Rating: Summary: A definite improvement Review: Replaced a Linksys 11.b router, after experiencing lots of little issues. I have to explain that for over an year I have been using an VOIP for all our phone communications, so the stability of the router is essential. Oftentimes, we would have issues like no dial tone and it was necessary to reset the router. Spoken with Vonage, and they said they do not recommend Linksys routers. So, a little because our wireless network has grown (my company gave me an IBM T40), a little because of these issues decided to upgrade. Sweet. The installation is very easy, for once I did not need to read anything (I still do no know the meaning of the different lights on the front for instance, and frankly I don't care). Popped in the CD, installed the software, everything went extremely well from the very beginning. The router is very fast and stable, and it has also eliminated a recurring echo on some phone calls we experienced before. It looks good, the range is also better, but I understand this is a function of using 11.g over 11.b Recommend it, and would not do the same for Linksys, despite their very good customer care service. I don't want to talk to customer care, and I had to call them more than once.
Rating: Summary: Makes Working At Home Feel Like I'm In The Office Review: Several months ago, I purchased the Netgear WG511 Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps PC Card bundled with the Netgear WGR614 Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps Router and can't believe I waited so long to buy the duo. * The installation and setup of the items was complete in 10 minutes. * The router is located on the 2nd floor within a two-story home, that includes a basement and an insulated aluminum enclosed patio. I've accessed the internet (via cable modem) and worked in every room and to-date have never loss connectivity. The only downside is that signal strenghth drops to low (~11 Mbps) in the basement or patio. Honestly, I don't notice a drop in performance when the signal weakens. * Netgear's router also includes true firewall security and URL blocking which has preventing my system from being hit from a couple of "nasty" viruses. (There's a log available so you can check to see any attempts made your PC.) I didn't have to worry if working from home from cause me to later infect my office's network when I connected. * The price is comparable to Linksys, Belkin, and Microsoft; Netgear always seems to offer a great bundle deal or rebate. * The router is slimmer in size than Linksys The router along with the wireless PC card has been the best personal purchase made to benefit work. At home, I now have the same connectivity speed and security that I have at work.
Rating: Summary: After upgrading, everything works great Review: After reading about some of the issues with this product on Amazon, I upgraded the firmware immediately before even going online (I downloaded the upgrade before installing the router). The problems I had were all related to WAN connectivity (the router wouldn't get its setup via DHCP) and were resolved after following another postings advice to power off my cable modem, router, and computer. Once everything was off power up the cable modem and wait until it fully syncs and is online. Then power up the router and wait until it has time to fully come online. Then power up the computer. I did have a few issues with the wireless connectivity going away periodically. However, I resolved that after upgrading the driver for the Netgear WG511 that I purchased as well. All problems disappeared and the router works great. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is the annoying WAN issue I ran into. Wireless signal strength was excellent when I was on the same floor with the router. Upstairs (I have a 2700 sq ft, 2 story house) I had a decent signal anywhere I went.
Rating: Summary: Good feature set, but it hangs up more than once a week Review: The configuration options are great (associating IP's with specific MAC's, port forwarding, etc), but I've had it for about a month and had to reboot (i.e., unplug and replug the power cord) 6 or 7 times, because it will suddenly cut off all internet access and no longer respond when I try and open the web configuration tool (or even just ping it). I DO NOT have to reboot the DSL modem, so I reason the problem is the WGR614. My old firewall stayed up for months (but I replaced it because it was a SonicWall and they wanted $300 to increase the number of active connections to greater than 10!). I'm not impressed.
Rating: Summary: Suddenly stops working too frequently Review: Hi I brought the netgear WGR614 Wireless router, WG511 PC Card, and WG311 PCI card arund 3 weeks back. Though the initial setup was easy i am seeing too many issues with this. 1. The router suddenly stops working and my PC card is not able to connect to it. The only way i can get it to work is plug out the power cable of the router. Then it works. I am ok with it if its once in a week or so but i had to do it almost alternate day. 2. My PCI card running on desktop with Windows XP does not connect to the router but the same PCI card with WINDOWS 98 connects fine. Hope this helps. Thanks
Rating: Summary: WOW!!!!!!! Review: I wish I had bought this router a long time ago! This has made sharing a network connection and printer between my laptop and home computer very easy. The 54Mbps that is rated for this product has been pretty consistent at no less than 40Mbps at a signal strength no less than 82%. This is pretty good considering the signal has to travel through the walls of an old home with lath and plaster at distances up to 50-60 feet away. I have also purchased the Netgear WG511 Wireless PC Card for the laptop, and use a wired connection for the home computer.To sum up I would definitely recommend this setup for anyone setting up a network.
Rating: Summary: fast delivery, sharp looks, easy setup Review: Amazon's free shipping had the router delivered to me in 3 business days, 2 days faster than they estimated. It's a great looking router, sleek and small, glossy silver. The setup was very easy, although I took my time, I had it and my 4 computers configured in about 30 minutes. Setup of "port forwarding" worked flawlessly allowing one of the machines behind this router to be a server for selected services, I selected http and ssh. I don't have any need for the wireless access point yet and so turned it off. When I test it I'll try to post a new review.
Rating: Summary: Exceeds expectations, easy config, routes VPN - no problem Review: Configured the router using 128-bit WEP along with 2 hard-wired PCs - done in literally 15 minutes. Bought the device 2 weeks ago and all seems great - no crashes, etc. Router is in an upstairs closet at one end of the house and I can connect at a minimum of 48 Mbs while downstairs at the other end. The Router was rated higher than Linksys, US Robotics and D-Link. The rebates have been filled out and we'll see how that goes... stay tuned.
Rating: Summary: Great, cheap access point + switch Review: I own two of these, one as the router using the NAT and DHCP services, the other as an access point in the front of my unnaturally long and skinny apartment. The first unit (router) is in the laundry room near the rear of the house, and works great. The second unit is in the front, giving me a very large area of coverage throughout my house and a handy switch to plug in my PC and an older network print server. Tips: 1. I am assuming you have an existing router (wireless or not) with an existing connection to the Internet through DSL or cable. 2. Log into your main router (Netgear is usually 192.168.0.1) through the Web browser. Go to the screen for connected devices or LAN setup and set a new device with a fixed IP address. For the IP address, choose a number at the top of the DHCP range for your unit (192.168.0.51 for Netgear, for example). Find the MAC address from the bottom of the new wireless router that you want to use as an access point and enter it. Give it a name and press enter. 3. Remember this IP address, as you will use it later. 4. Configure the second WGR614 by connecting it directly to a PC through one of the ports on the back of the unit (not the WAN port). Do not connect the wireless router to your network or Internet connection at this time. 5. Log into the router using 192.168.0.1 and set it to acquire its IP address and DNS dynamically (on the basic setup screen). Do not set up this router to connect to your ISP. 6. Select the wireless setup screen and set the SSID to match the SSID on your main router (usually defaults to the manufacturer's name "NETGEAR" or "LINKSYS", you get the picture) 7. Set the channel to a different channel than your main router. 1,6, and 11 are good channels. If your main router is at 6, set this one to 1 or 11. 8. Go to the network setup screen and set your IP address to the IP address you put into the main router earlier (see step 3). This will be the new way you log onto this WGR614. 9. Turn off DHCP by unselecting the radio button on the web screen. 10. THIS NEXT STEP IS CRITICAL, pay attention... 11. Using a crossover cable (Cat5 crossover, available at Radio Shack), connect the new wireless router you have just configured to your network by plugging one end of the cable into your network and the other into one of the four switch ports of the new router. DO NOT CONNECT IT TO THE WAN PORT. If you connect it to the WAN port, this configuration simply will not work. This should do it. Test it by logging onto the main router (again 192.168.0.1 for netgear) to make certain you can see it. Then try out Internet connectivity.
Rating: Summary: Better the 2nd Time Around Review: I use the wgr614 to communicate with remote pcs in a building almost 350 feet away. The wgr614 is located under a desk, near a microwave, and in a room with a 2.4GHz cordless phone and it still provides consistent signal strength of 99 percent to a wge101 bridge without external antenna or signal amplifiers. Furthermore, there is a fairly large tree and a metal shed between the buildings. Needless to say I am thoroughly pleased with the router. I would have rated this product a 5, but I had to return the initial unit because it would intermittently drop the wireless connection after several hours of operation. Tech support isn't as bad as a lot of these reviews would have you believe. That's not to say it's good, but support for mass produced electronic appliances of some complexity like these rarely is or else the cost of the product would be much higher. I actually grew fond of the Indian accents I communicated with in establishing that my initial unit was defective. Seriously, any difficulty in communication was minimal in comparison to the professional and courteous help they provided. Hold times were somewhat lengthy at times 30 min to 1 hour. Anyway, I highly recommend this router.
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