Rating: 
Summary: What a waste of time!!
Review: Working in the IT department at work I have to constantly remind myself not to give people the benefit of the doubt... almost every time I do, the problem is usualy user error. Same goes for this piece of garbage. I was convinced that the cheesy connection (symptoms too numerous to mention) was due to my ISP or my own possibly crappy installation of my broadband antenna on my roof. I couldn't believe that a name like Linksys would sell a product with so many bugs... well, once again I've wasted far too much time pursuing every option but the right one because I gave this product too much credit... I unplugged it, hooked my DSL directly to my computer and everything works excellent. I will say that I haven't upgraded to the current firmware yet but give me a break.... should somone have to upgrade the firmware on a device into version 4 just to get the stupid thing to stay connected to the Internet, keep from stalling every 30 seconds into a download, dropping tons of packets, timing out every minute on streaming audio, etc, etc, etc????? Folks... I'm not even talking about using the wireless finctionality.... these errors happened with the computer hard wired to one of the 4 ports on the Linksys.Finaly... Don't buy this thing!!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Hardware, But Know What You're Doing First!
Review: Linksys is highly rated in assessments I've seen elsewhere, so I bought one of these devices. However, as I found out the hard way, setting them up is not for the technically challenged. If you're a beginner, before you start, either get a networking guru (friend or professional) to help you, or get a copy of "Wireless Home Networking For Dummies" ..., well worth the price for getting up to speed on devices like this as well as for a reference for any troubleshooting later. Many of the reviews here describe typical problems inherent in the TCP/IP networking protocols everyone has to use, or in radio interference problems inherent in wireless connecting. There are numerous different possible networking situations requiring different combinations of settings; using the correct ones takes only a few mouseclicks, but can be terminally frustrating if you don't know what you're doing and what to look for. After my hopeful first efforts failed, as happened to some of the other reviewers on this site, I took my own advice and found some more information. A little more knowledge and a few changed settings produced quick success. The product information (including CD-ROM) in the package was some help, but was not enough for my needs until I learned some more basics first. (Your local DSL or Internet cable service representative may be a good alternative choice here, sepecially if they're coming in to install your Internet access line at the same time.) Networking protocols were designed for network administrators, whose job you're volunteering for when you try to do it yourself at home or in a small office. This stuff is definitely not PlugNPlay (or Pray), and there is no software program to make all the suitable setting choices for you automatically. I didn't try contacting the manufacturer; all hardware and software companies skimp on support because it is a cost center rather than a revenue center for them, and more people are gradually becoming savvy enough to know how to navigate this technology on their own. This is a good hardware product, if you or someone helping you knows the basics first. (Otherwise, prepare to be humbled.)
Rating: 
Summary: Version 4 (latest) is a BUGGY product
Review: I had a number of problems with the Linksys version 4 model as reported by other users. I couldn't access some main sites of well-known mutual fund companies, so I called Support. Linksys' tech support was really bad, didn't even know about the latest firmware which I had to advise her on. She asked me to check an LED light that I didn't have -- it existed on version 2 & 3, but not version 4 which I had advised her I had. After many config software hangs, then firmware upgrade not completing after several tries, she suggested I take the machine back and try to get a version 2 or 3 which she said worked better! I then replaced it with Netgear MR814-version 2 (upgraded to firmware 5.01), and the Web site access problem went away. This newest "version 2" was apparently much redesigned (smaller, less noisy, SPI-level firewall security added). Netgear has a much better designed config interface then Linksys, better doc, and MUCH better support -- the rep was thinking logically and not simply reading notes. Re: better interface: in Linksys, to implement MAC security filtering, I had to first determine MAC IDs of PCs by viewing connected PCs thru one screen, hand-noting their MAC IDs, then I had to enter them manually on another screen. Couldn't even cut/paste. Netgear displays the attached PCs on the add screen so I simply had to checkmark the ones I wanted added to the MAC list and hit apply (optionally can enter non-connected MAC IDs). I can cut/paste settings from the Netgear config screens to document, not so with Linksys. I can also send logs to my email in Netgear, whereas with Linksys I needed to have a PC with a static port to do so (not great when standard is for router to dynamically assign PCs). And unlike Linksys, explanations of each feature are right on the Netgear config screens (but not in the way). Very user friendly doc, not just explaining what a feature is, but why one would use it. I kept my Linksys wireless cards which work fine -- wireless access appears to be similar with both routers, tho' slightly better with Netgear. HIGHLY recommend the latest Netgear over Linksys router. (NOTE: If you switch, before to refresh/renew the IP address of the router on all machines since there's a one digit different between the two.)
Rating: 
Summary: Great Product, Easy Installation, Bad Range
Review: I bought this product for use with my cable internet connection about 6 months ago, and I had the network setup in less than 20 minutes. The installation guide is very helpful, but make sure you read everything. Firmware upgrades can be tough. If anything goes wrong, this product will die on you. Range can be a drag sometimes. You can not get a signal outside. Overall, this is a great product for someone who has no idea how to setup a network.
Rating:
Summary: Linksys easy to set up and powerful for geek users
Review: Plugged it in and it works. Execellent support via web for firmware upgrades. Plenty of security and port forwarding settings for us geeks. Has 4 10/100 switch ports and excellent range for wireless. If you do a lot of work from home on the like me, then you really need to go wireless.
Rating:
Summary: Up and running in minutes...
Review: I bought this to connect my PS2 and a laptop to the internet. Setup was flawless... it couldn't have been much easier. I used the WET 11 bridge for the PS2. A word of advice if you are buying this router and the bridge for PS2... plug the bridge into the router and configure it that way, then plug it into the PS2's network adapter and you are set.
Rating:
Summary: quality problems
Review: The router is OK if you get one that works. There seem to be major quality issues with this version (I can't speak for any other versions). I was having the flakiest connection (eg, link was fine but the traffic would get unusually delayed). I thought perhaps it was my dsl service b/c pop-mail services seemed to have the worst problems. Then the router would error out when any good amount of traffic was going through to the point that it required unplugging the device (there is no power switch, only a reset button which will reset all settings to factory default, and the power cord). Both the wireless and wired liks had problems. I talked to friends that had the same and they told me they had falkiness & one said that if they didn't use the wireless for some period of time it just stopped working. It started getting worst so I returned it and the new one seems better. Still, the link quality is poor on the wireless(goes from 100% to dropping the connection immediately). I guess that explains the deep discounts on these things. Buyer beware.
Rating: 
Summary: Great product with updated firmware
Review: = Great product with updated firmware
Reviewer: An electronics fan from Yonkers, NY USA
As has been reported in other reviews, I too had several problems with this unit when I first set it up. I could not stay logged onto any of the IM services for more than 2 or 3 minutes without getting kicked off and messages would sometimes be completely lost. I didn't try much downloading but a few smaller downloads (5 MB or less) seemed to work without any hitches. However, after downloading the latest firmware from the Linksys web site (the 1.45.3 beta) everything seems to be working great now. IM services are working flawlessly and I downloaded several large Windows XP update files from Microsoft's web site without any problems. I've given the product 3 stars because of how easy it is to set up and because it works as advertised with the firmware upgrade. If Linksys can get the firmware issue straightened out the product would easily get 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Great product with updated firmware
Review: As has been reported in other reviews, I too had several problems with this unit when I first set it up. I could not stay logged onto any of the IM services for more than 2 or 3 minutes without getting kicked off and messages would sometimes be completely lost. I didn't try much downloading but a few smaller downloads (5 MB or less) seemed to work without any hitches. However, after downloading the latest firmware from the Linksys web site (the 1.45.3 beta) everything seems to be working great now. IM services are working flawlessly and I downloaded several large Windows XP update files from Microsoft's web site without any problems. I've given the product 3 stars because of how easy it is to set up and because it works as advertised with the firmware upgrade. If Linksys can get the firmware issue straightened out the product would easily get 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: New Firmware Fixes All Issues Experienced
Review: Last Summer, I borrowed my friend's Linksys 4 port hub and router (old school separate units) to use with my Apple AirPort Basestation. I fell in love with the router's very clean and customizable web interface. I didn't experience any issues all Summer. This Summer, I spent the extra $20 (over Netgear's product) to get the Linksys BEFW11S4 Version 4 WiFi Router and had a hellish time for the first 3 weeks. I had the original firmware from April and the router locked up whenever any new computer connected to the network. I got a replacment via RMA and had the same issues. I knew it had to be firmware related. Luckily, on July 1 2003, Linksys updated their firmware to 1.45.3 and my router hasn't had as much as a pause for well over 10 days. The dual antennae make for a very long range on this system. Linksys' 24-7 free 800 number phone support was very helpful and their RMA process, if you ever need to use it, worked flawlessly. This product is highly recommended!! It can only get better as they perfect their product firmware.
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