Cisco-Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch
by Linksys
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Our Price: $78.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $9.94 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch
Customer Review: Fast, Simple, and Affordable
Summary: 5 Stars
Linksys has become one of the most popular names in home/small office networking. Linksys has produced a series of broadband routers that are versatile and easy to configure.The router will work out of the box without any setup in the ideal DSL or Cable Internet setup. Plug the broadband modem into the WAN port, the computers into the numbered ports, and the power adapter into the wall.
Unfortunately, the ideal situation is rarely the most common one. Thanks to Linksys' knowledge of providing ease of use, setting up the router to work is a breeze. You have the option of reading the included manual, which is printed not electronic, watching the CD-ROM video, or setting up the router without instructions. Any three of these options are available, and none are better than the other. Though, I would recommend reading the instruction manual at one point or another.
Setup is achieved by visiting the router's homepage on the network with an Internet Browser. The first step is the most important one. Change the router's password. If this doesn't happen, anyone with knowledge of your broadband IP address can access and reconfigure the router remotely.
The most important options second to changing the password are all located on the main page in a logical order. Once the values are entered into the router's memory, any computer connected to it will obtain necessary connection information via DHCP without additional setup. The data for the various blanks can be obtained from your ISP.
The router comes with a variety of more advanced features. By default all ports are blocked, so no outside access to the internal network can be achieved. Port Forwarding allows requests to specific ports (i.e. port 80 for a web server) to be forwarded to a computer on the network. Setup of this feature is necessary in order to run servers or host games over the Internet.
The router can handle a maximum of 253 computers connected to it. This is a limit set forth by standards, not by the router's capabilities. I set my Linksys router up to connect to a web server, and a pair of hubs, which link all of the computer nodes together.
The router performs well when four to six computers are accessing the Internet simultaneously, although it can get lagged and not process requests from new computers requesting DHCP (auto configuration) info from it.
Overall, the router is a great buy for anyone looking to share a DSL or Cable connection amongst multiple computers. For those who do not want to install network cabling, a wireless model is available from Linksys also.
Customer Review: This is a great product, but...
Summary: 4 Stars
Installing this product wasn't as smooth as I would have liked. First of all, I have a DSL connection that requires PPPoE to connect. My provider gave me the software to do this. However, the router takes care of this for you and you therefore must remove any PPPoE applications off your computer, as this will cause you not to be able to surf the web. Even though I did this, there was still lingering software that kept popping up a dial up networking connection whenever I tried to enter a URL. I then learned how bad linksys' customer service is.On average, my wait was about 40 minutes and I generally got technicians who were more interested in getting you off the line than helping you. Sometimes, you get an operator who takes down your name and number, promising that someone will get back to you. Hah! They never did with me. I admit that the problem was not their fault, and knowledge in tcp/ip still wouldn't have helped (knowledge that I do have). However, do realize that it took me about 3 days worth of 45 minute per call phone calls to get my first pc up and running. I didn't have the same problem on any of my other computers (including my Linux box).
Also, the current software that I have (I bought the router about 1 1/2 months ago) has three small bugs in it. First, once I make a connection to my dsl modem, the status page continually refreshes, letting me know the status. However, once connected, the status always says "connected" even if I know that I'm not (like if I unplug the phone line!). Secondly, the router doesn't save the password, even though I check the checkbox saying that it should. So I have to therefore enter the password every time that I go to the admin page. Thirdly, the box rarely gives accurate user info. For example, four computers may be connected. However, when one checks, they may see only one two or three people connected. I only have four computers connected right now. However, the incorrect info would definitely cause problems in a soho. However, these bugs may have been fixed (and I may simply need to download the latest router OS), so...
Overall, great product. I've had computers collecting dust simply because it was impossible to share all of the resources before. I've downloaded a file on separate computers, at an average rate of 55kb/sec on each computer. Obviously, this will be affected with more users. However, great product overall.
Customer Review: Worst. Customer Service. Ever.
Summary: 1 Stars
I used to buy and recommend Linksys products all the time, but no longer. I will NEVER buy another Linksys product again. Their Tech support is the worst that I have ever dealt with. They outsource all their calls to "technicians" (and I use the term loosely) who have no idea what they are doing. I have been in the industry for many years, and have seen many components die, this router died. The Diag light went to solid red, I could not get a connection on any device, nor could I pull an IP or gain access to the router settings. Resets did nothing and there was a hissing/buzzing when it was plugged in.
Like I said, very obviously a dead router, and when I explained all these things to them they still felt it necessary to diagnose it... fine protocol is protocol, but they then proceeded to ask me questions that I had already answered, Insisted that I have a Windows XP computer to troubleshoot the problem on (even though I could no get a link light on any connection) refused to let me speak with a manager and in general were very rude.
I also used the online chat help on their website, they were more helpful but the first time I talked to them they didn't send the e-mail they promised with the supposed case ID #/RMA #
The second time I contacted the tech support via chat I got an E-Mail with a case id number and asking me to take a survey on my support experience... and no other instructions on how to proceed. So after 3 more calls to tech support/warranty support I finally got the case number authorized for an RMA (which can only be processed through the website).
In addition to this they insisted that i have the original receipt, which I could understand if the question of a valid warranty came into play, but it didn't. Even if it had they could have easily checked the serial number (which I gave them multiple times, yet they ignored) to see when it was manufactured.
Now that I FINALLY have an RMA it appears that I am going to have to pay for shipping on this broken (IN WARRANTY) POS router.
Bottom line, if you plan on buying a Linksys product, pray that it never goes bad, and that you never have to speak to their abysmal customer service.
Why would anyone want to support a company who can't even provide the most basic customer support without making you want to just give up and go buy another brand?!
Customer Review: Wow. Linksys has a hit!
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know where to start. First, this unit replaced WinGate running on an old 486/66 w/16Mb RAM, which was acting as a software router between an InternetConnect ADSL line and a. I was having timeouts every evening. I don't believe it was WinGate's problem, it was that I was running it on old 486/66. (You get what you pay for, which wasn't much. GRIN!) [Nothing against WinGate, I wished I had a better machine to use it on.]Anyhow, I wanted a replacement and found this Linksys Switch/Router. It truely was Plug and Play! I plugged it in, replacing my old Linksys hub, and the 486/66. We haven't had a timeout since then! It's been very reliable.
We have had this switch for several months, and early on, my brother couldn't on the MSN Zone. We upgraded to the latest firmware, 1.22(it was very simple to install!), and then he could play on the MSN Zone, specifically Asheron's Call. Note: he has to be in the DMZ zone on the router (an advanced option), and we have protected his computer by using the suggestions on Steve Gibson's website, ... . If you haven't been there and you are thinking about buying this product, you MUST, repeat MUST, go to that site to protect yourself (and the Internet for that matter). Once there, read everything about ShieldsUP!
Finally, this is very simple product to install, especially, if you let it be your DHCP server, the default. Don't try use static IP's on your computers unless you know what you are doing. There's no phone support, but your neighborhood teenager would love to help you set this little gem of a box! Note: this product works perfectly fine with static IP's from your provider, either the cable system or the DSL provider. I'm trying to distinguish between static IP address for the DSL/Cable line versus the static IP addresses on the computers in your network. If the previous sentence doesn't make sense, please find your neighborhood nerd/teenager for help.
I've never used Win98's ICS so I can't compare that to this product. Sure it's free, but that computer has to be up before the other computers can access the Internet.
Also, I am using firmware 1.22. Have had no problems with it. I've downloaded large files (1-25MB) with no problems. My brother and I have had no problem sharing our ADSL line to four computers simultaneously. Good luck and Happy Surfing!
Customer Review: I traded this is a game pad for a bike
Summary: 1 Stars
I traded this router and a game pad for a bike at college. My new bike's value: ~$150. This router and the game pad (with a few sticky buttons): ~$10. I got one hell of a deal. Now you might be asking, "Why did he give up his perfectly good router and sticky game pad for a bike?" Well my dear friend, listen to my words. Linksys released a new version of this router, known as Version 3.0. DO NOT BUY THIS ROUTER.
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM
The router would freeze and stay non responsive until I forced a manual reboot on the router. Even the reboot button was recessed into the router so I had to find a paper clip to get it. If you do over 100KBs(doesn't matter if it's through the WAN or LAN), then your router will sporadically freeze. Don't even think about using this with a college/business 10 or 100 mbps ethernet. I did, and as soon as I would go over 100KBs; manual reboot. I left the router on for a couple of hours/mins; manual reboot. I breathed in it's general direction; manual reboot. Get my drift?
TECH SUPPORT? YEA, RIGHT
Updated the bios: No good. Called Linksys support several times, and they gave me the oh so wise advice to lower my MTU settings and put my computer in the DMZ. Of course, that did not work. I even RMAed the router and found the same problem with the new one. If you look on the internet, you'll find a plethora of other uses with the same problems I have mentioned.
A BIT ABOUT VERSION 3 OF THE BEFSR41 ROUTER
Now, if you are still reading this, you probably noticed I mentioned something about this being the 3rd version of this router. My friend has an earlier version, and his works perfectly. The router says right by the serial number & bar code, BEFSR41 Vx.x, where x.x is the version of the router. If it is anything below three then your router will probably be fine.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A ROUTER
I now have a D-Link DI-604. I bought the router online for about 30 dollars. What a deal. This router has a great graphical user interface, amazing options for the price, and best of all, it has never froze on me! I've put a 900+ KBs stable off-campus download through her, and she keeps routing away. The only con is that the WAN port is capped at 10mbs. However, the average home broadband user will never make it near 900KBs anyways. The DI-604 is my suggestion over this lousy router.