Siemens SpeedStream Powerline 802.11b Wireless Access Point

Setup and ease of use of Siemens SpeedStream Powerline 802.11b Wireless Access Point

	Unit plugged into wall socket.

The Siemens SpeedStream 2521 power-line 802.11b wireless access point is extremely compact and easy to use. It measures 2.5 inches wide by 2 inches deep by 3.75 inches high--about the size of a child's nightlight or a plug-in air freshener. The LEDs on the front panel let you monitor traffic flow, wireless transmissions, and active connections. A removable 802.11b CompactFlash card sticks out the top of the unit and adds about an inch and a half to the overall height. The SpeedStream 2521 plugs directly into a wall outlet, and it's big enough to partly obstruct other outlets, depending on your setup. In addition to the access point, the box includes a quick-start guide, a warranty and safety card, and a documentation and configuration utility CD.

Wireless tab.

To install the access point, simply plug it into a wall socket, then wait a minute for it to boot up. Next, insert the accompanying CD into any networked machine running Windows 98 or later and install the SpeedStream power-line AP configuration utility. If you're comfortable with home networking, the tabbed and well-designed utility makes it easy to change the access point's wireless and power-line settings. For example, the Wireless tab lets you enter the name, the SSID, and the channel, while the Security tab lets you enter a password for your power-line network. However, beginners may stumble over terms such as encryption key, SSID, and MAC address, and Siemens doesn't aid you with a user manual or a help menu. The quick-start guide provides some assistance with hardware installation but offers only sparing information on how to use the utility.

Security tab.