TRENDnet - TEW-638APB 300Mbps Wireless N Access Point

I originally bought the high-gain 7dBi antennas from TrendNet (item TEW-AI77OB) only to find out that my current wireless routers do not have removable antennas. So I bought this product because it has removable antennas and I could use the high gain antennas with it. In short: it works like a charm!

Couple of noteworthy points if, like me, you are used to using cheap wireless routers as access points at home or in a small business environment:

1. This box can be either an AP or an AP client. As an AP, it provides a WiFi network to hook into. As an AP client, it can hook into another WiFi network and provide ethernet access to it. Without going into great detail, this is pretty cool. Most WiFi routers cannot act as AP clients.

2. If you want to enable the highest speed (N protocol), you have to pick WPA2/AES security. My networks before were WPA/TKIP, so I had to change my other access points to match. Maybe you've already done this migration, but if you have not, be aware that you need to (or settle for slower B or G protocols).

3. Unlike WiFi routers, which by default have DHCP server turned on, this box by default has a static IP of 192.168.10.100. It took me a bit to find this IP in the doc's--it's quite buried in the troubleshooting section. I guess they want you to run their config util from their CD that "detects" their products. Anyway, I really wish they would put the default network settings on a label outside of the device so one does not have to dig it up every time.

4. The device has no wall-mounting screw hangers! This was a big suprise to me. I've bought maybe 10-15 different cheap WiFi routers from TrendNet alone over the last 5 years, and all had wall-mount screw holes on the back side. Even the non-TrendNet stuff I bought had it. This one does not--and frankly, I was baffled by it. I bought me some 3/4" angle brackets at the hardware store and mounted the box on them (the side opposite the antenna ports has some room above the PCB if you use short enough screws). I'm sure me drilling holes into the outside plastic case voids any warranty, but at least I could mount the bugger!

Overall, I am very satisfied with this device. It works great and ties into my high-gain antennas, so one box can reach everywhere in my 50,000 sqft warehouse.

Save 37% Off