D-Link's USB-Powered Access Point

Roger Ryder writes "D-Link announced the AirPlus G DWL-G730AP Wireless Pocket Router/AP, a pocket Access Point for travelers. It can be powered by a USB cable and works as an 802.11g access point, client or router. A 3-way configuration switch on the bottom of the unit changes the mode of operation. In AP mode, the DWL-G730AP can be used to create a wireless network in a room where a single Ethernet port is provided. In Router mode, it can be used to share a single broadband Internet connection. The internal DHCP server automatically assigns IP addresses to ensure everyone in the room can connect to the Internet. It supports VPN Pass-through and firewall features including Network Address Translation (NAT) and MAC filtering to protect your wireless network from malicious attacks. When set in Wireless Client mode, the device allows connection to an existing wireless network, without having to install complicated drivers or additional software. For added mobility, the DWL-G730AP can be powered over USB if power outlets are not available. Similar devices are available from ASUS, SMC, Apple's AirPort Express and Netgear."

You can't link to the Apple Store like that.

[Xenex]

However, this is the AirPort Express webpage [apple.com].

Re:New way to war drive?

[damiam]

You don't have to be the AP to sniff wireless packets, it's quite easy to do so as a client.

free alternative- use your existing wifi adapter

[way2trivial]

PCTel's Segue Soft Access Point Module (SAM) [pcmag.com]is a clever piece of software that turns any LAN-connected PC into a Wi-Fi wireless access point. Given the low price of Wi-Fi APs (typically $60 or less), SAM might not appear to make economic sense. But SAM's price is even lower: Several motherboard and wireless chipset makers have purchased licenses to include SAM with their products, making SAM effectively free to end users. And for setting up a temporary AP in a hotel room, meeting room, or the like, it's a darn clever solution.

built in Airport

[mbaudis]

two notes:

1. the mobile hub feature can be useful. traveling with two powerbooks, my wife and i frequently use a single network access (dialup, ethernet) in hotels, sharing it from one machine over ad hoc wlan

2. well, with a powerbook (or stationary mac with airport card), you get this option built in, without any hassle with a separate device or dlls from hell...

(please insert your apple rant here:... thanks.)

Re:Wireless Internet - Just add a wire!

[way2trivial]

no, if you are holding an impromptu meeting within a hotel room, that has one ethernet jack, you can have everyone in the room, online through your connection..

also, if you have adjoing rooms with someone travelling with you on a business trip, you can share a connection if they 1-charge for a connection per day or 2-one or the other jack is out of service.

A Knoppix CD provides a secure OS and browser.

[Futurepower(R)]

Probably the best way to connect securely when traveling cheaply is to boot a cyber cafe computer from a Knoppix CD. That way you can be certain there are no keystroke recorders installed by some previous user. Basically, you will want to check your bank accounts and get your email from a web-based client. So Knoppix gives you everything you need: an OS and a browser.

There might still be a problem with a hardware-based keystroke recorder, but that level of expertise is unlikely, I think. A thief who could do that could get a good job, and wouldn't need to be a thief.

Re:Been there, done that.

[j1m+5n0w]

I fail to see how this is any different (from a linux geek's point of view) from using any prism2-based WLAN card with the Host AP drivers.

Well, you can use 802.11g instead of just b, you don't have to tie up a computer as a dedicated access point, you don't have to have kernel source lying around to install it, and it probably uses less power and generates less noise than a computer.

I like hostAP, but its not the easiest or best solution in all circumstsances.

-jim

Re:A Knoppix CD provides a secure OS and browser.

[ilctoh]

There might still be a problem with a hardware-based keystroke recorder, but that level of expertise is unlikely, I think. A thief who could do that could get a good job, and wouldn't need to be a thief.

I don't think it takes much skill to use a hardware based like this one [yahoo.com]. For those of you too lazy to look at the page, it has nice step-by-step install instructions: unplug keyboard, plug recorder into keyboard port, plug keyboard into recorder. Yeah, lots of skill and expertise needed there.

Re:D-Link catching up

[Jardine]

I recently bought a D-Link 802.11g+ card. The loaf at Best Buy expressed doubts about whether D-Link's 108Mbps "protocol" (compression, etc on regular g) would work with Netgear's 108Mbps protocol and he suggested I buy the same company's brand for the entire network.

It's my understanding that they achieve (in theory) 108 Mbps by taking up two channels that don't interfere with each other and running 54Mbps over each channel.

Re:OT: D-Link 514 experiences?

[perotbot]

I have the 614+, at the time it was 200, but I've seen it as low as $49, have had it for going on 2yrs now and it's been a good appliance, you need to be running windows to upgrade the firmware. Range has been over 150' using both an Orinoco Gold card and the DWL-650+ D-link card

Re:Umm peer to peer?

[randyest]

Why is this device any better than just bridging your ethernet to your wireless peer network?

It doesn't require a PC or Mac, needs no drivers, and so can provide connectivity to devices such as Audrey [audreyhacking.com], ReplayTV [digitalnetworksna.com], TiVO [tivo.com], Xbox with network connector [xbox.com], or playstation2 with network connector [playstation2.com].

Re:Please Enlighten Me

[woobieman29]

Well then, allow me to enlighten you... :-)

I work as a Sales Engineer for an enterprise software company, and I can think of a number of uses for this type of product. Just to clarify, a 'Sales Engineer' is generally someone who is in charge of all pre-sales engineering duties, such as requirements gathering, proof of concept, etc.

First of all, I do a lot of work in hotel rooms, and I like to take advantage of the mobility of my laptop. I hate working at the cramped desk that most hotels give you, so I usually end up working on the bed, and wireless would be very helpful. Second, I feel that using a hardware NAT router in a hotel room is a 'Good Thing'. Yes, some of the software firewalls are nice, and will keep you protected - I feel however that the additional security layer is nice judging by the sort of activity that I see on the LANs of most hotels. Third, business travelers often have need for impromptu meetings while on the road. With this unit everyone can share a single ethernet jack to get some work done. Finally, the reason that might be most relevant only to other SE's like me....for a lot of proof-of-concept or demo environments it is imperative that you carry a router and other gear to emulate real world network conditions for your presentation/demonstration. This sure beats carrying a full-sized Linksys.

Consider yourself enlightened.

huh?

[Anonymous Coward]

On my PowerBook as well as my iMac, I go to the preferences panel "Sharing" and click one button and now my PB is an access point, with a DHCP server, which can be used to share the ethernet or modem connection. I've never tried it but I bet with a second 802.11 card in the PC card slot it can even share one wireless network with the other.

For about a year, the iMac was my only access point. I didn't think of writing slashdot about it!

Or I can just go up to the airport icon on the menu bar and "create network" which does the ad-hoc thing.

Yeah yeah, another mac fanboy, but come on, what's the point of a wireless access point with.. a USB wire??

Re:Again?

[jhoffoss]

The Asus WL330 is USB-powered. These have been out for a few months, and in fact a revised edition is available now. You can find it on Asus' website, which I will leave it to the reader to figure out.

No one is complaining about the product posting; everyone is complaining about the lack of a story. We could all go find five hundred products that might be worth a glance, and post it to Slashdot. But "stories" like this increase the noise-to-info ratio greatly. Instead, the submitter (or michael himself) could have searched a bit for a review on the product. If none were available, perhaps the poster could have bought one, reviewed it, and posted a story to the review. At least it would provide independent and useful information about the product, rather than PR/marketing info from DLink.

dLink makes shoddy products

[Anonymous Coward]

bad engineering, bad drivers, bad tech support. don't be fooled by the 'feature list'. stay far away from dlink. they're a bad company. i've had to replace everything that i've bought from them.

Airport Express is what you need.

[Anonymous Coward]

I am in the same boat and have found the Airport Express to be a life saver! With that D-Link router you need to carry an external power supply. With the Airport Express the whole unit is only as large as the power supply. Most of us already carry way to many devices in our laptop bags.

I am probably going to buy another one for my living room stereo. Its that great!

If there is a problem, it isn't KeyGhost.

[Futurepower(R)]

From the KeyGhost installation instructions [keyghost.com]: "To install the KeyGhost, all you need to do is plug it in between your keyboard cable and your computer."

Obviously, these require no expertise to install. Obviously, also, you would look for these on any computer you used.

It might be good to carry one of those laptop-size USB keyboards, and use it instead of the cyber cafe keyboard. That would guard against keystroke loggers inside the keyboard. USB keyboards install automatically; there is no need to detach the normal keyboard.