Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Wireless Access Points
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Wireless Access Points
I started out like most people just wanting to upgrade my network. Built my own router running pf-sense, got a net-gear Poe switch capable of running an Access Point, now just needed to get a couple of AP's. My choices were either Cisco or Ubiquity. Cisco won because they were available and cheap. Just for the record, on a scale of 1 - 10 I would give my network skills a solid 3 (self thought) The Cisco AIR-LAP1142N-A-K9 Dual Wireless Access Point What I didn't know: The L in L-AP stands for light weight. What that means is, it is controller based and needs another piece of hardware, a Cisco wireless controller to configure and use it. E-O-L end of life, E-O-S end of service. Basically as of September 30, 2018 this AP had become the Windows XP of the Cisco world. NO MORE SUPPORT. Cisco discriminates, Meaning unless you have a valid service contract for your Cisco product, you cannot download anything from their website, your visits would be for information gathering only. What needed to be done: Purchase a USB to serial console cable for Cisco AP's a.k.a the blue cable. Download the latest firmware Cisco have for the autonomous version of the AP. Convert the AP from Light weight to autonomous mode (stand alone). Software needed: Putty or similar (basically it's a command prompt for a device that runs on your PC via a console cable), a T FTP server a checksum checker that supports MD5 and SHA512. To get the latest firmware visit Cisco website and get the name of the latest firmware, you would also see checksum info. Google the name, download and use the checksum checker to verify it is the original file. Google & YouTube converting the LAP1142N-A-K9 to autonomous or stand alone mode. There are lots of tutorials "showing" you how to do so but to be honest most of them aren't for beginners and the others assume you know how to use the listed software. No one tutorial gave me everything I needed, So if you are looking for plug n play, unless you have a Cisco wireless controller this is not for you. Now for the adventurous if everything goes as plan it can take approx 20 - 30 mins to reconfigure your computer for the task at hand, load the new firmware, configure the AP via the Command Line Interface (CLI) using the blue cable, switch back computer to original network settings, access AP via web interface, configure, set bssid's and enable radios. Take away: Before I get into something I usually want to know what I am getting into, I must admit I was blindsided by this one. This AP has more settings than my previous router. It runs a bit warmer than I expected, for something marketed as light weight (LAP) it is a lot heavier than I expected. All my devices connect and stay connected (not dropping like before), I guess in networking compatibility is king. Will I do it again? in a heart beat, now that I have a better idea of what needs to be done.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The product is now working as expected, what is beyond expectations was the follow up. My first item arrived non-functioning. Even with the low cost of the item they gave me advice on troubleshooting and the item was deemed bad. They sent a replacement item which works perfectly, thank you thank you!! Highly recommended!!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned