Customer Reviews
EXCELLENT PRODUCT 
2008-04-24
EASY TO SET UP (PERHAPS 20 MINUTES), WORKS AS ADVERTIZED. CUSTOMER SUPPORT CUMBERSOME TO NAVIGATE BUT SECOND TIER PEOPLE VERY INFORMED. PRIMARY TIER NOT VERY HELPFUL.
The D-Link DWL-G710 Wireless Range Extender is Garbage 
2008-03-29
I bought the D-Link DWL-G710 Wireless Range Extender and was able to get it working when no security was applied to the wireless network. As soon as I applied any sort of security (on both the main router and the extender), the extender stopped allowing DHCP forwarding and clients could not get on the network. I worked with Tech Support. They acknowledged the problem, but had no idea how to fix it.
I ended up reutrning the extender for a refund.
Excellent Range Extender 2008-03-13
I also bought the D-Link 2.4GHz Omni-Directional 7dBi Indoor Antenna ( ANT24-0700 ) to use this with. It picks up the wireless signal coming from my D-Link DI-524 router and extendeds it flawlessly. I have no problems with this product.
Works well 
2008-03-07
The DWL-G710 does exactly what it is supposed to do and does it well. I recommend it.
In my house, the main wireless access point is built into the residential gateway box that our ISP gave us. This is located near the back of the house. From this, we get a decent wireless signal in most of the house, but the front bedrooms (some 60 feet or so away) have very poor signal -- in fact, I had to buy a +10 dBi high-gain antenna to connect at all, and the signal was still a bit flaky. So I decided to buy the DWL-G710 range extender.
I connected the range extender directly to one of our computers using an Ethernet crossover cable. After configuring the computer to use the 192.168.0.* Class C network (you have to do this because the extender comes from the factory set to a static IP address of 192.168.0.30 -- it does not support DHCP, unfortunately), I was able to reach the extender's built-in web server to configure it. The extender's Setup Wizard did most of the job; it found my wireless network and allowed me to select it; I set up the WPA2 security; I set an admin password; and so on. The one thing that puzzled me was that there was no mention anywhere of what seemed to me like an obvious necessity: changing the extender's IP address to make it part of my network. So I did this, and was not surprised that the extender stopped responding -- after all, I had just moved it (logically speaking) out of the 192.168.0.* network that my computer was temporarily using. I set the computer back to its normal network and the extender, as expected, started responding again.
Everything looked good, so I unplugged the extender and moved it to a spot near the kitchen telephone, which is just about at the center of the house, no more than 30 feet from the wireless access point at the back of the house. The computer in the front bedroom now sees two wireless access points on the same SSID and the same channel, with the extender showing a much stronger signal than the gateway. Signal coverage throughout the house is good. The extender is doing its job well.
The brand I trust. 2008-02-10
This is my second Wireless Range Extender from D-Link. I do not know why some people complain. I found this extender very easy to install and it works perfect. I have 3 story house and my main router located in a basement. My problem was, that the signal wasn't strong enough to use my laptop in the bedroom on the 3rd floor. this extender completely resolved the problem. The signal in my bedroom now is either excellent or very good and never got below this level. And what is more important, that I have this extender for already 3 months. I am not writing reviews in the very first day, because I do not believe in first impression.
Fine product / awful documentation 2008-05-15
The repeater/range extender works perfectly once set up. However, the instructions will never tell you how to set it up. You need to do an online web search for the product and how to install it in order to have any chance. You must assign a constant ip address to your computer before you start or else nothing will ever happen.
The only other problem I had is not the extender's fault. We have a portable telephone system which blocks almost everything that runs on 2400. So I have an X10 switch on the phones so that when I want to use the extender, or my wireless video cameras, or whatever 2400 - I just turn off the telephone with the X10 switch. I have a 1:15 pm and a 10:15 pm automatic "on" programed into the X10 system, so if I forget to turn the telephones back on, they come on automatically.
I would buy another one if I needed it.
Not compatible 2008-05-04
I was very excited about this product as I did my research. I knew it will not be easy to set (no plug and play here), but I was ready for it. But what a nightmare it turned out to be. I set it up, screwed up my wi-fi set up, called the support service 3 times, who ended up telling me to call my service provider as it was not their fault. Then I had to deal with a 3rd vendor, and so on. The whole thing was a mess. Finally after several hours on the phone, D-link support told me that the product was not compatible with my Netgear box (great thanks for telling me after the 4th call to them!). What a waste of time...
Works as advertised 2008-05-03
I bought this product for two reasons. First, I needed a universal extender since my Linksys woudl not work with our new modem/router. Second, the user reviews and installation hints were consistent and clear.
It took 10 minutes to set up and has worked like a charm. If you need a universal extender, especially if you have the latest Ambit modem/router combo installed by Time Warner, then this is the one!
Follow other's advice and do not use the disk to install...not necessary.
No luck with this one 2008-04-28
I tried for hours (and I am quite experienced in technical matters) to get this unit to work with WEP encryption turned on to no avail. I did not call the customer service number because I have no patience with out-sourced technical assistance reading a script, no matter how polite and well meaning they are. Life is too short! Either the gear works like it should or it doesn't. My computers detected the extended network but wouldn't log on to it. All of the equipment in my network is made by d-link and should have been compatible. Returned it to Amazon and received a refund. 5 Stars to Amazon for its smooth handling. Very disappointed with d-link. My next move is to upgrade my entire wifi network with wireless n equipment. I had hoped to avoid that expense.
Great Extender 2008-04-27
Here are a few additions to the reviews posted previously.
#1 - I tried updating the firmware, but the date of the firmware on the unit itself was 12 2005, and it would not update with more recent one. Nevertheless, all security options were there on the original firmware.
#2 - If your network has a hidden SSID or you have MAC lock (address filtering) on, this extender will NOT connect. You have to disable both before connecting.
#3 - In my case, the wizard did it's job minus the fact that it did not assign the gateway (which should be, again, the same as the IP for your router - usually something like 192.168.0.1). There were no spaces in front of the network name as reported by some users.
#4 - the router itself (IMPORTANT) was assigning the addresses only in the range from 192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.199 which would not let the repeater on the network. You have to either go into the router and widen the range anywhere from 192.168.0.29 on or change the default IP of the extender to let's say 192.168.0.130.
#5 - Once your extender is on the network, you can re-enable the MAC address filtering as well as hidden SSID, but since the extender continues to broadcast the SSID no matter what, you will just have to live with it. Make sure you DO NOT leave your password blank on either router or extender (which are default factory settings). Also, please do not use variants of "PASS" or "PASSWORD" (like PASSS or PWRD).
#6 - Do yourself a favor and read the reviews on this site BEFORE you install (especially from Craig Dickson, Jamie Vachon, Uri Teitler, E. Isaakov, and Ken "Just another computer user" (the last one is the most helpful).
#7 - I put it in the garage under our addition. Most of my machines would not connect there (~20 feet from the router WITH an upgraded omni directional antenna, 2 brick walls) and now the signal has risen from 10 % to 90-100%). No diminshment in the speed I can see.
