Buffalo AirStation 54Mbps Wireless Broadband Router ( WBR-G54 )

Product Description
AIRSTATION 54MBPS-BROADBAND RTR AP

Product Description:
The AirStation 54Mbps Broadband Router AP offers the fastest wireless throughput on the 2.4Ghz band and delivers faster data rates over greater distances than 802.11a-based networks. The 54Mbps Broadband Router incorporates the exclusive Intrusion Detector firewall with AES encryption, VPN support and other upgradeable features for improved security. A built-in 4-port Ethernet switch allows you to combine a wired and wireless network on the same LAN. This easy-to-use, affordable 54Mbps Broadband Router is the perfect wireless solution for Home, SOHO, and SMB use.

Average customer rating:

So far, it has not been reliable
Quite a piece of crap
fast speed, signal range so-so
Not secure unless you are an expert.
Vice Manager

Buffalo AirStation 54Mbps Wireless Broadband Router ( WBR-G54 )

Manufacturer: BUFFALO
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

802.11b Wi-Fi" compatible
54Mbps wireless throughput
Intrusion detector firewall

ASIN: B00007JNZY

Product Description

The AirStation 54Mbps Broadband Router AP offers the fastest wireless throughput on the 2.4Ghz band and delivers faster data rates over greater distances than 802.11a-based networks. The 54Mbps Broadband Router incorporates the exclusive Intrusion Detector firewall with AES encryption, VPN support and other upgradeable features for improved security. A built-in 4-port Ethernet switch allows you to combine a wired and wireless network on the same LAN. This easy-to-use, affordable 54Mbps Broadband Router is the perfect wireless solution for Home, SOHO, and SMB use.

Customer Reviews:

So far, it has not been reliable.......2004-09-16

I bought the WBR-G54 in a kit, along with a WLA-G54C repeater, so I could expand the range of my network. I have had problems with both. They kept loosing the Network and had to be reset all the time. The WBR-G54 is now dead, and I am sending it back to Buffalo for exchange. Buffalo told me that there might be delays in getting a replacement.

Buffalo does have 24/7 tech support, with knowledgable technicians, located in the US. However, to get through to a technician, you have to wait on hold for 30 minutes to an hour.

I had a Netgear wireless router that worked fine (it did die in the first year and had to be replaced). It reached most of my house, except a back bedroom that was an extension to the house. The signal had trouble penetrating what was the old outside wall. I tried using stronger antennas, but that did not help. I bought this Buffalo kit, featuring the router, and the repeater so I could get a signal back to the far bedroom.

I had problems with initially getting the WBR-G54 router working. But after playing with it for about 2 hours, and restarting my computer, it began to work. Within the first 2 hours, the wireless connection stopped working. I unplugged it and plugged it back in and it started working again. Over the next 2 months, it would lose the network every few days and had to be reset. After two months, the wireless card inside died. I got a diagnostic signal that it was bad. I called in the Buffalo tech line, and they told me to take it apart and make sure the wireless card was properly seated. If it still didn't work, I had to call back in the morning to get an RMA to return the unit. Be sure to keep your receipt, because they won't accept the unit back without it.

The WLA-G54C repeated did not come up at all when I first installed it. I called tech support and was walked through how to get it to work. Ever since, it has also been dropping the network every few days.

I will wait to see if the new WBR-G54 unit I get back will improve the reliability of this system. Otherwise, I guess I will be calling back tech support to see what to do next.

Quite a piece of crap.......2004-02-19

I have had problems with this thing since purchasing it - it frequently drops off of my wireless network for no apparent reason, intermittantly becomes unavailable on the ethernet LAN, and at times cannot be seen by any of my wireless laptops even when they are sitting several feet away from the unit. After speaking with Buffalo tech support several times, upgrading the firmware, resetting factory defaults and resetting all of my network settings the last tech support representative explained to me that I must simply have a defective unit and that there was nothing he or the company could do about it. This would normally be believable except that this is the third Buffalo wireless product that I have purchased and the third that has been "defective" (the other two were a wireless LAN card and a wireless print server). I have come to the conclusion that Buffalo simply makes shoddy wireless products and as a result I will simply no longer be buying anything made by them again. My advice to you the consumer is to save yourself the trouble and money and to do the same. Linksys, here I come!

fast speed, signal range so-so.......2003-11-05

Setting up the router wasn't as easy as the instructions said. There was alot of missing information, but when i called tech support, they walked me through it and i was connected immediately. For comcast users tech support will give you a specific code to enter during your advanced set-up. Second, the router signal worked great when i was using my laptop on the same floor the router was located, but when i took my computer upstairs (1 floor) the signal was on and off, and sometimes would accept my password. For the most part it stays connected, but when i called tech support they said i needed to buy a multi-directional antenna to get a better signal. Not being a techie, i'm not sure which one to buy, and according to the buffalo website, they only have 2 that are available, one that is directional and increases your signal 200%, while the other one that i need to buy only increases the range by 20-25%. There are other antennas out there and i'm not sure what's compatible with my router. Not sure what to do now- any tips are appreciated!

Not secure unless you are an expert........2003-10-31

This is a fine product that works well, EXCEPT that it is unbelievably hard to configure. As a computer professional, I still had to spend quite a few minutes getting the security features turned on. The configuration screens (using a web-based user interface) are just very hard to use. There is little excuse for ruining such a nice product with such a poor user interface. (Netgear does a much better job.) Beginners will be unable to turn on security, and therefore will be at constant risk of having their home network broken in to by passers-by.

Vice Manager.......2003-10-29

I could access its default homepage by using a wired station; however, another wireless station was always unable to connect to the WBR-G54. Two friends of mine who have the same AP already suggested me to upgrade the firmware. Well, the AP finally worked although the upgrade process failed. I do not know how it works. Anyway, it works now.

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