| 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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Wireless-G Range Expander and WPA, October 29, 2006
By Dr. Brian A. Cole
This device definitely works but is very difficult to set-up particularly if you are using security settings.
What I found works the best is to configure the range expander manually.
Here are the steps that I used:
1) Make sure that your wireless network works. (this is easy) Disable your security settings on the router.
2) Connect the device with the ethernet cable to your router ( I am using the latest Netgear wireless router WGT624.
3) open a internet browser
4) enter 192.168.1.240 (default address for the expander)
5) enter your security settings for WPA (ie. SSID, keyword, etc)
6) save the settings.
7) for some reason the SSID reverted back to the linksys default and I had to redo my SSID and save again
8) disconnect the ethernet cable, but leave power on.
9)Connect to your router and enable the security settings.
10) You will then see both blue lights on (this tells you that the expander is connected to the router). This can take up to 15 seconds and the lights may occilate between red and blue before both turning blue.
11) Now set-up you laptop or wireless device with the WPA settings.
12) This last step is extremely important and took me 3 days to figure out. The manual does not tell you this. You MUST put the expander near your laptop. I have my router in the basement and the laptop on the second floor. I figured that I would put the expander on the 1st floor between my computer and the router. The manual suggests that you put the expander and the end of your coverage. The signal was poor. When I put the expander next to my laptop the expander worked like a charm. The signal strength was excellent. I have even used the laptop across the street, but the expander was right next to the laptop. It is unfortunate that the documentation is poor. I am sure that a lot of people have given up on a device which is really good. I am extremely happy with it,(I wasn't so happy for 3 days) and I took a point off for the documentation.
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Perfect Solution, October 26, 2006
By abylan (Peru, South America)
Works great once you figure out the setup. You have to be careful of product version. The last one comes with ethernet connection which is great for direct configuration. Mine, was not the last version so I had to figure out how to make an firmware upgrade through wirless network. Took me days.
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My Experience Was Great, October 26, 2006
By Herbie (ALPHARETTA, GA USA)
Like the reviews of all things technology, the reviews of this product are quite varied. I am not a tech geek, but have been around the block enough that I understand how things work. And like most people, I am often frustrated that the term Plug and Play is usually an oxymoron! And yes, like you, I hate what off-shoring has done to tech support. Tech companies could care less about the Customer Experience.
Nevertheless, I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!
Here's my experience with this Range Extender.
Our Family computer is located in a no coverage zone on the opposite side of the house on a different floor from our main computer. It is a 3 or 4 year old computer that we have networked to a Linksys 80211.B/G router-WRT54G v.1. The family computer is a celeron, connected via an 80211.B PCI adapter. Because of the age of the computer and router (installing new firmware proved ineffective/also perhaps the Family pc couldn't properly run the included firmware in a new Wireless G adapter that I picked up with the Range Extender). (much time spent with tech support who couldn't make it work. Agree on comments of heavy accents)
Setting up this range extender was easier than easy. Plug it in. Place next to wireless router. Hold the auto configure button. Wait for blue lights. Unplug and move to edge of the wireless coverage. Plug in. Instant broadband speed! No 'searching for wireless connection" notices, no 'Aquiring Network Address' messages. Always connected. I did not have to enter into any of the routers set up screens.
I would like to run with a G adapter, but the speed is good enough that I don't feel the urge to buy a new router or to upgrade to a new computer. This one works great for the kids-homework, email and games.
Results-Kids Love Me, Wife Loves Me, and I retire from the Daddy IT Dept. Wish I had found this device a long time ago!
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Very easy to set up, October 26, 2006
By T. Thomas (New York, NY USA)
I got a version 3 model. I didn't use the setup disk, instead I just used the auto config button and then the web based config to get it set up. All told it took about 2 minutes to sync it to my router, another 5 setting up the security keys. After that my 3rd floor computer went from no signal to excellent signal. It doesn't seem like it should be this costly, but it does work great.
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Waste of Money, October 21, 2006
By Ivan A. (Colombia)
I was hoping this product would raise my poor signal I had downstairs. making it work was just too complicated. I followed manual instructions but yet it wouldn't work. I don't live in the US so for me there is no free support line, I live in Colombia, so I called and after 10 minutes a guy from India I guess answered me. he told me that my Linksys router was version 2, therefore it was not compatible with my new Wireless G expander, anyways i spent 30 minutes on that called. so the next day I went to buy a new linksys router. version 6. I coudn`t make it work with g expander so I had to call again, another 30 minutes long call with a Indian guy. Hard to understand them. anyways, I did all what he told me, and yet it wouldnt work. Just dont take the risk, you will be dissapointed.
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Decreases broadband internet speed, October 15, 2006
By Kerrin Samm (Trinidad)
Install was a snap, I have WPA security installed on my linksys wireless router. Immediately saw increase in signal strength on all my computers with wireless adapters (desktop with linksys usb wireless adapter, dell laptop with intel wireless minicard, dell laptop with pcmcia wireless adapter). However, there was almost a 60% speed drop in my internet connection. I unplugged the range expander, and my internet speed rates increased back to my normal rates, albeit with a reduced signal strength.
Conclusion, adding the ranger expander adds another router to your network which results in decreased internet speed rates. The download rates however will not be affected on the computer which has the direct broadband router connection. Satisfactory product but short of good.
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BE CAREFUL OF THE VERSION NUMBER, October 14, 2006
By Skinsfan (Johnson City, TX United States)
WHEN TRYING TO SET UP FOR 8 OR 10 TIMES WITH A D-LINK ROUTER, I GOT INTO A LOOP OF "NOT ABLE TO FIND WRE54G IN RANGE".
THE NICE TECH SUPPORT IN INDIA WAS QUICK TO INFORM ME THAT MY VERSION 1 WAS INCOMPATABLE. HE SUGGESTED TO RETURN IT AND BUY VERSION 2 OR 3.
BE SURE AND READ WHAT IT IS COMPATABLE WITH ON THE BOX OR IN THE TECNICAL DESCRIPTION ONLINE.
I WOUND UP BUYING THE D-LINK DWL-G710 - IT IS COMPATABLE WITH "VIRTUALLY" (I HATE THAT WORD) ALMOST ALL ROUTERS.
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Huge waste of time and money ... you can do better, October 7, 2006
By Cletus Van Damme (Edmond, OK USA)
Taking my cue from old IsuzuDave (somewhere around review #220 below dated 9 June 2006) I bought one of these repeaters to go with my Linksys WCG200 combination cable modem/wired router/AP. (See my review of the WCG200 for more on that terribly mediocre product.) Since IsuzuDave bought his, the WRE54G firmware has been upgraded to version 3, while the WCG200 firmware continues to languish at version 2. Although the WCG200 ostensibly supports WDS bridging and repeating, I believe firmware incompatibilities account for my inability to obtain a secure connection between the two products. Enabling WPA2, WPA, or even old WEP on the WCG200 prevented any connection with the WRE54G. The only way I could establish and maintain a connection was to (1) leave broadcast SSID turned on, and (2) leave the wireless connection completely open and unencrypted -- and that was after performing a manual configuration. Even after a connection was obtained, throughput was unacceptably slow and browser pages frequently timed-out.
In *theory* the WRE54G should work with any product that is standards-compliant with WDS bridging and repeating. In practice (probably because Linksys wants to force you to buy more of their products) it will work only with the latest firmware updates on their flagship WRT54G products.
The instructions that come with this product are simply wrong in some places. For example, if you're doing the initial setup in wired mode, don't plug the ethernet cable into your router like it says in the instructions. Plug it straight into the ethernet port on your PC. (Took me over an hour to get that one straightened out.) For the amount of time I wasted fooling with this pathetic piece of junk, I could have bought a WRT54G and had a few hundred bucks left over for something fun. My frustration level with Linksys is so high right now that I doubt I'll be buying any more of their products.
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Doesn't work. End of story!!, September 26, 2006
By Harout Mekhjian
I had this for about a month, and the only time it consistently worked was during the 1st two hours I had it. Besides these two hours, it never worked well. The signal kept getting lost, would get disconnected rougly every 4 minutes. I spent four days in total on the phone with Linksys, which just made things worse, as they reprogrammed my router, making the router nonfunctional (so tech support made things WORSE). I ended up returning it, along with a portion of my sanity...
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Easy to set up, September 20, 2006
By Nils Resare
Reading the reviews I had considerable concern over purchasing this. I use my computer in a detached garage (a good 50 from house), and had very weak to no signal strength. I'm using a Linksys Wireless G broadband router, with WPA enabled. I followed the direction on the enclosed card, and ran the wizard when directed. I did NOT have to disable security at any point. Connected first pass through. I now have excellent signal strenght in the garage.
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Works Great, September 20, 2006
By SacsMike (Costa Rica and Sweden)
I bought this Wireless expander because a friend of mine, when firt i install i tought was not working ok after checking some information on the manual, i discover that if you have security you have to plug the WRE54G to your network with a cable, so after this i'm working in a extenss of more than 100 mts from my house to get internet to a friend and it works great so go ahead try it you will get surprise of how much will help to build you internet Network.
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It works great!, But . . ., September 18, 2006
By Kumar Swaminathan (Temple City, CA United States)
It is a product that does what it is supposed to do. i.e. Extend the wireless range.
But few comments:
If you have don't have WEP AND take the default IP address of the router, then yes, it is easy to set up. Just power up, push the auto config button, and you are ready to go.
But if you have anything different, like WEP enabled, or your own IP address for the router, then you must:
1. have patience
2. Know your way around networking or get lucky with your support person from India.
Here is the most important thing to know:
This device apparently been around since 2004 and has gone thru 3 revisions. You cannot tell which version the device it is by looking at the box sleeve. The only way you will know is to open the box, look to see if it has an Ethernet port to custom configure the device using a wired connection. If you have one, it is then version 2 or 3, and you should be okay. (Damn you CompUSA, for still carrying around old versions long with the new ones)
So, hardwire the device to a computer, customer configure (Sorry I am going into details here), then you are okay.
One additional comment about the support people in India.
They were great! They not only took the time to walk you thru, but the two guys I spoke with knew their stuff.
It was not easy (It took me 6 hours to get it working!) but it works. But tell me something that is easy to work with in wireless networking.
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Extremely easy to install, September 17, 2006
By Corn Field (New York)
I had read Mr Taylor's review before purchasing this extender, and frankly was a bit nervous. But, since there are areas in my apartment which have poor connectivity, I was willing to chance it.
(Even to the point of hiring a techie to install it should I fail.)
I found installing it a piece of cake.
The CD did all the work, except for my pushing the button, on the unit.
I now have excellent reception throughout the apartment.
Sheila Tanenbaum
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Best solution yet!, September 16, 2006
By G. Grice (San Diego, CA United States)
First I have to say that Anthony Taylor's step by step made it simple to configure. I am using a WRT54GS as my base wireless router. Setting the IP address to 192.168.1.240 is imperative for simple setup. Disable all security before starting.
I have installed two in my system. One I disabled the wireless expander option, using it as 100baseT for my wife's computer. This allowed me to use a second one in my detached shop as full wired/wireless expander. The one in the shop is driving an 8 port 100baseT switch and print server. If the second expander links to the first expander it does not work well at all. That is the reason for the wireless disable.
The reason I gave it a 4 instead of 5: It cuts down your download speeds by about 3.5 times. I can get about 2100kbps download speed directly from the WRT54GS to my 802.11G laptop. When I go through the expanders that speed drops to 600kbps average. It is the same wireless or using the 100baseT port on the WRE54G. Directly out of the WRT54GS 100baseT port I am getting 5000kbps
Conclusion: I have tried WiFi gear from D-Link, Netgear, Belkin & Parkervision now piled on my shop shelf. The WRT54GS base unit tied to Cox Cable, and the WRE54G expanders is the only setup that has worked for my network that covers about an acre of real estate.
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LinkSys Wireless Range Expander, September 1, 2006
By PC Guy (Boca Raton, FL)
What a great product, finally I have coverage over the rest of the house with 100% signal. I using a WRT54G Linksys Wireless Router in the den as my base unit. The signal just was reaching the other end of the house even with the high gain Antenna's I added. I read the other reviews and skip the CD setup in the box. First I signed into and disabled the Security on the 54G. Then I plugged in the expander, held down the button till the lights went blue and then signed into the expander 192.168.1.240 and setup the security to match the base unit and saved it. Then I went back to 54G and turn on secruity again and everything worked like a champ! Not sure why Linksys didn't write it up that simple, guess it may vary based on your configuration. Now my wife and I can go anywhere in the house and the patio with a strong signal.
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I wouldn't purchase, August 30, 2006
By Daniel L. Davis (Columbus, Ohio United States)
I'm on my third one. It doesn't work as advertised and often causes an IP Address Error. I should have read reviews prior to purchasing. I would not recommend this product.
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good tool, August 30, 2006
By Mohammed N. Alyahya
it is a powerfull tool for wireless expanding utility but my location is in saudi arabia and i have speedtoud ADSL modem with wireless but its not working with it and i tried to connect linksys access point with this modem and its work.
by the way on the box its writin (( Work with ALL Access Points ))!!!
Thank & Regards
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Compatibility, August 18, 2006
By techtool (Pompano Beach, FL USA)
Before you purchase this item you should know the following information available from the technical support section of the Linksys web site (but not on the data sheet or user manual for the product):
1. The WRE54G is ONLY compatible with products having WDS (Wireless Distribution System) support. Lynksys (as of 01/20/06) only lists the following three products as compatible:
WAP54G (firmware version 2.07 or later)
WRT54G (firmware version 2.02.2 or later)
WRT54GS (firmware version 2.07.1 or later)
2. Wireless MAC filtering has no effect on clients connected through the WRE54G. There is no way to specify which MAC addresses can and cannot access the network when they are connecting through the WRE54G.
3. If you do have MAC filtering enabled on your router or access point you must enter the MAC address of the WRE54G in the "permit" list for the expander to work.
4. The range expander will reduce the transmit rate to approximately half of the original source data rate transmission.
5. If your computer has a firewall such as Zone Alarm, you need to enter the expander's IP address in the list of trusted IP addresses in the firewall in order to configure the WRE54G.
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Trying the Linksys High Gain Antenna HGA7T Instead..., August 16, 2006
By Rick (Houston, Texas)
I started my quest for better wireless coverage looking at the HGA7T antenna, and read a report there suggesting the Linksys WRE54G range expander device was a better solution. Based on that recommendation, I purchased this WRE54G range expander.
I'll be returning that device for a refund where I bought it...
Everything you read here is true, and very helpful information on the WRE54G. It's extremely difficult to set up if you have any kind of encryption or access restrictions (e.g., MAC address filtering). I did eventually figure out how to get it set up properly; however, with or without encryption turned on, the thing causes unreliable DHCP address assignment on my network; i.e., when WRE54G is on my network, it provides great signal in the room where it's installed, and it works at first, but after a time it fails to allow Windows to pull a valid IP address, resulting in no Internet access.
I wasted hours trying everything. I did not call Linksys Support, as I'm a very experienced network and PC user, and had tried everthing reasonable. The concept of the WRE54G is a good one - the ability to extend the wireless coverage.
Linksys has a lot more work to do to make this device usable by mere mortals, and reliable enough to actually deploy on my network. Also, I hope you realize that once the WRE54G is installed, it cuts your effective wireless throughput in half (which may or may not matter, given that most people's broadband bandwidth is still slower).
I'm moving on to try the HGA7T instead - a fraction of the price of the WRE54G, much simpler solution that should be "good enough" and provide a stronger wireless signal that has better coverage than a single room (oh yeah, the WRE54G supposedly only boosts the signal significantly in the room in which it's installed, and the antenna should increase the signal broadly around the house).
By the way, my router is upstairs and I'm trying to boost the signal downstairs about 50 feet away.
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Auto Config, August 12, 2006
By The Notorious H.I.G. (Andover MA)
This was so easy to set up I couldn't believe it. Even after installing it, it was easy to set some network security. A great product.
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