From ProductWiki, free unbiased product reports for the consumer.

Meraki is a software/hardware solution that creates affordable, scalable wireless community networks to provide Internet access to the community. Users can use their Meraki to share their Internet broadband connection via WiFi to the community at large. Each Meraki access point device becomes part of a mesh controlled by the Meraki operational servers to handle the overhead of routing. There are two versions of the hardware: an indoor (Meraki Mini) and an outdoor (Meraki Outdoor) version, differing only in their form factor and their wireless range. There is also a "standard" and "pro" version of the package; the "pro" version includes software that allows the Meraki owner to monetize off of their WiFi access and gives more control over its users.

Where to buy

Meraki Buy it from Amazon
Meraki Win it on eBay
Meraki Compare prices at Shopping.com

Pros & Cons

Pros:
3 people have already voted. Do you agree?

•
Creates a free peer WiFi network for the masses
+2agreedisagree

•
Easy to install and configure
+2agreedisagree

•
Available for free as part of the "Free the Net" campaign
+2agreedisagree

•
Includes software to help manage your Internet bandwidth sharing
+2agreedisagree

•
Pro versions available allowing you to monetize your network
+2agreedisagree

•
Management of the mesh is handled by centrallized Meraki servers
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

•
Security features create limitations in that clients cannot directly access each other
+3agreedisagree

•
Limitations in the DHCP system may cause complications with some software like jabber, Google Talk
+2agreedisagree

•
Only free in San Francisco
+1agreedisagree

More information

Features

  • Wireless Protocol: 802.11 b/g (1-54 Mbps)
  • Repeating Radius: Indoor - 100 to 150 feet, Outdoor - 300 to 750 feet
  • Available in Standard and Pro editions; Pro allows you to monetize and control users on your network
  • Pricing:
    • Standard: $49 - Meraki Mini
    • Standard: $99 - Meraki Outdoor
    • Pro: $149 - Meraki Mini
    • Pro: $199 - Meraki Outdoor
    • Free when as part of the "Free the Net" campaign in San Francisco, California
  • One 10/100 Mbps auto-crossover Ethernet port: automatically detects PC or gateway operation
  • Power: ~3 Watts
  • Dimensions: 4.5”l x 2.5”w x 1.13”h (63mm x 114mm x 29mm)
  • Weight: 0.22lb (100g)
  • Adhesive pads and suction cups included
  • 2dBi Omni-directional antenna included
  • 60mW (18dBm) peak transmission power

Free the Net

Meraki is giving away free wireless repeaters to San Francisco, California residents in an effort to build a large WiFi mesh network covering the city, and offering free WiFi Internet access to the masses. They currently have more than ~40,000 registrations in the city as part of the program, but it is speculated that a number of these registrations are no longer active.

Submit a link

5 comments about Meraki

1.  avatar Infomaniac  Jun 04, 2007 8:02am

I would love this for my apartment complex so that we could use only a few broadband connections and set up repeaters to spread them through the complex. Everyone could pitch in to pay for the broadband access and get it at a much lower cost. Wishful thinking but a great idea.
2.  avatar Amanie  Jun 04, 2007 9:55am

I like the outdoor version, that's a definite plus.
3.  avatar Erik  Jun 04, 2007 10:29am

Not a bad way to extend your WiFi range. I've used an older wireless router and configured it as a bridge to do the same kind of thing.
4.  avatar lomtik  Jun 09, 2007 8:45pm

I like the design! Using white-grayish colors for gadgets really became popular in the last years. Have you mentioned the descrease in speed when connecting your wireless router as a bridge (if you used it outside especially)? It is interesting to note that originally Wifi was not designed to be used outside.Time duplexing on uplink and downlink used in all WLAN systems, works great inside, where the access points like these are protected from interference from other WLAN systems by higher attenuation due to walls. If you put one of these devices Outside and wirelessly connect to another one Inside the building, data rates would dramatically decrease IF there are other systems like these around. This happens due to timeslot (uplink with downlink) collisions coming from other systems. Now, if you are one of few users of these devices outside, then it should be fine. That's one of the issues that deployment of WLAN in the cities will face.
5.  avatar tonyfilly  Feb 11, 2008 4:24pm

How does this differ from using a wireless range expander... I have this now with my linksys router and my connection in part of the house is better, but still pretty slow
Some HTML is allowed. Your comments remain editable after you post..

To do:

Some parts of the product report still need to be filled in. Adding infomation to any of these sections help make this product report more complete.

Competing products

There aren't any competitors listed here yet.

Add a competitor to the list

Related products

 

There aren't any products listed here yet.

Add a related product to this list

    Who else tapped it

    Infomaniac

    want


     
    Amanie

    want


     
    Erik

    want, love


     

    Key Features:

    Connectivity Wireless
    Manufacturer Meraki
    MSRP $49.00
    Router Features Mesh
    Standards IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g

    Sponsors

    Product page stats

    2040 views and 33 edits (see all)
    Created: 06/04/2007 - 8:00
    Modified: 02/12/2008 - 10:13