Others say...

"Once you get it to work, it does the job!"
I've read all the warnings and the angry messages, and decided to go ahead and try it anyway, assuming that I'll figure it out, since I managed to get its predecessor (DWL-800AP+) to work when my network was 802.11b.

It didn't work. I tried all the recommended fixes that I saw here and elsewhere (disable WEP, disable DHCP, disable Super G, choose Channel 1, choose long preambles, etc, etc). Nothing worked. The client would get a great signal from the repeater, but there would be no traffic.

My firmware was the latest: 2.70 on the DI-624 router, and 1.05 on the DWL-G800AP repeater.

Then I tried downgrading the firmware on the router to 2.50, and it worked right away! I am using WEP and DHCP without problems, though Super-G is still disabled (the clients on this network are not Super-G capable anyway).

Bottom line: If you too have this pair (DI-624 Version C3 with 2.50 firmware and DWL-800AP Version A1 with 1.05 firmware) - I believe that you should be able to get it to work.

Once it works - it's worth it! No more dead spots in the house!

PS. I remember that DWL-800AP+ (the 802.11b predecessor) also didn't work with the latest firmware. One would expect newer firmware to improve upon the older one! Not the case with D-Link products!



"Extends, but doesn't pick up IP numbers!"
When it works it does extend the range. However, every time you turn off a wirelessly connected PC and turn it on again, the PC is not assigned an IP number. Unplug this extender, and the PC is assigned an IP number by the router without any problem. A brief power blackout will cut IP numbers to your wirelessly-connected PCs. I purchased this particular D-link range extender because I wanted to ensure that it works well with my DI-624 router. I wasted my money buying this device. It's useless, and it's too light to even serve as a door stop...

"MAJOR PAIN TO SETUP.. BUT WORKS WELL.."
As a network engineer, we've setup lots of wireless networks and never has one been so difficult to setup as these DWL-G800AP's and it's partner, the DI-624 rev C.
Their setup manual and live tech support are a joke.
First, make sure you have all correct firmware:
DI-624: Rev2.37 and DWL-G800AP Rev 1.05
(These are the config we used and finally worked)
In the DI-624, Changed the channel to 1, disabled the super G. In the G800AP, run the site survey, and select accordingly, than manually add the GW (default 192.168.0.1). Wallah.. works. I've read that the WEP and security does not work but it doesn't matter since this project is for a hotel.
NOTE: Some changes works immediately where others takes a minute to propagate through the network. If your change does not work after a minute, re-apply that change and try again.
Final word.. don't buy this device if you expect an easy setup.
Tran
Tampa, FL
baotran@baysidetechnology.com

"Works for My Need"
For those of you who wonders whether this can extender your neighbor's unencrypted network signal, i can tell you the answer is Yes. Just hook up the extender, login to the configuration site(embeded on the device), change it to repeater mode, then choose the network ID that you want to pick up and rebroadcast. It's as simple as that.

"Good wireless repeater with caveats..."
The D-Link DWL-G800 works fine as a repeater once you get it figured out, it's the pathetic and inadequate D-Link documentation that's really the sticking point.

This product is advertised as being compatible with the DI-624 AirPlus Xtreme G wireless router/AP and indeed it is... EXCEPT that you cannot run the DI-624 in Xtreme G mode with the repeater, unless you enjoy dropped signal and having to hard-reset the repeater every five minutes.

Here's the quick and dirty if you are using this repeater with the DI-624:

1. Log onto the DI-624, go into the Advanced Options and enable the "Long Preamble", then disable the Xtreme G options. Allow the router/AP to reboot.

2. The DWL-G800 is then considerably more stable and can be configured with WEP or WPA.

3. An aside, if you are using XP with either service pack, know that Microsoft in their infinite wisdom have now included something called "Wireless Zero Config" which, so far as I know, can't be disabled or turned off, unless you're using some sort of third party configuration utility. Briefly, this means that you shouldn't disable the SSID broadcast on either AP if using this Wireless Zero config. In fact, Microsoft advises against it since the Zero config doesn't allow you to statically enter your SSID.

Open question to D-Link: why even purchase the DI-624 in connection with the DWL-G800 if you can't use the Xtreme G with it?