| Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G |
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Model: WRE54G
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 0
Platforms: No Operating System
Operating system: Windows
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Dimensions - 1.1 x 7.4 x 6.9 in (H x W x D)
Wireless Standard - IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Security WEP - 64/128 bit WEP |
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| Description: |
| The WRE54G Wireless-G Range Expander increases the effective coverage of your wireless network. Unlike other access points, this wireless expander doesn't require connection by a data cable. Just place it within range of your wireless router and bounce the signals off remote wireless devices. It's perfect for any wireless home or business network that requires wider coverage: Multi-story homes, warehouses, outdoor spaces and more. |
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| User Reviews (0 total): |
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Range extender review, March 25, 2006
By Teresa Kirkpatrick (USA)
This is a great product to expand your wireless network. Very easy to setup and use.
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This thing does not work, March 22, 2006
By developer13 (Chicago)
1. I gave it one start because I could not give less(no option).
2. Linksys went out their way to make management software incompatible with standard Windows interface.
3. Anything you change requires reboot.
4. When I call support they ask bunch of personal info first, then told be to disable security (WEP) then they made me reboot my computer couple of times.
5. Last and main $100 + 5 hours the damned thing still does not communicate to the Linksys router. I can not reset it, I can not access it even thought the wire connection.
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Works, once set up, March 22, 2006
By C. Meinhold (North Carolina, USA)
As others have mentioned, this works like a champ - once you can get it set up, that is.
The instructions and "setup (f)utility" are a joke. Best bet is to use Mr. Taylor's instructions as a starting point, and then call up Linksys if they don't work.
Also, if you your router is WRT54G and is v3, you will need to upgrade your firmware to at least 4.0.2 before anyone at Linksys will talk to you. They actually made me hang up, update my firmware and then call them back.
However, the second person I spoke to at Linksys was a great help and we got the thing running in a couple minutes. The main issue that I had was that my router was running on .2.1 and the expander defaults to .1.240 so I couldn't connect with it.
The solution was to:
- Hardwire into the expander using the network cable they provide
- Give the machine you are connected to a static IP such as 192.168.1.2 - or whatever, as long as it is .1.xx
- You can then access the expander's setup page (192.168.1.240).
- Change the expander IP to .2.240
- Change the machine back to its original IP or DHCP
- Remove the cable and restart your wireless
You could also just change the router from .2 to .1 and not go through the hassle above, but I have too many machines with static IPs on my network and it was easier to get the expander modified than to go through each machine.
Anyway, this thing just about doubled my range, so I am happy with it. I completely understand the frustration offered by users here, though.
I'm throwing three stars at it:
- 5 for functionality
- 1 for documentation
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Solved my low signal problem, March 10, 2006
By James Dunn (Ohio, USA)
I had a problem with a low wireless signal from a Linksys WRT54G v.5 router connected to a Direcway DW7000 broadband satellite modem and a desktop computer on the first floor of my house to a Linksys WMP54G v.4 PCI adapter in a desktop computer located on the second floor. Both computers are Dells running Windows XP Pro with all updates.
The signal has to pass through several walls, a floor, some metal HVAC ducts and a concrete wall and is about 70 feet away. I plugged the WRE54G v.2 expander into a wall socket close to the WRT54G, pressed the auto config button on the WRE54G for 10 seconds or so and both blue lights came on. Then I unplugged it and moved it to a location still on the first floor but closer to the upstairs desktop and plugged it back in. The signal level on the upstairs computer went from fair to excellent. Before doing this the upstairs computer would not connect to the internet because of low signal strength.
It was very easy to set up since I had no security to deal with at the time. I am always amazed when something works right out of the box like this but it has been several hours so far and all is well.
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Only if don't have a choice..., March 9, 2006
By giame (San Francisco, CA)
This is not a very good product. But in my case I came to the conclusion that I didn't have an alternative if I wanted to easily extend my wireless coverage.
First, forget the installation instructions that come with it. In order to make it work I had to go to Google and find unofficial instructions.
Also forget about placing the expander at the edge of your existing coverage, it won't be very useful there. The device will cut in half whatever bandwidth will detect, so the farer you position it from your access point the slower the connection will be when going through the expander.
I'm also having problems because a neighbor (secured) network is stronger than mine in certain areas of my home. The expander simply repeats the strongest signal when using the automatic configuration button. In order to program it you have to physically connect to it (not immediate). Which is annoying but even worst is the fact that the set up will be lost easily...
Well, better than no signal I guess...
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Itr deos work with the Wireless G Router..., March 7, 2006
By me
People keep saying it does not work with [their] router?
It comes with a set up CD that is so easy (if you can't read [like most of the reviewers]it has pictures)!!
Once you put the cd in bang, you have expansion:
This from their support regarding compatibility with LINKSYS WRT54GS WIRELESS-G BROADBAND ROUTER WITH SPEEDBOOSTER,
"This router will work with the range expander. Make sure that a latest firmware should be loaded on it to work with the range expander. You may follow these procedures to configure the WRE54G using the setup wizard:
1. Insert the Setup Wizard CD into your PC's CD-ROM drive. The Setup Wizard should run automatically, and the Welcome screen should appear. If it does not, click the Start button and choose Run. In the field that appears, enter D:\setup.exe (if "D" is the letter of your CD-ROM drive).
2. Click the Setup button to continue this Setup Wizard. Clicking the User Guide button opened this Guide. To exit this Setup Wizard, click the Exit button.
3. Make sure your access point or wireless router is working properly before you continue with the SetupWizard. Click Next to continue or Exit to exit the Setup Wizard.
4. The Setup Wizard will run a search for your wireless network. If found, you will be asked to confirm the settings. If the settings are correct, click Continue and proceed to step 7. If you'd like to choose a different wireless network, proceed to step 5. If no wireless network is found, a screen will notify you when no access point is detected on your network. Click Continue to survey your network for any access points or wireless routers, and proceed to step 5. You can click Cancel to exit the Setup Wizard.
5. The site survey results will display all available access points and wireless routers in your network. Select the one you want and then click Yes to continue. Then proceed to step 6.You can click No to return to the Welcome screen of the Setup Wizard.
If you want to manually enter settings, click Manual. The Configure Wireless Settings Manually screen will appear. Enter the SSID of your network. Then select the channel setting of your network.
If your network uses WEP encryption, select WEP from the Encryption drop-down menu. Click Next to continue and proceed to step 6. If your network uses WPA security, select WPA. Click Next to continue and proceed to step 6.
If it does not use wireless security, select Disabled. Click Next to continue and proceed to step 7.
6. If security is disabled, then proceed to step 7. If security is enabled, the appropriate Security Settings screen
will appear. Enter the WEP or WPA settings. Then click Next to continue or Exit to exit the Setup Wizard.
7. After the Setup Wizard has found an access point or wireless router with which to communicate, it will now search for the Range Expander. Select the one you want. Then, click Yes to continue, or click No to return to the Welcome screen of the Setup Wizard.
8. You will be asked to enter its password. Enter the default password, admin. Then, click Enter to continue. To exit this Setup Wizard, click Exit.
9. The Configure Network Address Settings screen will appear. Enter an IP Address and appropriate Subnet Mask for the Range Expander. Then enter the IP Address of your network gateway, as well as a descriptive name for the Range Expander. Then, click Next to continue or Back to return to the previous screen.
* IP Address. This IP address must be unique to your network. (The default IP address is 192.168.1.240.) If you are not sure about what to do, keep the default IP address.
* Subnet Mask. The Range Expander's Subnet Mask must be the same as your network's Subnet Mask.
* Gateway. This IP address should be the IP address of the gateway device that permits communication between the Internet and the local network (this is usually your network router). If you are not sure about what to enter, keep the default Gateway IP address.
* Expander Name. You can assign the Range Expander any name up to 32 characters in length, such as its location (garage, downstairs, living room).
10. If you have the WRE54G v2, proceed to step 11.
If you have the WRE54G v1, enter the MAC address of your access point or wireless router. You can find theMAC address on a label located on the bottom panel of the access point or wireless router. Then, click Next to continue or Back to return to the previous screen.
11. You should now review the settings you've chosen. If these settings are correct, click Yes to save these settings. If you wish to change any of the settings, click No. You will exit the Setup Wizard and can start it again to change your settings.
After the expander's configuration, you may now locate an optimum location for the Range Expander. The best placement is usually at the edge of your wireless network. Fix the direction of the antenna. Try to place it in a position that will best cover your wireless network. Normally, the higher you place the Range Expander's antenna, the better the performance will be. Proper positioning of the antenna can enhance its receiving sensitivity.
If you have further questions, you may send us an E-mail at support@linksys.com so that we may further assist you."
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I got lucky?, March 3, 2006
By Mattyjsoldier
I had a weird situation, I actually first tried upgrading my 4 year old router to a new Linksys wireless router because I was told it would increase my range.I have 5 home computers that some are hardwired into and a few laptops that run wireless. I bought the new one and it got worse? Go figure! So I was told to get rid of the new wireless router, use my new vonage wireless router and get this extender....I first read the reviews and was very reluctant!It seemed like everyone had problems? I did buy this extender, I plugged it in the wall, loaded the disk, and it walked me right through the set up? Wireless router was on the second floor and the living room got a low poor signal prior, now it gets High Very good signal. I had absolutely no problem with it and it works great? I was very affraid of going through the customer service in India or Pakistan situation so I can sympathize with the other peoples problems....But it worked very easy and fine for me. I recommend getting it!
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Yes it works, and no it doesn't work., March 1, 2006
By James G. Magnano (Los Angeles, CA. USA)
Lately Linksys/Cisco products are all but useless. Support is a joke. This expander will work, however ONLY with the Wireless G access point, or Wireless G router. It is NOT compatible with the G Router with Speed Boost, (Speed Boost doesn't work anyway) or the Wireless Routers with SRX Range/Speed boost (Which again, don't actually work anyway) If you have a standard G router, I suggest the WRT54G, then yes this item will work well if you ever figure out how to set it up, which took me a long time, and I do this sort of thing daily. So make sure you have the router it works with, and a lot of patience.
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It's a great device but...., March 1, 2006
By Luis Villalobos Noriega (Mexico City, Mexico)
It needs you to know what you are doing, it isn't as easy and friendly as you would think or like, at least for configuring it for a WEP enabled WLan. Eventhough, regarding the coverage, it's an awsome equipment, I really recommend it.
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It's criminal, February 27, 2006
By Bargain Shopper (Garden Ridge, TX)
I'm disappointed that a CISCO company could sell such a piece of junk. I've worked with the range expander for more than 10 hours and still can't get it to work even when I use the suggestions shared by other users here. I tried the support help line and the person on the other end, while courteous, could barely speak english. I can't remember having a more frustrating experience! I will never purchase another Linksys product!!!
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product did not work / Inadequate customer service, February 27, 2006
By J. Prucey (NY NY USA)
Without going into great detail, I cannot recommend this product. It did not expand the range of my wireless router, and after SIX hours, yes that's correct six hours with customer service, and speaking with four different "specialist" on three different occasions it worked, but it didn't expand the range. During this time they managed to completely disable my cable modem at one point and I didn't have any internet service at all. The "expert" told me to call the cable company because the cable modem somehow mysteriously sopped working after three years while he had me rebooting every device attached to my computer. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this product. I sent it back and have had a great sense of relief ever since
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Be Careful, February 23, 2006
By John G. (McCall, ID USA)
I bought the expander and found the instructions were not helping me to install. The during the first call to Tech Support it was apparent they do not understand the product. She said she would get her supervisor to help, but after 40 minutes on hold I called again. This time I got a person who was even more helpless, she got frustrated and either hund up or we got disconnected. During the third call the tec worked for two hours and then said I was up and running, however, it became apparent my sinal strength did not increase. My fourth call was made on day two and again I got a person who got frustrated and we suddenly got "disconnected". My fifth call (by now I have been on the phone a total of SIX HOURS) was a person who was pretty good, but after two hours she told me to take the expander back because I needed a Version 1 not a version 2. I honestly do not know if it is worth trying a version 2. Their technical support is horrible. I onwed the product for two days, spent a tremendous amount of time with their tecnical support teams, but have no idea if the product works! I am not certain I would have given it a One Star, but I could not go lower.
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no fully compatibility with 802.11b, February 16, 2006
By Luis F. Ochoa
Linksys says it can be used with the standard 802.11b but is not totally true. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.
It looks I will have to buy the G wireless router.
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Good prodcut. It really Expand the wireless signal, February 13, 2006
By J. Gonzalez (CA, USA)
I don't give it the 5 starts because of its poor installation procedure and the technical support or Knowledge Base from Linksys.
I bought this expander knowing of some of its problems especially with the set up procedure by reading some of the previous reviews. I got the WRE54 Ver2. which has the ethernet port, so I follow some recommendations that I read here: First, I downloaded and installed the latest firmware for bouth, the router (WRT54G Ver2) and expander. Then, I connected a wire from one of the ports of my router to the Expander and used my desktop to browse to 192.168.1.240 and entered manuallty all the information for my Network and WEP. Then, I moved the expander to the middle distance from my router and my laptop .... And ready, I was able to connect my laptop to the Internet from the death spot of my house. Before I did not have any signal on my laptop and now I had a full strength signal and 54 mbps. GREAT!!!! I was very happy until I noticed that, I was not able to see the shared files or the shared printer of my desktop from my laptop, but I was able to ping the laptop from the desktop (wired to the router) and vice verse. When the laptop was connected to the router (wireless) without the Expander all the sharing files and printer worked fine. I checked the Knowledge Base at Linksys.com but couldn't fine anything releated to this problem. (There are only 4 articules about the WRE54G), so I called Linksys tech support, and as many of you mention, after waiting for almost an hour to be connected with the technical support, they told me that, they have "limited support" and of course didn't solve my problem. Finally, I discovered that, when I uninstalled the protocol "NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS", which I was using for my sharing files, and rebooted the desktop and laptop all the sharing files and shared printer started to work fine. Now I am happy again :-) Everything is working fine and the Range Expander work very well. The only thing I have noticed is that it got disconnected once in a while. It reconnects again, but I am wondering what if I am in the middle of downloading a file from the Internet, then it will be a problem. So far my house death spot is now alive :-)
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Works great...after I broke down and called Linksys tech support, February 10, 2006
By R. M. Silva (Healdsburg, CA)
I never thought one product could frustrate me so much! Having worked in desktop and networking support for 10 years, I thought setup would be a snap. Below is a snapshot of what I did and hopefully this will help out some other poor soul who buys this.
* Turn off any wireless encryption and configure the range expander with a wired connection + CD provided with setup application. I was unable to connect wirelessly because the default IP address of the expander was in a different subnet than my router.
My Router Configuration
IP: 192.168.15.1
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
My Expander Configuration
IP: 192.168.15.2
* Laptop Network Configuration - This is where my phone call to Linksys saved the day. Support suggested that I plug my information manually and they indicated that I needed to plug my Router address into my DNS settings. I'm not sure where they get the 2nd DNS number from, but my internet connection started working before I could even close the network panel. I'll tinker with DHCP settings later.
IP: 192.168.15.3
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Router: 192.168.15.1
DNS: 192.168.15.1
4.2.2.2
So...as much as this product frustrated me, Linksys saved the day with their amazing tech support. My problem was solved quickly and without any grief or attitude. I would give 5 stars if I could have set this up myself without calling.
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works as advertised but some "assembly" is required, January 28, 2006
By F. Olivares (Tegucigalpa, Honduras)
I'd give this product 5 stars because it works as advertised (good signal boosting, seamless integration with network, reliable...couldn't be happier)..but I don't because of the time I had to spend figuring out how to make it work.
As every other reviewer says, stay away from the autoconfig utility that came with the CD (or the one you download from Linksys.com). Follow the instructions other reviewers had suggested (came in very handy...THANKS!).
...and yes, it does work with the BEFW11S4, provided that you find VERSION 2 of this expander (I bought mine from eBay and had the seller email me pics showing the sticker just to be sure). Here's one happy user who can confirm you that they pair well with each other (make sure the router has firmware 1.5 [STAY AWAY FROM 1.52]).
LAST MINUTE ADDITIONAL COMMENT!!
June 27, 2006
Paired it with a DLink router (DI-624 revision C, firmware 2.53 if I recall correctly). Pressed autoconfig button on Linksys expansor and voila! Perfect connection.
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It works, and customer support was surprisingly great, January 25, 2006
By Chief Bootknocka (Naptown, Indiana)
I have excellent range and speed with this device. The installation CD, however, could not find the device with which it was packaged. So, I ran the auto-configuration and it worked!
My problem came when I tried to use the repeated signal on my iMac desktop. My PC laptop had no trouble seeing the SSID, but the Mac could not see it. The online chat help at Linksys.com was surprisingly helpful and friendly. Nancy de Leon with Badge ID - 12961 was amazing. I expected the worst and got the best. I have to give it 4 stars instead of 5, however, because the manual configuration is still troublesome.
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Don't Buy It, January 22, 2006
By A. Swerdlin (Houston, TX)
Cheaper and easier to buy a wireless access point and put it in repeater mode...especially since you can plug in a cat5 cable to configure the wireless portion. I'm above average on wireless network knowledge and my opinion is this product stinks!
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Once you get past the setup... Works great!, January 19, 2006
By Chris (Garland, TX)
It took me two nights' worth of aggravation, but I finally got this thing to work. And work it does. I did the auto configure and both lights went solid blue only after a few seconds, but I couldn't connect to the WRE54G's web interface and it was not extending my network yet.
My big breakthrough was using the CAT5 port under the flap on the front of the unit. I plugged that into one of the ports of my WRT54G and I was finally able to acccess the WRE54G. Once there, I upgraded the firmware (A MUST). After that, I could connect to it wirelessly.
I set up the WEP on the WRE54G and my router. This all seemed to work fine.
The final step to get the thing to work was to enter my router's IP address in the "Gateway" portion of the WRE54G's setup page. I thought this would part of the auto-configure... guess not.
Anyway, after that, all worked exactly like i expected it to _ I hada bedroom in my house that was completely dead to my wireless network, but now, I have "Excellent" connectivity.
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Stay away from this product., January 13, 2006
By H. Tabb
2 hours working with their tech support only to be told to take it back for a refund. The unit would not handshake with their own router! Something about incorrect firmware. Give me a break! We have to test and debug their product. Just throw it out on the market and then worry about if it works with other Linksys products. No thanks.
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