Rating: Summary: strange issues but works ok Review: Setting up the router was impossible using the NIC card in the port replicator of my Dell machine. This led to massive frustration. However, it was smooth as silk using the NIC card in the Sony VAIO. The port replicator NIC card just refused to save the configuration settings even after upgrading the firmware. After programming the router with the browser based utility on the VAIO, operation was nearly instantaneous. Hooking up additional computers to the router was a breeze. It just works. I haven't had as much luck with the linksys wireless NIC card. It's manual is full of errors and has scant descriptions for roubleshooting. I have also noticed drastic speed reductions going through the port replicator nic card, as much as 3-8X. I am unsure as to why this is happening and maybe Dell customer support will help.
Rating: Summary: Unstable wireless connectivity Review: It works fine with wired connection. However, wireless connection is not stable at all. It either drops the wireless signal, or lock up network connection on wireless side. Tried several firmware upgrades and downgrades, still no help. Will return the unit and get refund.
Rating: Summary: Forget any customer service Review: It broke within a week of getting it. Customer service has at least an hour wait. Can't help if you don't have all Linksys products. They don't do what they promise. Couldn't get them to tell me how to return the damm thing. It's a great idea but terrible follow through. I am going to buy the competition's model.
Rating: Summary: Works fine in my home Review: I used Linksys USB connections to two laptops. I have one pc workstation directly connected. Performance has been fine throughout the house. Everything installed quickly and ran as expected. I have had to reset the router when all three PCs were in use at times, but this has not been a big problem. I was able to configure my firewall to protect all three PCs behind the firewall and share files and printing in my home lan.
Rating: Summary: Terrible Terrible Range Review: I can confirm the range of this thing is horrific (there are many parts of my small townhouse where it wont reach - even if I try to place it around the room) . I have a Buffalo Techworks AP in my office - its range is MUCH better (tested here too - works out in the yard). Endless firmware updates dont make a difference to the range - its a poor design. In short, dont bother. Get a Buffalo.
Rating: Summary: Wireless LAN Review: Recently purchased the BEFW11S4 to add a wireless connection to my existing home network. I replaced my existing BEFSR41 cable router/4port switch with the new wireless BEFW11S4 router/4port switch. Typical Linksys quality and easy setup had me up and running in no time with the new wireless products. I took a few minutes more to download and install the latest firmware for this product. Interesting story when I got my laptop setup with a wireless PC card. I first tried a Linksys card but found the range limited and the reported signal strength low, even in the same room as the access point! I installed a Lucent Silver wireless card borrowed from my office LAN and found much stronger reported signal and a greater range of operation. The Linksys wireless PC card went back and I purchased a Lucent Silver wireless PC card and now my laptop connects well both at home and at the office.
Rating: Summary: Very very poor range, sent it back Review: After about 2 hours with linksys support, they decided the router portion of the product was bad. (Unlike other reviews about support, I had a good experience with support, they worked the entire 2 hours.) After exchanging the defective one for a new one, it took no more than 5 minutes to have 4 computers networked and talking to each other. I was so excited to have my laptop connected to the network and DSL with the Linksys wireless card and working great. The excitement quickly vanished when I walked 10 feet away from the access point and the signal dropped to 50%(clear line of sight) about 25 feet away, through 2 walls, the signal and connection quality was poor or non-existent if I moved my hand or arm in front of the card. I couldn't use the wireless feature throughout my house, let alone outside. I took both the BEFW11S14 and the card back. Have a Netgear system on order, hopefully it will work better.
Rating: Summary: Better Than I Expected Review: Wireless and wired hookups were easy were fast and easy to install. I installed two wired commuters and one wireless (USB wireless connections). I had a couple of problems installing, due to a problem with @home.com's unique email setup. I called support on a sunday (waited a bit)and received expert advice from someone who really knew his stuff. I buying another system for my parents. Wireless runs fast. I highly recommend this product.
Rating: Summary: Just didn't work Review: I buy a lot on Amazon. I review only the great disappointments. This purchase was one. It simply didn't work. I could ping the router for only a minute or two before the connection would die. If you cannot sustain a connection to the router, then you have no access to the network. . . . Plain bad. Avoid.
Rating: Summary: Hurray, 128 bit encryption at last Review: After a few hours of experimenting, I have a D-Link DWL-650 PCMCIA wireless adapter running with 128 bit encryption with a Linksys BEFW11SW Wireless Access Point. This required the latest Linksys firmware upgrade, 1.37.9b, dated 6/21/2001. Without this firmware, WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol) had to be disabled between the D-Link and Linksys products. I had a scare after upgrading the Linksys firmware, the box locked up on the hard-wire connection after I enabled WEP, but was everything was fine after a power cycle. The placement of the wireless access point is critical to good connectivity. Aluminum heating vents definitely block the signal. Luckily, I found a spot in my office that gets 11 Mb transmission to almost all of my 3400 square foot home, the key was to get the WAP away from the vent system, so it has a clean line of sight to the rest of the rooms.
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