi-Fi with Aironet 3600

D-Link Extends Range

By Eric Griffith

October 10, 2002

A free firmware upgrade to D-Link's AirPlus Access Point turns the product into a repeater that will extend a D-Link-based WLAN's range by fifty percent.

There are some products that just keep improving with age. D-Link Systems is turning its D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ 802.11b Bridging Wireless Access Point into one of them.

The product first debuted as the DWL-900AP with standard 11Mbps support; this latest DWL-900AP+ version moved to the Texas Instrument's ACX100 chipset to get up to 22Mbps performance using PBCC modulation. Now, D-Link has issued version 2.20 of the product's firmware to provide repeater functions and new site surveying features.

The DWL-900AP+, which can work as an access point , a bridge between access points on two different networks, a hub between multiple wireless networks, even as a wireless (and driverless) client for Ethernet capable devices, now can serve as a repeater to extend the range of other D-Link wireless products including the AirPlus DI-614+ and DI-714P+ routers, the AirPro DI-764 and DI-754 (with DWL-650+ card inserted) routers, and the AirPremier DWL-1000AP+ Access point. It will also act as a repeater for another DWL-900AP+.

Related Articles

D-Link points out that you can not daisy chain one DWL-900AP+ after another to make an unlimited range wireless LAN -- it's only one hop. However, multiple access points can connect to the routers listed above, increasing the overall radius of coverage by a reported 50%.

This is not the first wireless repeater -- Cisco's Aironet 1200 Series has the capability -- but is so far the cheapest available. The 900AP+ sells for $119 direct from the company.

The new software for the access point adds a site survey function and a new Web-based interface for customizing and monitoring other access points within range. MAC addresses for other products in range can be displayed, showing whether they have WEP enabled or not and will work with the DWL-900AP+.

The DWL-900AP+ also is getting a different look. The unit is now coming in a "mini-titanium" case, something D-Link has been wanting for a while, according to a spokesperson. Functionally the unit is the same as the currently shipping model in silver plastic. All versions will now ship standard with the version 2.20 firmware.

Existing DWL-900AP+ users can get the new firmware for free from the D-Link Web site.

Eric Griffith is the managing editor of 802.11 Planet.

802.11 Planet Conference Not sure how to set up your own wireless LAN? Join us at the 802.11 Planet Conference & Expo, Dec. 3-5 in Santa Clara, CA. One of our workshops will cover Introduction to Wireless LANs and the IEEE 802.11 Standard.

Comment and Contribute
(Maximum characters: 1200). You have
characters left.