Invalidprotocol
@4.7.x.x
| reply to claudeo
Re: Airlink+ AR315W - having some fun
I purchased this AirLink+ AR315W from Fry's for $25 on sale. Custom configuration was quick. Set up as G only using WPA-PSK. It works, however, there are a few flaws that should have been addressed by the manufacturer before ever shipping this product.
1. You can permit wireless users to access either the internet, lan or both. Essentially this should allow you to give wireless users internet only in order to protect the local network. However, if you block out the lan, you stop the wireless users from acquiring a DHCP address. This is because the router only issues DHCP addresses to the LAN. Surely they could allow a traffic to pass through to clients that have properly authenticated through WPA.
2. BIG BAD DNS problems! This router has intermittant problems with DNS. I experienced them every 5 minutes or so. Try performing an NSLOOKUP and you'll hose up the router for good and only a restart of the router will fix it.
3. Disable UPnP and the WAN connection dies. How nice, is this a new feature?
When this router is operating, it is very quick. However, you will need to statically enter your DNS settings in your PC to overcome the DNS problem. In my environment, I would like to allow wireless users internet traffic but keep them off of the lan without requiring statically entered IP information. Also, there are no updates available to fix the problem.
My recommendation is not to waste your time purchasing this router. Airlink isn't a manufacturer anyway, they just import Tawanese product, relable it and wrap it up real pretty.
Every once in a while you can get lucky and get something that works well. But back to Fry's this goes... |
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JakCrow
join:2001-12-06
Palo Alto, CA | Newsflash: Dlink, Netgear, Linksys, etc, etc, etc, aren't manufacturers either and probably OEM hardware from the same place Airlink got its hardware from too. |
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invalidprotocol
@4.7.x.x
| reply to Invalidprotocol
Update:
AirLink responds to technical requests via email very quickly, which is rare these days. They are aware of the identified problems and are in the process of developing fixes. When asked if a download might be released before the end of my return period with Fry's, they could not guarantee it. It's not what I wanted to hear but at least they were fast about it. |
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JakCrow
join:2001-12-06
Palo Alto, CA | They have never released a firmware update for the router, and it's been around for almost a year. |
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scoob8000
join:2001-11-27
Clinton, PA
| reply to invalidprotocol
AirLink responds to technical requests via email very quickly, which is rare these days. They are aware of the identified problems and are in the process of developing fixes. When asked if a download might be released before the end of my return period with Fry's, they could not guarantee it. It's not what I wanted to hear but at least they were fast about it. I second that, I got their G card from outpost for 20 bucks. Very disappointed with the drivers included with the card. I must admit though their reps seem to know what they're talking about and they do respond quickly..
-scoob8000 |
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JakCrow
join:2001-12-06
Palo Alto, CA | You may be able to use another vendor's drivers that use the same cards. They should currently be broadcom based. |
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