Cisco-Linksys WRT600N Linksys Ultra RangePlus Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router with Storage Link
by Linksys
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List Price: Our Price: $109.99 You Save: $90.00 (45%) 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 WRT600N Linksys Ultra RangePlus Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router with Storage Link
Customer Review: Not a bad router, way over-priced - Storage link useless
Summary: 3 Stars
I got this router to replace an older machine that was running Smoothwall.
Of course moving from such a platform, the WRT600N seemed quite lacking in features, though it worked ok with wireless, as well, as wired. I have a MBP with an 802.11n card, and it also seemed to have some fairly good performance.
I occasionally have some problems with my internet throughput to slow down to less than 1mbps (I have a 10mbps at home), and I haven't gotten to the source of the problem yet, could be the WRT600N, or my D-Link switch, or the actual cable modem. so I can't quite fully blame the router regarding that yet.
The configuration of the network was fairly simple.
My biggest caveat with the device is the storage-link, granted, I didn't quite buy it for the storage-link, and I didn't have many high expections about it, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I can honestly say, that Linksys could've done without this feature, because it causes more frustration than anything, and it never works. I have gotten it to work once since I got the device, and never again after that. Groups and users seem to disappear randomly. No user/group that was previously assigned would authenticate to a windows machine (or a Mac for that matter). Documentation was totally lacking, and the problems that I'm experiencing are obvious flaws with the firmware than user error.
Contacting Linksys about this problem was also useless. all they could suggest was to reflash the device with the latest firmware, which, mind you, was already on the device.
Overall, I think this router is ok, if you REALLY want the 802.11n. Personally, I wouldn't even consider buying it for its storage-link capability.
Short of the first option, I would stick witht he proven WRT54G, or WRT54GL. they are far more stable, they work like a charm, and are about 1/3 the price.
Customer Review: A Step Up
Summary: 4 Stars
Nothing in life is perfect, but the 600N is a step closer than G.
Have owned/used most brands of G-wireless devices and experienced every type of problem (poor range, crashes, interference, etc.). So far, am happy with the 600N and it seems stable as can be. I haven't tried the shared storage or DMZ features yet, but as a wireless access point/router, the 600N does what it says. Even using computers with standard "G" cards, they get stronger signal & faster data xfer.
On the downside, 1) the cost difference is still too significant between N & G (remember, it's not just the $100 extra for the router, you have to upgrade all those $15 "g" cards with the $70 "n" cards). 2) The Linksys setup software is supposed to be "easy" but it's agonizingly slow and awkward, much easier just to connect wirelessly and login via IP address. Also, the UPnP auto-config didn't work at all for me, so meant I had to spend more time tinkering manually (see next point). Lastly, 3) making config changes is unpleasant. The router's config navigation is not clear and feels clunky, which is odd, since the unit itself is very handsome (as routers go). For instance, I still haven't discovered how to show a list of all DCHP clients (it only seems to list those users connected via wireless). But, worse still, the 600N requires the router to "reboot" after modifying each page of settings. By the tenth time I saw "You will be returned to the prior page in 25 seconds" I was ready to scream! Through some wonder of technology, my prior Belkin and D-link routers had no trouble making or remembering config changes between screens and until I click "Save" (are you listening Linksys???).
Anyway, happy customer here - just annoyed that Linksys cut corners needlessly and mostly am glad that once setup I shouldn't have to tweak the router settings too often
Customer Review: No complaints works great
Summary: 5 Stars
So far so good configured this router to be an access point rather than a true rounter on my home network. I have a 500GB drive attached to the USB port and works as well as can be expected for a USB device. Had no problems getting the disk sharing configured. I upgraded my Dell LAtitude D820 wiht an Intel 4965AGN internal adapter. The driver installed by default uner Vista was so so and the same version available at the Dell site but found an updated driver on Intel's site that improved the connection speed. I didn't attempt to utilize the linksys software to configure this device I just logged into the web interface and first set some basic security settings then did a littlw tweaking. So far everty thing is working great. I may tweak a few setting to see what if any changes I might see in performance. I purchased this for the dual band N support and the support for a networked shared disk access. I had a Belkin networked USB Hub but you couldn't connect to the disk from more than one remote system at a time. The access speed to the USB drive flies connected to the router in contrast to the crawling it did on the Belkin USB Hub. I also like the facxt that it utilized the standard SMB drive mapping built into the client OS to connect to the disk and doesn't require any special drivers, overhead. I am a systems administrator have worked with many routers and servers so barely took a quick glance at the manual to verify a couple of things. This was my first N setup and first dual band. While I wish the price was a bit lower considering it allows 24x7 secue access to my networked (USB) HD that can be attached to any of the systems on my home network it was not that big of an investment. If you have some netowking background and perhaps a little Windows Server and or SAMBA server background this is a very simple device to get up and running.Customer Review: Excellent Router
Summary: 4 Stars
I have had this router for about a month now and it is honestly one of the best routers I have ever owned. My previous router was a WRVS4400N. While I loved this router the WRT600N has exceed it in performance in almost every way and beats the WRVS4400N in almost every way except two, and those are minor.
Setup: Having set up routers before in the past and for a living, I wanted to try something new. I had a family member who could barely turn on the computer to open the box and set up the router by just following the directions before I got home. Sure enough, they were up and online in about 15 minutes. When I came home, I tore down the system and reset it back to factory settings. I then set it up myself and had it completely configured the way I wanted it and all of the mac addressing in about 30 minutes without a single hitch. In a month's time I have not had a single issue or have had to reset.
Connectivity: 0 issues. Everything from game systems to specialized devices can see and connect. I also have managed to keep a constant broadcast strength even at the furthest parts of my house. The dual band allows for multiple setups so older devices actually have an easier time than newer devices in terms of wireless security. Before I use to have to do a WPA/TKIP setup now I can run WPA2 and a WPA/TKIP. Also the Dual Band allows for a great fail over due to interference. I use to have issues with using my laptop in the kitchen if I was cooking food in the microwave. I no longer have that issue.
Security: This laptop does do it all (WPA/WPA2/etc.) However I do have one gripe. The VPN is possible with this laptop, but not as easy to set up compared to the WRVS4400N. The only other gripe that I have, but this only a personal gripe is that the log on account can not be renamed, Only the password.
Customer Review: Great upgrade to 802.11n
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been a Linksys user since my first CableTV internet connection. Linksys / Cisco still makes a great product.
Before I began, I saved my old Linksys router configuration to a file on my PC. I also printed out many of the web admin pages containing configuration info.
WRT600N Setup was very simple. I unplugged my old router, ran the new cables and plugged in the 600N. Unfortunately, the EasySetup CD did not work properly in my PC.
The 600N has the same web management interface as my old WRT54G box. So I ran IE to http://192.168.1.1/ and was back on track. I entered all the old settings from the printed pages made earlier and saved the configuration.
My cable modem refused to let my PCs access the internet. Remembering advice from my cable co. I unplugged the power from both the 600N and the cable modem for a short time, then plugged them back in. After that, the cable modem sent the correct IP network settings to the 600N and I was Googling like a madman again.
NEW Stuff: The 600N has 2 wireless bands, with it my older wireless devices (a PDA, cell phone and printer) can connect wirelessly using 802.11g. At the same time, I get faster connection speeds using 802.11n with my laptop. Same network, with different security keys so it's as secure as I can make it.
Wireless N makes watching video much more enjoyable - few to no pauses in the video. Response time for shared folders is almost instantaneous.
I've read that some Mac users have had wi-fi connection dropping problems when using the 600N. I've had the 600N running for 1 month now with no connection problems from my Macbook Pro.
The 600N is one step in my Home Media system project. I think this was the right choice.