Home :: Computers :: Components :: Networking :: Broadband Access  

Broadband Access

Telephony
Wired Networks
Wireless Networks
D-Link DWL-G810 Wireless 802.11g Bridge Adapter

D-Link DWL-G810 Wireless 802.11g Bridge Adapter

List Price:
Your Price: $75.99
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 >>

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: As a sole wireless bridge it works OK, but has issues. . .
Review: After getting the DWL-G810 wireless bridge unit, I updated to firmware 2.15, ran it with WPA-PSK encryption, and it would drop the connection after 15-45 minutes of use. Then I tried it with WEP encryption, and it seemed to work okay IF there was no other wireless device on or near the network (i.e. just the wireless access point/router and the DWL-G810 device).

Compared to some competing Linksys products I've used, this D-Link DWL-G810 bridge seems to have a certain amount of lag in response--that is, if you want to open up www.cnn.com it takes about 50% longer to start loading up the page than would the Linksys wireless bridges (which to me, seemed like they acted like they were hard-wired to the router).

However, my biggest issue with the DWL-G810 is when another wireless-enabled computer was brought to the network, the DWL-G810 would mess up the wireless signal, and seemingly "jam" the AP/router's signal--so no computers could successfully connect to the wireless AP/router (I confirmed this phenomenon with Linksys BEFSW11 v.4, Linksys WRT54G v2, and D-Link DI-524 routers). If the DWL-G810 was disabled, all of the other wireless computers could connect to any of the aforementioned wireless AP/routers.

From the reviews, it seems like other users are having connectivity issues w/ this DWL-G810 bridge as well. Probably the most problematic unit I've dealt with from D-Link, as I've usually had pretty good luck w/ D-Link products in general.

Personally, I'd avoid purchasing the DWL-G810 wireless bridge, and going with a solid wireless bridge like the Linksys WET54G or the Linksys WET11 (or even the WAP54G, and configure it as a wireless bridge w/ the newer firmware available from www.linksys.com).

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Not a Bridge in the strict sense of the word
Review: Can only serve an IP to a single machine and not a network,
so NOT a bridge in the strict sense of the word.
If this were made clear, I would rate it 4 star, for the
firmware is often unstable, but otherwise it works well.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: SECURITY PROBLEM -- AVOID
Review: First of all, don't take my word on this, follow up by going to broadbandreports.com and search on DWL-G810. The security issue is that this device WILL NOT work unless you are broadcasting the SSID of your wireless network. This applies to the shipping firmware 2.0 and the newer firmware 2.12. This is the deal killer for me since I don't want to expose my network's SSID. I'm actually quite pissed off at DLINK over this.

By contrast, DLINK's "range extender" (aka wireless repeater) DWL-G800AP actually WORKS with SSID broadcast disabled, so one can see that DLINK could overcome this security issue.

The remaining issues are these:

(1) It won't support DHCP from your router to any PC hooked up to the bridge. You might think, hey, I'll configure my PC for DHCP and it will get the IP info from the router through the bridge connection. Wrong! It won't work.

(2) The router itself does not work for obtaining DHCP from the router EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THIS AS AN OPTION. This is outrageous and completely unacceptable. Confirmed on BroadbandReports.com and by DLINK's Level 2 support.

Bottom line is that, while it works, it's entirely manual in the configuration and the SSID broadcast requirement is a security vulnerabilit not worth enduring.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Awesome Performance from such a Little Box!
Review: Having this DWL-G810 Wireless Bridge is a great addition to any network ready device. I have this wireless bridge configured to connect to my network with 108Mbps speeds, and I can plug and unplug this into any network ready device. For example I've plugged it into my Playstation2, my computer in the garage when I want Internet access, a laptop when my friend came over, and even my Dad's PDA with Ethernet adapter installed.

The setup is rather simple, just follow the instructions, reboot the box and plug it into whatever you want. Just make sure it is within range, and sometimes fiddling with the antenna helps with the signal.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Works Flawlessly
Review: I am not sure why most reviews are so negitive. Maybe people are having problems following directions. I have an entire D-Link wireless network and have not had one problem. 1 desk top, 2 laptops, printer, and Replay tv. D-Link makes a wonderful wi-fi network.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Too bad DLink dropped the ball.
Review: I am usually a fan of DLink products but they really dropped it on this so called bridge. This is absolutely not a bridge. If you are looking for speeds slower than 802.11b this would be perfect but DLink insists on using terms like "turbo" and "extreme" Two tin cans and a piece of string communicate more effectively than two of these relatively pricey units.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Great Bridge for my D-Link Wireless Network
Review: I can plug any Ethernet enabled device into this DWL-G810 and have it "networked" and able to browse the Internet. From my iBook running Linux, to my XBox, or a test PC out of reach of an Ethernet cable, it all works and is very easy to use/setup.

I suggest downloading the newest firmware before you even open the box or recieve it from the online store you purchased it from. Then get that firmware file (.bin file) onto the PC you will setup/configure the G810 with. Then you make sure the IP on your PC is within the same subnet as the G810 (192.168.0.XXX - this is all in the manual/quick install guide) and then access the G810 while plugged in with ethernet cable into the PC (192.168.0.30) and enter the username and password specified in manual. Then follow the instructions for how to update firmware.

After that you can run the setup wizard, which involves choosing your WEP, what AP to connect to, change password, and other essential settings. It is real easy as it walks you through everything. Then the G810 will restart. Then it should boot back up and work fine.
This is when you can unplug it from the PC you used to configure it and plug it into your XBox, PS2, Laptop, PDA, or anything else with an Ethernet connector.

I've even plugged this into a 5 port switch and had my XBox and laptop plugged into the switch with both of them able to access the network. This means even more things can be networked with just this one bridge.

Summary: Update the firmware, follow the instructions, and have fun.



Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Doesn't even work with other D-Link Products
Review: I purchased the product to use with a ReplayTV unit. I followed the instructions for configuring it (a pain; see other reviews). While the DWL-G810 would "see" my D-Link DI-824VUP (router with wireless access point), it wouldn't connect to it even with the DWL-G810 within a few feet of the router, using all default settings, and encryption turned off. I found D-Link's customer service to be unhelpful and ultimately returned the product. My D-Link router works fine with my wired network, but I would avoid their wireless products.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Doesn't even work with other D-Link Products
Review: I purchased the product to use with a ReplayTV unit. I followed the instructions for configuring it (a pain; see other reviews). While the DWL-G810 would "see" my D-Link DI-824VUP (router with wireless access point), it wouldn't connect to it even with the DWL-G810 within a few feet of the router, using all default settings, and encryption turned off. I found D-Link's customer service to be unhelpful and ultimately returned the product. My D-Link router works fine with my wired network, but I would avoid their wireless products.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: DWL-G810 does not work as advertised
Review: I recently purchased a DWL-G810 and a DWL-2100AP in order to connect a Replay TV to my LAN and the internet. I had been accomplishing this same task for years with a DWL-810+ and a DWL-900AP without problem. The reason for the upgrade was to increase speed with the Extreme G feature and stream live video. The 2100AP set up easily and without problem but the G810 would not make a stable, dependable connection. I upgraded the firmware which only made the problem worse. I purchased a second unit thinking maybe the first was defective, but the second unit displayed the same problems. I spent hours on the phone with D-Link support(numerous dropped calls,many language problems with techs, but on the positive side short waits, and some very good techs)without solution to the problem, even though we went all the way to level 3 support. Their conclusion was that both units were defective. Personally I think the design is defective. In desperation,I purchased a Belkin F5D7330 Wireless Ethernet Bridge(even though I wanted to stay with D-Link, because I have all D-Link equipment in my network) and it connected flawlessly, right out of the box, no set up required.
I am currently using a DI-624 router, a DP 300U print server, a DWL-2100AP, and DWL 650 PMCIA card, all D-link products that work quite well, but the DWL-G810 is a bust and D-link owes us previously loyal customers an apology for putting this product on the market. That's my opinion.


<< 1 2 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates