Rating: 
Summary: Out of the box bliss...read below for how!
Review: I purchased the Linksys router (V2) along with the WPC11 card (V3) just last week, and am pleased to report that both are running exceptionally well, especially considering that I live in NYC. Many negative reviews have been posted about this suite of products, and perhaps some are valid, but most are backlash from earlier versions of each component working (or not) with each other. Linksys seems to operate on the belief that getting a product out into the marketplace with a few kinks is better than getting it out there perfectly (and therefore with a significant time delay to market), and I respect that rationale (think of how many service pack updates you've had to do with any of your Windows operating systems over the years! ) Below describes my experience thus far with this suite of products; your experience will likely be different if you have a different OS, have lots of 2.4GHz phones in your house, your house is make mostly of steel, etc. But we'll get to that....BACKGROUND:
Those of you who are looking to get into the wonderful world of wireless networking should freshen up on the good, the bad, and the ugly of what the 802.11 standards are. A good resource is 80211-planet. This site has several articles (search for "Jim Geier" or "Minimizing 802.11 Interference Issues") to help explain why you can potentially expect interference depending on the location and conditions around either your router or your network card. Bottom line = there are many variables that can affect performance of any 802.11 product, but you won't know unless you dive in and give it a go. INSTALLATION:
I'm running a Thinkpad T21 laptop with W2K, and have RoadRunner for cable modem service (Toshiba modem). I popped open the box for the Linksys router, briefly skimmed through the long booklet directions, and then carefully followed each step of the 1-pager quick-installation instructions. The router connected to the cable modem without a hitch (note that RoadRunner uses DHCP...what's DHCP you ask? Go to webopedia and do a search on DHCP for details). Please note that I used all of the default settings. Time to connect cable modem to router and router to laptop = 11 minutes. I then popped open the box for the network card, and again followed the directions line-by-line on the quick instruction sheet that came supplied with the card. Once again, I used all of the default settings, and lo and behold, the card began communicating with the router without a hitch. Time to connect the card to the laptop and the now 'networked' laptop to the router = 7 minutes (including software installation). PERFORMANCE:
I live in a duplex in lower Manhattan, and so at first I was skeptical in light of the reviews I had read before about performance relative to distance from the router, etc. However, I am able to move anywhere on either floor and get a consistently good signal (the router is upstairs and I'm writing this downstairs, whilst streaming music...no lags). I have downloaded hundreds of MBs worth of data thus far without any problems, streamed music and videos, emailed, surfed the web, uploaded files, etc. I've connected another wired computer to the router and it connected without a hitch (again, make sure you're familiar with DHCP...makes things a lot easier). The signal did fade to a whisper when I went outside, but I'm not entirely surprised, given that the router was 3 floors away, and trying to communicate through several walls of brick, wood, and steel. I'll probably toy with the position of the router in the house to see if I can boost my response outside. I haven't tried a network game yet, but then again, I'm not using the laptop for that purpose. I also haven't attempted to update the firmware of the card (as it prompts me ever so often to do) yet, as it is working now. Instead, I have placed an email to Linksys for their recommendation, and will post an update to this review when I have an answer. RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you're ready for the wireless world, the Linksys set of products work very well, especially now that they (and Amazon.com) ship the latest version of each. Some helpful tips:
- Don't install the router next to a 2.4GHz phone or a microwave
- Placement and positioning of the router and antenna are key. Just as Rome wasn't built in a day, getting your wireless network up and running smoothly may take a bit of fine-tuning.
- If you find unbearable interference, change the channels. Just like on your portable phone, you can potentially see dramatic improvement.
- Make sure you have an extra CAT5 cable around for the installation. You'll need one to connect your DSL/cable modem to the router and then another to initially connect the router to your computer.
- Tinkering can get you into trouble! If you don't know what a configuration is, then don't tinker with it...a classic way to burn your fingers on the hot stove of curiosity.
- READ THE DIRECTIONS! Following each step slowly but surely in the short-run can significantly reduce your headaches in the long-run. If you've done your research, you should know by now that no 802.11 product is a panacea for every possible wireless situation. It simply may not work for your home or office, given the variables in play. But like the intrepid explorers who found the new world, you too can find happiness--and new working freedom--with a wireless network. ... it's a small investment to make for the possibility of that freedom.
Rating:
Summary: Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now?
Review: After installing the Linksys BEFW11S4 router in less than 15 minutes with no problems, I installed the Linksys WPC11 Wireless PC Card (Ver.3) in a Satellite notebook running Windows 98 and had it up and running in less than 5 minutes! Easy installation, no problems, no call to tech support. Range is excellent. Brick house, plaster walls. No problem. Walked around the house, into the front yard, and into the back yard all evening and had no reception problems whatsoever. Strong signal everywhere on my half-acre property. Same thing the next day and the day after that. As I mentioned, I already have the BEFW11S4, plus I have a Lynksys cable/DSL modem at home. In the office I am using a Lynksys router to distribute DSL among 8 PCs and MACs. All of these products have installed effortlessly and have performed flawlessly. The Linksys WPC11 is another excellent product from Lynksys.
Rating:
Summary: VERY SATISFIED
Review: We've set up a wireless LAN in our home (it's 2-stories with 4 laptops, so that seemed easiest) and we are enjoying the convience. We use the WPC11 with the BEFW11P1 and get good connectivity all over the house. The card was easy to set up with the installation disk (we often set our houseguests up with their own card for their visit), as long as you make sure to coordinate the settings with the router. Their is a one-page instruction sheet which was easy to follow. We did have a problem with one of our cards, which stopped working one day. We returned it along with sales receipt and received a new one 2 weeks later, no hassle. Linksys tech support has been generally helpful with a reasonable response time.
Rating: 
Summary: How to configure it for WinXP and other comments...
Review: General Comments: The form factor of the card is nice. It's not obtrusive when plugged into the PCMCIA slot, and only takes up one slot if you have another device that you need, but don't use it in combination with a regular ethernet card or you will have problems. Installation Comments: As soon as I plugged in the card and put in the CD, XP found it and installed the non-XP certified drivers for the card. I then ran the install utility from the CD to get the configuration utility. Rebooted, expecting it would see my wireless router (linksys befw11s4 version 2) without issue, but it didn't connect to it (saw it existed but wouldn't connect). Configuring it within XP: Do NOT rely on the configuration utility to do anything for you. The version of the program that comes on the CD, or the one that you can download (latest seems to be from january 2001) does not have the same tabs availble as the documentation specifies. Most noteably you can not configure anything about the card from this configuration utility, which is essential to getting it to work in XP. So, here is what you have to do...go into your control panel / network connections and open the properties for the wireless card. (don't bother trying the view available networks option, it does not work) From the GENERAL tab, select CONFIGURE, making sure you have selected your wireless card. Select the ADVANCED tab. This is where you can configure the SSID, WEP passphrase, encryption level, etc to exactly match your wireless router. I found it easier to set the router FIRST, then set the wireless NIC. I changed Authentication Algoritm to automatic based on WEP. I set channel equal to the one on the router. I reset encryption to 128, after setting this on the router and creating the passphrase and enabling WEP. I set network type to infrastructure. SSID to equal that of the router, and WEP passphrase to equal that of the router. Voila, the wireless NIC instantly found the router and I'm online. Even have VPN available just like a normal NIC. I hope this helps you get it working in XP :-)
Rating:
Summary: Mature Technology - Go for It
Review: ...I purchased the Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless 4-Port Router and the WPC11 Laptop Card in June 2002. Both are working well after an easy setup. Based on my admittedly small sample, plus other reviews here and elsewhere...This applies to these Linksys products and I suspect to those by other vendors too. I recommend doing as little as possible during setup and let the devices attempt to figure out basic issues. The Router worked out of the box with no setup, nor need to load drivers or such. Configuration of the router via a web-based interface is easy for basic operations. I was able to change the wireless network identifier and enable encryption with no trouble. The Card was a bit more of a hassle on a NT 4.0 Laptop, which according to the Linksys doc is because 4.0 is not plug-and-play. After installing the Linksys config software, the Card works, though it does ask after each boot up to upgrade the Card's firmware, then crashes NT when I tell Yes. Giving it a No prevents that problem. I'll fix this someday. Wireless speed and connectivity are excellent to very good, in fact I've not seen speed drop below the 11mb max anywhere in the house. Regarding complaints about doc, yes the Linksys doc doesn't cover how Networking works and the Help info is often skimpy, but, neither does a car owner's manual explain how to overhaul an internal combustion engine. Both tell you what the switches do; if you want more you must consult other sources. ... Wireless works well and if you're considering it, go for it.
Rating: 
Summary: WEP with XP Home Edition extremely unreliable
Review: With either 64-bit or 128 bit WEP, my laptop running XP Home Edition can not reliably connect with my access point. I have a Netgeat MA401 on another machine and it works flawlessly. I am returning the Linksys and getting another Netgear MA401.
Rating:
Summary: Linksys [Stinks]
Review: Linksys [stinks]. Netgear is by far a better product. Not to mention their routers are made out of aluminum rather then plastic. If you want a serious PCMICA card get Orinoco PCMICA cards. They have better security and are just the best period.
Rating:
Summary: WPC11 / WinXP Not a happy marriage
Review: after my second card and second go around w/linksys tech support I am giving up and returning the card. Linkysys is either shockingly incompetent or unwilling to play with WinXP (you decide).
The install instructions do not match the supplied software.
The software dated 5/31/02 on their website contains drivers older than the ones on the CD (dated 1/8/02).
Unless you enjoy spending hours fooling around w/drivers and tech support do yourself a favor and get a different brand.
I borrowed an enterasys card and it plugged into WinXP, configured itself and is working perfectly withoug the 2 month drama with linksys.
I no longer accept this kind of BS from companies that want me to purchase their products, screw them if they cant get it right (after a year)
Rating:
Summary: Linksys is the way to go Wireless
Review: If you want to spend time with your laptop roaming about your home, choose this product. I have installed four of these cards on different networks and found it to be a painless experience. The range has always been acceptable though not up to advertised ranges, it has freed my clients from there desk allowing them to use their notebooks throughout their businesses. I guarantee my customer's satisfaction and I don't hesitate to recommend this card to my customers.
I haven't tested this card with NT but it is easy and friendly in XP Home, Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE.
Rating:
Summary: Unpredictable.
Review: I have used the same card in several (3) different laptops, and although all were running Windows XP, the setup was different every time and the reliability has varied too. It still won't work with my HP Omnibook 6000 (not at all!), but worked in 15 seconds in my Compaq 725. Go figure!! My original review is appended... worked and then it quit. I had to call Linksys (on a Sunday at 10 AM, wait time was less than 5 mins) and spent 45 minutes on the phone with them figuring out what was wrong. When we finally tried all the tweaks, it was working like a champ. However, we did so many things that neither the tech nor I could possibly know which one thing was really the issue (was it the firewall setting, the DHCP, the WEP?....we'll never know). Anyway, in my one-story ranch home, a good quality signal fades beyond 60 feet. When placed right next to the antenna (which was how I did the set up), speeds approach those of the wired PCs on the network. Anyway, if setup were easier, I'd give it 4 stars.
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