Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Barring future issues (e.g., see my EnGenius EAP9550 review), I LOVE this access point (AP)! The hardware so far appears to be solid and then some. Coverage is insane; if you're considering the long range model instead of this one, I'd recommend that you start here first. The software is unbelievably powerful and is clearly designed to control dozens or even hundreds of these APs - but as noted by most of the other posters, getting the software to work and then initially communicate with a new AP is challenging. A couple notes, because some product points aren't necessarily clear from the product description: First, this IS a standard stand-alone access point; you don't need to purchase any other hardware or software to make this thing work on your network. This is ONLY an access point; it doesn't provide routing, DNS, or DHCP functionality. This AP is for adding wireless coverage to your existing wired network. In the box is the AP, a ceiling-mount bracket, a wall-mount bracket, a POE adapter, a power cord, a bag of screws, a quick-start guide, and a CD. It includes no user manual or network cable (bear in mind that it's intended to be installed on a wall or on a ceiling at a point to which you will presumably need to run long cable). This AP will ONLY accept power over Ethernet (and as noted in several other reviews, is not standards-compliant); the AP presents ONLY a single RJ45 port (no power port, no USB port, ONLY a single network port). The package includes a 2-port POE adapter and a power cord; to power AND network this thing, you (A) insert a cable between the AP and the adapter, (B) insert a cable between the adapter and your network, and (C) run the power cord from the adapter to a power source (UPS, power strip, wall socket, what-have-you). I installed this thing in my living room where I have run CAT-5, but I put together the adapter and misc cabling in the basement. That is, the fact that it's not standards-compliant wasn't a huge deal for me, and it probably won't be for you either. Next, the AP *must* initially pull its IP address via DHCP, so don't just run the network cable into your laptop or workstation and expect to be able to talk to the device. Along those same lines, you *must* manage the AP with the UniFi Java server software; don't just launch your browser and expect to be able to talk to some magic interface on the AP. For reasons that aren't clear to me, for the initial setup, if my laptop was pulling an IP via DHCP, it couldn't see the factory-configured AP; to get things working, I had to plug the AP into my network, let it pull its IP, and then set my laptop to a static IP on the same network. Once I did that, the configuration "just worked", even after changing my laptop adapter back to DHCP. To configure a new AP after the initial software setup (during which I absolutely could not detect the AP), you need to start two pieces of software: the management software AND a discovery tool. The discovery tool tells the management software that there's an AP it needs to configure. After switching to the management software, and before clicking the "Adopt" button, be sure that you click the configuration tab on the right side of the dialogue and set your network configuration correctly. The system will default to 192.168.0/24, and my first go around left me with an AP that I couldn't reach from my 192.168.3/24 network. If the ring light is flashing, the AP is busy doing something like rebooting or reconfiguring; if it's solid orange, you *should* be able to talk to it with the management software. Once the AP is fully configured (even with the wrong network parameters), the ring light will turn green. In summary, given the price and what this hardware is, and the flexibility of the software once it's working correctly, this is an exceptional value. Unfortunately, not everybody will have the time or the ability to work through the initial setup. 2013/01/06: Updated to clarify a couple points. I would also add - as noted in the dialogue in the comments - that as of this writing, this AP has been functioning flawlessly for me for over a month. If you have the fortitude to slog through the setup, I really can't recommend this hardware highly enough. 2015/04/27: This AP is alive and kicking. Absolutely this is the best AP I've ever owned.