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SMC Wireless Bridge/Access Point
Model 2682WlReview

When we first had the opportunity to test this wireless bridge along with the SMC high gain 14.5db antenna's, we jumped at the chance. Our readers have been asking us how to extend their wireless networks using external antenna's, and this is the perfect review to explain how this can be accomplished.

The SMC 2682W is a very versatile product. It can act as a wireless bridge with Master/Slave functions, or it can function as an Access Point (AP) to serve wireless clients. The Bridge Master mode can act as an access point and as a master in a point to point setup. What does all this mean? Well, to put it simply, this little unit does some neat tricks. If you have a multi-building setup, or a remote office that you wish to add as an extension onto your LAN, a wireless bridge is a great option.

The 2682W is a small, slim unit, and measures approximately 1" high, 5" deep, and 6" wide. There are molded plastic screw hangers built into the device, making hanging possible. On the front, the bridge has several LED's; power, wireless link, wireless activity, Ethernet link and Ethernet activity. On the back, was the power port, the RS232 port, an RJ-45 port and the RP-TNC antenna jack. The power adapter is a standard 9 Volt AC/DC converter, used with most routers, switches, and other devices in this class.

The SMC 2682W Bridge/AP has a simple to use management interface

The SMC 2682W is a nice addition to any wireless network, since it can be a wireless AP to your Ethernet network and it can also perform bridging functions. A bridge is a simple way to convert one technology to another - such as bridging an Ethernet network to a wireless network. A bridge can work for you in many ways. There are many small businesses and consumers that have wireless LAN's but they usually have a dead spot or a office upstairs in a barn or garage that the home access point just won't reach. You could use (2) SMC 2682W bridges, one master and one slave to extend the LAN via a wireless link. You could also do this with 2 offices, one office up to 9 miles away from the other. Put a SMC 2682W at the main office set in master mode, and install the slave bridge at the remote office. Hook up the SMC High Gain 14.5db Yagi antenna's and that's it! You can now stop paying the phone company for that expensive leased line, you can now do it wireless and at a low cost. A typical setup for 2 SMC 2682W bridges with external Yagi antenna's would be approximately $1100, about the cost for 3-4 months of the leased line!

The main screen of the SMC wireless bridge

The SMC was simple to setup, but can be a problem if you do not have a Windows PC. SMC ships the EZ Connect wireless bridge utility, which allows a quick and easy setup, but only from a MS Windows based machine. Once you assign an IP or discover the bridge with the utility, the rest of the configuration is done with an ordinary web browser. SMC recently released a new firmware version 1.2 that adds many newer features such as MAC based authentication controls and also added more features to the SNMP controls. One thing we didn't see was a "client" list or a page that shows the active status of the router, who is using it, etc. We are firm believers that these functions must be included in a wireless bridge since you don't want other users on your wireless link.

The SMC EZ Connect Wireless Bridge utility for Windows

Overall, the SMC 2682W bridge/AP offers some impressive features but the cost is a bit higher than the competition. With it's latest firmware version 1.2, SMC adds SNMP monitoring features and MAC based authentication features. The original 2682W firmware did not have these options, so we suggest that you upgrade immediately. We love the external antenna options that SMC offers, and for extending a LAN and saving money on a leased line, this 2682W an ideal option.

Here are some of the features of the SMC 2682W Bridge:

- Easy setup using any browser, Mac authentication with latest firmware
- 1 RJ-45 port for Ethernet network, 1 DB9M RS232 port
- Supports 64 and 128 Bit Encryption
- Good speed, solid stability, small and compact
- Bridge Master mode supports clients and slave bridge
- Supports all clients, Windows, Mac, Linux
- Excellent Documentation on CD/Web only
- RP-TNC Connector with single dipole antenna, external antenna's avail.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars - The 2682W has a great feature set is a great product all around, but the price was a bit high compared to similar products.
Pros: The 2682W is a fast, platform independent, AP/bridge that is super easy to install and setup. Good reliability, and with external antenna's performs great.
Cons: Noticeable decrease in LAN speed when using encryption (WEP), no

SMC 2682W Wireless Bridge/Access Point
Current Street Price: $420.00
Antenna 14.5db gain Yagi - $220 (optional accessory)

SMC Networks, Inc.
6 Hughes
Irvine, CA 92618
1-800-SMC-4YOU
http://www.smc.com
Available now direct from SMC
Also avail at CDW.COM

Antenna 14.5db gain Yagi - $220
(optional accessory to extend signal range)



	02/04/12


SMC 2682W Wireless Bridge PRODUCT REVIEW "This SMC bridge and optional High Gain Yagi Antenna's are a great way to extend any LAN" "Flexible bridge and access point options are simple and easy to manage" "We wish this bridge had better management options, but at a minimal, it has MAC based authentication" "SMC has many antenna options to satisfy the SOHO office to the Enterprise"
			SMC Wireless Bridge/Access Point Model 2682WlReview When we first had the opportunity to test this wireless bridge along with the SMC high gain 14.5db antenna's, we jumped at the chance. Our readers have been asking us how to extend their wireless networks using external antenna's, and this is the perfect review to explain how this can be accomplished. The SMC 2682W is a very versatile product. It can act as a wireless bridge with Master/Slave functions, or it can function as an Access Point (AP) to serve wireless clients. The Bridge Master mode can act as an access point and as a master in a point to point setup. What does all this mean? Well, to put it simply, this little unit does some neat tricks. If you have a multi-building setup, or a remote office that you wish to add as an extension onto your LAN, a wireless bridge is a great option. The 2682W is a small, slim unit, and measures approximately 1" high, 5" deep, and 6" wide. There are molded plastic screw hangers built into the device, making hanging possible. On the front, the bridge has several LED's; power, wireless link, wireless activity, Ethernet link and Ethernet activity. On the back, was the power port, the RS232 port, an RJ-45 port and the RP-TNC antenna jack. The power adapter is a standard 9 Volt AC/DC converter, used with most routers, switches, and other devices in this class. The SMC 2682W Bridge/AP has a simple to use management interface The SMC 2682W is a nice addition to any wireless network, since it can be a wireless AP to your Ethernet network and it can also perform bridging functions. A bridge is a simple way to convert one technology to another - such as bridging an Ethernet network to a wireless network. A bridge can work for you in many ways. There are many small businesses and consumers that have wireless LAN's but they usually have a dead spot or a office upstairs in a barn or garage that the home access point just won't reach. You could use (2) SMC 2682W bridges, one master and one slave to extend the LAN via a wireless link. You could also do this with 2 offices, one office up to 9 miles away from the other. Put a SMC 2682W at the main office set in master mode, and install the slave bridge at the remote office. Hook up the SMC High Gain 14.5db Yagi antenna's and that's it! You can now stop paying the phone company for that expensive leased line, you can now do it wireless and at a low cost. A typical setup for 2 SMC 2682W bridges with external Yagi antenna's would be approximately $1100, about the cost for 3-4 months of the leased line! The main screen of the SMC wireless bridge The SMC was simple to setup, but can be a problem if you do not have a Windows PC. SMC ships the EZ Connect wireless bridge utility, which allows a quick and easy setup, but only from a MS Windows based machine. Once you assign an IP or discover the bridge with the utility, the rest of the configuration is done with an ordinary web browser. SMC recently released a new firmware version 1.2 that adds many newer features such as MAC based authentication controls and also added more features to the SNMP controls. One thing we didn't see was a "client" list or a page that shows the active status of the router, who is using it, etc. We are firm believers that these functions must be included in a wireless bridge since you don't want other users on your wireless link. The SMC EZ Connect Wireless Bridge utility for Windows Overall, the SMC 2682W bridge/AP offers some impressive features but the cost is a bit higher than the competition. With it's latest firmware version 1.2, SMC adds SNMP monitoring features and MAC based authentication features. The original 2682W firmware did not have these options, so we suggest that you upgrade immediately. We love the external antenna options that SMC offers, and for extending a LAN and saving money on a leased line, this 2682W an ideal option. Here are some of the features of the SMC 2682W Bridge: - Easy setup using any browser, Mac authentication with latest firmware - 1 RJ-45 port for Ethernet network, 1 DB9M RS232 port - Supports 64 and 128 Bit Encryption - Good speed, solid stability, small and compact - Bridge Master mode supports clients and slave bridge - Supports all clients, Windows, Mac, Linux - Excellent Documentation on CD/Web only - RP-TNC Connector with single dipole antenna, external antenna's avail. Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars - The 2682W has a great feature set is a great product all around, but the price was a bit high compared to similar products. Pros: The 2682W is a fast, platform independent, AP/bridge that is super easy to install and setup. Good reliability, and with external antenna's performs great. Cons: Noticeable decrease in LAN speed when using encryption (WEP), no SMC 2682W Wireless Bridge/Access Point Current Street Price: $420.00 Antenna 14.5db gain Yagi - $220 (optional accessory) SMC Networks, Inc. 6 Hughes Irvine, CA 92618 1-800-SMC-4YOU http://www.smc.com Available now direct from SMC Also avail at CDW.COM Antenna 14.5db gain Yagi - $220 (optional accessory to extend signal range)

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