Belkin Wireless G Universal Range Extender

This works well. But it was a nightmare to set up. I must have spent about 10 hours on the phone to Belkin, which I was only able to do because it was during half-term. Eventually I worked out what to do printing out the manual and looking up users' opinions online.

Once you have worked through it correctly, save the configuration and make a note of what you have done! The thought of trying to work it all out again...!

Belkin help is available 24 hours a day. The quality of help is variable, though they are patient and pleasant. For anything apart from basic problems, ask to speak to a level 2 lab technician.

1. Use the Quick Installation guide to get the repeater recognised. For this you need to disable security on your wired computer. Once it has connected to the modem router, the red light will stop blinking. You are now connected! But most people use security settings... If that includes you, then read on...

2. For the next bit, print out pages 14 to 24 of the manual, and also page 35 to find out how to save your settings.

3. You are likely to have a wired connection from a desktop computer to your main modem router. On this computer, go to Network Settings (under Control Panel), then to your (active) local area connection. Right click, and under Properties, edit the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). At present you will have checked Obtain an IP address/ Obtain DNS server automatically. Change this. Enter the following IP address: 192.168.2.50 (this is the one address you may have to check to see if it is correct); subnet 255.255.255.0; default gateway 192.168.2.254. You don't have to enter anything for Obtain the DNS server.

4. Make a note of the wired modem security settings (e.g. WEP), the security password, and the name of the computer (e.g. Tony).

5. Connect the range extender directly to your computer (this isn't mentioned in the manual). It is simplest to take the Ethernet cable from the modem router and put it into the Range extender. Use the Range Extender Utility and you should see the Extender recognised (click refresh if it doesn't appear).

6. Load your browser and type in the URL 192.168.2.254

7. This loads the range extender web-based utility. Look at the menu on the left and choose basic (login without bothering to enter a password - just press submit). Then look at SSID (two mentions on the same page) and where it says SSID give the exact same name as the modem router to the range extender (e.g. Tony). Then look at Security and give the exact same security settings (e.g. WEP) and password.

8. Apply changes and look at these pages again to make sure they have been changed. You may have to apply changes a couple of times to make sure they take!

9. Position the range extender half way to where you want to extend the rage. Mine is positioned about 20 metres away. That's quite far away, at the other end of the garden. The red light shouldn't blink once the extender connects with the main modem router.

10. Now set up your laptop or whatever within connecting distance of the range extender.

It took me about a long time to work this all out, and I have made these notes in case I ever have to do it again! It might sound discouraging, but if you follow these instructions it shouldn't take you more than 20 minutes to set up the range extender. Tony

First the bad (or actually just slightly disappointing): Although the image shows a MIMO device (two antennas, which generally give much higher signal range), this is actually a single antenna device.

Now the good:
If you're a technogeek, very simple to use. Simply throw away the manual (you would have anyway), and connect to it via the supplied LAN cable at 192.168.2.254 (setting your own IP in that range, and using .254 as DNS). Now load that address in the browser. Select the basic config, do a site survey, select a network to extend, *set the SSID to the same on the main page*, and away you go. This works even if you're in a crowded office environment with a dozen competing networks, whereas in this situation the auto-config button on the back is inclined to get confused (which is fair enough).

If you're not a technogeek, the auto-setup button seems very simple provided that your network is the only, or at least the strongest by a long way. This does not even need connecting to your PC.

Antenna range is good (as good as other single antenna Belkin access points), and it works fine with a D-Link router in an environment with a dozen other networks.

I'm adding these notes to help others as there seems to be much confusion over how simple or not this box is to set up.

In summary: it's simple but confusing!

1. Connect the repeater to your wireless router using the supplied cable.
2. Ensure your computer/laptop is wirelessly connected to the same network.
3. Temporarily change the IP address of your computer's wireless connection to 192.168.2.200 as described in the manual (write down your current settings (normally "automatic") as you'll need these later).
4. Repair your wireless connection on your computer/laptop to ensure these new settings are applied.
5. Open a browser and log on to the repeater at 192.168.2.254.
6. Change the repeater SSID (I used the same as my router to enable roaming between the two points as described in the manual)
6. Search for available wireless networks and select your router's one.
7. If you have security enabled you'll be prompted to enter your keys, etc. Make sure these are exactly the same as on the router.
8. Submit the changes to the repeater.
9. When these take effect you should get an IP address conflict error - this is not a problem just ignore for now.
10. Change the IP address of the repeater to something on your wireless network e.g. 192.168.1.200 (make sure there won't be a clash with other devices and remember your router will probably serve these by DHCP automatically in a particular range).
11. Now set the wireless network IP address for your computer/laptop back to what it was (recorded at step 3) and repair the connection again to make sure that the new settings are picked up.
12. Log onto the repeater wirelessly at 192.168.1.200 (or whatever you set at step 10) to check it functions as you expect.
13. Power down and move the repeater to its new location and hey presto your network is extended.

EXTRA BONUS - You can use the Ethernet port on the repeater to connect a wired network. I use this for a Network Storage device which can now be located (downstairs) away from my wireless router (upstairs). Neat.

Enjoy!

P.S. I didn't buy off Amazon as was cheaper on eBay.
P.P.S. I am using an O2 Broadband wireless router (a Thomson device) but this should work fine with any other router.