Buy Microsoft Office Home & StudentXE102 Powerline Wall-Plugged Ethernet Bridge
Manufacturer: NetGear Inc. Part number: XE102
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Netgear XE102 is one of the most compact power-line Ethernet bridges on the market, making it ideal for outlets in cramped corners or along baseboards.
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CNET editors' review
XE102 Powerline Wall-Plugged Ethernet Bridge price range: $24.09 - $89.00
- Reviewed by: Matt Lake
- Reviewed on: 06/03/2003
- Released on: 04/01/2003
The good: Driverless installation; elegant configuration utility; trim design.
The bad: Comparatively slow data-transfer rates.
The bottom line: The Netgear XE102 is one of the most compact power-line Ethernet bridges on the market, making it ideal for outlets in cramped corners or along baseboards.
The best thing about Netgear's XE102 is its easy setup. You plug it into a wall socket or a power strip without surge protection; connect it to your PC, Mac, network printer, Xbox, or whatever; and you're done. You need at least two adapters to make a power-line network (one per network device), and you'll have to avoid surge protectors because they strip out network data as if it were a power surge. You'll also want to install Netgear's Powerline Encryption Utility, included in the XE102 package, to add security features and keep track of all of the power-line adapters on the network. The utility allows you to change the password for the adapter's 56-bit DES encryption code. Better yet, you can use the Powerline Encryption Utility to scan your network for other HomePlug-compliant devices and change all of their network passwords in one fell swoop. The Encryption Utility works with only Windows and is compatible with Windows 98 SE and later OSs.
 The Powerline Encryption Utility lets you assign a password remotely to each device on your network. |
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CNET Labs' Chariot throughput tests (Longer bars indicate better performance) |
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| Note: Throughput in Mbps |
As its benchmark, CNET Labs uses NetIQ's Chariot 4.3 software on a console system with clients running NetIQ's Performance End Points 4.4. Our throughput tests measure the transfer speed of a file that a user might send across the network. This is known as the payload throughput and does not include packet errors and other data that might be transferred over a network. Payload throughput can vary widely from the bandwidth speeds vendors advertise and is a much better gauge of what you're likely to experience with a standard file transfer. For more details on how we test networking devices, see the CNET Labs site.
Netgear backs the XE102 with a solid two-year warranty and round-the-clock support options through Web, e-mail, and toll-free phone support, but the XE102 is so robust and easy to use that you will probably never need to call tech support. During our tests in an 80-year-old house, the product worked seamlessly, with no slowdowns or blackout spots across all four stories.
User reviews
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Plug 'em in. It's just...that...simple!
by joel2665 on September 24, 2005
Pros: Compact units plug directly into power outlets, so there's no need to fumble with the ubiquitous power and data cables that plague most PC devices.
Cons: A little pricey for me personally, though if these rebates are worth the paper they're printed on, I should end up with one sweet deal.
Summary: My kids, and consequently I, had suffered long enough with our wireless setup (D-Link DI-624/DWL-G520). That setup had received some very good reviews, but it just wasn't working ...
Summary: My kids, and consequently I, had suffered long enough with our wireless setup (D-Link DI-624/DWL-G520). That setup had received some very good reviews, but it just wasn't working for us--poor signal, router rebooting, choppy video and audio, and so forth.
I'd heard of powerline networking, and the concept made sense to me. Initially, I had concerns that the wiring in my 15-year old house might present a bottleneck. However, I bought and "installed" two NETGEAR XE102 wall-plugged ethernet bridges, and it's been nothin' but 'net ever since.
I have a 5 Mbps fiber optic connection to my house, and the data rate between these two NETGEAR devices is currently 12.45 Mbps, although I've seen it as high as 13.49 and as low as 10 point something, which as you can see is more than adequate for my internet connection.
One note about the installation: Plug 'em in. It's just...that...simple!9 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Forget wireless
Pros: This is the easiest way to network your house. It took me longer to get both adapters out of the box than it did to get them up and running. I plugged my router to one adapter and my PC in my bedroom into the other adapter and I was up and surfing. My spe
Cons:
8 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Quick, easy, and mostly reliable
Pros: Probably the most effective networking equipment I have bought to date. Just plug it into the wall and off you go. No real security concerns (this is a household system) unlike wireless, and it rarely if ever drops. All you have to do is unplug and rep
Cons: Every once in a while the devices will desynch from one another. I believe it may be due to heat concerns. The inner surface of the device (the one facing the plug itself) gets rather hot, and you can tell the insides get hotter still. Pull one straigh
6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Simply outstanding
by Sat Kartar on August 24, 2005
Pros: Fast, stable, reliable
Cons: Runs a wee bit hot
Summary: Suffered with Linksys Powerline products for nearly 2 years, which were an absolute nightmare, required constant rebooting of router, dsl modem, and computer, tended to freeze when other computer was ...
Summary: Suffered with Linksys Powerline products for nearly 2 years, which were an absolute nightmare, required constant rebooting of router, dsl modem, and computer, tended to freeze when other computer was accessing the internet via shared dsl (yeah that was a hit with my wife). Took courage based on ratings on this thread, 6 months ago purchased 2 XE102s and 1 FA120 (USB to Ethernet adapter for the notebook which lacks an ethernet jack) and it has been a complete dream! Nearly perfect stability, very fast (no discernable difference between powerline connected computer and the other which is direct ethernet, both measure at 2.4 Mpbs download, 400 kpbs up), almost no need to ever reboot.
Highly recommended2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Watch Out!
by coachdaley on January 17, 2006
Pros: Easy set up
Cons: Package doesn't tell all!
Summary: The device was easy to set up but was not clear about needing to apply software to change passwords. Novice user may not know to do this.
The worst was ...Summary: The device was easy to set up but was not clear about needing to apply software to change passwords. Novice user may not know to do this.
The worst was that the package says it will work with any company's router and this is true. However, when I tried to set up WEP security on the wireless remote devise I could not do so unless my computer has an ip address consistent with ip addresses you would get when using a netgear router.
I have a linksys router so can use the devise just fine if I want my whole neighborhood to be able to tap in.
I can only think that Netgear believes you will go and buy their router to solve this. I will take this devise back and find a linksys model instead.
Now it has become a $150 pain in the neck of wasted time and making a return.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Easy Easy Networking
Pros: Works as claimed. Easy to set up, including setting security passwords. I've achieved 12.8 to 14.0 Mbps speeds. Works on different circuits, even with lots of electrical equipment on the same circuits. Way cheaper than Cat5 cable, way more reliable/secure
Cons: Honestly can't think of any.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Eazy Peazy
Pros: So easy, a computer illiterate could install it.
Cons: If you are a real WI-FI geek, then this shortcut will probably not feed your ego or your bandwidth needs.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Awesome "wireless-g" killer
Pros: Had wireless-g and second computer CONSTANTLY losing connection. Installed this product in literally 1 minute and have 3 megabit download speeds on shared cable modem access! Have never been dropped since.
Cons:
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Eureka! This is it!
Pros: I have tried phone line (lots of dropped connections and unrefined setup), wireless (range and streaming audio issues)so believe me, this one actually works. I literally plugged one end into a router, one end into another computer on the other side of th
Cons: It can be hard to find an outlet already open without a surge protector.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Unstable and very low throughput .
by vincebaker on June 8, 2005
Pros: Great concept
Cons: Very slow band (14meg) realistic 2meg
Summary: Is unstable with more than 4 devices on network, will loose sight of other deveces for no apparent reason. Device list will drop and reaquire over and over moment to ...
Summary: Is unstable with more than 4 devices on network, will loose sight of other deveces for no apparent reason. Device list will drop and reaquire over and over moment to moment.
tossed them and upgraded to wireless 54g.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: NetGear Inc.
- Part number: XE102
- Description: For a truly simple way to bring the Internet to any room in your home, look no further than NETGEAR's Wall-Plugged Ethernet Bridge. It plugs into an electrical outlet and uses your existing electrical wiring to give your entire household access to your Cable/DSL connection. With no expensive new wiring or cabling to install, your family can surf the Web, participate in online gaming, send and receive e-mail, and share files and printers, all from different rooms at the same time. Uncomplicated and very quick to install, it plugs right into a wall outlet, reducing clutter and saving valuable desk space. Designed for ease of use, it has new, easy-to-read icon LEDs, and protects your network communications from eavesdroppers and hackers, while not increasing your electricity bill.
General
- Device Type Bridge
- Form Factor External
- Width 3.9 in
- Depth 1.9 in
- Height 2.9 in
- Networking Device Type Bridge
- Weight 0.4 lbs
- Localization English / United States
- Form factor External
Networking
- Data Link Protocol Ethernet, HomePlug 1.0
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Data Transfer Rate 14 Mbps
- Networking type Bridge
- Status Indicators Power, Link OK, Link activity
- Compliant Standards IEEE 802.3, HomePlug 1.0
- Spread Spectrum Method OFDM
- Line Coding Format ROBO, DBPSK, DQPSK
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots Total (Free) None
- Interfaces 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x Network / power - HomePlug 1.0 - Power
- Compatible Slots None
- Port(s) Total (Free) / Connector Type:Port(s) Total (Free) / Connector Type Port(s) Total (Free) / Connector Type 1 Network Ethernet 10Base-T:RJ-45, 1 Network / power HomePlug 1.0:Power
- Expansion Slot(s) Total (Free) None
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x Network cable ( External ) - 6 ft
- Encryption Algorithm DES
- Compliant Standards UL, FCC Class B certified
Power
- Power Device Power supply - Internal
- Voltage Required AC 120 V ( 60 Hz )
- Power Supply / Device Power supply Internal
- Voltage Required 60 Hz
Software / System Requirements
- Software Included Drivers & Utilities
- OS Required Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 3 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
- Humidity Range Operating 10 - 90%
Cable(s) / Peripheral(s)
- Cable(s) Included 1 Network cable External 6 ft
Expansion / Port(s) Required
- Slot(s) Required None
Warranty
- Service / Support Details Limited warranty 3 years
Manufacturer info
- NetGear Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse NetGear Inc. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.netgear.com/
- Address:
4500 Great America Pkwy.
Santa Clara, CA 95054 - Phone: 408-907-8000
- Email: support@netgear.com
- Fax: 408-907-8097
