| 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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DO NOT BUY THE RANGE EXPANDER, August 27, 2004
By L. Orbach
Linksys fails to mention that by installing this unit on your wireless network, that it reduces your internet speed in half..
A linksys senior tech support person admitted this to me..
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Make sure you have exactly the right WAP, August 27, 2004
By Richard S. Clark (Lexington, KY USA)
It doesn't work with many popular Linksys WAPS (such as the older BEFW units) It was my fault to buy it without knowing that, but other issues cause me to write a less-than-favorable review anyhow.
If your WAP varies any from the allowed ones above, this unit will not work. Also, if you try it, then can't use it, be aware that its setup will overwrite the wireless control configuration on Windows XP SR2. You'll have to turn that back on, and re-set-up your wireless network. I advise that you make yourself aware of the SR2 Zero Configuration setup before trying this product.
The documentation's troubleshooting section is miserable.
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Linksys False Advertisement!!!, August 26, 2004
By Wireless (USA)
Peace be upon those who follow the truth,
Linksys has falsely advertised that this works with 802.11b wireless networks but in actual fact it does not. I called tech support and asked why my unit was not working and they said that they had made a mistake because the unit will not work with a wireless B network. They are (supposedly) in the process of putting this information on their website.
"When a man dies, the angels say, 'What has he sent forward?' And the people say, 'What has he left behind?'" - Prophet Muhammad
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Pain to setup, but worth the effort, August 24, 2004
By Computer Geek (Northern Virginia, USA)
Just to qualify this, I'm a computer geek, and I use Linux primarily at home. I did not use the setup wizard software.
I would have to almost agree with every review that said this thing is impossible to setup. It is nearly impossible, but it can be done. I have it running happily with mac filtering turned on on my main router, wep at 128bits, and now expanded range thanks to this range expander.
I use the auto config, but I first disabled WEP and enabled broadcast essid on my base router. I also added the MAC address of the range expander to my MAC address filter before turning it on. Once that was all setup I plugged it in and held the auto-config button for 5 secs. After that all lights were blue. At that point I had to take my wireless laptop and sit right next to the range expander to make sure that my laptop connected up to the range expander as opposed to my base router. Sitting next to the expander I just allowed my network card to attach to the expander, manualy set a 192.168.1.x address and pointed my webbrowser to the range expander. Once into the admin webpage, I just changed all the settings to match my home network (IP address ranges, WEP keys, etc..) and hit save changes. At this point I turned wep and other settings back on on my base router and the range expanders lights went all blue. But, I couldn't connect through it. So I unplugged the range expander counted to 15 and then plugged it back in. Came right back up and everything has worked ever since.
It is a pain, and takes a lot of patience, but it can be made to work.
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easy set-up, August 24, 2004
By jock woodworker (Cortlandt, NY USA)
Not sure what the deal is with people having problems setting this up....after a full day at work and dealing with an 18-month old and 3 dogs, and in the midst of a plumbing emergency, my wife had this thing running in 5 minutes with no problem.My signal jumped instantly. Great product!
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Horrible documentation; Did Not Increase Range at all, August 24, 2004
By scottk (Phoenix, AZ United States)
BUYER BEWARE: Don't buy this unless you have a all-linksys network! The documentation on how to configure this is almost non-existent. The Linksys website offers no help either. Good luck getting this to work if you own any other brand network hardware.
UPDATE: In the hopes of getting this to work, I went out and bought the Linksys 802.11G Wireless Router. Despite now having an all-Linksys network, this product did NOTHING to expand my wireless network's range.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! Do NOT buy this product.
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read remarks by a taylor, don't bother with linksys manual!, August 23, 2004
By migdoc (Redondo Beach, CA USA)
works great if you ignore the CD software and install manual that linksys send with this device which is a WASTE of ink, paper and plastic. device works fine in WEP & open mode but the linksys people have no clue on how to write manuals or install SW. the SW CD won't even work properly on my standard XP machine. 5 stars for device and hardware guys, 1 star for linksys tech writers & tech staff @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@Here Is a repeat of Anthony Taylor (Sherman Oaks, CA) remarks-
If you're having trouble setting it up, definitely call the 800 number as opposed to going online. I tried with three different people through their website online and none could help. Right before I sent it back I decided to try phone support and it got the expander a reprieve. I've copied some instructions that Y.A. Escalante was kind enough to leave in his review, but corrected and elaborated some of the items based on my experience. I would've given this 4 stars, but I deducted 1 for it not having clear enough instructions with its initial shipping. (Would've saved Linksys some headaches)
Here goes:
1-Disable WEP on your Router or AP
2-Hold the auto-configuration button for 30 seconds(if everything goes well both lights on the expander will turn blue) and unplug while still holding button. Plug back in after 10-15 secs.
3-open your Internet explorer browser and type 192.168.1.240 (default ip of expander), a window will pop up. leave the user name blank and put admin as a password (this is default password).
4-make sure that the default gateway and subnet mask settings are identical with your Router or AP,change password on the expander if desired & save settings. (all settings should be correct due to auto configuration)
5-Enable WEP on the expander, once again remember use same settings as in your Router or AP, save settings again.
6-Go to your Router or Ap settings and enable WEP. Bang you're DONE. Enjoy
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Ditto to all these complaints!, August 22, 2004
By K. Mason (NYC, USA)
Thank God, I thought I was the only one! I spent three hours on the phone with tech support, did everything they suggested at least three times, got disconnected, called back, and in the end, sucked it up and started an additional cable modem account for my garage-office. I don't know the specifics, but there are obviously hard- and software bugs or inadequacies that have to be rectified before this becomes a workable product.
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I love it., August 22, 2004
By J. Kaczmarek (Hastings, MN USA)
I've struggled to get my wireless G network to reach from the router in my livingroom to a metal building about 100 feet away. It's our business and we are setting up an office for me upstairs in this building. I've read forums, called and e-mailed professionals with quite an array of answers. When I saw the range extender was for sale I bought one right away. The first night was a nightmare. I updated the router's firmware, I tried configuring the extender and the network went down. I gave up and went to bed. It was up and running in the morning? Don't know why. I walked around with my laptop and tried putting the extender in quite a few different places. Without the extender I could get almost no signal right in the window of the building. I put the extender in that window with excellent results upstairs in the building and all over the house. I get perfect signal strength.
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Complete Crap...2 hours with tech support, August 21, 2004
By inLA (LA CA)
This either works or it doesn't. In 99% of all cases, it DOESN"T. I spent 2 hours with non-english speaking techies treating me like an idiot. In the end, it went BACK.
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Works great for me ... set up quick, easy, problem-free, August 12, 2004
By Kevin Woodward (Soquel, CA United States)
First of all, let me say that this is essentially a non-technical review from the perspective of an average end-user who was looking for a simple solution to a common problem.
This is one of my favorite wireless solutions and the cornerstone of my home wireless network. I absolutely love it and would recommend it to anyone.
After reading some of the other so-so reviews, I was skeptical prior to purchase, but I needed something to resolve the problem I was having with slow wireless speeds from the back of my house approximately 80-85 feet from my Linksys Wireless-G router. I considered other options like hard-wiring a bridge in the back bedroom (wired wireless?), or purchasing a better antennae (expensive), but decided on the Range Expander because I feel that it will be backwardly compatable with any future and faster standards.
Upon receipt, I was pleasantly surprised by the small size and sleek design. After a quick glance at the instructions, I simply plugged it in and then checked my laptop in the back. Still 11.0 Mbps??? I walked back to the unit placed high on a wall in the hallway and this time held down the auto-config button. When I returned to the back of the house and checked my speed it was now at the 54.0 Mbps maximum, and the highest signal strength possible.
My total setup time was less than 60 seconds. It really was that easy. This product met all my needs. I don't know why others experienced problems, but I certainly didn't.
I am a DSL user, running Windows XP Pro SR2 on a Dell laptop with an internal wireless adapter.
Based on what I've read, you can avoid a lot of the hassle by disabling encryption before you install, but this did not apply to me personally so was a non-issue.
I'd gladly purchase again.
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Buyer Beware, August 10, 2004
By P. Garcia (BURBANK, CA)
Now looking at the box, it looks like a great idea. A wireless range extender that is good to go right out of the box. But I think we all know things like this are usually too good to be true. That can be said about this product. YOUR SPEED WILL BE CUT IN HALF DEPENDING ON YOUR ROUTER SPEED. They don't really advertise this on the box. But go to www.linksys.com and check it out for yourself in the Knowledge forum. Now the setup can be broken down to 50-50. Either it works right away or you'll be struggling like myself or the previous reviewer. In my case, I thought it was a simple case of firmware version incompatibility. Upon upgrading to the mose recent version, I found it still didn't work according to instruction. Now I thought I was doing something wrong. I checked all the software and hardware connections and settings. I failed to see anything out of the ordinary. I loaded the setup software and ran it again and again. Still no connection. After 2 days of trial and error, it finally began acquiring the signal. Now my light is red not blue, but it still works contrary to the instructions. But since it works, I'm not going to knock it. I hope if you decide to buy it, you understand the potential risks of the setup...namely you'll be delighted with the speed of the setup or yanking your hair over it. I recommend D-link as their wireless repeater comes with a hardwire port for connection and setup. Good luck to you all
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It works - eventually, August 10, 2004
By L. Wilson (Seoul, South Korea)
I bought this product to provide wireless coverage at around my apartment, as the concrete walls caused a significant signal drop. It has fulfilled that aim (and therefore been a worthwhile purchase), but there are some features that Linksys does not highlight that prospective purchasers should note:
1) The repeater does not work with WPA, but only with WEP. Hopefully there will be a firware upgrade to address this in due course.
2) The repeater works by receiving the signal and then retransmitting it. Therefore, the maximum transmission rate is cut in half. Users of wireless G should be fine as long as they are not transmitting large (e.g. music or video) files. Wireless B users may not be so happy with the eventual throughput.
3) As highlighted by the other reviewers, this product is hard to set up. It really needs an ethernet port to facilitate setup, absent which, Anthony Taylor's review does a great job of describing the process - I wish I had seen it before spending two hours trying.
In general, I have been pleased with Linksys products, in particular for their easy setup, which is a major benefit for those without professional expertise. This time, Linksys has fallen wide of the mark.
In view of the above and taking into account the cost, three stars are the most I can award. I continue to wonder whether I would have seen similar results with the latest Linksys high-gain antennas...
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Typical Linksys wireless setup headaches, August 4, 2004
By edelbeb (Silver Spring, Maryland United States)
I need to add a MAJOR WARNING to my review below. THE WRE54G IS CURRENTLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE LINKSYS WGA54G GAME ADAPTER! It will, in a time of between several minutes to 24 hours, cause the wga54g to lock up and lose it's internet connection, with the wireless light staying lit solidly. The lock-up will clear if you unplug the wga54g, but will reappear within several hours. I'm guessing that this problem can be resolved via a future firmware update from Linksys, but who knows when that is coming. I have no clue how Linksys missed this problem (which others have also experienced). Linksys must perform little or no quality review of their firmware.
I'm returning my wre54g. As it turns out, it's unnecessary. The signal strength problem that lead to my purchase was due to a bug in my WRT54g's firmware (2.04.3) that was resolved when I upgraded to the recently released 2.04.4 wrt54g firmware. As I discovered, the 2.04.3 firmware for the wrt54g was released with a recognized bug (from reading the usenet and forums, it seems that nearly everybody suffered from that bug) that reduced signal strength by about 75%. Again, Linksys demonstrates an amazing inability to properly test their firmware.
I'm glad I don't need the wre54g. According to the Linksys FAQ, the WRE54g, by design, reduces bandwidth by 50%. That's ok when your option is no or very low signal strength. However, with the new Linksys WRT54g 2.04.4 firmware, I am currently running at between about 36% and 52% signal strength, which provides a minimum of 36 mbps, higher than the maximum 27 mbps (54/2) that the WRE54g can deliver. And, because my signal strength is lower, my signal is more difficult for intruders to detect and is less likely to cause interference with my neighboors.
If you need more signal strength, consider Linksys's new high strength antenna. If that does not work, and you do not have a Linksys wga54g game adapter (or you are patient and trusting enough to wait for Linksys to correct the problem in a firmware update, or you are feeling lucky), and you have a Linksys router that the WRE54g is advertised as compatible with, purchase the WRE54g. Do not be afraid to spend some time getting the WRE54g configured to work with your router and your security settings. With some work and careful thought, it will serve your needs.
This product works great ONCE YOU SET IT UP. As usual, Linksys makes set up a nightmare. I guess the setup CD makes a great frisbee - it certainly does not help with setup, as it couldn't detect the WRE54g, even with WEP and MAC filtering off, and broadcast SSID on, and using a wrt54g router having the latest firmware downloaded from Linksys (2.04.3). BTW, before turning off MAC filtering, I had dutifully entered the MAC ID on the box into the allowed list for filtering.
Auto-detect (not documented in the only printed documentation, the "quick-install" guide works) sort of. I could finally see the WRE54g. The web interface for the WRE54g reported an odd truncation of my network's SSID. I wondered if that was what it was supposed to do. The on-disk documenation didn't say anything. I thought it best to leave things as they were. The WRE54g listed two MAC ID's, one for device itself and another one for my wireless devices to see on the network (At least that's what I think). I made sure that both MAC ID's were in my router's MAC filtering allowed list. BTW, the computer I was using for setting up the WRE54g is wired to my WRT54g router. My wireless pc is two floors up.
I then enabled the WRE54g's WEP set the passphrase on the WRE54g web interface. No confirmation of the password change, and I lost communication with the WRE54g. Yes, that's normal (since the WRT54g router's security is disabled during configuration), but Linksys's documentation says nothing, and, it should have been relatively simple for the WRE54g to first acknowledge the change password command on the web interface, tell you that the new password is stored and will become effective when you hit "OK" and that you will lose communication with the device until you re-enable security on the router.
Anyway, I re-enabled security on the router, and re-enabled MAC filtering. I then navigated to my web interface for the WRE54g, but the unit was not there. I check my router's setting and all seemed OK.
So, I reset the WRE54g and started again. This time, I corrected the web interface's incorrect entry of my SSID, but otherwise repeated my steps. Still, no go. Except, my wireless pc upstairs saw the device and the signal boost. The upstairs pc, however, listed two identical SSID's (later I found out this was normal, but it was not mentioned in Linksys's documentation or on their website), one with low signal strength and one with high. Unfortunately, the connection between the upstairs pc and the router was 1Mb/s.
I checked the website and noted the existence of new firmware. The new firmware's date was 6/8/04. My firmware's (ver 1.04) date was 5/8/04, so I thought the new firmware would help things. Too bad the link on Linksys's website resulted in the download of yet another useless version of the WRE54g setup utility, no firmware included. I then checked Linksys's ftp site for the mystery firmware, but the firmware was nowhere to be found.
I did another reset of the WRE54g. When I reviewed the status on the WRE454g's web interface, I noted that the MAC ID provided for my unit had changed. Earlier, it had agreed with the box - now, it no longer agreed. So, I edited my router's MAC list to add the new MAC ID, and redid the configuration routine. NOW, I even with WEP enabled, I could talk to the WRE54g using the pc wired to the router.
Back to my upstairs wireless pc. Yes, it saw the WRE54g, but could not connect to it. After several minutes of hair pulling, I had a thought. Reboot the wireless pc. It worked. Great signal strength, good wireless bandwidth. I turned off SSID broadcasting for my router and the WRE54g, and everything still worked.
Of course, the link light on my WRE54g remains red. But who cares about that? It's working. I hope it stays that way.
If you've got a network with no MAC filtering, no WEP and no WPA, and you haven't changed your SSID from the factory default, you may be a fool (if you live near other humans), but this device should be a snap to install. Just remember to reboot any other wireless pc's on the network and you should be good to go.
If you are somewhat security minded, have enabled WEP (the device does not support WPA, so forget it if you need higher security), have enabled MAC filtering, and have selected an SSID with symbols and mixed capitalization, etc., expect a nightmare during setup. But persevere, and it WILL work.
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Works fine, just read the manual before you begin, August 1, 2004
By Peter Samson (Snohomish, WA USA)
I own the WRT54G wireless router and purchased this range expander since the wireless router is in the basement (in my office) and I was getting marginal WiFi signal upstairs. I do not use WEP (see below) so I plugged in the product, pressed the auto-configure button, and immediately observed a very-strong signal throughout the upstairs portion of the house. I did not need to perform any manual configuration of the product.
So, read the instructions before you begin! The instructions clearly state to NOT use the auto-configuration button if you have WEP enabled on your wireless router.
I agree that a lack of support for WEP and WPA with this product means that it is not appropriate for some individuals at this time. I live in a rural area and don't need to worry about the neighbors receiving/using my WiFi signal, but if you live close to your neighbors then you definitely want to enable the WEP feature.
As an aside, I had the impression that this product came with two options for power - one a typical AC cable, and the other an AC prong that was integral in the back of the device. The product came with a AC cable. I was hoping to have the product "neatly" plugged into an AC outlet upstairs with no long power cable dangling with it.
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It does what it's supposed to, once you can set it up, August 1, 2004
By Anthony Taylor (Sherman Oaks, CA)
If you're having trouble setting it up, definitely call the 800 number as opposed to going online. I tried with three different people through their website online and none could help. Right before I sent it back I decided to try phone support and it got the expander a reprieve. I've copied some instructions that Y.A. Escalante was kind enough to leave in his review, but corrected and elaborated some of the items based on my experience. I would've given this 4 stars, but I deducted 1 for it not having clear enough instructions with its initial shipping. (Would've saved Linksys some headaches)
Here goes:
1-Disable WEP on your Router or AP
2-Hold the auto-configuration button for 30 seconds(if everything goes well both lights on the expander will turn blue) and unplug while still holding button. Plug back in after 10-15 secs.
3-open your Internet explorer browser and type 192.168.1.240 (default ip of expander), a window will pop up. leave the user name blank and put admin as a password (this is default password).
4-make sure that the default gateway and subnet mask settings are identical with your Router or AP,change password on the expander if desired & save settings. (all settings should be correct due to auto configuration)
5-Enable WEP on the expander, once again remember use same settings as in your Router or AP, save settings again.
6-Go to your Router or Ap settings and enable WEP. Bang you're DONE. Enjoy
Hope this helps some of you...if not call the 800 number on the box and be patient. :)
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D.O.A., July 30, 2004
By Steve Frazier (Seattle)
My batting average with Linksys products is about 40% -- I've had a number of DOA's (dead on arrival) and this is one of them. After a couple of hours trying to set up, and an hour with tech support, they asked me to send it back.
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Follow this steps and you will be happy, July 29, 2004
By Y. A Escalante (West New York, NJ United States)
1-Disable WEP on your Router or AP
2-Hit the auto-configuration buttom for a couple seconds(if everything goes well both lights on the expander will turn blue)
3-open your Internet explorer browser and type 192.168.1.204 a window will pop up leave the user name blank and put admin as a password.
4-configure the expander(make sure that the default gateway and subnet mask settings are identical with your Router or AP,change password on the expander if desired save settings.
5-Enable WEP on the expander, once again remember to use the same settings as in your Router or AP, save settings again.
6-Go to your Router or Ap settings and enable WEP. Bang you're DONE. Enjoy(By the way this instructions are using a Linksys router or AP,I have not try using another brand)
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Does not support WPA or Wi-Fi Protected wireless networks, July 28, 2004
By M. Knieriemen (Chicagoland, IL)
For some reason Cisco (Linksys) decided not to support WPA when this shipped this product. If you are using WPA of any kind on your wireless network, it will not work. I confirmed this with Linksys Tech. Support after purchasing the product. It only supports 64-bit or 128-bit WEP as of yet. Even worse, the Auto configure one touch button only works if you have encryption turned off (no WEP at all). Which, of course, is a bad idea.
Linksys hints that they'll support WPA via a firmware upgrade in the future.
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Does not work with older WAP11 devices, July 27, 2004
By RxProf (Cherry Hill, NJ)
I tried using this device to extend the range of my wireless-b network. I have had wireless-b (WAP11 version 1 plus router) for about 4 years and wanted to extend the range into a redone garage. After about 2 hours of mixed signals, changing from dynamic to static DHCPs, etc, I called tech support. I waited 25 minutes on hold, after which they told me that the extender does not work with WAP11 devices older than version 2.8. The product info (on the website or the box) does not indicate that. I returned the product. I am dissappointed in Linksys' communication.
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