Rating: 
Summary: A simple, elegant & inexpensive wireless web setup
Review: Overall I am very satisfied with the Linksys BEFW11S4. It operates exactly as expected. I did have to call the support line on two occassions to correct two separate problems but they were easily corrected.The first problem prevented me from installing the Linksys software on my computer because it kept telling me I was already connected to the BEFW11S4. The support line helped me resolve the problem without much fanfare. Be forewarned, however, like the Amazon review states, there are a lot technical aspects to setup if your setup doesn't go without a hitch. That being said, support was very helpful and the most professional technical support line I've encountered. After I got the BEFW11S4 up and running, I noticed it connected to the internet slowly, much slower than my hard wired DSL. Internet Explorer also stalled on virtually every link. My DSL "only" runs at 1.5mbs max so the 802.11b standard is more than sufficient and I knew the DSL wasn't the problem. After a week of hoping the problem would miraculously disappear, I called support. A short phone call later, the problem was fixed. Enough about problems. The BEFW11S4 operates seemlessly. My connection is excellent and is as if I were still hard wired to the internet. I only have to broadcast across a small room, but I suspect it would work fine for greater distances as well. My only concern is picking up a neighbor's broadcast. But I have no problem as of yet even in a moderately dense Manhattan neighborhood. Setup is very easy. It involves only connecting your modem to the BEFW11S4 and plugging an AC adaptor into the unit. On installation you do have to hard wire the BEFW11S4 to your computer, however. In summary, this product works great! If you can take advantage of the $$ rebate from Linksys the cost is only $$$. With the WUSB11 receiver and another $$$ Linksys rebate, my total cost was $$$ to be free of phone cords running across the room. See my review on the WUSB11 for an evaluation of the receiver.
Rating: 
Summary: Time Bomb
Review: I bought this router around March 2003. No problems with installation and I have been very happy with the speed, running three machines on it. In late December, I noticed that my connection speed was down significantly. After working through my cable internet provider's technical support, they pointed me to the router. I called LinkSys and was told I needed to update the firmware. Hours of frustration later, the thing is 'dead in the water'. I undertsand that the this is a common problem over time. Now I am looking at what to replace this with. Be aware that you may buying a time bomb - may work for a while then die.
Rating:
Summary: SWEET IS THE LIFE
Review: Well what can i say it works great. The only problem i had was setting up my wireless laptop. The laptop not the router. I couldn't have the wireless bridged like it was when i bought the laptop the sec i unbridged it it worked. THIS IS GREAT
Rating: 
Summary: If you RTFM you'll be fine!
Review: Initial setup was a bit nasty. I had two P.C.s that I wanted to network. Both could go online but not talk to each other. I disabled ZONEAlarm on the main P.C. and then it was flawless. I also have my TiVo on the network with the Lynksis usb network adaptor and all the equipment are chating away with each other quite nicely! The other P.C. states that connection is excellent but I lose about 45 percent of throughput from my cable modem but that still is over 900mps. The TiVo streams the mp3s and photos relatively well but ocaisanly hiccups especially on the music but this is a minor irritant. The cost benefit equation on this product is outstanding if you take the time to read the manual.
Rating:
Summary: so easy a computer neophyte can do it
Review: I bought this product and went home with a cold sweat fearing I would have problems establishing a home network for my desk PC already connected to a cable broadband modem and my new Toshiba P25 notebook with wireless built in. Put the product CD in my desktop...which has windows XP...and it literally walked me thru about 4 screens, established the connection immediately. Then I turned on my new Toshiba (a 2.8 P4 also with windows XP), turned on the wireless button on the laptop...and started surfing the net immediately with no further ado. Then took the laptop down in my basement, and have great broadband wireless down there. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Very Reliable, Strong Signal, Decent Speeds
Review: I've had this router for about a month now and I'm very happy with it. Installation took me over two hours. It should have only taken 20 minutes or so but I made the mistake of reading the directions. A little advice: don't read the directions, just put the CD in the drive, it'll talk you through it the *right* way. Another note, if you don't have a computer with a wired network card (I had a desktop I was also connecting, so it wasn't an issue), it might be harder to set up because, at least for a cable connection, it requires a domain name that it automatically detects. The catch is you have to detect it with your computer connected directly to your cable modem. I set up the router from my desktop computer (you can connect up to four computers by RJ45 wires) and then set up the wireless card on my laptop. Once everything is up and running, you should enable WEP encryption. The 128 bit encryption WILL slow performance, but you probably won't notice it unless your internet connection is faster than 2 megabits/sec. I'm using 64 bit encryption because I used the router to network my computers and transferring files took too long at only 1 or 2 mbits. After the initial installation, I haven't had a single problem with it. I can get a signal from anywhere in my house and it hasn't even dropped the connection below "11 mbits" yet (though I'm not actually experiencing 11 mbits :-) ). Just keep in mind this runs on the 2.4 GHz band, meaning if you have a 2.4 GHz cordless phone (which I don't, thankfully), it will interfere with your connection. Supposedly a microwave can also interfere but I wouldn't know, my router and microwave are on completely opposite sides of the house. The only peculiarity I'd like to note is that I was unable to set up a network between my Windows ME laptop and my Windows 98 desktop. I've since gotten a new Windows XP desktop and it networked just fine with my laptop. Overall, an excellent router. But don't buy it if you absolutely must network your computers as it may or may not work (I would think the problem is mainly with older computers). And don't buy it if you have a 2.4 GHz phone (If you do, consider 802.11a (not b)).
Rating:
Summary: Works for me!
Review: I had no problem switching from my hard line linksys router to the wireless. In fact, I am sitting in my backyard on my new notebook writing this. (See my review of the HP zt3010us) Even if you are a newbee to networks, you shouldn't have any problem IF you use the set-up disc; just follow the instructions and you will be on your way! Two notes of advice: 1) Do NOT set up your aol (if you have it) first before you set up you wireless on a new notebook. Lots of retracing my steps to connect to the internet. Set up the network first then worry about aol. 2) Set up the WEP so your neighbors won't find your connection when they turn on their new wireless notebook! Go into the device manager and follow the steps. RuShep
Rating: 
Summary: Buyer Beware
Review: I purchased this and the linksys usb wireless network adapter. Well the BEFW11S4 works great for about 20 minutes and then nothing works even the internal intranet is down. I called linksys about 10 times and they finally agreed to take the product back but it would cost me shipping and a fee becasue it was after 30 days that I decided to act on this major problem. So I am now trying to use it as a 4 port switch and I am still haveing trouble. I am also not to happy with the usb network adapter. Its going to be a while before I ever buy linksys again. My old Netgear router work for like 3 years and I got rid of it because it was only 10 mbps and I upgraded to the linksys 100 mbps and I wanted to use the wireless but it looks like I should have gone with netgear.
Rating:
Summary: Want trouble... buy this ...
Review: went from a dlink unit to this hunk of junk, and got the worst technical support included at no charge... at least dlink techs spent the time and figured out the problems, these buffoons take your info and don't even log the previous tech's call, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER LINKSYS PRODUCT, THEY STINK
Rating:
Summary: Good Product at a good price
Review: For home networks, this wireless router is unparalelled. Linksys overall makes decent "prosumer" products for the home (when compared to NetGear or D-Link products, Linksys is much more reliable and easier to configure.) I read many of the reviews on here before I decided to write one myself. I do not understand alot of the trouble that people are having with this router. I almost exclusively use linksys equipment. I have found it to be the easiest and the most reliable to set up. If you are using this product, you will not need a router/bridge as one is built in. I recommend that you connect it to the linksys adsl/cable modem/router for maximum ease in administration and compatability. Otherwise, the WAN out of your ADSL or Cable box to the WAN in on your wireless is all you should need to do. Initially, the WAP will broadcast the station ID (SSID) as linksys. You'll obviously want to change that... as the one reviewer noted, Linksys is easily hackable if you do not change the default settings. I must admit I "see" and sometimes browse unprotected linksys routers around town (and even in my neighborhood). An unprotected WAP is not a good idea. You should definitely shut off the SSID broadcast once you get things established. I also recommend the WEP encryption. Be sure to write down the keys.... otherwise, you'll probably be unable to connect and have a hard time. I also recommend you allow the MAC filters. This will prohibit anyone other than your hardware from accessing the router/WAP. Even if someone hacks the WEP or finds/figures your SSID, they cannot tell the router to do anything unless they also clone your MAC address... something not easily done "blind." All in all this is a good product... worth the 60 bucks... most definitely. Personally, unless you have some compelling reason to set up 802.11g (like you are doing video conferencing over it) - 802.11b is fast enough for home environments.... especially since the FASTEST ADSL/CABLE lines usually go 3MB TOPS (and that's virtually never seen - even inside the given network). BTW - I also use my Linksys with Mac and PC's. The PC's are a bit easier to configure to use with the Linksys... but once you plug in the WEP keys into the Airport card configuration, Mac's work just fine. Linksys' is much easier to administer than Airport Base station... I'll tell you that much... and a Linksys base station is 60 versus Apple's $200 (or 100 bucks on eBay for an old Snow 2 version - 200 bucks for the Apple Extreme=802.11g standard). If you are a total novice - I recommend you stay away from wireless. Wireless products expose your PC to both the "net" and people who are wandering/close by to your physical location. If you don't know what you are doing - it is easy to "eavesdrop" on your system and hack your way in... however, if you stop broadcasting your SSID, edit your MAC filters, and enable WEP - it's going to be pretty tough to hack the way into your network.
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