| 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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Push ONE button and it's set up !!!!, January 12, 2007
By Alfred Joos (Aspen, CO)
It does not get any better, one button setup !
I'm a IT professional and have seen and worked with hundreds of WiFi
boxes. This beats them all. Push ONE button for 5 seconds and it will
setup itself (for open wifi networks only).
If you have passwords it's a bit more complex.....
AJ
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Linksys Wireless-G Expander, January 12, 2007
By my 2 cents (TX)
Great for expanding your exsiting network but every so often I have to set the auto-config. button and what a pain it is for it to sync up to my network. Otherwise it is a worthy product for network range expansion.
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WRE54G Worked for us, January 11, 2007
By Rice (Berlin, MD)
I needed to boost my D-Link router's existing signal in a nearby building so that our MAC mini could receive the signal. My laptop PC already received the signal when I added a more powerful antenna to the router, but the MAC mini could not. The Linksys range expander was relatively easy to set up and worked immediately to correct the weak signal problem, though it does not seem to boost the speed of the connection at this distance from the router.
I recommend paying extra if necessary for the version 3 of the expander that says "works with most wireless networks" on the box. I saw other boxes on a nearby shelf at the store w/the same model number, but without the verbage quoted above that sold for $30 less. I guess it had older firmware or something and saving $30 wouldn't be worth the trial & error process to me...but who knows?
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Work like a chap!!, January 11, 2007
By J. Griffith (Northern Virginia)
There were no problems what so ever setting it up. I read the instructions plugged it in and it worked perfectly. I would recommend this expander without question!!
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Once set up, works great, January 10, 2007
By Jason E. Siquig (Fremont, Ca)
I bought the expander because my linksys router wasnt reaching into my living room, where I have the xbox 360 set up and where id like to use a wireless laptop. I bought the upgraded antanna for the router because the expander will only repeat the signal strength it gets. I may not have needed them but I'd rather not worry about having a weak signal. Setting up the expander took me a few days including using the e-mail customer support, and also calling the center in person. The instructions that come with the expander didint include how to set it up with the security modes i was using (WPA). But the phone call was all it took to get this thing working properly and now i enjoy a secured wireless connection throught my house.
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Works good and easy to install, January 10, 2007
By H. C. Kim (Raleigh, NC USA)
No problem at all... Just pluged in and check blue light on... and you are set!... I have 3,500 sq house and network from head to end now I can get strong signal! It have been pluged in since last June and it still works fine. Great. Worth for money. Forget about install CD that come with just pluged in... If it is not works, it might be your network setup problem not this G Range Expander. Check your network system. Good luck and call me, I won't call you. bye bye.
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Wi-G Expander Covers the Houst, January 10, 2007
By Robert Ashworth (Houston, Texas United States)
The product was deliverd and within four hours it was set up and running in my wife's home office. She now has access to our home wireless network she did not have before, and we can use our laptop anywhere in the house and on the patio.
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Works Great; IF You Can Get It To Work Securely, January 10, 2007
By Toolman
I do not recommend the purchase of this little piece of junk. It is near impossible to set up, and once you do achieve setup, you will find it disconnects constantly from your wireless network requiring rebooting.
What makes this even worse is Linksys provides terrible support, mostly with call centers in 3rd world countries where the person you talk to can hardly speak english, and will just tell you to reboot it again. Duh!
There are much better ways to expand your wireless range. Oh, and by the way, they also don't tell you until you ask that by using this any devices linked to it only get half the speed of your wireless router.
Don't buy this unless you want to really punish yourself
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It Works, January 9, 2007
By ave (plymouth, ma)
Set up was easy - just follow directions. (I do have an unsecured wireless network)
It's range is good, in some areas there is a very weak signal, however I can access my network from almost anywhere in my house.
The device does have an anoying flashing blue light that seems very bright at night with the house lights off. I put a piece of tape over the light.
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Happy to be able to be online in the basement, January 8, 2007
By Sewpatti (Narragansett RI)
Couldn't get my computer to work with out the expander. Had to go from the 2nd floor to the basement where my computer for sewing is. With the booster I am on line and happy as can be.
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It is intermittent at best., January 8, 2007
By Dennis (Arlington Heights, IL United States)
Besides all the comments about setting it up, and it took me many hours to do that along with 2-3 tech support people, once set up it still doesn't work as advertised. Here is just ONE of the issues: If my wife logs on the network with her laptop before I do, then I log on, then she shuts down, I am offline when she shuts down. It shows I am connected and it shows I have a strong signal but I am unable to do anything and the little monitor in the task pane indicates it isn't doing anything. The only solution we have found over many weeks is that I have to get up, go in the other room, and unplug the range extender. Just about the instant I do that my laptop will connect directly to the router, albeit with a weak signal. The RE comes back up and searches for the router. 2-3 minutes later my laptop will connect to the RE and I am back online with a good signal.
Tech says this is impossible! their instructions are only to get me back online by resetting and lots of other things that I don't need to do. I just need to unplug/plug back in. My wife is an IT manager and I have been involved with computers since the late 70's, and hired consultants with her company can't figure it out either.
I would not recommend this product because of this and the other many set up issues. Another thing is that a neighbor, living a much longer way from my router and laptop, using 2wire, blasts my router out of the water, so to speak. It is his signal that caused me to get the RE. I have a 2-wire at the office and set up was simple and it works without any issues.
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Extended my range, January 5, 2007
By Automate Everything (MA USA)
Used with a WPS54GU2 router. Installation took about 6 mins and seems to work transparently with this router. Installation distance from the router needs to be reviewed and determined to assure max. thruput. great installation options with the electric outlet plugs, size and shape.
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Worthless, January 5, 2007
By W. Speights
The Wireless-G Range Extender never did configure properly. I have a Linksys WRT54GS and, although Linksys claims compatibility, it has never worked at all. Simply will not configure. Did not return due to the hassle of returning an opened box. Will purchase network products from a local dealer from now on.
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Great Wireless Range Expander, January 5, 2007
By Patrick Piteo (Middle Village, NY USA)
I went from poor reception to excellent reception. The instructions have a lot to be desired as I needed to call the support line. I had it up and running with their help in about 30 mins. I can no take my laptop out in the yard. Well worth the money.
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Just as other have said..., January 5, 2007
By Scott Thomas (Virginia, USA)
This is an excellent repeater, but difficult to set up, though following the advice of others online made it easier.
Being forewarned is to be forearmed. I followed the instructions there and, while I had to repeat the setup more than once, after I was able to get it working, it was rock-solid.
1) Make sure a PC can successfully connect to the router, directly or wirelessly .
2) Using a web browser, login to your router from the PC and change its' IP address to 192.168.1.1 then logout. You may have to unplug or reset the router afterwards.
3) Using the supplied RJ45 cable (Ethernet cable) plug the WRE54G into one of the RJ 45 ports of the router.
4) Using a web browser, login to your router at 192.168.1.1 and change the DCHP range to go from 192.168.1.2 through 192.168.1.240.
5) Using a web browser, login to the WRE54G at the factory default IP address of 192.168.1.240. It will ask for a user name and password. The default user needs to be left blank. The default password is: admin.
6) For security you should change the login default password.
7) Change the IP address of the WRE65G to whatever you want it to be.
8) If you changed the third number in the IP address (for example, the "1" in 192.168.1.240 changed to 3, as 192.168.3.240), you will need to change the IP in your router so that number matches (e.g., change the router to 192.168.3.1)
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Good quality and easy to use, January 4, 2007
By The Brit (Los Gatos, CA)
The setup process for this range expander is very straight forward and easy for those without any technical experience. The added range is great, I've not had any drops in signal strength. I get the feeling from the device that it could be smaller which would have been better for me as a silver box hanging from your wall is something that tends to draw attention
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Really boosts the signal, January 3, 2007
By gre2465 (gre2465)
Works very well. Increased the range for my wireless network tremendously. I can sit by the pool and do my work now.
It was tricky to set up. I did have to call support to get it working. they walked me through the whole process and did not get off the phone until they had verified that everything was working correctly.
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this is a dog!!, January 2, 2007
By georgey19
I, like many others, have struggled with getting the Linksys WRE54G to work with my set up and despite following the detailed instructions available on various websites, I still cannot get it to work in my all-Linksys network. This is a very poor product from a normally competent company and I would advise anyone (even if you are technically competent) to avoid it.
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Works for me, December 30, 2006
By Howie J. Pentony
I have a log home. Not good for wireless reception. This product moved my reception from 2 bars to 3 or 4 consistantly. The real positive from my view is that there is actually a human being at Linksys to help you. I've stopped buying from companies where humans don't exist.
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Easy installation and works great, December 29, 2006
By SROLIVER (Lake County IL)
After refinishing our basement, the teenagers' computer went to the basement. They were not happy when they could not get a strong signal from our wireless network. First I put on an extended antenna, and it didn't do a thing. So I got this range expander for Christmas. I was a little skeptical after reading reviews. But I relied on some of the steps mentioned in previous reviews and had to improvise some too. First, from a computer that had working internet access, I disabled WEP from the router. Then I changed the settings on my computer to connect to the now-unsecured network. You don't need to change the settings on all your other computers except for the one you are working on - you reenable WEP at the end anyway. I plugged in the range expander in the basement and laid it on a table close to the bottom of the stairs. I tried holding down the auto-configure button as some others had mentioned, but it didn't work. So I used the set-up CD, and it was easy as pie. It read the settings on my wireless network, including the channel, so I didn't have any human issues I would have had if I did it manually. At this point, while the router and range expander were both unsecure, I checked the computer with the poor signal to see if it were better (after I had to reboot it, of course). The next step is enable WEP on the range expander FIRST. If you do the router first, you won't be able to connect to the range expander to change its settings. So, re-enable WEP by typing in 192.168.1.240(I was able to use the same keys and not generate new ones). At this point I needed to unplug and replug the range expander. I also needed to unplug and replug the cable modem and wireless router because my MacBook kept dropping connections until I did so. I was surprised how easy and effective it was. Oh, there was a review about it not working with Vonage. We have Vonage and there has been no interruption. Go figure.
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