### Index ### !!! Vitals * '''Manufacturer :''' Senao / EnGenius * '''Model :''' NL-5354AP1-Aries2 * '''Type :''' Dual radio Access Point * '''External Antenna Jack :''' 2 x UFL on board * '''USB Ports :''' none * '''Parallel port :''' none * '''Power : ''' 5V 2.5 A switch mode power supply * '''Wlan Chipset :''' Atheros AR 5112 2.4/5 GHz dual band radio & AR 2112 2.4 GHz radio * '''Transmit Power :''' ** 802.11a up to 100 mW ** 802.11b up to 200 mW ** 802.11g up to 125 mW * '''Recieve Sensitivity :''' ** TBA ** TBA * '''Available New :''' Yes, as refurbished, EOL product * '''Average Price :''' $45 ebay ( justDeals) * '''Vitals last updated :''' 16 October 2006 !! Official Details * 2 MB Flash * 8 MB RAM * Serial console and telnet server for CLI * Usual details for this sort of device. Note: it is a Bridging device not routing so there is no router type services. No DHCP, No DNS, No Firewall. It does support AP, Client, P2P and P2MP modes as well as WDS. (http://www.senao.com.tw/english/product/driverdb/000063188/Aries-AP-QuickGuide.pdf Quick Guide) (http://www.senao.com.tw/english/product/driverdb/000063150/NL-5354AP1-Aries2-Manual-V12.pdf User Manual) !! Pictures {http://www.keenansystems.com/DSCF0078.JPG what's in the box} (http://home.people.net.au/~stev391/NL-5354AP1_Inside.jpg {http://home.people.net.au/~stev391/NL-5354AP1_Inside_Thumbnail.jpg NL-5354AP1 Internals}) (http://home.people.net.au/~stev391/NL-5354AP1_Inside.jpg Larger Version) !! OEM Firmware The OEM firmware is VXWorkes based. (http://www.senao.com.tw/english/product/driverdb/000063189/5354AP1Aries2-FrimwareV17.zip Senao Firmware v 1.7 ) !! Alternate Firmware There is a FreeBSD port that will run on this little device (http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/evbmips FreeBSD for mips) (http://wiki.openwrt.org/AtherosPort OpenWrt port) in progress for the Atheros processor. I've built the port and will try netbooting it soon. Some issues with the processor optimization as the R4600 processor conflicts with the Mips32 optimization, haven't tried to rebuild the toolchain yet though. !! Support Forum !! Misc Notes & Links This device has 3 interfaces, LAN, WLAN0, WLAN1. The interfaces are bridged in the box, it has a MAC address for each interface but only supports a single IP Address across all interfaces. Can be configured to be a 802.11a or 802.11g client, bridge or repeater via the command line interface, web interface is for access point only modes. (http://ben.pfountz.com/~bpfountz/5354_ap1_aries2.htm User review ) (http://www.keenansystems.com/nl5354ap1_aries2_80211_super_a_g_access_point_review.htm Another review ) the CLI login is admin pw iktpw in addition there is an admin mode ( enter admin password senao ) !! Modifications / Addon's PoE support is mentioned in the data sheet, however on my machines the tracks have been cur from the RJ45 connector, there is some of the detection curcuitry but the 48 V capable powersupply is not populated on the board. Instead there is a small daughter board to take the 5V supply from the Jack. The dinky antennas have to go... Perhaps a neat little 5.8 GHz Yagi ( 16 DBi in a 25 cm long antenna ) and a pannel for the 2.4 Ghz and wrap it in a nice little waterproof box. !! Discussion It's a constrained device, ( both flash, Memory & functionality ) but if you take it for what it is it could be pretty useful,especially as you get a 2 radio device for about $45. I can see this being used as part of a Node, in conjunction with a routing device like an R100. I like the ability to set it up in WDS to make a bigger Node with multiple AP's, the powerfuly radios and the ability to use the 802.11a radio simultaneously. A pair of these for under $100 allows you to set up an 5.8 Ghz link to your node an has a built in AP at either end to boot.