WN3000RP - purchase and review

tag824 wrote:
It won't function properly if the AP you are making it connect to is using MAC addr filtering.

Forget MAC addr. filtering in repeating scenarios. It is not an option of real security if WPA or better, WPA2, can be used. Also use static IP addressing where ever possible.

......because I can't just deal with this type of BS and may need to return this thing.

Take notice that repeating is just a last resort to get wifi into a corner that has no or very weak wireless coverage. It's not a fit-all-wonder-gizmo that increases wireless coverage by 2 up to x-time fold. :rolleyes:

Jack™ wrote:
Forget MAC addr. filtering in repeating scenarios. It is not an option of real security if WPA or better, WPA2, can be used. Also use static IP addressing where ever possible.

I already use WPA2; I also hide my SSID and use mac addr filtering. The problem is to get the repeater to work I need to turn off mac addr filtering for EVERYTHING. I don't get what your reasoning for being dismissive of a security feature. Technically all the filtering is doing is only allowing mac's that you define to connect to your network. I added the mac of the WN3000RP but it would not communicate properly. There's no mention of needing to disable this function in the manual. Also I don't even know how using static IP's has anything to do with this but my network is all statically defined anyway. iTunes uses multi-cast to find a shared library. It doesn't care how the IP is assigned, it will find the library as long as it's on the same subnet.

Jack™ wrote:
Take notice that repeating is just a last resort to get wifi into a corner that has no or very weak wireless coverage. It's not a fit-all-wonder-gizmo that increases wireless coverage by 2 up to x-time fold. :rolleyes:

Yes, it increases coverage. That's why it's a repeater. :rolleyes: To say I think it's a fit-all-wonder-gizmo also makes no sense. It's suppose to repeat, i.e. extend the main functionality of the main AP. It's glitchy, that's simply a fact. Look in this thread or google and you'll see I'm not the only one experiencing issues. I don't get the rational of accepting glitchy limitations for no apparent reason. These are technical issues that need to be fixed in the next firmware. :cool:

tag824 wrote:
I already use WPA2; I also hide my SSID and use mac addr filtering. The problem is.....

I see a reason for your problem... Use WPA2 and forget the rest! It does not bring any additional security and introduces lots of sources of problems as you seem to witness.

I don't get what your reasoning for being dismissive of a security feature.

Adding a weak security feature on top of a strong security feature does not increase the security. To use MAC filtering as a remote Wifi switch is in this case of repeating problems probably a feature you'll have to do without it. Disabling SSID, come on, who's going to notice???

It's glitchy, that's simply a fact.

Second that....

Solved the MAC Address filtering issue. The Extender sends a "virtual MAC address" to the Router, which is basically adds 2 to the first hex address pair,
e.g. if the wireless device's MAC address is "10:nn:nn:nn:nn:nn", the virtual MAC address is "12:nn:nn:nn:nn:nn". These "virtual" MAC addresses must be entered into the MAC filter list of the Router, along with the actual MAC address of the Range Extender. It DOES work.

BTW, I found it much easier to play with the Range Extender's settings by using a computer attached directly to the Router and typing in the Extender's IP address.

Should have mentioned that the WN3000RP also has its own MAC filtering capability...but you want to enter the REAL MAC addresses of the clients into the MAC filter list of the Extender. The "virtual" MACs go in the Router MAC filter list.

rlh wrote:
The Extender sends a "virtual MAC address" to the Router, which is basically adds 2 to the first hex address pair, e.g. if the wireless device's MAC address is "10:nn:nn:nn:nn:nn", the virtual MAC address is "12:nn:nn:nn:nn:nn".

Very interesting. However, I can't understand why NETGEAR needed to resolve using "virtual" MAC addressing. Each and every network component has its own, unique MAC address. The first 6 hex numbers are coded to be the identifier of the manufacturer. Thus, it would not make sense to add 2 to the first hex pair. In other NETGEAR devices consecutive numbers (e.q. adding 1 to the last hex number) are being used for internal MAC addresses. But maybe someone can shed light in this issue......

I bought my WN300RP locally, brought it home and did the WPS setup. All the proper lights on the unit lit up so I thought I’m done. When I tried to connect my netbook through Wifi - I couldn’t connect. I tried connecting through the Ethernet Port - same problem. I tried going to the Netgear web site to get the user manual listed in the Install manual, but none exists. I also noticed that the on/off button no longer functioned. I then did a factory reset and started a manual install from Wifi. I was greeted with a wizard on my browser and set up the unit without any difficulty. Again all lights were indicating success, but I could not connect Wifi or Ethernet. Just to be sure I also tried setup from the Ethernet port with same results. I took it back and got a refund! If this is the product that Netgear is sending out, I’ve lost confidence in buying their product!

rlh wrote:

Solved the MAC Address filtering issue. The Extender sends a "virtual MAC address" to the Router, which is basically adds 2 to the first hex address pair, e.g. if the wireless device's MAC address is "10:nn:nn:nn:nn:nn", the virtual MAC address is "12:nn:nn:nn:nn:nn". These "virtual" MAC addresses must be entered into the MAC filter list of the Router, along with the actual MAC address of the Range Extender. It DOES work. BTW, I found it much easier to play with the Range Extender's settings by using a computer attached directly to the Router and typing in the Extender's IP address.

rlh, Thank you! :D After looking at the attached devices list I see the virtual IP's you mentioned and setup my main AP with them for the WN3000RP as well as my other devices and got everything working. :)

I just tried to get WN3000RP working with my Linksys WRT54G for a whole day. My wireless network is working well except in part of my house. The "Smart Wizard" would go through successfully until the last page, where it tells me to move closer to the AP. Well, it's only 3 feet away. This is going back to the store.

My wireless setup: 128 WEP. no MAC filtering

Try on this topic, maybe it can help