D-Link DWL-1000AP Wireless Accees Point
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Score: 2 out of 3
Review Type: Hands On
Reviewer: Chris Kaminski
Date: May 1, 2001
The DWL-1000AP is a wireless access point of the ‘network bridge’ variety. It is
primarily used to connect an Ethernet network to a wireless Ethernet (802.11b) network.
Once your Ethernet computers are bridged to your wireless computers, they will appear
to be on the same network. If you have a broadband router on your existing Ethernet
network, your wireless PC’s will be able to reach the Internet just like your wired
PC’s.
Once setup is done, the DWL-1000AP becomes a transparent part of your network. It
functioned flawlessly and was able to maintain good signal strength throughout our
testing facilities. There’s a small movable small antenna on the DWL-1000AP but
we did not notice any difference in reception quality as we adjusted it.
Since the configuration software for DWL-1000AP is written only for Windows, it
must be configured with a Windows based PC with a wireless adapter. After configuration,
computers running other OS’s may use the 1000AP bridging capabilities.
Encryption
The DWL-1000AP supports 40bit encryption. This level of encryption is sufficient
for most home applications, but be careful witch wireless network adapters you use
with it. Many network cards now support 64bit and 128bit encryption but do not support
40bit.
Installing the DWL-1000AP
The software that comes with the 1000AP needs some improvement. The interface was
un-intuitive, there are traslation errors,
and the help files did not work under
Windows 2000. The AP comes with a set of quick instructions, but they did
not work very well for us. Below are some hints to a successful install of
the DWL-1000AP.
Hints and Tips
 The AP needs time to find your
DHCP server. We found it best to power the unit on and wait for 2 minutes before
attempting to configure it with the included software.
To reset the AP to factory defaults,
insert a paperclip into the small hole under the RJ-45 Ethernet connector. The activity
light will turn solid green. Wait for it to turn off and remove the paperclip. The
AP is now reset to factory defaults.
 The factory default ESSID is
‘default’, all small case.
The MAC address is located on
the router but may not be immediately recognizable because it is not in the standard
MAC address format. It is listed as serial number in the format 004005-xxxxxx. The
MAC address is 00:40:05:xx:xx:xx.
Configure your AP from the Ethernet
port. Once you plug your access point into your Ethernet network, you can configure
it FROM the Ethernet network. Instead of installing the AP software on a wireless
PC, install it on a wired PC. This makes configuration MUCH simpler.
When running the AP config software
from a wireless client:
Before you attempt to configure
your AP, it is VERY IMPORTANT to give your configuration computer a static IP address
that would be valid on your Ethernet network.
If your ‘search for AP’ button
is not working, check to see if your wireless card is talking to your access point
by examining your signal strength. If it can not find your AP, you may have the
wrong ESSID (station name) configured. Try resetting the AP to default and then
setting your network adapters station name to ‘default’
If you ‘search for AP’ still
does not return anything, wait a couple of minutes and try again. This really worked
for me.
User Feedback
I read your review on the DLink kit, AP and USB. I ran into the same issue with
the windows help file. Other than that, installation was flawless. I had a good
connection or better throughout my 3400 sqft home. It actually reaches into the
street and out into the back yard I am also happy to fond out that I can extend
the network by just plugging in another AP downstairs - without the Ethernet cable!
I was pleased to find that I could limit the clients by MAC address - not all these
inexpensive units can do that - and that after configuration - I can lock the device
so that it can't be altered! All in all, for me this kit is 95/100
Mike M. - May 2, 2001
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