| Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G |
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Model: WRE54G
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 416
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: |
Expand your wireless networking coverage to eliminate dead spots
Works with both 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networks
Supports 64 and 128-bit WEP encryption
Configurable through your networked PC's Web browser or the included Setup Wizard
Compatible with the Linksys WAP54G Access Point, and both the WRT54G and WRT54GS wireless routers |
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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 (416 total): |
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Works as advertised, July 22, 2005
By M_Six (Charleston, IL United States)
Thanks to Anthony Taylor's excellent instructions, I was able to get this working in just a few minutes. It works great and extends the range of the router nicely. The best part is that you can just unplug it and move it to another part of the house to improve reception there.
One word of caution; once you have access to the setup pages and you're about to enable the WEP, make *sure* you have the exact same settings as your router WEP. I set the passphrase right, but I left the default setting of 64-bit encryption on the extender while the router uses 128-bit. I had to reset the extender and start over again to get back in. Double-check to make sure the WEP settings are identical on both devices before enabling WEP.
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Linksys Wireless Expander, July 9, 2005
By Paul T. Hughes
The unit is probably fine. BUT getting it to work with a laptop is no picnic. AND if you get a connection after an hour of experimenting, it's hard to keep the connection. AND difficult to get on the internet. BUT other than that it's perfect!?!
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DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!!!, July 6, 2005
By Timothy A. Francis
If I could give a negative 5 I would. I bought this product and it was supposed to work with any router. I didn't. So I bought a Linksys router. It didn't work with that either. Moreover, it is only AFTER you try and setup the expander that you get an error advising you that you cannot use it with WPA security (only the mos t effective security for wireless home networks). Then, I spend an HOUR on the phone with Linksys tech support and they can't get it to work either.
I'm no technical genius, but I've setup a few different wireless networks. This is absolutely the worst, most difficult product I have ever come across. Absolutely wasted an entire day trying to get it to work. Terribly frustrating
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Very difficult to set-up but works, June 27, 2005
By J. Wu
I needed some way to extend my network at home and since I've had the worst time dealing with Netgear products and Netgear Tech Support, I decided to give Linksys a try.
Initial set up took about 1-2 hours. I followed the step-by-step instructions written by other users but for some reason, my Linksys extender still failed to connect to my home network (I could never get two solid blue lights). Finally, I tried updating to the latest firmware as a last resort and miraculously, the Linksys extender successfully connected to the network. I've been using the extender for about two weeks now and so far, haven't experienced any dropped connections. I'm only giving this product 3 stars since this product is hard to install and the included documentation is horrible (including the useless CD setup program, which never worked for me).
Definitely try the steps outlined by previous users first but if the extender still refuses to work correctly, go to Linksys's website to get the latest firmware. You may also want to try updating your router's firmware as well.
Right now, my Linksys router is running v2.04.4 firmware and the extender is running v1.04.17 firmware.
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Works well, setup is tricky, June 26, 2005
By Stephen R. Balzac (Stow, MA USA)
Once it's setup, the product works great. Just be sure to put it in a high up location if possible; that helps boost the coverage area.
A couple of points to add to the previous comments on setup:
If you have MAC filtering turned on, make sure you put the range expander's MAC addr into your list. Otherwise, setup will fail without explanation.
When I used the setup disk (before I remembered the MAC issue), it crashed and shut down my computer's ability to see my wireless network. Fortunately, a simple reboot fixed that.
Good luck!
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Severe limitations--don't even try with a non-Linksys Router, June 25, 2005
By satchelpig (Cary, NC United States)
I have a Hawking Technology router that works without issue, but have some dead spots in my house and purchased this item to try to fix that issue.
It didn't work. I tried to configure both automatically and with the wizard, and neither worked.
I then got on the phone with customer support. Although the person was a little difficult to understand, they were polite, but then told me that I needed to get version 2 of this device, which, confusingly enough, has the same product ID number, but, as others have noted, includes a different image on the front with an ethernet connection.
It may be a bit of an oversimplification, but the techie I spoke with basically indicated it was pointless to try to use the thing with anything other than a Linksys router. I find it extremely irritating that this was not indicated on the packaging or marketing materials.
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WRE54G version 2, June 13, 2005
By R. Yurkovic (New Jersey)
I just purchased and installed the WRE54G V2 unit. I waited for the version 2 (just out a month ago) because it is an easy setup for wireless access points using WPA security. Linksys customer service (NOT the OUTSOURCED TECH SUPPORT) advised me that since I was running WPA security, I needed version 2 and then told me how to identify the Version 2 box in the store. The customer service guys know the unit much better than the tech support people and that made the sale.
In a store, if you look on the box packaging, check out the back and look for an ethernet connection on the front of WRE54G (in the photo) with a ethernet cable protruding from it. That is version 2 - version 1 does not have ethernet connectivity and does not show a cable coming out of the front. The back of the expander unit itself will say WRE54G Version 2 as the model number, but you have to open the box to see that. Some stores have them in stock and some do not yet. Ordering online is obviously tricky so I went to the store (something I usually do not do). It would be nice if online vendors would show the version number ... that would have been a sale.
Very EASY installation with WPA security engaged on the WAP54G V2 access point while installing the expander. I advise using the CD installation method on your PC as opposed to using the auto-setup button to ensure a flawless and easy installation. Just follow the steps, done in several minutes. Works as described ... secure 802.11g/b reaches to far corners and multiple floors.
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Setting up the WRE54G - caution!, May 23, 2005
By Robert A (Los Angeles, CA)
This device works great, now. But it took 4 hours, mostly on the telephone with tech support in India and the Phillipines to figure it out. The problem enters into the equation when you enable WEP encryption, since the online knowledge base and the installation CD do not tell you how to properly make it work. So here's what I suggest:
#1 Make sure you have downloaded the latest firmware for your router and the range expander.
#2 If you have ANY problems after step one, ask to speak with senior level technical support right away. The front line tech support people aren't properly trained, and the installation software won't get the job done.
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linkstinks, May 10, 2005
By G. R. Talarico
Do not waste your money on this piece of junk. I never ever got it to work even after numerous attempts. I struggled through the cryptic online instructions and wasted hours with the useless phone support personal who spoke an unrecognizable form of english.
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Works fine with compatible equipment, May 10, 2005
By Many Interests (SC)
I found the setup and installation for the Linksys Range Expander was fairly simple when connecting it to a secured Linksys router. My speed at the periphery of my router was running at about 38Mbits and jumped immediately to 54Mbits once the Range Expander was installed. I had spent a good bit of time earlier making sure the router was configured and security enabled while replacing the older 11b equipment I had been using. If you aren't familiar with networking, I would suggest getting help from the outset. It may save on some of the frustration folks experience. Use the Linksys utilities rather than those proffered by the operating system. Mixing the two up in the process of installation can definitely cause problems.
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Watch Out for Compatibility Issues and POOR Linksys Support!, May 8, 2005
By pcarucci (Massapequa Park, NY USA)
I purchased this product after a discussion with Linksys tech support concerning signal strengh problems encountered after switching over to a router model that had included phone ports for broadband phone service. The Linksys tech was from India, somewhat lacking in English skills, and DEFINITELY in technical knowledge- symptomatic of the effort to drive American tech jobs to the lowest possible bidder.
The tech assured me that the range expander was compatible with my router after keeping me on hold for a few minutes. Needless to say, it was not compatible with my router, and refused to connect to my wireless network. Linksys acknowledged the error of the technician, but refused to switch mine for a compatible product.
Sooo, take this as a warning and double verify compatibility before buying this product, and DON'T take the word of a Linksys technician. Do otherwise, and you may also become a victim of outsourcing.
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Works - eventually, May 7, 2005
By 462 (APO, AE USA)
It does work as advertised. However, setting it up is NOT an evening job. No beer while you're doing it, be well rested; I recommend a Saturday. Plan on at least half the day and two hours on the phone with tech support. I'd like to give it a higher rating, but the setup software is so totally inadequate as to be fraud. Tech support was outstanding though - good thing....
Bottom line: Buy it if you really, really need it and you already have an existing Linksys router. Otherwise run away.
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Make sure you know what it is compatible with!, May 2, 2005
By yosemite (yosemite)
Make sure you know what it is compatible with! It only works with certain linksys products and they do not tell you this. Could not get it to work with d-link or netgear products!
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Forget Linksys, May 2, 2005
By syddsn (Livingston, NJ USA)
Linksys, as others have noted, does not tell you that certain versions of this device may not work with your Linksys router--and you have no way of knowing what version you will be sent. I was caught in this trap. My opinion--stay away.
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Another Weekend Waisted - Thanks Linksys., April 26, 2005
By Fooled Again (Chicago)
Should be zero stars...I tried everything - Software crashed...Now,I'm still trying to recover my notebook so that it can connect to the Internet again. If it didn't spare my wife and two kids computer connections, I would have been thrown out of the house this weekend. What a frustrating rip-off.
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This thing is a set-up nightmare - Beware!, April 15, 2005
By Music Addict. (Chicago, IL United States)
Let me begin by saying that I am a very computer-literate, tech savvy person... having said that, I have been fiddling around with this thing on and off for nearly two months and I still cannot get it to work properly. Linksys claims that there is one touch automatic setup - it's just that easy. Don't be fooled. This thing is nothing but an expensive little box of frustration that doesn't do anything it claims with any ease. I say, for the money, just invest in a new wireless router with more range and skip this thing. For the price, they should have included a wired ethernet port so you could actually manually configure it. Prepare to be even more frustrated if you choose to call Linksys tech support. I realize that some people have their units working after much work, I still haven't been that lucky. Stay away from this one folks! UPDATE: I spent three and a half hours on the phone with Linksys support and finally got it up and running. Though the tech support people first caused my router to go haywire and we spent much time on the phone fixing that problem first. Plus, tech support helped a bit, but it was my own fiddling around with setting that fianlly got my router to work. Don't rely on Linksys tech support to solve all of your problems. Now that this thing is actually working, it works just fine and expands my range considerably. My advice is to never believe any of the "easy set-up" claims on the packaging of ANY Linksys product.
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Got It Working, After Much Work, April 11, 2005
By S. Ford (California)
Well the box on the range expander says it works with the WRT54G. (It is only when you open the box that you find a little card that tells you which firmware versions it works with.) Well, it didn't work right out of the box for me. I have a WRT54G that had V2.0 of the firmware, so I had to upgrade that to 3.X. Then I had to update the firmware of the brand new WRE54G Range Expander that I just bought!
I cannot image a non-technical person figuring out what s/he needs to do to get things working, and then actually doing it. Cost me at least 2 hours of my time, and only then after I had spent almost an hour hitting reset and auto configure buttons that the directions talk about. Thank gawd I found all these reviews on this website giving me a good idea of what I needed to do.
To summarize: Upgrade the firmware of your Linksys WRT54G router. Then upgrade the firmware of your Linksys WRE54G range expander. All the reset button stuff and Auto configuration button stuff did nothing for me. In fact, after I upgraded the firmware on the range expander, both lights on it turned blue without me touching any of the buttons.
It is shameful that a product like this is sold without a large warning label on it telling non-techies that they should beware. That, or they should sell the router and the range expander together in one box and guarantee that they are set up to work together.
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sooooooo easy, April 6, 2005
By Chronquistador (USA)
this was the easiest freakin thing to setup....in less than 5 min i had an expansive g network. i went from 1mbps to 54mbps instantly. id give it 5 stars if it wasnt so expensive. but it does what it says and works great. EASY INSTALL....dont know what everyones problem was
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Warning to Macintosh users, April 5, 2005
By Margaret C. Turnbull
I had a lot of trouble setting up this range expander and ultimately failed. When I called tech support, I waited 24 minutes to hear them tell me that, since I have a Macintosh computer (running OS X)--which, by the way, is not so uncommon any more--tech support was not able to work with me. (To me this indicates that Linksys is falling a little behind the times.) Linksys _assured_ me that the WRE54G is 100% compatible with my computer, only that Linksys does not train their tech support on Macintosh computers. Indeed, their online database of Q&A lists nothing about this product and Macintosh computers. So, as far as I am concerned, this is product is a not-very-attractive wall decoration that serves no purpose other than to blink pretty red and blue lights. Back to the store with this one.
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Below Linksys Standards, March 30, 2005
By Robert V. Warde
This device has major problems (just Google WRE54G). I am a Network Tech who specializes in small LANs. One of my customers, who is fairly sharp worked for weeks trying to get one of these to work - without success.
Basically, WEP does not work with these units. I followed the diections to the letter without success. They did work without security.
THIS IS WHAT DOES WORK: Get a WET54 bridge connect it to an access point or a router configured as an access point (change the IP address, SSID, broadcast channel and turn off the DHCP server). This will allow users to choose their access point and extend your network. You can even use an ethernet cable between them to move the AP into an area where the signal is weak.
This is what we did and it worked GREAT.
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