Rating: Summary: No problems for gaming or long cable runs. Review: I took this router out of the box, plugged in my cable modem and three computers, and have never touched it since. One of my cable runs is over 50 feet, so I have not been affected by the cable length limitations mentioned by one reviewer. Also, I have two kids playing online games simultaneously much of the time, and they have no problems at all, contrary to another reviewer's experience. Recently, I plugged a wireless access point into the fourth port, and that has worked flawlessly as well. I would be ecstatic if half my computer equipment were so problem-free.
Rating: Summary: Need to use the router the correct way! Review: This is not an insult, but a lesson. This product is excellent. If you're not within novice terms of networking, don't get the product. There are times you will probably have a defective item, once in a while bad customer support, and even technical problems(compatibility issues with modems and isp's). To top off the cable length problem, routers (especially this one in particular) are not designed to have lengthy cables (unless it's using fiber optic cable), Cat5 cable longer than 30 ft, is not advisable on routers, that is common sense to networking.
Rating: Summary: Easiest installation I've ever done! Review: I had one PC directly connected to my cable modem already, and there was an included CD designed for just that instance. Popped the CD in and followed the instructions, leaving host and DNS blank because my ISP is dynamic. The first system was online in five minutes without so much as a reboot (running Win XP). Connected the second PC, changed settings to use LAN instead of dial-up, then rebooted it (it's running Win 98SE). Once it was back up, we were all ready to go. Start to finish time was about 20 minutes, and over half of that was spent laying the cables to the PCs. Easy, easy, easy!
Rating: Summary: Reliability concerns Review: Very easy to setup and once setup, pretty much maintenace free. You have heard all that, BUTmy first router quited after 11 months and 2 weeks. The connection was intermittent. Took a weekend to isolate and identify the source of the problem. Its the router's (not the cable modem, the ISP network, the network cards, the OSs or the computers connecting to the router). Customer support is so so. Gone thru the diagnostic routines quite a few times before support admited that the router was bad. Took three to four weeks and many emails/phone calls to get a replacement. Replacement was a DOA. Took another 3-4 weeks to replace the replacement. Make you wonder its reliability. With the life cycle expectancy of the router in mind, I am shopping for a replacement. and it is not going to be a linksys.
Rating: Summary: Do not waste your time or money Review: I just built a new house and decided to run cat 5 throughout the house. I wanted to share a cable modem between 3 computers so I purchased Linksys Router. (I have had great luck with their inexpensive NIC.) 2 hours after I got the Router out of the box, I finally got it to work. However, I could only get it to work with short runs of cable. (Less than 20'). I did some searching on the Internet and I found that other people had the same problems. Supposedly Linksys does not guarantee a connection that is greater that 30'. I do not think many people run CAT 5 that is less than 30', but maybe there is a need. If this was their design constraint, what over features did they design just to squeak by? The device did work once I shorten the cable, but what good is it. Anyway, there are too many other choices of routers in about the same price range. I am now going to search and see which one meets my requirements. Hope this helps!!
Rating: Summary: I'd Buy Another Review: Having a Mac with OS X I was careful prior to purchasing the BEFSR41. I called Linksys Tech Support and was assured that it was compatible. (Contrary to at least one review of this product, this router DOES work with Macintosh.) I purchased it and hooked it up without incident in less than 15 minutes to a second PC, made the required connection via Internet Explorer to Linksys' server and entered the required values. (The instructions are easy to follow and adequately illustrated.) After restarting both computers, I anticipated continued success. Unfortunately, my computers could not establish a link with my provider. Since I had previous success (prior to purchasing) with their Tech Support, I called and was efficiently walked through some additional tweeking via Internet Explorer to the Linksys server. I was up and running with a minimal amount of hassle. One STAR taken away for not working immediately out of the box.
Rating: Summary: Reliable way to split cable/DSL to several computers. Review: Use this Linksys router to split one cable or DSL line to 2, 3, or 4 computers. Although installation wasn't the easiest thing in the world, Linksys customer service was very helpful and knowledgeable. Any problems that I've had with the router have been solved by some combination of the following: (1) restarting computers, (2) resetting the router and/or the cable/DSL modem, (3) completely shutting off the router and/or the cable/DSL modem for about 20 munites. Of course, the knowledgeable staff at Linksys told me about all these tricks :). The router itself is compact; the light indicators are not huge, so they won't scare you in the middle of the night. So far, this router has been quite reliable, and I would recommend it.
Rating: Summary: A Perfect Router Review: Linksys is known for their great products within the network industry, and this is certainly one of those products. The Linksys BEFSR41 router is great to get your network going and is a snap to set up. The colorful instruction sheet makes setup extremely easy. There are NO drivers to worry about and add-ons including hubs and WAPs are also very easy to install with this router. The router also comes with a CD that helps you with troubleshooting and links you to Linksys.com so you can have updated firmware. The only thing the router does not have is an extra ethernet cable, so you may need one to finish the hookup (need two total: one from modem to router; second from router to computer). I recommend the "Fast CAT5e Networking Cable" by Belkin. With a built-in firewall, the BEFSR41 is a must-buy.
Rating: Summary: It is not compatible with America Online DSL service Review: I heard this was a great router. So when I wanted to network my two computers, this was my first choice. What a nightmare! I spent three hours on the telephone with tech support trying to get it to work. Only to be told at the END of the call, that AOL software blocks the use of this router. I was sent to another tech support person. I spent another 30 minute wait on hold, only to find that ONE person deals with all AOL customers. They told me that she would call me back. When she did, she told me that they will soon be posting downloadable software on their website soon that will fix this. I am still waiting. The router is sitting in the box while I continue to wait. According to America Online, they have 38 million subscribers worldwide. IF SO MANY PEOPLE CAN'T USE THE PRODUCT. DON'T YOU THINK A DISCLAIMER ON THE BOX MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA? I think this omission is totally irresponsible.
Rating: Summary: Simple to Set-up; Works great Review: It to connects my small home network to a single DSL internet connection. Required nothing more that connecting the wires (does not come with a RJ45 patch cable, so you will need to buy at least one.)
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