The Linksys line of access points facilitate wireless connectivity for multiple devices to existing wired LANs; some of the APs can also optionally operate as "bridges," enabling two wired LANs to be connected to one another via a wireless connection (i.e., a separate AP is connected to each of the wired LANs and devices on the wired LANs can communicate with one another over that wireless "bridge").

Each of the APs currently offered by Linksys provide 802.11b/g connectivity; with the WAP4400N additionally offering 802.11n support and the dual radio WAP55AG supporting all three (a/b/g) protocols. For security, all the APs offer at least WEP encryption (with most units additionally offering WPA), as well as support MAC filtering. Configuration of the APs is via Web browser. Both indoor and outdoor AP models are offered; the APs connect to the wired Internet via Ethernet ports.

Currently available APs in the Linksys arsenal include:

- WAP55AG: Supports 802.11a, b, or g for indoor use. WEP encryption is supported up to 152 bits (64/128/152), and the WAP55AG additionally features SNMP management capabilities and dynamic frequency selection.

- WAP54G: Indoor 802.11b, g compatible unit with WEP (64/128) and WPA encryption support. Can be used as an AP, bridge, or repeater and includes a free trial of the vendor's Linksys Wireless Guard WPA-RADIUS authentication service.

- WAP54GP: The WAP54GP extends the WAP54 feature set by additionally supporting inbound Power over Ethernet (PoE). The WAP54GP additionally supports WEP and WPA, and SNMP (1, 2c) management.

- WAP54GPE: An external (outdoor) version of the WAP54GP that also supports PoE.

- WRT54GP2A-AT: A combination device that functions as a router, switch (4 10/100 ports), access point (802.11a/b/g), and a phone adapter--via the inclusion of two standard telephone jacks. The phone jacks specifically work in tandem with the AT&T CallVantage Service (a separately priced product) enabling voice service through the routers high speed Internet connection.

- WAP200: An 802.11b/g AP with WPA2 (up to 256-bit) encryption, an included security monitoring feature (can alert to potential intruders, deployment vulnerabilities, and DoS visibility--but only when Linksys 200-series wireless adapters are present), and support for PoE power. The WAP200 additionally features RangeBooster technology, which seeks to increase wireless range via dual receivers (at both the AP and adapter end) that make more efficient use of reflected wireless signals.

- WAP2000: The newest entry in the product line, targeted to small business deployments. The WAP2000 also supports WPA2 (256), PoE support, and RangeBooster technology. Additionally, the WAP2000 features integrated QoS capabilities; support for multiple BSSIDs, wireless roaming, and automatic channel selection; and dual firmware images (the two images can be upgraded separately so that the AP remains accessible during upgrades). Finally, the WAP2000 also includes support for the vendor's "Linksys One Ready" technology; when it is used with another of the vendor's Linksys One service routers, the router can automatically detect it and configure it for use on the network.

- WAP4400N: A draft 802.11n device that additionally supports 802.11b/g connections. WPA, PoE, and QoS capabilities are all listed as key features.

The Linksys Access Points are available now. Estimated street pricing for the new WAP2000 is $169.99.

Visit the Linksys Web site for further details.

product submission by EITPlanet Staff

E-Mail this page to a colleague
send info about Linksys Access Points

Suggest a link
for the Linksys Access Points fact sheet