D-Link DWL-7100AP

[datawork]

Just a quick heads up to those of you that might be considering using the above as client bridges.

We tested our first one today and like older multi-mode D-Link AP's, this one will not associate in "A" bridge/client mode . Didn't try it in "G" client mode.

Things worked fine going the other way ( Star-OS in client "A" to 7100AP in AP mode).

I suspect this a D-Link firmware issue but wondering if Tony or Lonnie might be able to add some insight into the problem.

[titan_wireless]

I have a dozen of the 7100's running in client mode. StarOS-AP Dlink-Client. Its also running in a-Mode.

[jober]

I have a dozen of the 7100's running in client mode. StarOS-AP Dlink-Client. Its also running in a-Mode.

What features do you have on the 7100's other then a simple bridge?
Is the signal in Db or %?
Can it do NAT or routing?
Does it connect in AP client mode to an AP mode access point?
Can it connect in AP to AP with WDS?

Sorry for the dumb question.
Thanks

[wwalcher]

I have a dozen of the 7100's running in client mode. StarOS-AP Dlink-Client. Its also running in a-Mode.
Have you figured out out to use external antennas with them, or are you just using the dipoles that come with them?

[titan_wireless]

What features do you have on the 7100's other then a simple bridge?
Is the signal in Db or %?
Can it do NAT or routing?
Does it connect in AP client mode to an AP mode access point?
Can it connect in AP to AP with WDS?

Sorry for the dumb question.
Thanks


I use them in client mode, The Signal is in %, it does work in Bridge mode. It also does not cloan the MAC, so to AP the 7100 MAC regesters. You can use WPA-PSK and the set-up tool that comes with it makes it easy to configure.

[titan_wireless]

Have you figured out out to use external antennas with them, or are you just using the dipoles that come with them?

I remove the AT's and use external ones. Works great! I also made a POE adaptor that works with it.

[jober]

I remove the AT's and use external ones. Works great! I also made a POE adaptor that works with it.

I'm sure you mean that you use one external antenna per unit. But I have to ask to make sure: )
What antennas do you use and what is the Bd of the antennas?
It would be cool if you could run .11a and .11b in client mode at the same time with some kind of bonding. Or use 2.4 for internet and 5.8 for VoIP and Video.
But I'm sure it's running them both on the same chip that switchs from A to B, so you would lose all the speed.
Sorry, I was dreaming again.

[titan_wireless]

Not sure? I will give it a try. It does run in both A and G when in AP mode, but thats not the same as client mode. As for the AT question I run either A or G not both with rootennas. They are rated at 14db, but they have higher ones.

[River-Net]

I just read the specs and they say non remvable antenna( not that it matters...hehe) but before I order one to test what type of connecter is in side the box?

I sure wish I would've read this thread sooner, looks like these could save me a lot of money over WRAPs for client side.

Joe
River-Net

[River-Net]

Doing some quick math.

19dbi rootenna $55
7100 $110
rf linx poe $45

Total $210

I like this over the $300 + antenna I'm doing now

Joe

[amp]

I figure since someone is going to post the entire deal around the 7100ap i might as well.

It has one antenna for 5ghz and one for 2.4ghz. If you open up both antennas they are different. The one with the shortest cable is the 5ghz one. It appears the radios are separate and it shows in the software too. So in order to use either one you have to solder on 2 pigtails one on each and switch depending on the frequency. You could all figure this out in no time.

On the dlink there is kind of like a u.fl male connector like cm9 except it stands of the board more and has no center pin. I have yet to find anything out there that would plug onto this nor have i seen it used on any dlink product. The dwl-ag660 CardBus card has one also.

If you are going to use 2.4 ghz it is pointless cause you can get the dwl-2100ap with removable antenna. And removable means its normal dlink rpsma setup.

The cheapest poe setup(i know of) besides making your own is dlink's.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-127-048&depa=0

There are a few problems with using the dlink setup. You cannot use client side shaping or other features associated with star os. The user also needs a router or they can be left bridged directly to your network. You can access the web interface however i was not able to access the telnet interface remotely or see a way to enable it to. There's probably a few other disadvantages too.

As far as the way it associates to star os it only connects as one client unlike the dwl-2000ap. You give the client an ip and the dlink an ip. So it works good.

[titan_wireless]

I like the set-up. It runs very stable in 5Ghz mode for me. Because of the way the ethernet to wireless interface works on the dlink, I give all mt CPE's the same IP address. The IP address that is assigned to it only affects traffic from the ethernet from the cpe to the customer. The wireless side of your network never sees that IP. It makes it very easy for set-up. I copy the config to a file and then just load the image into the Dlink before deploying it. It also alows me to use WPA-PSK and the clients never know the passphrase since its pre-configured and the Dlink is password protected.

[phendry]

How much are the 7100ap in the US? These are about £100 in the UK but you could build a StarOS/Wrap CPE for that.

[titan_wireless]

How much are the 7100ap in the US? These are about £100 in the UK but you could build a StarOS/Wrap CPE for that.

I pay $100us for the 7100's. I guess thats about £50.

[jober]

What is the speed your getting on these units in 802.11A.
Also I see you posted that you need to sale these units, is there any reson you don't use them any more.

[titan_wireless]

What is the speed your getting on these units in 802.11A.
Also I see you posted that you need to sale these units, is there any reson you don't use them any more.

Jober,

I got about 15Mb TP. The reason Im getting rid of them is because Im done testing them and have other clients to test. Selling these will help buy the next test units.

[funkywizard]

does this have problems with ack timings on long links? what's the longest link you've gotten it to work properly on?