Hey,

After my adventures with some 802.11g networking parts from [link|http://z.iwethey.org/forums/render/content/show?contentid=193494|Netgear], I purchased a WBR2-G54S router/switch from newegg and a WLA2-G54L bridge/switch from Provantage (newegg didn't carry it). Buffalo was chosen based on Peter's [link|http://z.iwethey.org/forums/render/content/show?contentid=193540|experience]. The Provantage package arrived very quickly. They seem like a good vendor, except that parts cannot be returned to them once the shrink wrap is opened. :-(

The WBR2-G54S was trivial to configure. Even before configuring it, it worked as a wired Internet connection with my cable modem. It was easy to change the IP address (from 192.168.11.1 to 192.168.0.1), the WEP encryption settings, and relatively easy to set up the wireless bridge configuration. It was all straightforward, especially compared to the Netgear. (I used the Advanced menus to configure the router and the bridge.)

The WLA2-G54L was a little more temperamental. There are several configuration pages with multiple settings that have to be Saved or Applied separately. I think my problem was due to not saving changes religiously. Change the IP address last if you need to do so, otherwise you'll have to fight with finding the box (and changing your PC's IP address, etc.) after it resets.

Setting up the bridge functionality was a matter of entering the WAP addresses of the corresponding client (i.e. WAP of router in bridge, WAP of bridge in router, including the colons). Once everything was saved enough times, it started working.

I did the configuration with my T41 laptop's Ethernet connection. There were times when Win2K seemed to get in a mode where it couldn't accept the entered IP address settings and couldn't find the attached box and wanted to reboot sometimes, but eventually I got it working. Don't ask me what it was unhappy about though.

Setting up both the router and the bridge took about an hour. It seems to me that it should be much quicker than this (the router only took about 5 minutes without enabling the bridging), but this was acceptable.

With the router I get at least 40% signal strength in the house (40% at the farthest point from the router). Note that neither the router nor the bridge come with an external antenna. Directional ones are available from Provantage, but they're pricey. I don't think I'll need them.

Both boxes are similar in appearance - about 7" high. They're a little funky-looking, but not too obtrusive. They come with some nice flat, very flexible, CAT-5 cables. The router came with a 7' length, the bridge says it comes with 7' but actually came with ~ 2'. The power brick has an extension cord so that you don't have to fight with finding space for it on your outlet strip. A very nice touch.

I haven't tried the AOSS magic yet, mainly because I don't think our Powerbook will work with it. I'm just using 128-bit WEP. Since my ASCII key isn't the appropriate number of characters I had to enter the HEX values. I've just about got it memorized now, so it's not too painful.

Thus far, both parts are recommended. Thanks Peter.

[edit:] I'm very happy with this equipment. I had to reset the router about 12 hours after it was installed, and then again 4 days later. But that was 10 days ago. I haven't touched it otherwise. Looks good.

Cheers,
Scott.