- Commissioning and installation -
The initial setup is running relatively smoothly from, as well as very detailed in the review of UML of 13 September 2012 on the previous model (to be found at WN3100) described. But let me take the steps here briefly:
1. Extender stuck in the socket
2. from a PC or smartphone connect to the Extender via WiFi (or LAN) - the Wireless Key (if required) is on the case
3. Go over [...] on the Extender, and configuring you go
4. Connect the Extender to an existing Wi-Fi (you need this SSID and Wireless Key and should the SSID of the original WLANs enable - that makes sense anyway, because - I'll explain later)
5. Check for firmware updates and install if necessary (top right)
6. Allow the extender to open its own WiFi as part of its installation routine (it means eg meinwlan_EXT, if you follow the preferences)
7. Now connect the computer with new meinwlan_EXT
Basically, you are now ready. Theoretically, you can both points 2 to 4 shorten even by making use WPS, but I recommend it to go to the above way - WPS is recommended anyway, from the standpoint of security-conscious IT coupler only if it only in the " button "method is used without a PIN (why this is so I can upon request times explain).
Well, there are, however, users like to reviewers UML and me, who still want to tweak some of the Extender. Important keywords here: "MAC-based access control" and "Identical or hidden SSID".
I do both quasi habitually and have now we have not asked me about the meaning. But that was coming: Clear, secure access to my WLAN via a MAC-based access control, makes sense. However, only if I can live well with the administrative work, if I "just" my buddy wants to give access to my WiFi when he is with us to visit. I Publish a MAC-based access control, then I have to deposit as authorized for access inevitably its MAC.
Well, whatever the case - let's assume I want to do my work: So, as described by UML, "enough" of the range extender the MAC of the connected equipment is not 1: 1 to the router through. So you can not MAC 1 of unit 1 Enter there and hope that the device may be connected afterwards. The Extender namely uses "virtual MACs" that are passed as required to the router. In this specific case, MAC must be registered with the Router 2 additionally as authorized to access. UML has the operation described so pretty. It works after then. BUT (there is always a but, is not it?): Which of course does not work, is to make the same step in DHCP: You can only assign a single MAC A unique IP. Double assignment is not possible. Just as a warning to any crack, who wonder about the fact that your IP changes suddenly in "extender range". That's right, because otherwise there would be IP address conflicts.
Topic SSID: Okay, so first of all it is not possible to make the SSID of the network extender invisible (I have this option in any case found nowhere). Why that would anyway not a great idea, I'll get to below. Much more urgent is now but the question: Why is it good / bad if I just call the SSID of the network extenders like my current SSID?
Well, same SSID. You probably know that from work. Since hanging everywhere Extender rum that make it, do you? Incorrect: As a rule, the connected via LAN Access Points. Which is the case of extenders ... now that it has side effects. First of all it is so that the Extender itself is to log yes to the network with the SSID 1. If he sends it now yourself, then ... they certainly understand the meaning problem? This may be the hurdle, but need not - but I have seen it in other devices "loop connections" when the router was too far from the Extender with the original SSID 1. The Extender speaks in such cases, in between times with himself, until he noticed the mistake. Rather counterproductive, does not it? Moreover, it is so: clients can not differentiate clean between the two networks, if there is no SSID 1 and SSID 2. At the interfaces between the two access points to a single SSID so it can lead to problems, because the devices can not meet the clean "roaming decision". If there are two SSIDs, then that is something else: As a rule, Windows computers have for roaming between two networks the rule that to accept each stronger. Then switch, there is a short cut, then it goes without problems further. If the SSID the same, so it looks different: Here is changed quasi from one access point to another. The link will remain, mutatis mutandis, all the time upright. Anyway, from the perspective of the client. For routers and extenders that looks different. And since there are virtual MACs and a redirection from client to Extender to the router in the game that can very easily lead to "This IP already exists on the network" errors and the like. Conclusion: Two SSIDs are cleaner, which is why most manufacturers as a pre-assign configuration.
Oh, I wanted one more question: Why should we actually display the SSID of a wireless network?
Well, because the WLAN is indeed still "visible". It is also transmitted just no SSID, so that a potential attacker ... what then exactly is missing? The SSID is no such thing as the "User Name" that you have to know in order to log on. That's quite a fallacy. It is rather so that it serves as an identifier so that you can assign WLANs with each other better. The WLAN itself it's pretty damn whether you call it Ottokar or Dietmar calls when you arrive with the correct password. So why "Ottokar" hide? Thus, the evil hacker who hacks WPA2 when Wardrive in passing, my WLAN "not seen"? That's meant a little infantile, or not?
Although disabling the SSID is not meaningless, but it also has the specific attack scenario no real protective value. That should make clear. The SSID disable On the contrary, even an unwanted side effect which could facilitate hacking a wireless network: If the SSID disabled, forces the connected clients to receive the whole time to call "Ottokar, are you there ?!"; at the same time it forces the router to deal with different requests from devices: Ottokar must indeed mutatis mutandis always either reply "not I" - or worse ".! The password is wrong now unfortunately Ätsch". This is potentially the traffic with unknown devices increased significantly, which in turn could facilitate the reconstruction of key fragments. But all this is for the average Joe customer eh hardly relevant, because it is rare to true wardriving attacks on private WPA2 wireless network. Relevant but what happens when several people in the neighborhood to disable the SSID and a plurality of terminals have registered multiple wireless configurations where hidden SSIDs are registered under the motto "Connect Anyway". In that case, the following happens: All stakeholders spamming each other with questions fully, until sometime after a while did I do okay clear who Ottokar or Dietmar is now. This then stops until a terminal has moved and has short times lost the connection (is supposed to happen). Then the circus starts again on a small scale. The result: today quite often to "energy saving" enabled wireless modules of all participants run every now and again to full load - without that ever anybody, does something. Who has a modern Smartphone and knows how much the battery suffers a lot of wireless traffic, who knows why I have come to as far as possible disregard invisible SSIDs.
- FACILITIES AND FEATURES -
The WN3100 Range Extender can use not only as a vile Extender, but also as a "bridge", by connecting a single device via LAN it. Quite nice to know. Even that you can physically SWITCH "on / off" to WN3100 per switch.
A nice feature is also that the device on the housing has lights that indicate a whether you are eg too far from the router or not. This setting up is greatly facilitated - Anyone who has ever had to dislocate an extender thirty-three times on the wall until he had the optimum position to the router (ie, where the radio signal still comes through the wall: -D), which is about pleased this function.
Important: The WN3100RP can indeed b / g / n on 2.4GHz - but 5 GHz is not possible.
- Usability and ergonomics -
The delivered by Netgear devices have today so always install the "genius", some with more, some with less menu items, but always somehow similar, so that you can quickly become accustomed, if you have ever used a Netgear device.
Important: The routines for automatic or supported device are sometimes tailored to the American market and American models of thought that the Central Europeans only, the question of meaning. But usually you get everything set up without any problems clean - so even at the WN3100.
- After a month -
Have that special Extender since three weeks with my family in action. There he opens a complete attachment by bridging a relatively short distance through a concrete wall with reinforcement, through which the actual WLAN (of a Fritz box) is not enough to pass. The relationship is satisfied and the otherwise impending purchase of a Devolo-based system has been postponed to a later date.
In the meantime, the Extender was the way used when moving to - wait for it - over a distance of about 30 meters by a D-Link router in my in-laws across the gardens of the neighbors to a second range extender new in our Apartment across a consistent (!) when building also slow WLAN has enabled us to use the Internet, while the Telekom still looking for a problem with our phone. Thumbs up.
- Conclusion -
Very good, easy-to-configure device. Unfortunately, only 2.4 GHz, which is why I'm only 4 1/2 star, but the N-band is and the reliability of high - I can complain about here on absolutely nothing. The price performance is perfectly adequate - if you want, which can look around in a (still) cheaper segment, but (like me) then has to live with the fact that just continuously in "cheap" passes "low" and the connection quality suffers significantly ,
[This review has been created based on a review unit, the Netgear has kindly provided me. The review will be updated like me. Just a corresponding comment. Thank you.]
