PAP2 Question???

[Brenbro2]

Has anyone used a Linksys WBP54G Wireless-G Dongle with their PAP2 to make a true wireless setup? If so, was the setup fairly simple and did it work well? Thanks

[crackerjack]

Has anyone used a Linksys WBP54G Wireless-G Dongle with their PAP2 to make a true wireless setup? If so, was the setup fairly simple and did it work well? Thanks

Absolutely, go for it!!!!! (YMMV)
FWIW, wifi receptivity not as good as traditional access point or usb adapter. Make sure you've got a solid wifi signal.

Good luck

Crackerjack

[tony]

Has anyone used a Linksys WBP54G Wireless-G Dongle with their PAP2 to make a true wireless setup? If so, was the setup fairly simple and did it work well? Thanks

Yes, I have that setup with a Linksys SPA1202. It works well and essentially lets you set up a telephone anywhere you have wifi.

The benefits:
- The WPB54G will connect to WEP, WPA, WPA2 secured access points.
- You use the power supply for the PAP2 to power the WPB54G and the WPB54G has a pass through power cable that in turn powers the PAP2.
- The WPB54G has an ethernet cable attached that you plug into your PAP2.
- It's cool, just one wire (the power adapter) and you have a telephone sitting in the middle of the table and it works!)
- Some people report using the WPB54G as a wifi adapter on a network printer.


OK, now the caveats.
- you need a Windows XP computer to run the setup wizard every time you need to connect to a new wifi access points whether secured or not. If you are travelling or visiting different places with different WEP/WPA passwords, you need to run the wizard to set up the WPB54G, you can't access the WPB54G via web browser.

- The WPB54G doesn't store a list of access points and passwords. I wanted to enter a list for known places I visit and have it detect the SSID and connect automatically. No luck, you have to run the wizard, see and select the wifi access point, and set it up at each new location.

- The wizard doesn't work with Windows 7. The furthest I've managed to get is to set up a Virtual PC and run the wizard in virtual XP (this is a free download for Pro and Ultimate versions of Win7 RTM). The wizard runs okay but doesn't "see" the WPB54G so I can't select the WPB54G to enter the password to connect to secure wifi access points. No way, no how. I suspect it's how the XP emulator interfaces with the ethernet port on the laptop, it doesn't treat the ethernet port the same way as a real XP machine.

- If the wifi access point directs you to a browser to enter your username and password, as many hotels, marinas, and coffee shops do, you are out of luck. It's catch 22. You need the WPB54G to access the Internet to enter those credentials, but you need to enter those credentials before you can access the access point and get directed to the browser. You can only adjust settings in the WPB54G with the wizard, there is no web browser interface.

- The WPB54G doesn't seem to like connecting to hidden SSID's even though you can enter SSID's manually.

- There are suggestions on forums that the WPB54G doesn't like or won't connect to wifi access points with spaces in the SSID like "Mikes place". I had to change my SSID at home to one word.

- There is absolutely no support from Linksys or Cisco for the WPB54G. No web page, no support page. No hint of support for Windows 7.

I've had a WPB54G for about 3 months but have not been able to use put it to it's intended use to setup a desk phone when away from my office or home. If you are using it in one place (e.g., home) and have a Windows XP computer, you should be fine.

If anyone can get further than me with the wizard in Windows 7, please post. For now, the WPB54G was not a good investment.