The Netgear WN802T V2 Wireless-N Access Point is one piece in a modular networking system.
Netgear WN802T V2 Wireless-N Access Point WN802T V2 Review
The WN802T V2 does not offer cable or DSL modem or routing functions from WAN to LAN networks. Nor does it provide DHCP IP address allocation.
But what it does do, it does quite well. It adds highly stable Wifi network function to a home or small office network. So perhaps you already have DHCP, modem, and routers. And you wish not to pay for redundant functions that you will not use anyway. Thus in this situation, the WN802T V2 is for you.
This is a dedicated Wifi access point only. It appears to us to give better performance and reliability. It’s almost as simple as you giving it Ethernet, and it giving you Wifi back.
Netgear Wireless-N Access Point WN802T V2 Benefits, Pros, Features, and Advantages
Included Components
The package contains the following.
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- The WN802T V2.
- The 12-volt, 1A switching power adapter.
- Support documents CD.
- A snap-on base. This provides better free-standing of the access point. Indeed, without this piece in place, the WAP tends to fall over too easily.
Few Connections
Has just two; the Ethernet connection and the power connector.
Typical Power Requirements
The Netgear Wireless-N Access Point WN802T V2 requires 12 volts DC at 1 Amp (12 watts).
The Netgear WN802T V2 Features Fast Booting
Boots up in under 30 seconds.
Cool Operation
Runs cool to low-lukewarm. Furthermore, it has no fans inside to suck in dust or to break down. Thus, it runs in perfect silence.
Whole Home Wireless Coverage
The WN802T V2 gave reliable WiFi coverage in our 1.5 story Cape Cod home. And this includes the porches outside as well as the basement.
More Range and Faster Data Rates
The package states that this access point can provide up to a 15x data rate improvement over pre N wireless. Up to 300 Mbps data throughput here.
The Netgear WN802T V2 has Internal Antennas
Now the multiple, smart internal antennas here help to, “take the guesswork out of antenna setup.” But no external antennas may cause problems in high-interference situations. In these cases, higher-gain antennas might work better to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
Web-based Setup and Configuration Interface
The WN802T V2 administrative id and password you set here. So also do you set the wireless settings such as SSID, network key, WDS options, et al.
WPA2 Support
Provides state of the art, business-class device authentication.
MAC Address Fencing
You can allow or deny specific wireless devices, based on their MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.
Traffic Prioritization on the Netgear WN802T V2
The Netgear Wireless-N Access Point WN802T V2 Provides WMM support. Multimedia wireless devices work more reliability due to this, and the WAP may consumes less power in certain scenarios.
WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Access) Support
SSID (Service Set Identifier) Broadcast Disable
You can disable the broadcasting of the SSID, for increased wireless security.
WDS (Wi-Fi Distribution System) Support
Supports point-to-point and point-to-multi point network configurations. Can act as a network range extender (repeater). Can also act as a wireless client, supplying an Ethernet interface to your existing wireless network. Have operated this WAP in both modes with great success.
24 / 7 Customer Service
Get this by calling 1-888-NET-GEAR (1-888-638-4327). You can also email them at info@NETGEAR.COM.
The Netgear WN802T V2 Access Point is RangeMax Compatible
The WN802T V2 works well with the Netgear RangeMax line of client network cards and modules. These are for laptops and desktop PCs. And they include USB dongles, and ExpressCards.
Netgear WN802T V2 Wireless-N Access Point Cons, Limitations, and Disadvantages
No External Antennas
The antenna(s) are located inside the plastic case. So to adjust for best reception among your wireless devices, you must reposition this WAP itself. Accessory antennas not supported.
Non Upgradable Antenna
Also, no external antennas means, at least in the case of THIS product, no external antenna connectors. So you cannot easily upgrade the aerials to say, longer and higher DB gain models.
Manually Assigned IP Address
Some newer access points let you configure them through a web interface. You access this site by connecting the WAP to your network. Then, on a computer on the same network, you go to the WAP’s URL. E.g. http://192.168.0.1/ or http://192.168.1.1/ For this particular access point, the default URL is http://192.168.0.233/
The Netgear WN802T V2 has its Default Settings on the Back
Find the default admin URL and the login Id and password on the back panel.
Provides Only a WiFi Draft N Implementation
Supports 802.11 N, Draft 2.0 specification. The box is copyright 2009. So this qualifies as an OLDER access point. Many improvements to the Wireless N standards have happened, as well as to the hardware. But perhaps you really like this particular WAP. Or you may have some very advanced requirements that today’s access points do not address. But otherwise, your best bet is to just buy a newer access point.
The Netgear Wireless-N Access Point WN802T V2 is Hard to Set Up
So this unit contains a hard-coded default IP address. Thus it’s safer not to connect it to your home Ethernet until AFTER setting it up. But you must access the web based setup. So, to do that, do the following.
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- Unplug a computer from your existing network.
- Then assign that computer a manual IP address.
- Plug its Ethernet cable into the WN802T V2.
- Now, your computer is on a very small network, hosted by the WNT802T V2. So you can then enter the setup URL address (http://192.168.1.233). And finally, then make any changes to fit this device into your network.
- Then, once configuring is complete, you then set your computer back to its original network settings. This means once again getting its IP address via DHCP. So to do this, plug the computer back into the network. Then plug the WAP into the network as well. Complicated though, and easy to screw up.
However, most of today’s better access points get their IP addresses via DHCP on the hosting network. Then they provide a device discovery tool to aid the user in getting that address. Even without this tool though, you can usually find the access point in the router’s attached devices list. Why? Because it got its address from your DHCP server. So, it is likely present in this list. This is a much simpler procedure. And it would be great if the WN802T V2 could do this.
No 5 Ghz. Operation
The WN802T V2 operates only in the 2.4 Ghz band. This is therefore, a single-band Wifi access point. Most better WAPs today feature dual-band or even tri-band capabilities.
The Netgear WN802T V2 Access Point is Not for Novice Users
Why not? Because the initial setup can be tricky. In fact, it risks interrupting your internet. This could happen if you don’t properly execute the required IP changes on it to access the WN802T.
No Metal Case
Netgear hubs, switches, and some wireless routers, feature an all-metal case construction. This provides maximal shielding against radio interference. But they chose to encase this WAP in plastic. Presumably, it has adequate shielding inside. That does seem to be true. Indeed, we’ve never seen any interference from this device impacting performance of other office devices.
Obsolete. This product has reached its end-of-life in the Netgear support life cycle. So perhaps you need a better range, more current access point. If so, then you’d do well to buy a more recent WiFi router. We bought the Asus RT-AT87R router, and the performance increases were phenomenal.
Netgear WN802T V2 Warnings
Now you may decide to change the default IP address of the WN802T during setup. If so, then be sure that the new address is in the same segment as the other network devices. Otherwise, you won’t be able to access the WN802T administrative pages. E.g. Let’s say that your network IP addresses all begin with 192.168.0. Then the address you give this WAP should also begin with 192.168.0.
Furthermore, if you change this address, be sure to write the new one down. Why? Because you may not be able to find it in your router’s attached devices list.
Our Rating on the Netgear WN802T V2 Wireless-N Access Point
This WAP is so light and simple to operate once you set it up. So much so that we often take it with us, on the road. And we plug it right into Ethernets of friends and colleagues we’re visiting. This way, we don’t have to ask them for the WiFi passwords. Why not? Because we already have the passwords for THIS access point in our devices. So as long as they don’t have another device using the same IP address as this WAP, it works great.
Plus, it will work on almost ANY network, regardless of net mask and base IP address settings. That’s if you don’t mind not accessing the admin functions until you get it back home. But if you have networking expertise, the WN802T offers granular and exceptional wireless functionality. Plus it is a good value at less than $100 these days. We’ve owned ours since 2012 now, and are 95 percent happy with it. So we’d rate it at 95 out of 100.