Configuring the device to work with your cable ISP and computer is very easy. The instructions are straightforward, and the basic tools you need to get up and running in minutes are easy to find in the browser interface. (A stroke of genius). A hookup video is included on CD-ROM. I ran the CD from my laptop while hooking up the desktop.

There is alot more that this device can do than most average users (like me) with probably need.

Since the router part uses network address translation to split your cable feed into multiple other data streams, it works as a firewall. Other computers can't see the network addresses "behind" the router. I dumped BlackIce Defender as a software firewall for incoming intrusions is not needed. You will probably still want a firewall for out-bound traffic (sent from cookies, snoopware, trojans, etc.) like Sygate personal firewall 4.2.

At this time, Linksys wireless card does not come with XP drivers, but Windows 2000 drivers seem to work fine.

The antenna's range is pretty good. There is only one spot in one room at the opposite end of the house where I loose the connection. The speed is slower than direct cable connection for transferring files over the LAN, but Web page speed from a cable modem is just as fast over the wireless link as over the cat 5 lines. I would be careful using wireless devices INSTEAD of cat 5 cable to hook up desktop PCs, though -- make sure you can get a strong signal path to the transmitter. Laptops' antennae don't have the same directional sensitivity issues that desktop wireless antennae do.

All in all, the device works great. You can dump your secondary IP address and save money from your IP. If you have a cable modem and two or more PCs and a laptop and want to share printers, files and high-speed internet access, this is truly a must-have product.

Including the required purchase of a wireless network card, this all-in-one peripheral provides a wireless PC connection as well as wired Ethernet PCs access to a single broadband Net connection. This wireless router allows for sharing of IP addresses, files, printers, and other network resources (I use this product specifically for a wireless high-speed Net connection to my desktop PC cable connection...I have my Compaq Presario 1200 notebook (WIN ME) networked to my Gateway P5 desktop (WIN 98v2) without compatability issues).

This router works extremely well without dropping the connection well within the distance limitations reflected in the Linksys documentation (although the advertised 400 ft. maximum would be pushing it well past the envelope in my opinion). I have tested these distance limitations extensively. My desktop/router is located in my upstairs office while I operate my notebook downstairs. Estimating, I suspect the working distance is easily 150 lineal feet with several walls and a floor to pass through. To test these limitations further, I've even taken the notebook to my garage with limited degradation (the length/signal strength icon moved to "yellow" signifying a questionable link albeit workable).

As with any shared connection, you'll see some speed degradation (as compared to the hard-wired primary desktop) from time-to-time but not enough to really matter. Many purists will disagree with me but this fixed, one-time cost beats the cost of hard-wiring a home network and monthly cable costs any time. Amortizing the hard costs relative to monthly cable costs (and initial installation) can be achieved in a minimum of 4 months in many cases depending on location and service providers (i.e. after 4 months, you're dollars ahead!)

Conclusion: a very solid wireless perhipheral for those desiring a second cable/DSL connection without the monthly cost. An outstanding value.

Instead, I highly recommend the Nexland ISB WaveBase. It costs a lot more, but is very well worth it, especially for the concurrent IPSec session support.

I got a better wireless connection (at 100 feet away) when I pointed the two antennas toward each other (creating an upside-down V). I even used my 900mhz phone, used two Nextel's Direct Connect and there was no interference whatsoever.

Even if you are not a network expert, the manual is very easy to read and the configuration through your browser is easy to understand as well.

The set-up menu is adequate for connection with fixed IP. But connection with dynamic IP, such as some cable modem,can be a big problem. It took me 5 min at lab and two weeks at home.Just before I was about to return it, I read my last email (...)and in it, a possible solution. And this time,it works. Thinking this maybe useful for other people like myself, I list the key steps below:
(1) Connect a computer directly to the cable modem FIRST and using ipconfig /all to obtain all information of the cable modem and its position on the network (i.e.MAC/Physical, gateway, DNS, etc.) and write them carefully down.
(2) At BEFW11S4 setup, goto Clone Mac address page under advanced on firmware's 1.36t6 and higher.Change the user defined Mac address to the Mac address you have recorded (These are additional steps beyond those which you have to do by the menu).

The rest is standard using the information of (1) and dynamic IP option. Then it will fly like an angel !!!

Like a lot of folks, I have found that the wireless is that, less. With the signal traveling 45 feet through three metal frame walls, I was getting a weak signal. A switch in the router settings (Advanced > Wireless > Antenna Selection) to Diversity Spread bumped the performance up. And let's face it, for web traffic, what's the big deal if my wireless LAN is only at 2MBS when my ADSL tops out at 1.5MBS?

My only big issue came with the update from Linksys. For two days I could not get into their site. And the teaser on the download page that this model supports Zone Alarm is not true.

You might not get it, but overall I am happy with the unit. It will never have a home on my corporate LAN, but here at home it does the trick.

I have some friends that have purchased the same unit as well. Whats quite convenient is that we can bring our laptops to each other's apts and do online gaming...WIRELESSLY.

I purchased two of these units. One for home and one for school. The freedom to roam around with your laptop and have lightning fast speeds is truly amazing. If you have Windows XP, it autodetects everything. You do not even have to do any IP configuring (regardless of wireless or wired connections). In Windows 98 or Windows ME, you will need to stick in the IP address, which should take all of 30 seconds. Great product, easy to setup, and great data throughput. Its really hard to tell the difference in speed between when I'm surfing on my laptop with the wireless PCMCIA card or with it connected on one of the Router's LAN ports.

I read several positive and negative reviews here, but figured that most of the negative reviews were from people who didn't know an IP address from a CPU. Since I knew something about networking, I figured that I'd be able to breeze through installing and configuring this router to work with my cable modem with no problems. Wrong. Although I had configured the router correctly (I later discovered), the problem turned out to be defective firmware. I called Linksys technical support and, after several lengthy waits on hold, was only able to leave pleas for their technical support department to call me back (which they never did).

After no help from Linksys, I discovered another site that made reference to the exact problems I was experiencing. They mentioned the latest firmware that fixed this problem. I downloaded it from Linksys, installed it on the router, and the problems were largely fixed. Here's my list of problems that were fixed: IPSec Passthru Issues and 128 bit encryption. Bugs remaining to be fixed: occasional router lock-up requiring reset.

Now with IPSec Passthru fixed, I'm able to use the router as I intended. The wireless range is significantly less than I'd expected, but I'm looking for 3rd party antennas that can address this issue. Yes, it locks up sometimes, but it's easy to reset. I give it three stars - if they'd get better technical support, I'd give it four stars.

And as for the consumers who have complaints on the range of the product, 3COM and Cisco products behave in the same manner. The key to installing a wireless product is to perform a site survey of the area you are installing the device. If you install it in a room with many walls and expect the RF signals to pass through them like laser beams think again. The best place to install this device is in a middle level (3 level house) in a high area, away from objects. Try it in different places and measure your signal strength using the utility that ships with the card. Follow these guidelines and you will succeed.

Also the USB adaptor does not work with windows XP, as suggested by their tech support. But I was able to get it to work, except that the utility window does not come up. They say the driver for XP will be available in a few days on their web site. I doubt it.

Also, I think my personal firewall, Zone Alarm Pro is giving me problems. I might have to disable that. Oh well...more things to sort out.

As for range, everyone's mileage will vary. But in my house I can go two floors up and still get respectable signal strength (around 50% to 60%). My house is tall and not very deep (3 livable floors). I've tested the range in all of the rooms and they appear to connect. But then again, there are no major steal beams or really solid walls/doors. Interestingly, as well, even if my laptop is right next to the access point, I can't get 100% signal strength, maybe 85% at the most.

The Access Point was pretty easy to get my DSL line (using PPPoE protocol) connected. So, all in all, I have had a good experience with this product (knock on wood), though I haven't had any reason to deal with tech support so far, so I can't comment on that aspect. I'm sure there are good and bad experiences with all products, and I thought I'd put my two cents on my positive experience with this product.

Purchased two wireless USB network adapters, WUSB11, loaded the software in two other computers using Win98SE and attached the adapters. All Done. Internet, Printers and file sharing. Life is getting easier.