Got my new TR3 this morning! Yeah!!!!

This notebook will be used exclusively on the 11g wireless access which has to be purchased and set up before I will be on the Internet.

My other two existing desktop computers are on a hardwired LAN over DSL.

Anyone got a recommendation for the best wireless access point? I’ve read lots of reviews. Linksys and Netgear are mentioned frequently but depending on which review, results vary. Looking for speed of course and ease of setup. This will be my first experience with 802.11.

Appreciate any forum input you can provide. I will be purchasing the access point later today or tomorrow. What good is the TR if I don’t have WEB access…..

O.K., no input so I couldn’t wait.

I bought the Linksys WAP54g access point. Plugged it into my router and it’s up and running. I’m typing this from the new TR in the kitchen. Cool!

Pretty easy set up.

It appears to have “very good” signal but dropping the connection occasionally. I’ll have to check for Linksys updates.

Anyone running Linksys router or access point?

Any suggestions on setup?

Hi…

I am running both a Linksys router (BEFSR41 v1) and access point (WAP54G v1)

You need to be aware that unfortunately linksys seems to be perfectly comfortable in making major hardware changes to the same product and therefore their performance changes radically from one version to another.  There are currently at least three versions of the WAP54G, just for the North American market.  All my experiences are with version 1.

The trick seems to be in a combination of firmware in the AP, your need for security, and using or not WZC.

Firmware:
1.05 original in my setup… fairly unstable
1.06 stable and nice, but no WPA support.  Only WEP.
1.08 adds WPA and additional features.  Would hang my AP fairly often.  Others reports good and stable performance with hardware v1.1
2.06 latest after Cisco takeover.  Works like a charm for me.  Some have reported the AP locking up and not recovering.  Risky unless you are happy with recovering from a bad flashing. (I am not talking about T-shirts here :shock: )

Security:
If WEP is ok for you… no big deal.  If you want WPA, you need to use 1.08 or later firmware AND replace the original TR2 drivers with a WPA compatible version.  Some have reported the latest Atheros generic drivers to work.  I don’t personally use them.

WZC:
The main reason for my original disconnects.  It is most noticeable if you are in a WiFi rich environment (several networks available).  Basically, when you let windows XP to manage your wireless connection it keeps searching for available options even after you have connected to your own AP.  This search makes XP drop your connection and try another one when the signal is stronger.  Solution:  disable the WZC (do not choose to allow windows to manage your wireless configuration) and install the Atheros Client Utility.  This will allow you to detect, configure and manage all your WiFi connections manualy.  It also gives you a handy signal strenght indicatior in the notification area.

Hope this helps you.

Regards,
Marcelo

I am using my TR3AP on my home network that includes 3 Apple Airport Extreme Base Stations.  I have the DHCP turned off on the Airport and am using a Linksys BEFSX41 router that also handles my DHCP over wire and wireless clients.  My TR3 sees 2 other wireless networks from my neighbors but I am configured and using my Airport base stations that are activated as a roming wireless network.  so to my laptpos all they see is one wireless network. 

My problem has been with the new TR3 and using WPA. If I keep WPA active the TR3 keeps loosing DHCP after a short period of time but it still says that it is connected to my wireless network with a great signal and I keep getting the self assigned .169 address.  BUT if I deactivate WPA on my base stations, everything works just fine.  I really didn’t want to install third party drivers and I think I have the lastest microsoft drivers installed.  I even went to Vaio’s site and downloaded the update that they had available.  I would like to use WPA but since it is not working correctly on my TR3, I have it turned off and just using a closed network setting with MAC address restrictions.  Any help or suggestions would be appreciated….

Oh yea, I am also only broadcasting G on my base stations since everyting wireless I am using is G in my house.

Thanks.

mfabre,

After posting the original request for recommendations on this thread, I went ahead and purchased and installed the same access point you have (Linksys WAP54G v.1).

I have the TR3A and the Linksys access point is hooked to a Cayman hard wired router.

After upgrading to v 1.08, it’s been pretty stable.

The linksys site shows 1.08 as the latest version for the access point. Where did you get 2.08? I also didn’t realize that WAP was now available. I am still using the WEP encryption.

anyone use netgear router? i have a question .... the netgear router could set the allowance for a certain network cards, is that setting secures enough? or it’s better to set the WEP?

invisiblefly,

i’m using a netgear too, and i’m just using the allowence function to let my room mates hook up.  I was going to use WEP, but to tell you the true it really not that secure anyways and i’m not worried about ppl looking at my info.  allowence works well for me, i had trouble with other ppl in the neighborhood using my internet, but after i set up the allowence function things are perfect.  the only draw back is if one of my friends comes over with his or her laptop then you have to add each member on an individual basis, but other than that minor point i say it’s fine.

During initial release, 2.06 was listed as compatible with all three versions of the WAP54G.  In fact, it says so in the release notes and it works in my V1.  A couple of weeks after this, Linksys redid the support section of their web site and 2.06 now only shows as available for the WAP54G v2.  As per the support page, latest firmware for v1 and v1.1 is 1.08 (which BTW, does support WPA, but never worked in my AP)

I think the reason for the withdrawal (I am guessing here) are inconsistent reports of incorrect MAC addresses when using 2.06 in v1 APs.  Basically it appears that the wired and wireless sides report the same MAC address, and thus, some people has been losing access to the wired interface.  If you lose access to the wired interface, there is no easy way to configure the router, unless you know the default parameters by memory and use the wireless interface to downgrade after a hard reset.

When you consider that most users just put the CD in and use the setup utility (which does not work with the new firmware), you can easily imagine the angry calls to tech support.

You have two options here.  Download 2.06 for v2, where the release notes still state “Updated wireless driver to support all versions of WAP54G hardware” and have a better firmware with the risk or running into the MAC issue or stick to 1.08 until a new one is released.

Regards,
Marcelo

PS: update on my previous post… the TR2AP3 original drivers with MS XP WPA surrogate patch DO WORK when detecting an WPA enabled AP without further driver upgrades.  I am using them with the Atheros CU 2.4.2.18.