华硕(ASUS)最近推出了一款新的家庭网络设备(home networking device)：EA-AC87 Media Bridge/Access Point。该设备用途广泛，可用作运行频率为 5GHz 的 802.11ac 和 802.11n 无线网络的高级范围扩展器(range extender)或用作接入点(access point)。此外，它还是同类设备中第一款只专注于非常快的 5GHz 无线网络的设备。可以想象，当华硕(ASUS)与我们分享这款设备的消息时，我们很想亲自动手测试它。这是我们经过一周的测试后了解到的：
拆箱ASUS EA-AC87 Media Bridge/Access Point
华硕(ASUS)为此设备使用的包装与其所有网络设备相同。您可以看到该设备的图片，并对其令人印象深刻的规格进行了很好的总结。它拥有令人印象深刻的速度，例如 1734 Mbps的无线传输、4K视频播放(video playback)等。
打开包装盒后，您会立即看到该设备，而其配件则隐藏在排列整齐的口袋中。
包装中包含以下元素：媒体center/access point、四根天线、充电器、一根1.5 米长（4.9 英尺）的网线、快速(network cable)入门指南(start guide)、包含软件实用程序和手册的 CD、保修和其他传单。
硬件规格
关于此设备，您应该记住的第一件事是它仅适用于 5GHz 频谱中的无线网络。因此，如果您没有支持 802.11ac 和 802.11n无线网络(wireless networking)标准的新设备，它可能就没那么有用了。您应该尝试使用 ASUS EA-N66(ASUS EA-N66)，它是双频access point/media bridge器。
华硕 EA-AC87(ASUS EA-AC87)有四个偶极子天线(dipole antennas)，至少在理论上应该提供非常好的覆盖范围。
设备背面有 5 个以太网千兆(Ethernet gigabit)端口，因此您还可以连接台式机或不使用 5 GHz 无线(GHz wireless)频谱的设备。
如您所料，华硕 EA-AC87(ASUS EA-AC87)支持WPS连接和现代安全标准，如WPA2-PSK 和 WPA-PSK(WPA2-PSK and WPA-PSK)。
它的尺寸为 160 x 160 x 40 毫米（宽 x 深 x 高(Width x Depth x Height)）。那是 6.2 x 6.2 x 1.5 英寸。华硕 EA-AC87(ASUS EA-AC87)重 480 克或 16.9 盎司。
该设备的全套规格可以在这里找到：ASUS EA-AC87 规格(ASUS EA-AC87 specifications)。
设置和使用ASUS EA-AC87 Media Bridge/Access Point
通过WPS连接华硕 EA-AC87(ASUS EA-AC87)非常简单，只需按几下按钮。不到一分钟，该设备就连接到您的无线网络(wireless network)，并可以充当媒体桥接器，扩展您的网络。在打开它之前，您所要做的就是将Media Bridge/Access Point switch到适当的位置。
一旦设备打开并连接到您的网络，其前面的LED(LEDs)就会亮起，您可以开始使用其Web 界面(web interface)对其进行配置。
华硕 EA-AC87(ASUS EA-AC87)使用的用户界面与(user interface)华硕(ASUS)制造的所有网络设备相同。我们喜欢它，我们发现它非常友好且易于使用。一个很大的优点是设备会警告您更改默认登录名和密码(default login name and password)，以便正确保护您的网络。
华硕 EA-AC87(ASUS EA-AC87)媒体bridge/access point的用户界面(user interface)有21 种语言可供选择，非常棒。
当设备设置为媒体桥接器时，它会自动克隆您的无线网络(wireless network)及其配置：名称、密码等。当您像这样使用它时，您不能将其设置为使用不同的网络名称。(network name)
但是，如果您将其设置为接入点(access point)，那么您可以设置不同的网络名称和密码(network name and password)，以及与路由器广播的网络不同的安全选项。
当我们将设备连接到华硕 EA-AC87(ASUS EA-AC87)广播的无线网络(wireless network)时，我们没有遇到任何问题。所有连接都运行良好，我们能够使用我们的计算机和设备上可用的所有网络共享功能：与家庭组(Homegroup)共享、共享打印机、远程打印、流式传输视频等。
在短短几分钟内，我们的无线网络(wireless network)就设置好了并且运行良好。
Reviewing The ASUS EA-AC87 Media Bridge/Access Point
ASUS has recently launched a new home networking device: the EA-AC87 Media Bridge/Access Pоint. This device іs very versatile and can be used as an advanced range extender for 802.11ac аnd 802.11n wireless networks running at 5GHz or as an aсcess point. Also, it is the first device of its type to be focused оnly on vеry fast 5GHz wireless networks. As you can imagine, when ASUS shared the news about this device with us, we wеre curious tо get our hands on it and test it. Here's what we have learned about it after a week оf testing:
Unboxing The ASUS EA-AC87 Media Bridge/Access Point
The packaging used by ASUS for this device is the same as for all their networking devices. You can see a picture of the device and a really good summary of its impressive specifications. It boasts impressive speeds like wireless transfers at 1734 Mbps, 4K video playback and more.
When you open the box, you immediately see the device, while its accessories are hidden in nicely arranged pockets.
The package contains the following elements: the media center/access point, four antennas, the charger, a network cable that's 1.5 meters long (4.9 feet), the quick start guide, a CD with software utilities and the manual, the warranty and other leaflets.
Hardware Specifications
The first thing that you should keep in mind about this device is that it works only with wireless networks in the 5GHz spectrum. Therefore, if you don't have new devices with support for the 802.11ac and 802.11n wireless networking standards, it might not be that useful. You should try ASUS EA-N66 instead, which is a dual-band access point/media bridge.
ASUS EA-AC87 has four dipole antennas which, at least in theory, should provide really good coverage.
On the back of the device there are 5 Ethernet gigabit ports, so that you can also connect desktop PCs or devices which don't work with the 5 GHz wireless spectrum.
As you expect, ASUS EA-AC87 has support for WPS connections and modern security standards like WPA2-PSK and WPA-PSK.
Its dimensions are 160 x 160 x 40 mm (Width x Depth x Height). That's 6.2 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches. ASUS EA-AC87 weighs 480 grams or 16.9 ounces.
The full set of specifications of this device can be found here: ASUS EA-AC87 specifications.
Setting Up & Using The ASUS EA-AC87 Media Bridge/Access Point
Connecting the ASUS EA-AC87 via WPS is extremely easy and it involves just a few button presses. In less than a minute, the device is connected to your wireless network and can act as a media bridge, extending your network. Before you turn it on, all you have to do is set the Media Bridge/Access Point switch to the appropriate position.
Once the device is turned on and connected to your network, its LEDs on the front are lit and you can start configuring it using its web interface.
The user interface used for ASUS EA-AC87 is the same used for all networking devices made by ASUS. We like it and we find it very friendly and easy to use. A big plus is the fact that the device warns you that you should change the default login name and password, so that you secure your network properly.
The user interface for the ASUS EA-AC87 media bridge/access point is available in 21 languages, which is great.
When the device is set as a media bridge, it automatically clones your wireless network and its configuration: name, password, etc. You can't set it to use a different network name when you use it like this.
However, if you set it to work as an access point, then you can set a different network name and password, as well as different security options than the network that's broadcast by your router.
We did not encounter any issues when we connected our devices to the wireless network that's broadcast by ASUS EA-AC87. All connections worked perfectly and we were able to use all the network sharing features that are available on our computers and devices: sharing with the Homegroup, sharing the printer, printing remotely, streaming video, etc.
In just a couple of minutes, our wireless network was set up and working well.
