| Linksys WGA11B Wireless-B Game Adapter |
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Model: WGA11B
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 174
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PlayStation
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Lag-free head-to-head or Internet gaming at up to 11 Mbps, without stringing wires
Converts wired-Ethernet-ready game consoles to Wireless-B network connectivity
Works without drivers on PlayStation2, Xbox, and GameCube
Exclusive Channel Selector Button makes network setup a snap
One year limited warranty |
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| Description: |
| The LINKSYS WGA11B Wireless-B Game Adapter gives any wired Ethernet equipped game console wireless connection capability. If you have an existing home wireless network with a cable or DSL Internet connection, the Game Adapter lets your PlayStation, XBOX, or GameCube attach to the network so you can get into online games without running wires to the game room. Or, you can use a pair of Game Adapters to form a "cable-less cable" between two game consoles for head-to-head gaming -- in the same room, or all the way across the house! |
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| User Reviews (174 total): |
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Works but........., August 7, 2004
By Lotto (Texas, USA)
Ok, I bought this item a few days ago and hooked it up with my new Playstation 2. Right out the box, it wouldn't connect to my wireless network which consists of a WAP and a VPN/FIREWALL Router. Here is what I had to do to get it to work:
1. Set the WGA11B Game Adapter to IN (Infrastructure Mode).
2. When using your network setup disk for your PS2, manually give the PS2 an IP Address that is not in use on your network. I altered the scope on my router's DHCP so that I will have 10 IP address that will not be in the DHCP scope. I used one of those IP addresses.
3. I also gave the PS2 the main DNS Servers IP addresses for my ISP.
After doing those three steps, I ran the test and was able to go online.
Now a couple of tips that will help you while trying to play online:
1. Configure your router to use the IP address you gave the PS2 in the DMZ. This will allow all traffic to and from your PS2 to bypass the firewall. Basically, you should have no problem hosting or joining games once you do this step.
2. When configuring the WGA11B, disable WEP, MAC ADDRESS FILTERING, and enable SSID broadcasting to make things easy while you are setting it up for the first time.
3. You can get the MAC ADDRESS for the WGA11B by looking on the back of the device. It's on a sticker.
Most of the people that had problems with this device more than likely had working devices, they just didn't have the network expertise to get it running. Calling Tech Support won't help you because you basically need to do most of your work in the router and PS2/X-Box Network settings. That was my experience in my network and as you can see, it wasn't as easy as LINKSYS makes it sounds. Good luck!
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works well after nasty install, August 2, 2004
By Cheezr (Boynton Beach, FL USA)
The Good News:
It does work as advertised
The Bad News:
Power adapter covered 2 other outlets on my UPS :-(
If you relish a challenging install - this one is for you! ;-)
What worked for me (HTH):
WinXP notebook w/wired and wireless LAN (both enabled)
Plugged WGA into wired lan port on laptop with supplied cable (also plugged WGA into outlet)
Did not change any switches or settings on WGA
I.E., left little switch on WGA to "x" position (NOT to = as it says to do in manual)
After WinXP announced Network connection found and little Net LED on WGA lit up
Ran setup program.
It took several trys to find the WGA but it did and I followed the setup screens.
clicked 'No' to exit setup at end and got fascinating error msg.
main screen said 'setup sucessful'
pushed big blue button until display said "P1"
unplugged from laptop and plugged into Replay LAN port
Voila!
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Bridging seems to work for me just fine, July 27, 2004
By T B SINCLAIR-BELL (Orpington, Kent, UK)
I have set one of these up to bridge my home network and my mates over the road (Using 128 Bit WEP Encryption)
The WGA11B is in my mate's house, connected to a hub.
I have a Linksys BEFW11S4 and a Netgear DI-614+ configured with the same SSID on different channels, so I have no idea which of these it is actually connecting to (However the Netgear is closer, so it is probably that)
Setting up was, for me (an IT Engineer!) easy - However, make sure you connect it to a wired network to setup, or you may run into problems - also make sure the wireless part does NOT connect to the network while the wired side is connected to the same network, or you will break your network (You create a loop causing a lot of traffic on the network until one of the two are disconnected) (Just select a channel number, rather then a preset, or In)
Keep the CD it comes with safe, as it does not seem you can download the configuration utility from the Linksys site (well, not from the drivers or firmware section anyway!)
If you take it apart (Voiding your warranty), the antenna is removable, and on a cable, so you can disconnect it, unscrew it, reconnect it, then re assemble the unit - This then gives you an antenna on an 80mm ish cable - This could be used for a Pringles type antenna "cantenna" arrangement (I am yet to play with this as my mate is only across a normal residential road!)
All in all, seems to be a good product!
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Crappier than an outhouse, July 11, 2004
By danshook (Boston, MA)
If 0 configuration is good for you, than you might like this. If you want to use WEP, tie this to a brick and throw it through the Windows of Linksys' offices.I basically had one of Linksys' drones tell me that disabling SSID, WEP, and MAC filtering were overkill and that all I needed to do was enable SSID broadcasts and disable WEP and everything would work. The software is crappy and can't even reliably connect to the device. Look elsewhere for a wireless game adapter.
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this game adapter is bad, July 10, 2004
By Nick Harris (PA)
This game adpater is easy to set up but don't believe the lag free part in the desription. I had this up shortly and playing an extremely laggy game on my Xbox. It is faulty and drops the connection commonly. It's not good for playing on the internet but good with other box's in the house. Now, it doesnt even work on the internet i dont reccomend it.
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Forget it if you use WEP, June 23, 2004
By unknown
Do yourself a favor and get a WET11 instead if you use WEP to secure your network. I thought I'd save a few bucks and get this instead, but after two units and less than stellar documentation and tech support from Linksys I still could not run the configuration utility to set this up for my network. I have a WET11 that I used for another device that is easily configured with it's web interface. The WGA11B has a Windows only program that refused to recognize the adapter when run on my laptop. I could use it out of the box if I turned WEP off and enabled broadcast of my SSID, but who wants to run that risk. Maybe it's something with the configuration on my laptop, but Linksys tech support was of no help beyond suggesting I return the first unit (which I did) and when the second didn't work any better I just decided to save myself the hassle and return it.
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Works right out of the box with my PS2, June 23, 2004
By Full of cheese (Winthrop, MA United States)
Amazing! I was fully expecting to have to work at getting this connected to my WI-FI network at home but I was wrong. The set up and install consisted of opening the package and plugging it in. When I saw that the printed instructions consisted of three steps I was a little worried because nothing dealing with networks is ever easy, right? Well this little gem is easy! It comes with a network cable, power adapter & set up CD. You don't need the CD if you are using it with a PlayStation 2. It's a small unit, a little bigger than a pack of smokes, so it doesn't take up much space. I highly recommend this unit.
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Lagging Lagging Lagging!, June 19, 2004
By SOCOM2JUNKIE (Murrieta, CA United States)
Dudes,
I purchased two of these hoping to connect two Playstation 2's for some head to head SOCOM 2 LAN Battles without running cables. Well, once I got the two PS/2's to communicate (with linksys support's help) there was so much lag you would not beleive it! I moved the two PS/2's into the same room hoping to alleviate the lag, but it still lagged like crazy. I ended up returning the two devices and just connecting via cat5 cables and a switch. There was no lag once I attached cables and the switch. This adapter is GARBAGE! Save your money and just Hard wire the connections!
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Plug N Play Defined, June 16, 2004
By mrkiker (Dallas, TX USA)
Though I'm a software developer, I don't know much about networking, MAC addresses, DNSs, etc. Rather, I'm too lazy to learn what my peers already know. I had my fingers crossed when I bought this one, based on the reviews I read here. Well, it took some time, but I got the thing to work. And by "some time", I mean roughly 30 seconds. Here's what I had to do:1. Open it.
2. Plug it into the wall and the Xbox
3. Turn on the Xbox
4. Click the blue button till the display read "In".
5. Play games. It really is that easy. I don't even know if it has directions or not, as I never read any. I just glanced at the back of the packaging for the "In" instruction. This is worth every penny. I chose this over the MS brand one simply for the fact that this unit may have some re-use down the road if my Xbox becomes "unnecessary". This is a great product, don't pass it up.
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Great for PS2, June 16, 2004
By unknown
This adapter is great for PS2. I've been using it for a day now and it works flawlessly since I got it working. If you use this adapter, you won't lag at all in any of your games. Just make sure, when you set it up, that you don't have WEP enabled on your router/router settings, it took me and my friends two days to figure that out.
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Works as advertised for XBox, June 4, 2004
By papa_doodle (Massachusettes)
I decided to go wireless because I was tired of running a cable to my upstairs gameroom every time I wanted to play. I have a pretty straightforward wireless network and I'm pretty new to the wireless world. I don't use WEP (I'm not sure if SSID is enable or disabled) and I have a SMC router (SMC7004VWBR). I connected it to my Xbox as described in the "Quick installation" instructions that were printed on the inside of the WGA11b package and my xbox detected my network (my xbox network configuration was set to "automatic") and I was playing within a few minutes. I played for a couple of hours and I didn't notice any lag or disconnects. I read the other reviews and I noticed a few people that had some problems with this adapter and I'm not sure why, it may be that they had additional security settings that I don't have. I can't comment about the advanced installation (it comes with a CD that will only work with a PC) because I didn't use it (I have a mac). If your thinking about buying an adapter I would try this first, if it doesn't work you can always return and buy the MN700. The only negative comment I have is that I wish it came with a hardcopy of the manual (it is on the CD and the linksys web site).
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Easy to use, if you don't need WEP., May 25, 2004
By unknown
This is an extremely easy-to-set-up product. Take it out of the box, switch the channel to "In" and your up and running. I use it to play Xbox live and it works like a dream! RS3, Crimson Skies, Mech Assault, PGR 2 all work perfectly. For all you people who blame this product for lag, you need to study your technology magazines a bit more. Lag is caused by your internet connection speed, not your wireless network devices. I have a Belkin wireless B router up stairs in my master bedroom and the WGA11B downstairs and the signal strength is excellent. I don't really live in a metro area, so WEP is not necessary here, but from what I've read, the setup for the WGA may be a bit more difficult when trying to configure the WEP. All in all I am very pleased with this product. If you're not going to use WEP, then definitely give this little gizmo a try.
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Best available, but not as good as it could be, May 11, 2004
By Sea Rover (Petaluma, CA United States)
Easy setup for common, simple situations. The lack of a web interface for setup is a problem for those without a Windows computer handy. The button allows easy selection of common configs, but the Windows utility is needed for WEP or networks that don't broadcast SSID. I haven't needed it yet. Would a simple setup pamphlet be too much to ask? Sometimes it isn't convenient to read the CDROM manual, especially when it isn't obvious there is one on the disc. My unit had the crossover-straight-through switch labelled backwards. Eventually, someone will put a WAN=wireless selection on their wireless router/firewall and make this product obsolete.
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BEST WIRELESS ADAPTER EVER MADE!!!!!!!!!!!, May 8, 2004
By unknown
It literally took me less than two minutes to get this thing set up and I was playing on line absolutely lag free. The connection was just as fast as being hard wired. I set it up on a dlink wireless network, all I had to do was push the big blue button until it displayed "in" and I was good to go. You seriously have to be a moron not to be able to set this thing up. Anybody who says it lags doesnt know that the lag is due to their internet connection, not the device. If you were thinking about buying this wireless adapter, do it! It's awesome!
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If it werent for the akward configuration..., May 3, 2004
By Jarrett W Thomas (Clearwater, Florida United States)
I use this adapter alot, especially for my Xbox and and LAN parties. The adapter has the full set of Wi-Fi channels that you can toggle between so you can connect this adapter and another one via Adhoc mode for head to head gaming, an autosense mode that connects to any unprotected 802.11b wirless router, and then 3 profile modes that you can configure special network settings for, such as Wirless Encryption. It's the configuration of the 3 profiles that can get real annoying when you take it to somebody else's house and have to use the supplied CD in their home computer, hardwire the adapter to their router, and configure it using the software to recognize their wirless network, then disconnect it and then connect it to your gaming console. If you forgot to bring the disc, you will have a fun time digging on linksys's website for the software. The antennae on this adapter is not spectacular, expect to get a little more than half the range you would with a wirless notebook. Problems aside, this is still the most affordable option for wireless gaming, not to mention the adapter's other uses as a wireless ethernet bridge for computers and other devices (since "wirless bridges" usually cost 99 bucks) it's still a great deal
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Didn't work well for me, April 20, 2004
By unknown
I can't say I would recommend this product. I have generally been a Linksys fan in the past, as my wireless router and all of the adapters in my computers are Linksys. So I figured I'd get another Linksys hardware item so I could play Xbox Live wirelessly. Well, it didn't quite go as planned. First, setup was a hassle as I have a WEP security code on my network, and the instructions don't tell you how to set it up in that situation. Well I looked on the internet and saw that I had to hook it up to my computer and run the setup CD to enter the WEP code. I wish I could have done that through my Xbox interface, but whatever. So after entering the code, I hooked up the adapter to my Xbox, set the adapter to "P1" (profile 1, which has the WEP code), and eventually got it to sign on to Xbox Live, though not until after I had spent around two hours talking to three reps from Linksys tech support, one of whom tried to convince me that my adapter was defective. Anyways, I finally got it to connect to Xbox Live. End of the story? Hardly.Trying to use this device to play Live was another difficulty. The device created horrible lag, so much so that I gave up trying to use it after about 15 minutes. I was feeling pretty down about the prospect of having to run ethernet cable throughout my house. As a last-ditch effort, I exchanged this device for the wireless adapter that Microsoft makes specifically for the Xbox (MN-740). Imagine my surprise when everything worked perfectly with the new adapter! Very low lag, great connection speed, and hardly any packet loss. Anyways, I'm certainly no fan of Microsoft in general (though I do love my Xbox), but I would not say that getting this device is worth saving the $20 or so over getting the actual Microsoft one. I hate that it has to be that way, and if you feel like taking the risk, give the Linksys one a shot. But I was not satisfied at all with it. The only reason I gave it two stars is because of the patience and helpfulness of the last customer service rep I talked to, who was at least able to help me connect to Xbox Live. Still, I would definitely stay away if possible.
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great product, April 19, 2004
By destinywlf (oregon usa)
unit was easy to setup. only problem i had was I put the mac address of the adapter into my wireless adapter`s mac filtering allow list. if your using mac filtering like me make sure you enter the mac address of your playstation network adapter. not the wireless game adapter. connection was pretty good. had a few issues with putting it in a good location so it wouldnt disconnect. pretty much plug and play like the package says.
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No obsenity can express my anger., April 10, 2004
By Gregg Nleson
Got this for myself so I could play Resident Evil Outbreak on the Network setting. First one I got I was patient with, I read the directions, which were crap and lacking, then I went ahead and tried to set it up. I have WEP, which immediately makes the setup exponentially more difficult, but I was ok with that. I hooked it up into the ethernet outlet in the back of my computer, and continued with the setup. I went ahead and followed the "easy to use" guide, filled in my WEP password and all this other stuff. It still did not work. The first time I called the tech support, the man I got was really helpful, and actually stayed on the phone with me for a long time trying to figure it out. When almost every outlet had been exhausted, he begrudgingly told me that it might be the product that was defective. I doubted this could be the case, and so I continued on with the setup, double checking that my internet and my wireless network was all up and running. I called again, the woman I got had a hard to understand accent, and her only advice for me in our 5 minute conversation was "try to reset it". Angrily, I tried to reset it, as this had become days of me trying to set this god forsaken device up. Resetting it did NOTHING. I returned it, got another, and tried again. Went through the process again. Called tech support for someone who knew nothing about this adapter. Sat there for an hour trying to explain to him that yes, I had tried toggling that little switch on the side, and it didn't seem to be magically working. His final result? Oh it might be the cable that came with the product that connects it to the PS2. I had to explain to him several times that I did not have another cable, and when he finally understood what I meant, he gave me the advice of "the product isn't defective, but the cable might be." While I am seeing red, as I have screwed around with this product for over a week now to no avail, I am thinking about trying one last time to set it up before going for an alternative. For me it's not something for convenience, because I have a wireless network in my house; I have no other options if I want to play my console games online. I think my issue might be that I have a Netgear wireless network. I'm not sure of the compatability between the companies...whereas I would doubt that there would be this compatability, I found a sentence along the lines of "This feature only compatable with Linksys products" in the setup about setting up the WEP configuration for the product.
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Works great with no hassle, March 21, 2004
By loomis772 (Richland, WA United States)
I bought this to use my Playstation2 on my wireless network. It worked great out of the box, just plugged everything in, and it worked as good as when my PS2 was wired (40 feet of cord!)
My only critisism it the short length of the ethernet cord that comes with the unit. I would highly recommend.
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Compatibility issues, March 3, 2004
By unknown
I just recently purchased the WGA11b and wasn't too excited to see that the set up was not as EASY as they claimed. After speaking with someone working at Dunkin' Dounuts, I come to find out that there are some compatibility issues with my existing wireless network, which tech support failed to mention. They didn't have a clue and the guy walking me through it was lost. Although, it works fine if you have a Linksys Wireless network there are issues getting this to operate properly on a more sophisticated wireless system.
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