Rating: 
Summary: Do it yourself support!
Review: I've got mixed opinions about my Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router. On one hand, I finally got it to work as advertised. On the other hand, I had to do it myself with no help from Linksys.I read several positive and negative reviews here, but figured that most of the negative reviews were from people who didn't know an IP address from a CPU. Since I knew something about networking, I figured that I'd be able to breeze through installing and configuring this router to work with my cable modem with no problems. Wrong. Although I had configured the router correctly (I later discovered), the problem turned out to be defective firmware. I called Linksys technical support and, after several lengthy waits on hold, was only able to leave pleas for their technical support department to call me back (which they never did). After no help from Linksys, I discovered another site that made reference to the exact problems I was experiencing. They mentioned the latest firmware that fixed this problem. I downloaded it from Linksys, installed it on the router, and the problems were largely fixed. Here's my list of problems that were fixed: IPSec Passthru Issues and 128 bit encryption. Bugs remaining to be fixed: occasional router lock-up requiring reset. Now with IPSec Passthru fixed, I'm able to use the router as I intended. The wireless range is significantly less than I'd expected, but I'm looking for 3rd party antennas that can address this issue. Yes, it locks up sometimes, but it's easy to reset. I give it three stars - if they'd get better technical support, I'd give it four stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy to install- READ FOR IPSEC PASSTHROUGH
Review: I recently installed this unit for a client and it took around 2 hours. I am a consultant by day and found it relatively simple whereas I can speak for some of the users who may not have the experience and would hazard a guess at the difficulty of installing this product. Here's a hint- the Website says it supports ipsec passthrough. This allows VPN users to authenticate outside of the router to their work/provider. If you want this feature to work, do yourself a favour and upgrade the firmware. And as for the consumers who have complaints on the range of the product, 3COM and Cisco products behave in the same manner. The key to installing a wireless product is to perform a site survey of the area you are installing the device. If you install it in a room with many walls and expect the RF signals to pass through them like laser beams think again. The best place to install this device is in a middle level (3 level house) in a high area, away from objects. Try it in different places and measure your signal strength using the utility that ships with the card. Follow these guidelines and you will succeed.
Rating: 
Summary: Works Great For Me!
Review: I am a computer systems engineer, and granted, though I may know a little more about networking than the average person, I still think that this Router is extrememely easy to set up. I am running my desktop wirelessly with a D-Link PCI card and my laptop with a Linksys PCMCIA card and have had no problems. The range is not astronomical, but for most people (like me), it still covers my whole house. I have two items of advice for anybody setting up their network with this router. In the properties of your wireless network card, set the Network Type to Infrastructure (took me a few minutes to figure this one out). Also, flash the firmware as soon as you possibly can. It seems that earlier versions of the flash were a little buggy, but it appears most of those problems have been fixed now (Including better WEP support).
Rating:
Summary: ok for me
Review: This router works well as a router. As a wireless access point, connection fails when the USB adapter is in a room, and the router is in another room perhaps 60 feet away with a right angle turn. Also the USB adaptor does not work with windows XP, as suggested by their tech support. But I was able to get it to work, except that the utility window does not come up. They say the driver for XP will be available in a few days on their web site. I doubt it.
Rating:
Summary: decent for beginners....I guess
Review: I finally got it working.....after 12 hours of fumbling around my computers. The tech support wasn't that great. I called them twice and got 2 different tech personnels who were hard to understand. One of them advised me to exchange the unit for a new one because we did not get it working the first time...and he assumed it was a lemon. Well...after my own personal internet research on networking, I figured this thing out somehow. And now it's finally functional. I have 2 computers hooked up with cables. I have yet to try the wireless option with my laptop. Also, I think my personal firewall, Zone Alarm Pro is giving me problems. I might have to disable that. Oh well...more things to sort out.
Rating:
Summary: Works with Apple airport cards
Review: For those wondering, this Wireless Access Point works fine with Apple's airport card. Of course, since they all work with the Wi-Fi standard they should theoretically work. I wasn't able to read an confirmations on this so took a small leap of faith when I purchased this product (which I got for half of Apple's airport). I have the 128-bit WEP encryption enabled (I know it's not saying much for network security), but since Apple's airport card supports it I decided to enable it. I also purchased a Netgear PC wireless card for a PC laptop on the network and that also works fine with 128-bit enrcyption enabled. Installing and getting the Apple card to work was much easier then the Netgear card, but both work fine. As for range, everyone's mileage will vary. But in my house I can go two floors up and still get respectable signal strength (around 50% to 60%). My house is tall and not very deep (3 livable floors). I've tested the range in all of the rooms and they appear to connect. But then again, there are no major steal beams or really solid walls/doors. Interestingly, as well, even if my laptop is right next to the access point, I can't get 100% signal strength, maybe 85% at the most. The Access Point was pretty easy to get my DSL line (using PPPoE protocol) connected. So, all in all, I have had a good experience with this product (knock on wood), though I haven't had any reason to deal with tech support so far, so I can't comment on that aspect. I'm sure there are good and bad experiences with all products, and I thought I'd put my two cents on my positive experience with this product.
Rating: 
Summary: This unit works great....if you live in a house w/no walls
Review: I was reading other responses of unsatisfied customers. I am glad I am not the only one who has problems with reception. I am currently logged onto the internet via my wireless router ...and I am getting 100% link, but 86% signal strength. Did I mention that I am a few inches away from the router! This unit works well if you have all your computers in 1 room...but if you have a house, FORGET IT! When I leave the room with my laptop I immediately get poor signal strength. I am fortunate that Fry's Electronics has a refund policy. I will return it this week.
Rating:
Summary: not such a bad deal
Review: (...) I setup this wireless router to act as a backup internet link for an eCommerce firm when their primary DSL link became unreliable. Here are my experiences with the router Range: Though not as good as promised in the ADs, the range is OK for most small offices that operate on the same floor and are not divided by concrete/metal partitions. Not many will realise that the antennae on this unit can be removed and extended using coaxial cable. Trying different positions for the antennae will definitely help. But dont expect to go a hundred yards into the public park and get a signal. Also, by using aftermarket external antennae with your wireless NICS (not all of them support them), you can get more range from the unit. For offices and homes with multiple floors, its not a bad idea to get a second access point (...) to handle different locations. You will have to run atleast one cable though! Firmware: The unit that I got hung almost every day, till I flashed it with the latest firmware from Linksys. After that, it ran without any incident. Support: The less said about Linksys support, the better. I suppose the (...) pricebreak you get compared to bigger shops like Lucent, Cisco, 3Com et al will compensate for their shoddy support. In most cases, things go pretty fine with Linksys products, but in a few cases, the experience can be pretty frustating, especially for amateur/soho users. Suport also is a matter of luck. SOmetimes, you might have the rare chance of connecting with a support guy who actually knows what he is talking about. It happened to me once, just once!
Rating:
Summary: XP loves this one
Review: Connected my Samsung Cable Modem to it, connected it to my Dell 8100 3com integrated, sat down to struggle with XP and the router. Xp and the router had already worked it out, I was connected and done. It is configurable with your web browser but with my ISP, I didn't have to do anything. Purchased two wireless USB network adapters, WUSB11, loaded the software in two other computers using Win98SE and attached the adapters. All Done. Internet, Printers and file sharing. Life is getting easier.
Rating:
Summary: Works Great - IF - you known how to set up a network.
Review: I'm a small business computer consultant, and have installed a dozen of the Linksys routers. Other reviewers seem to be entirely frustrated or perfectly happy. The truth is, you may need to know some networking skills to set it up the wireless option (the hard-wired linksys router is much easier). Here is a trick that you may need to do, if you run into problems. If you have set up your wireless router, and find it only works with computers attached by networking cable, but not wireless, and the little red light on the wireless card is on, go into (on the computer with the wireless network card) Control Panel, Network, highlight the Wireless Access Card, go to Properties, Advanced, and check the network type, and try changing it from peer to peer (used with no central router) to ad-hoc (used with a central router - what you just bought). Then, turn off everything you can, from the cable modem, to the linksys router, the computer, etc, wait a minute, then power them back on. Test, and if you still have problems, power down again and power back up in different orders. If this fails, you may need to hire a network consultant; they will likely charge you around 150-250 dollars for setting up 1 to 2 copmputers. Before you hire them, you may wish to ask them how many wireless routers have they installed, what brand, success rate, etc., and consider getting an estimate. Good luck!
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