I've installed about a dozen of these devices over the last year as WDS extenders for homes; Access Points for coffee shops, libraries; network bridges; and as clients. They've all run 24/7 under respectably heavy loads with no issues. Average unattended run time has been 70 days (power outages causing shutdowns) with only one of the devices out of all of them even getting a manual restart.
Heck, turned out that the restart wasn't even needed. It had been running for 102 days and the networked computers were connecting slowly so I gave it the 'ole unplug. Turned out that it was the ethernet switch in the equipment closet. How's that for reliability! It out ran an ethernet switch!
It's not all sunshine though. Our local computer shop didn't think to highly of them as they had near a 100% return rate, we bought so many of them and never returned any that they asked about it and I told them, "They are rather difficult to configure and require that you manually assign an IP address to the computer connected, understand the terminology, as well as do things in the right order." On the upside, I've gotten quite a few referrals from them to come install them for customers. The return rate on units I have installed have been zero as well.
The units support being used as an Access Point, a Point-to-point Bridge, a Point-to-multipoint bridge, AP client bridge, and single AP client. WEP keys up to 156bit, WPA, WPA2, RADIUS, have DHCP servers built in, removable antenna, and adjustable power output as low as 1/8th normal output (in other words, more than just Full, Med, Hi settings). Included is a PoE injector for installations near or in the ceilings.
On the downside, I've not figured out how to set up a Point-to-multipoint bridge network with WPA/WPA2 encryption. They seem to only handle that particular configuration with WEP. I haven't verified this yet as this topology came up only once, and due to some old equipment that also connected to the AP, I had to use WEP anyway.
To sum it up; can't find better for less, but if you don't have decent experience in configuring WAPs, hire someone who does. Really, this applies to Cisco IOS equipment as well. It's not going to hold your hand but once you get the hang of it, they go in easy and are solid. Or, you could spend $100 to get a Netgear... not that those are always easy either. TP-Link TL-WA500G 54Mbps eXtended Range Wireless Access Point
I already have a WRT-54GL but needed a repeater for my NON-WIFI printer, so I thought this would work since they advertised to work as a repeater to another AP (Access Point), I followed the instructions to the T as provided but did not Repeater mode did not work. 1. set static ip to 198.168.1.1
2. navigated to the option for Repeater, found MAC address, applied savings
3. Connected the POE to TP router
4. connected Laptop (using static IP)to POEThing did not work. Sorry, too much headache Returning! Instead i'm buying the ZyXEL home plug, less headache, no wireless to setup, and better TOTAL reviews.
I have used about 2 dozen TL-WA500G's as Access Points, AP Client bridges, and as Universal Repeaters. (any repeater is half speed)
I find the setup straight forward although it does involve knowing networking terms and the DHCP addressing scheme in use in YOUR network.
They work reliably, and are JUST the thing to make wired devices connect wirelessly via AP Client mode.
You will need a computer to do the setup, but they can support any IP device once setup.'
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