XE102 Wall-Plugged Ethernet Bridge
1 This is an awsome product
It works right out of the box with zero configuration. It is fast too. My daughter's PC is DELL P3 with 256 MB Ram running Windows98 SE. She can watch a movie from cartoonnet.com without any problems. It has been tested on my home network with the PCs, CPU: amd Barton 2800+, intel P3/P4. OS: Windows 2000 with SP4, Windows 98 SE and windows XP Pro/Home with SP4. The adapter comes with a CD, that is for data encryptation between two PC that use Netgear adapters. It is nothing to do with configuration. You don't need do any configuration at all. Just plug it into a wall outlet, and then connect the cable between your pc and the adapter. Thast is it.
At least you need two adapters, one is to hookup to your DSL/Router, the second one for the PC where ever you wand to hookup your PC.
2 What a joke, doesn't work at all
Netgear should be ashamed, this product does not work. Does not connect to my cable modem, does not connect to my router, does not connect to my network. Oh, and the 24/7 tech support they promise, what a joke, there is no one available to respond via the 'free' email tech support and if you want phone support, you have to pay for 'premium support services'
These units are getting returned to Amazon first thing in the morning. Netgear looses another customer for life. Buyer beware!!
3 Amazing
After struggling with various wireless options, fighting all of the networks in my area, and still only getting 6mbps per sec on a G network I tried this product. I was amazed at how well it works! I get a full 14mbps signal and I would never know it wasn't plugged into my router directly. I have a newer house so my wiring is perfect for this solution. I will be purchasing more to fill out my home network and recommending them to all my friends.
4 Simple and Efficient
I got 2 of those this week and am delighted. After one year of struggling with wireless router, multiple access points, antenna problems resulting in poor signal, this solved everything. It took me 10 minutes to install them and now i have 5-8Mb connection even though the main router is 2 concrete floors away. The speed is fine and i always get 100% quality signal. Highly recommended for anyone who has problem connecting wirelessly in some rooms and want simple solution.
5 Painless Networking
I us three XE102's to network a primary computer to a second computer downstairs and to a media server (Squeezebox) in the living room. Installation and setup of all three took 10 minutes, and they work flawlessly.
The Netgear software utility to set the passwords is easy to use, and is also useful in verifying the transmission rates (my XE102's vary between 12.8 and 14.0 Mbps depending on what other devices in the house are drawing power).
I was surprised at how well the XE102's work, given that the circuit which the main computer's XE102 is plugged into has a ton of computer equipment plugged into it via a big Tripplite power conditioner/surge protector. Ditto for the XE102 in the living room, which is plugged into the same circuit that all my A/V equipment is plugged into.
The bottom line is that I am one very happy guy, as the XE102's have enabled me to avoid the cost/hassle of running Cat5 cable, as well as the aggravation of wireless networking (which wasn't working very well for the living room connection prior to getting the XE102's).
6 CPSC warning a little old
I checked out the consumer warning highlighted in "Emmitt"'s review. The warning was actually released in July 2004 and applies to certain series of XE 102s that were sold from 2/03 through 5/04. If you go to the CPSC site, you can check out the advisory in detail, and determine whether your unit(s) need the retrofit kit (which consists of 2 pieces of tape and an alocohol swab).
I've had these things since 9/04, and they are truly plug and play. The encryption utility takes a little time to get just right, and, on occasion, it drops the connection. In these cases, you simply unplug it and plug it back in, and you're up and running again.
The connection is a little slow, but if you're not online gaming and sharing tons of files, it's more than adequate for most application.
Although wireless may be cheaper, it just seemed too much of a headache for my needs, and these have been the perfect fit.
7 Works Like A Dream
I had one room in my home where I couldn't get a very good wireless signal. Now, thanks to this great product, I get a very strong signal in the room above my garage.
What a tremendous product.
8 Works for me on different circuits
I tested these between the two units in a duplex apartment building. Each apartment has its own electrical meter and main panel, although they share the same 240Volt service from the street. Result: Works great! The speeds varied slightly depending on the outlets into which these were plugged, but were always much faster than my 3 Mb/s cable modem connection, and were also consistently faster than 802.11b wireless. Supposedly, the connection quality is not limited by distance, and the signal travels just fine across circuit breakers, fuses, and even between the two 120V legs of a 240V service connection, as I confirmed. In a big building, or one with many obstructions, wireless is a hit-or-miss solution, whereas this seems to be rock-solid.
9 Buyer Beware !
I have other Netgear products. I was on the phone with the support people and they suggested that this product would only work well if all the devices are on the same electrical circuit. Most homes have multiple circuits.
I tried to email the XE-102 support group to confirm this, but after a full week, I have not received an answer.
Buyer Beware
