Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter, top view, horizontal orientation.
We review here the Netgear Universal WiFi Internet Adapter WNCE2001. Now this device is a single-port Ethernet to WiFi bridge. It adds WiFi to a wired computer, radio, TV, or any device that has only a wired connection. Handy adapter thus. So here, we review the Netgear WNCE2001, that’s still quite useful today.
It links Ethernet appliances, to a distant WiFi internet router via its bridge link. With this, connect two local area networks (LANs) via WiFi. Handy when you cannot run Ethernet cables between them.
For the simplest setup, the LAN hosted by this device, should not have other routers on it. No DHCP. No DNS. The wired device on the single Ethernet port on the WNCE2001 gets all these services via the WiFi link. This internet adapter connects to a WiFi network as a client. It then grants access to the resources on that network.
We bought the Netgear WNCE2001 WiFi adapter to add Wifi to a wired-only internet radio. So with this, we could listen to that radio anywhere within the range of our WiFi network. With the WNCE2001, no need to run a LAN cable to it.
Now this means giving up some network speed. But the WNCE2001 worked as stated in its guides. Highly useful device.
Comes with well-illustrated startup instructions, and Netgear also posts a complete users guide on their support website. See the References section below for links.
No external antennas to loosen, flop over, or lose. Simplifies setup too, when you don’t have to spend time attaching removable external antennae, enhancing the portability of the WNCE2001.
Both the RESET and the WPS activation button are located on the back panel. No power ON / OFF switch.
The Netgear WNCE2001 WiFi adapter draws so little current (1 amp max). Thus you can power it from a USB port on a computer, or wall adapter. Both power options you get.
The unit also comes with its own power supply, when USB power is not available. It’s the Netgear I.T.E. power supply, part number 332-10291-01, model number MU05-J050100-A1. Input: 120-240 volts AC, 50-60 Hz., 0.3A; Output: 5 VDC, 1A; Efficiency level V; positive tip.
Connected to an 802.11g (wireless G) network, throughput data rates at this bridge’s Ethernet ports can reach 54 Mbps.
You may connect this Ethernet-to-WiFi bridge to any WPS enabled wireless network.
You can connect Ethernet devices like wired internet radios, desktop computers, and DVRs to your main WAP, through the WNCE2001. Great for bringing internet into a remote office that is too far away to run cable to.
This single wired connection supplies a single client device. Feed a network switch switch or hub, to add more than one wired devices.
To extend your LAN, just move the WNCE2001 closer to where you need LAN access. Put it in a remote office location for example. That will work as long as that location is still in-range of your WiFi network. Once set up, it will access your primary WiFi so long as that WAP remains in range and is broadcasting.
This unit fits easily into the palm of your hand. So that makes for easy moving and storage. You just unplug it from the AC outlet and disconnect the LAN cables. Then take it where you need LAN service, and connect it up there.
You should secure the wireless link to the LAN. So to that end, the WNCE2001 can connect to WiFi nets using the WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security options.
No fans inside to draw in dust and make noise. We noted lukewarm temps on the case while the WNCE2001 operates.
The WNCE2001 links to the primary WiFi in less than 45 seconds after power on. The green WLAN lamp shown in the picture above, lights when the wireless link comes online.
All lamps glow without flashing during normal operation. Flashing occurs only during boot-up or when the wireless signal is too weak.
Looks like a PC Card (remember them?). The case is a strong plastic. Pretty rugged. Network devices made of a solid, heavy metal build impresses us most though. We like the high shielding against outside signals it provides. A metal case might have been better here, but the plastic case does not seem to degrade bridge operation.
We paid about $50 for ours. It’s fairly cheap.
This is a Ethernet-to-Ethernet WiFi bridge only. It does not…
Instead, it passes any requests for these services, via the primary WiFi network, to the primary LAN.
Range extension is beyond the purview of this Linksys device. Most extenders provide the Ethernet bridging function, such as the Belkin N600 F9K1106v1 Dual Band Range Extender does. But his one, do not. So it does not offer secondary WiFi networks. So you cannot connect to its local side wirelessly.
This is the big difference between a wireless LAN bridge (like this one), and a WiFi range extender. But if you had an extra wireless access point (WAP), you could convert this device into a range extender. How? Add that WAP to local side of the Netgear WNCE2001 WiFi adapter. You could also add an Ethernet hub or switch to gain more LAN ports. The WNC2001 only has one RJ45 port. We find this bridge to be a handy answer for those hard-to-wire places.
The three lamps given are a great start. Indeed they would be enough, if they’d just blink when the WNCE2001 passes data to and from the WiFi link.
At best, the RJ45 port on the back provide 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet) speeds. No 1000Base-T. Thus, this limits data throughput in this device. It could impact HD video streaming especially.
The best WiFi speed you get with this adapter is 54 Mbps (Wireless G). Plus, that speed may slow further by more distance from your primary router. Radio frequency interference (RFI) in your area can reduce data speeds as well.
Thus, you cannot link to a 5 Ghz. based WiFi network. The WNCE2001 only talks and listens on 2.4 Ghz.
This Netgear WNCE2001 WiFi adapter is quite portable. It’s small, and lightweight, yet encompasses the best of “set it and forget it” operation. Once set up, just position it away somewhere if you never care to check the three status lamps. But put it close enough to where you need Ethernet. E.g. Office desktop, laptop, or that internet radio in the man cave. For most casual internet adapter users, actually seeing the WNCE2001 can be invisible.
If the client device is getting internet, then this WNCE2001 is working fine. We’ve never seen it lock up or crash. Plus, it seems to recover well from Wi-Fi network outages. It automatically reconnects when the hosting link comes back online. Definitely slower performance than a LAN connection. But this is still highly useable, especially in areas where a LAN cable cannot reach your client device.
This unit therefore, does what it claims to do. Thus we tuck a couple of them in our network troubleshooting toolbox. So we rate it at 96 out of 100. Now for all you speed demons, we always recommend direct connections. Still though, network transceivers like the WNCE2001 can provide decently fast network connectivity to wired devices in a pinch. Use these in places where it’s not practical to run Ethernet cables from your main router.
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