Cisco-Linksys WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge
by Linksys
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List Price: Our Price: $69.99 You Save: $30.00 (30%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $43.93 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge
Customer Review: Negative reviews are outdated - ver 3 is great
Summary: 5 Stars
I needed to connect two networks located in separate buildings about 60' apart. Each network had two Linksys WRT54Gs, several wired PC's, and a broadband Internet connection. The objective was to eliminate one of the Internet links - accomplished by installing the WET54G on one network and a wireless access point (WAP) on the network in the other building dedicated to the bridge.
I used the web interface for setup. Two areas that initially caused me some problems:
- DHCP didn't come through the WET54G with a weak signal from the WAP; reducing the distance to about 75' improved the signal to 70%, which solved this.
- When configuring the WET54G, it was necessary for me to explicitly set the IP address of my PC to something in the same subnet as the WET54G. After completing setup, I had to change the PC back to DHCP.
The existing wireless routers were on channel 11, so I configured the bridge-WAP to channel 6. As hoped, the bridge was transparent to users of both workgroups.
Customer Review: Still a work in progress
Summary: 2 Stars
Let me say that I've been very happy with most of the Linksys products I used over the years, both wired and wireless, including my current wireless G router and PC card. However, along with the wireless B USB adapter I tried a few months ago, the WET54G did not quite live up to expectations. I couldn't communicate reliably with the device pure and simple. When I could access the bridge via it's ethernet or wireless connection either my browser would time out, or more commonly, I would get some of the web setup page, but with script errors or only partial information about the setup. When I could communicate with it, the reliable range was less than 30 feet direct line of site with no walls in between. I couldn't even stream mp3's reliably from a PC connected to it unless the bridge was within 10 feet of my WRT54G router. I second Tim Higgins excellent review at smallnetbuilder.com about it's limited range and hope that a firmware fix is in the works. Until then, my server PC will have to stay connected to my router via Cat5.Customer Review: Do NOT buy this Linksys WET54G!
Summary: 1 Stars
The Linksys WET54G is a nice looking product, but it fails to connect effectively and consistently. (I have a Linksys WRT54G wireless network and a Linksys WPC54G notebook adapter card that I am very happy with). I attempted to install WET54G using WinXP, install CD failed with an error message BMCP.dll. I then attempted to install on Win2000, install got further but install failed due to "link lost" with WET54G. I gave up on the install CD and manually configured the Linksys WET54G using Internet Explorer on 192.168.1.226. I completed config, but it was extremely difficult to get the WET54G options to match my Linksys WRT54G which is the wireless station. Eventually I got a signal, but Ethernet on the WET54G kept dropping or was very, very slow. Finally I tried to reset the WET54G using the reset button. Now the power light flashes green but does not stay lit steady. This product has potential, but Linksys programming is sloppy and failed too many times. I returned this product as it does not work as advertised.Customer Review: Linksys Bridge WET54G
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this bridge because I had previously purchased the LG Blu-ray player with Netflix streaming. I didn't realize the Blu-ray had to be physically linked to my router or modem to work.
Long story short, this did the trick, but not without the wonderful support person from Linksys. I'm not the most highly technical person when it comes to networking, even though I spent years in an IT department. I tried to setup the router without help but I made a couple of mistakes and didn't know how to correct them. I tried running the setup again, but it wouldn't let me change some of the crucial settings. I contacted Linksys through their live chat. I got right on with a tech person and we had the settings corrected and the bridge up and running in about 45 minutes. I've always had great support from Linksys in the past and this was exceptional service. And best of all, now my Blu-ray player can work with Netflix streaming and I have a stronger wireless signal when my computer is downstairs near the bridge.
Customer Review: Obsolete product shipped, doesn't support WPA encryption
Summary: 1 Stars
I ordered this bridge based on the product manual on the Linksys web site, stating that the bridge supported WPA-PSK TKIP encryption (I see that a firmware update to version 3 of this bridge supports WPA2 Personal/Enterprise). The problem was that Amazon shipped an old, obsolete hardware version of the bridge that supports only WEP. I have no interest in WEP. It is a weak, broken encryption scheme. This old bridge has no business being sold as new in 2007.
This product is also overpriced. One can get a Buffalo WLI-TX4-G54HP Ethernet Converter for about $65, and the Buffalo also comes with 4 LAN ports. You'd have to spend additional money for a 4-port switch to get the Linksys equal to the feature set of the Buffalo.
If zero stars had been allowed, I would have given that rating to this product, although Amazon also deserves a lot of the blame for still selling this obsolete junk. At least Amazon customer support came through and covered the return shipping. Kudos there.