| Belkin F5D8230-4 Wireless 802.11x Pre-N Router |
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Model: F5D8230-4
Brand: Belkin
Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 216
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft), IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Pre-N speeds and coverage mean 4x greater coverage than standard 802.11g and 4x greater speed than standard 802.11g
Wirelessly share a broadband cable or DSL Internet connection
Built-in 4-port 10/100 Ethernet switch
High resistance to wireless interference--the router will sense potential interference and shift to the clearest available channel
Note: Pre-N routing speeds require an optional Belkin Pre-N wireless networking adapter |
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| Description: |
| Belkin Wireless 802.11x Pre-N Router - This wireless network router features Belkin's Pre-N networking technology. Pre-N offers you amazing advantages in speed, coverage, & performance when compared to other wireless 802.11x networks. Some of the benefits include up to 800% greater coverage and up to 600% greater speed than 802.11g! If a standard 802.11g or 802.11b networking product is introduced into the Pre-N network, the Pre-N router will not drop to the lowest networking speed. When used with 802.11g & 802.11b devices, the Pre-N router improves their wireless coverage by up to 20%! Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Support Web Content & Parental Control Filter (6 months free) - provides over 50 fully configurable filters Pop-Up Blocker (6 months free) - provides pop-up, adware, & spyware blocking |
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| User Reviews (216 total): |
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if you like to reset, buy, December 17, 2006
By Lorenzo Pecora
I seldom have negative comments about products, but here we go. I bought this router when my older one died, and I wanted the fastest technology available. I am an experienced computer user (so please don't think I am just inept). I have owned this router for about a year now. I must say that set up was easy, and wireless as well as wired speed is okay. Not much better than other wireless routers I've owned (NetGear, D-Link, LinkSys). The main reason I am unhappy with this router is that it crashes very frequently. Usually at least once per day, and sometimes more. It has this bad habit of handing out mismatched addresses, thus no internet connectivity. The fix is unplugging everything and reseting, but it is annoying and a pain. I only occasionally had this problem with my other routers. For the price, this router is NOT worth it. I would not buy it again. I'd either stick with DLink or the LinkSys that seem more robust.
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Finally a Wireless Router with Reach, December 2, 2006
By VerusEx (Dover, NH United States)
Set up couldn't have been faster or easier. I have always been a LinkSys user and we bought Belkin Pre-N router despite the fact that our LinkSys Router was still going stong (LinkSys Routers usualy last about 2 years until the voltage surges kill them at our home so we are used to replacing Routers).
What we needed was better wireless coverage, the LinkSys had always been spotty on the first floor and gave us almost no coverage on the Deck or Upstairs. New Laptops forced the issue.
The Belkin Pre-N gave us both better coverahge and better speed. There is now good coverage upsairs and fair coverage outside on the deck and when you do have coverage the speed bump is very noticable.
I was a little concerned about buying Pre-N but now I am gald I did. In a enviornment with few users this Router is faster and has better coverage then the models that have followed. If you are in a office with more that 3 Users most of the time this is probabaly not the Router for you, the follow on models handle that application better.
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Overall excelent wireless device, December 2, 2006
By Marin Botev
I have to admit that this is my first wireless router at home. I'm a systems (computer) engineer and because of that I was asked to help a friend to setup his wireless, but I would not count that as long term experience.
Installation
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My setup is not the `optimal' one as I didn't manage to get ADSL Modem with Ethernet connectivity, but the one with USB. This means that one of my computers is acting as router.
Overall installation of the Belkin Router is simple.
The configuration of the Belkin Router is in this case little bit different as I am using the device as intelligent network switch.
In my case I'm using the router `Wireless > Use as Access Point' and `NAT Enabling' is disabled. The configuration as mine is not clearly described in the manual.
There is interesting behaviour of the Belkin Router - if are using the router as intelligent switch it automatically changes its management IP address to 192.168.2.254. In case you are using it as router it changes the IP address to 192.168.2.2. This interesting behaviour has to do something with network configuration best practices.
I think there is overlapping with other wireless devices at home or from the neighbours so for maximum signal strength I had to select specific Wireless Channel.
My Belkin is upstairs and my computers are downstairs.
Operations
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I'm using the Belkin router with my Fujitsu Siemens PC and laptop. Both computers have got built-in wireless. The signal detected is all the time excellent.
There is time to time problem with my PC not being able to connect the wireless network, but I believe this is MS Windows driver or chip firmware issue rather than the Belkin. Or might be a problem the position of the PC - it is directly under the Belkin.
I never observed any connectivity problems with the Fujitsu laptop.
My Belkin is upstairs and the longest distance tested is probably 20-25m within the house. The signal strength was all the time 54Mb/s and even with heavy traffic didn't drop.
For some reason I never managed to access the PC connected via wireless from the PC acting as router. From the 'internal' PC's I can access the PC acting as router. I don't use the firewall at all. It must be some security feature not described in the manual.
Conclusion
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I have got my Belkin 4.5 months and I am very happy with the device. I can recommend the wireless to the other users.
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Poor customer service, November 25, 2006
By jimd 111 (North Royalton, OH USA)
I just replaced my wrt54g with this router. On the wrt54g I was getting about 6meg/sec download speed. With this router, on my desktop I'm getting 7.5meg/sec. However, on my laptop I'm getting 300kb/sec. Obviously there's a problem.
I called technical support. It's the kind of tech support where the "tech" asks you a question and then they put you on hold for a minute while they look through their flowchart for the next question to ask you. Every question was the obvious problems that I already checked on my own. After about five questions he says the problem is my internet connection. I explain to him that I'm getting 7.5meg on my desktop, so it can't be the connection. And then I got the usual "may I help you with anything else today?" I might as well have been dealing with an automated system.
I'll be packing up the Pre-N and sending it back in the morning. Too bad.
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Incredibly Easy and It Works!, November 25, 2006
By Cassandra Marshall (Wilmington, DE USA)
This router set up easy as pie -- follow the CD instructions and, voila! -- I was up and running with a router that sends my broad band signal from the second floor (of a 3 story house) all the way to my back deck and up to my bedroom. The signal is never less that Excellent and the download speeds are consistently outstanding.
I was worried that my old (120 years!) house and the fact that I needed the signal mostly vertically would be a hinderance, but I needn't have worried. Me and my guests are able to share my Verizon DSL connection all throughout This Old House without a single problem.
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First foray into wireless routers, November 20, 2006
By Winchester (Montana)
Couldn't be more pleased with this purchase.
-Excellent documentation with router.
-Easy setup with CD. (I was back on internet with connected computer w/in 5 min.)
-Installed the Belkin F5D8000 Wireless Pre-N Desktop Network Card in my downstairs desktop. Got Excellent reception connection at 108mps. Tested my internet bandwith speed and got the exact same result as my "wired" internet. 3.1mb (3106kbs) download and 254kbs upload.
I also installed a Netgear/WG111/54mbs/802.11g/USB 2.0/recertifed wireless adapter that I got for $15 to my 4yo computer that only has usb 1.1. I got almost as impressive results, connected at 54mbs and got 1.8mb download and 254kbs upload. (I'm going to invest $20 in a usb 2.0 pci card so it should speed up considerably)
It took me a little while (an hour or so with no calls to tech support) to figure out how to configure WPA-PSK security. Got it working on both wireless machines. The trick is to be sure you're updated to XP sp2, then use XP's wireless network connection to configure the connection. You need to type in the SSID of your router in the add a network area and then configure it to use WPA-PSK security. The first time you connect, type in your passcode and your set.
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Excellent Range and Function, November 14, 2006
By A. Edmonds
The range of this router beats any G router I have used. It is easy to set up and maintain. I also like some of the advanced security features.
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Wireless Router, November 11, 2006
By R. Finn (Holyoke, MA United States)
Very good price for this router. It was easy to install and it works perfectly.
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Belkin Pre-N Router, November 11, 2006
By drm (Lawrenceville, GA)
Quick service to receive the router. Didn't realize I also needed network adapters for other computers to get the benefits of the router. Besides the added expense, I had problems with the Marketplace merchant for the adapter.
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out of the box and didnt connect to the internet, November 11, 2006
By S. Gale (Germany)
I've spent over two hours tweaking this, and over an hour on the phone with customer support. The thing still wont connect to the internet. Don't get me wrong, the lights light up and my laptop can connect to the ROUTER, but the router wont connect to the internet.
Belkin tech support told me to send it back. I will and I think I will try the Dlink Pre N.
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Wireless Router, November 10, 2006
By Medina Wilson (Copperas Cove, Texas United States)
Very pleased with product. I have 5 computers in my house networked through this router and the computers can be anywhere inside the house or in any part of our 2 acre lot and still receive an excellent signal. Highly recommend for a large home or office.
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Great Router, November 10, 2006
By Anthony M. Smith (Austin)
So far it hasn't gone out on us and needed to be restarted like our previous router did every 2 or 3 days. I really love the browser page configuration tool, which allows me to log onto the router using my browser and change everything and anything I need to, like the SSID name, password, WAN settings, LAN settings... it even lets you specify what IP address are allowed to access the router if you want.
Only down side is that my roommate's computer had a really tough time connecting to it (although it might just be his crappy Netgear wireless card). He couldn't connect when the security was set to WPA, but he could when it was set to a WEP hexidecimal password, so we had to set it to that mode. The difference between these two is being able to enter a familiar password like "catch22" vs having to enter a hexidecimal key like "5dc78edfc224c65afed85d8ee5d". Once again, I can't decide whether it's a compatibility issue with the router, or if Joseph's wireless card just really sucks.
Overall, I'd recommend this long-range, feature-rich router to anyone. It's the best I've seen.
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Don't buy it if you have a broadband phone!, November 9, 2006
By Gilvan P. Oliveira (Somewhere, MA USA)
The router is good. The range is excellent. I had big issues with Broadvoice phone service. Chopped calls even when I put the sipura ATA on DMZ. Finally is working with the ATA on DMZ and some other tweeks I found on google. Stay away if you intend to use with VOIP.
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Top Quality, November 7, 2006
By Arizona (Phoenix)
I installed this router after remodeling a bedroom into an office.
Without access to the wall to run cable, I needed to use a wireles set up
to get on line. Set up was very easy. The instructions were simple and
complete. I was up and running in less than a half hour. The speed is
outstanding and pages download as fast as my hardwire cable used to load.
I liked the fact that Belkin offers a lifetime warranty. There competition
does not. That tells me that they are sure of their product and will stand
behind it.
I'd buy Belkin again.
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Good and reliable., November 6, 2006
By Jol (Baldwin Park, CA)
This is a good router for the buck. It is easily installed and have very simple instructions to do so. The only thing I have a problem with is a chance to lose your signal. If there are a lot of routers in the area. I.E. An apartment or condominum building. I used the router to both my house and my apartment. I never lost the signal to my house, but I occasionaly lose my signal in my apartment. Especially during peak hours of use.
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A deficient firewall and firmware, November 5, 2006
By JoeCandle (USA)
This router makes it impossible to have meaningful conversations with voice messaging. Mangles voice etc. You have to disable firewall so voice works. No firmware has been issued to fix it.
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Great, November 5, 2006
By M. Langhoff (Chicago, IL)
My wife and I use this with our Mac laptops. We have a cable Internet connection. The router was recommended by a friend who also has a Mac. It was incredibly easy to set up - we were up and running within minutes. This is a testmanet to the user friendliness of the Belkin since I am severely technologically challenged. We leave the router in the kitchen on the main floor but most of our computer use is upstairs in my office or downstairs in the basement. In the 3 1/2 months since we bought the router we have only experienced a couple of brief moments when the signal wavered or got weak. I work at home and spend quite a lot of time online - I've had virtually no problems with weak signals and absolutely no tech problems at all. I can't say enough good things about this product.
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Home networking must, November 4, 2006
By Dashawk (Minnesota)
I bought this wireless router 3 months ago. I live in a 3 story town home in a densly popluated neighborhood. I get many strong network singals from neighbor's wireless networks and wanted a secure, reliable solution for a reasonable cost. I found the solution in the Belkin Pre-N Router. I have an Intel a/b/g integrated wireless in my personal laptop and a CiscoSystems PCMCIA a/b/g card in my work laptop. Both maintain solid connections and were easy to set up. I am very impressed with the wireless security and firewall. The router has been easy to set up and manage, no intrusions, great signal strength, range and speed.
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Belkin F5D8230-4 Wireless 802.11x Pre-N Router, November 4, 2006
By ArkBanker (Arkansas)
Great product. I have had this unit in place for my Mac and have not had a problem (not even a re-boot)in the 3 months I've had it in operation. Set up was a breeze and the interfaces worked flawlessly. I seem to have range over and above the product descriptions and have found no dead spots at all at home or outside.
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Not one problem in 3 months of continuous use, November 4, 2006
By G. MacManus (Dallas, TX)
This router has worked great for the past three months. The set up was a breeze. I have not had to make a single adjustment to that initial setup and it has not had one problem, not even a hiccup. Granted, I am working with Macs, so everything is easier, but I have used XP (on Macs, but still XP is XP) without a hitch as well. I have two computers regularly accessing the internet in the house (with a third occasionally chiming in) and this router feeds to every piece of the property, the coverage is great. The speed is great as well. I have not had one problem with this device yet and don't expect any to come. And at $90 it is a great router! If your experience differs from mine, you should probably consider changing operating systems rather than routers.
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