| Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B Cable/DSL Router |
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Model: BEFW11S4
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 1079
Platforms: Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Windows
Operating system: None
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Connects to a broadband modem, a 10/100 Ethernet backbone, or wireless network
Long wireless operating range supports 300 feet indoors and 1,500 feet outdoors
Provides roaming, best access-point selection, load balancing, and network traffic filtering
Configurable through your networked PC's Web browser
Can act as a DHCP server for your existing network |
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| Description: |
| The Linksys BEFW11S4 is your all-in-one networking device This wireless router features support for the 802.11b protocol, which lets you wirelessly access your network and the Internet from up to 800 feet (outside), or 300 feet (inside) away |
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| User Reviews (1079 total): |
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The cover range is too SHORT!, April 12, 2002
By shelby15 (Des Moines, IOWA USA)
On the ads it says the cover range for indoor use can reach 300 feet, but the ones (wireless router and wireless PC card both from Linksys) I bought they just could go less than 10 feet. The signal strength could never beyond 60% even the antennas were as close as 3 INCHES to the PC card. The tech suggested me to return them back. That's a quick solution.PS. After this incident, I bought a Lucent OriCONO wireless PC card and D-Link wireless router at similar price. Both work great and, regardless of upstair or basement, the signal keeps at 100% strength.
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3COM modem owners, WATCH OUT!!, April 12, 2002
By Eric J Betzler
I bought the BEFW11S4 and was told that it was practically plug-n-play into my XP system. For most people that may be the case, but if you own a 3COM cable modem, you may have big problems like I did. After spending about a week on the phone with both AT&T and LinkSys (both of whom were TERRIBLE at customer support, and very uncooperative), I was still unable to establish a WAN IP address between my router and my modem. However, the modem worked fine when connecting directly to my PC. I was about ready to give up and send back the router, when I was browsing through the LinkSys online knowledge base and found buried in there an article titled:
"3COM cable modem not receiving the WAN IP from the router"
This was my EXACT problem, according to the article, SOME 3COM modems with model #3CR29220 have "polarity" issues connecting to routers, hubs and switches, and that 3COM manufactures a "polarity cable" to fix the problem.
I called 3COM, and after they did some digging, they verified that I was correct and are in the process of sending me this mysterious cable (3COM part# 1.003.8600).
So after a disatrous week of fighting with AT&T, LinkSys, and my PC, I am finally hopeful a resolution is near.
In summary, this is a good product, but if you own a 3COM modem, be careful, and don't look to LinkSys for any "knowledgable" support.
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Works great and was easy to set up, April 11, 2002
By Manu Harish (Arlington, VA United States)
I had previously tried to get the DLink DI-713P to work and I was unsuccessful. I called D-Link and they said that the item was defective and I would have to mail it back for a replacement. I said "forget this" and returned the item and bought the Linksys wireless router. I use it in my 2 bedroom apartment. The bedrooms are about 50 feet apart and the transmission is great. My roommate is able to download music and games so much faster now and without any annoying wires. The Linksys support techs were helpfuil also. I called them when I had a question and they were able to answer it easily. I hope this review helps. I really like the product and I will promote Linksys to anyone.
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AWESOME product with Linksys Wireless PC Card ver. 3!!!, April 11, 2002
By Dave Westcott (Madison, WI United States)
I bought this system about a week ago and I love it!!! I was a little worried about some of the reviews from other people saying it was bad, but I thought it was very nice and i also bought the Linksys Wireless Network PC Card ver. 3 and they work great together. I can finally be online and be in my family room watching tv at the same time!! It is really cool. The range is outstanding and i can even go into my backyard, lay on my hammock and surf the web as fast as i would have with a cable connection.ITS WORTH THE MONEY, BUY IT!!
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Worthless with Windows XP, April 10, 2002
By yaronfr (New York, NY USA)
I bought this wireless router about 6 months ago believing it is Windows XP compatible. It is not. 6 months after the release of Windows XP, Linksys is yet to release a firmware update to address Windows XP UPnP issues. What this means to the home user is that you can not use your computer for voice and video conferencing applications (such as instant messengers), send files using MSN Messenger, ICQ, etc. nor play some online games. You can find better wireless routers from other vendors, and make sure they support UPnP.
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Forget the Wireless, April 8, 2002
By bill17432 (Frisco, TX United States)
I have had Linksys Tech Support on the line telling me the the 3 Com cards I had were the reason I could not access the internet with the wireless. The hard wired computer worked fine. Not sure why a 3 Com would not be talking to a Linksys. Both support 802.11b, I thought. So after hours on the line, I go buy the WPC11 and guess what...you guessed it.. it doesn't work either! Another hour on the phone with tech support with no new results. They let me know I could send an email to Linksys Level 2 and expect 2 days before an email response. This product and company is [junk]. I will be sending it all back..
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Excellent., April 6, 2002
By Matthew Harvey (Providence, RI)
I'm quite happy with the router. Setup was pretty easy, although I was initially surprised that the router didn't seem to be able to get an IP address (through DHCP via the cable modem) until I rebooted my *computer* which still doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Anyway, that took ten minutes of frustration, but now it works like a champ.I'm using it with the NetGear wireless PC card, and there are some signal strength problems, but I'm not sure who to blame for them. However, I have no complaints about either product.
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Great product, but don't use Linksys's wireless card, April 5, 2002
By unknown
The installation is very easy as I know how this device works already. For those who doesn't, please READ THE MANUAL. The instruction is clear enough for newbies. Well, don't bother to call Linksys's tech because they will put you on hold for a long time. Why waste your time if the help is in your hands. I heard that Linksys's wireless PC has a short range. I agree. I bought Lucent Orinoco's wireless gold card. It works great with this product. No poor connection from my room to the living room. Of course, it's very important to download the latest driver & software to work with this PC card. I was having communication problems if I enable 128 bit encryption to work. However, once I download the latest software for my wireless card. The problems are solved. Now, it works really great! The signal shows excellent.
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Easy to set up, great service, April 5, 2002
By MTrivett (US)
This is a product that is easy to use and set up. Be sure you have purchased an ethernet cable to connect your PC to the router, as it is not included. A 5e cable is what you want.I had to call tech support, and while the wait was long -- I called on Easter Sunday, so no suprise there, the tech that helped me was wonderful. The problem was in the WEP (word encription) -- I had disabled it on initiation but it was enabled in another area of the program. You micht check for that if your laptop shows a connection but you are not able to access the internet. Also, look for your networked files in "My Network Places." I would not have known that. I have a PC and a laptop, with windows XP on both, and the setup pretty much handled itself. Don't hesitate to try this product!
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GREAT and EASY, April 5, 2002
By T. Esmanech (California, USA)
This is for sure the "ALL in ONE" type of Product with an important factor - IT IS REALLY EASY TO USE and CONFIGURE.
I have also done a Firmware upgrade for new features and it was really easy too.
I really suggest you to buy it.
In addition the product AC Power can work also in Europe as it can work 110-240, 50-60Hz.
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OS X on a TiBook and Linksys Wireless Router, April 4, 2002
By unknown
Hell, this was simpler than I can really describe..Made connection to Powerlink Cable modem, booted up TiBook in OS X, and the Airport card auto detected a new wireless network. Chose the Linksys stream, and was surfing, Install time was 4.2 minutes - I had to find someplace to plug the AC line into...:) Honestly, 4.2 minutes.....Do that with Windows !
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Great Product - simple to setup, April 4, 2002
By unknown
I bought the wireless router and a wireless PCMCIA card. It was simple to install. The setup was straightforward. I was concerned because I had no idea of how to setup a router, but it was painless. I had it going in just a few minutes.
Now my DSL is shared with my desktop(hardwired to a port) and my laptop through the wireless.
My only disappointment was the wireless coverage. I have it in my office in the front of my house and it does not completely cover the family room in the back of the house. I live in CA and I do not have a big house!
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Unstable, April 2, 2002
By unknown
The router does not seem to be very stable. Many times, I have been forced to reset the router for the gateway connection would get lost. Other times, I need to reset because the wireless connection is lost.
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Great Value...Buy it!, April 1, 2002
By M. Leslie (Owensboro, KY United States)
I have been using this product for about 6-weeks now and I love it! I also bought the usb adapter to go with it and have since ordered another. Easy to set up and use. My wife is thrilled to be rid of the cat-5 cables that I had strung about the house. Be sure to upgrade to the latest firmware. Works great on my 95,2000 and xp machines.
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Easy setup, works like a CHAMP, March 31, 2002
By cwc70 (Batavia, NY United States)
Make sure you upgrade the units firmware, first thing. Start small. Intitially leave all the settings at the default till you get the wireless piece up. The unit has a lot of features and you will go nuts trouble shooting if you start playing with these right out of the box. I am using Symbol wireless card and the only thing I needed to change was the SSID and the links was up. In terms of signal range: I have a old 1900's house (plaster/lathe walls, heavy wood floors)and I get a strong signal on all 3 floors (and the unit is not in the center of the house). Had this for 2 months now and have nothing negative to say.
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beats d-link, March 30, 2002
By unknown
I bought a D-link wireless router and wireless cards. I worked on this for two days and had no success. Could not get them to work so I returned them. Ordered This router and 2 wireless USB adapters from Linksys. Plugged them in and they worked. No muss, No Fuss!
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Not what I expected., March 29, 2002
By John W. Wilson (Bradenton, Florida USA)
I have used Linksys products for networking home computers for some time now and with a few exceptions have been very pleased.The Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router did not perform like the Linksys product descriptions claimed it would. I attempted to share a cable modem in a home network, but I could not get a connection from this device across a moderate sized house with interior walls constructed out of drywall. The the transmitter and reciever were separated by about 50 feet on opposite sides of this home and I could not get a connection on any of the 6 channels. I went as far as turning off the one wireless phone, even though it was not operating in the 2.4 gig frequency. The home owner did not know of any other wireless devices in his home. The adjacent homes were over 30 feet from the sides of this home and it has water to the rear.
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Just pray that you don't need to call tech support, March 27, 2002
By Adam Bock (Eagan, MN United States)
Although Linksys has 24/7 tech support, you have to hold for about 24 hrs before speaking to someone. If you have limited experience with networking, set-up can turn into a nightmare. Also, the system requires significant tinkering if you want it to work within a VPN. It's great once it works but don't expect any help along the way.
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overpriced, March 27, 2002
By Gary Watland,Jr. (Merced, CA United States)
I've purchased three of these routers. Only one of which is still operational at a clients location. I find the BEFW11S4 to be very strong on signal but, unfortunately, weak on features. Tech. support is also given a low mark. One star on logging. One star on filtering. 4 stars on signal. There are much better routers out there for a lower price. Read alt.internet.wireless before you buy.
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Can you say "Plug and play?" Great equipment!, March 27, 2002
By unknown
What can I say...I plugged it in to my Linksys Cable modem and turned on the power. It configured itself with no problems, after connecting to the built-in web interface and tweaking a few security options I was all set.Version 3 of the wireless Linksys PC card worked fine with this unit. I have a 2600 sq. ft. house, my transmitter is in my basement and the card worked at 80-100% signal strength all the way to my attic! Thanks for making an affordable networking solution for the home Linksys!
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