Cisco-Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B Cable/DSL Router
by Linksys
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List Price: Our Price: $16.45 You Save: $53.54 (76%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B Cable/DSL Router
Customer Review: Worked out of the box...even with employers vpn
Summary: 5 Stars
I hooked up the router to my dsl line, ignoring the 'Stop run me first' cd and booted my dual boot pc with 2000 prof and the linksys router worked via a cat 5 cable! This is what I expected, my dsl is dhcp and I expected that to be the linksys default.
I then logged into the linksys router and may in the future change the default SSID(I believe if I change this name then someone(a neighbor perhaps) would have to guess this name to attach to my wirless lan).
Then I took the notebook and removed the xircom card and put in the linksys WPC11 card. Again, I ignored the instructions and let 2000 configure it, 2000 said it didn't like the firmware and wanted to change it, so I let it. It downgraded the firmware but when it rebooted it connected with 100% quality and signal strength(I like the monitoring utility). Then I moved the notebook around the house and the signal strength dropped but stayed in the 'excellence' range.
Next, I rebooted in nt and installed the driver from the cd, all was fine. Now, I tried to connect to my companies VPN Bay network. I though I would have to configure something for this to work but then that worked(so it must encapsulate the vpn ip address).
I bought the linksys router and cards from amazon figuring they would have the lastest and not old equipment and the free shipping took only 2 days via UPS!!! No tax and a rebate, ok!
I'm going to investigate the security but maybe someone can reply with advice. As I just got a compaq server and would like to leave it connected.
Also, is there a limit on number of wireless devices connected?
As for the cons in the outline above, 11Mbps is way higher than my dsl, so that's not a bottleneck in my new wireless world.
Customer Review: Wireless is Mature Technology - Go for It
Summary: 5 Stars
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, I think wireless technology (802.11b) is mature and most prior problems people have complained of here are resolved now. 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.
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.
So, I suggest ignoring any negative review here older than 6 months - the issue is likely fixed in current models. Wireless works well and if you're considering it, go for it.
Customer Review: So far so good
Summary: 5 Stars
Set up my home network with this Linksys router last weekend. After reading the negative comments, I was concerned about the ability to set it up out of the box. In my case, however, I had no problems and had it set up to network two computers in my home in no time, with AOL cable broadband, without having to call either Linksys or AOL support. My best advice is to follow the instructions carefully, and don't forget to do things like reset your modem after configuration, etc. Also the firmware should be updated if you want to run AOL correctly.
Note this Linksys router befw11s4 has two versions, the original and version 2. You want version 2, which has been out a few months now. Amazon sent me the original version, which I promptly returned for version 2 after talking with linksys support, which said version 2 is much improved, both in the hardware and software. Many of the problems encountered by others with this router have been with the original version of this router, so save yourself some headaches and get version 2. You'll see version 2 printed on the box.
I used this Linksys router along with the Linksys wireless ethernet bridge (wet11) to network two desktops in my home in two different rooms. I was not able to use the Linksys wireless USB adapter because my second computer runs Windows 98 (original version and not 98SE). The latest version 2.6 of the Linksys USB adapter requires 98SE or later. The Linksys bridge, however, does not depend on the type of computer operating system being run and can connect any ethernet device into a wireless network. It worked great for me to hook my second computer into the wireness network created with my Linksys router.
So far so good (knock on wood)!
Customer Review: Satisfied Linksys BEFW11S4 customer
Summary: 5 Stars
When I bought this unit I was looking at some key points:1) VPN support
2) 128 bit WEP encryption
3) Performance
4) Range (Portability)
5) Built-in switch
6) Basic firewall support
The first and fifth point had to be met or I would have to buy multiple pieces of equipment to set up the network.
Of course, 128-bit encryption. However, this only reduces the risk of a security issue and not eliminate it.
I have a DSL connection that is running at 1.5 Mbps. If I can't get that from the wireless I'm probably going to go with a home PNA 2.0 solution.
Range and portability are virtually synonymous in this case. If I have to be in the same room as the router with the laptop, the wireless solution is useless.
A basic hardware firewall is nice; however, there are software solutions that would work.
I can say the BEFW11S4 satisfied all of these conditions. My performance is a little over 3.0 Mbps w/128-bit WEP and at a distance of 50 ft indoor (a floor and a couple of walls in between the router and the laptop). There is only one user on the wireless network.
Also, installation was a snap. Literally, 30 minutes to internet connection via wireless. Another 10 minutes to re-install my VPN software and get it going again.
I have to say this in combination with the Netgear MA401 802.11b wireless PC Card is an awesome combination. This card is always indicating a link quality of 70+% and signal strength of 60+%. Also, I placed the laptop in the same room as the router and got 100% on both link and signal. That actually surprised me.
In conclusion, I'd say you can't go wrong with this pair. Both are easy to install/setup (using XP) and great performers.
Customer Review: Linksys Wireless Wonder
Summary: 5 Stars
This Router (BEFW11S4) is extremely easy to set up and the setup disk that comes with it makes it even more of a breeze. I have 4 computers hard wired into the router and 2 laptops using wireless and they all operate flawlessly and speedily.I had a little trouble with the PCMCIA wireless card at first and found that it had to be configured manually (a matter of one setting). My wireless speeds are great so far.
I highly recommend this wireless Router to anyone looking for one. The one draw back; if it's important, is that it's not a print server and that's not a problem for me. The other upside is it's high tech, cool, pleasant look and color scheme that should go well anywhere in your home or office. It's compact size prevents it from being overbearing and accents your system with it's appearance. The photos of the unit make it look much larger than actual. Other makes and models do have slim appearances and profiles but, usually take up more surface area and don't compare to the compact but beefy look of Linksys.
All in all they all do the same thing with some being easier to setup than others and some feature differences. Be sure you know what features you want and need before buying a router. Do you need only wireless access or do you need it combined with wired? Do you need a print server? These are all important questions to ask yourself. I like Linksys, it's a quality well known brand much like the other routers here on Amazon.[com.] This router is easy to setup but, some others may be easier. Ultimately they all do the same thing and that's where looks come into play.
You will enjoy the easy setup and use of this Linksys Wireless Router.