| 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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Easy as pie, November 26, 2006
By Jorek (Western US)
I set-up two of these extenders and each time I used the set-up cd. It took less than five minutes to get everything working perfectly. Before installation my basement had no signal at all, now it is excellent with 5 full bars.
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Works perfect, November 26, 2006
By Jim Bammer (Florida)
I read all the negative and positive reviews for this thing and decided to see for myself how it stacked up. After a 5-10 minute setup, which basically entailed pushing one button, it worked perfectly and increased my downstairs wireless signal from 42% to 100%. Can't get much better than that. I guess to all those tech-heads who couldn't get this thing to work, maybe you should consider switching fields? :P
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Great way to boost your signal or extend your range, November 22, 2006
By Vivian Lund (Cary, NC USA)
I am using this range expander to allow for wireless access between 2 buildings. The wireless router is inside a building behind 2 cinder block walls, and the range expander is in another building 50ft away located next to a window that offers a line of sight to the first building. Yes, setup was somewhat difficult, but the customer service rep. was able to help me get it running and I did not have to wait at all on hold.
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Mine works great, November 21, 2006
By jbeldar (Seattle, WA)
I got mine to work in about 30 min following S Huffs directions below (followed exactly). There was only one thing not mentioned that I had to do to get it to work. Once you get into the settings on the range extender to enable WEP and put in the key and passphrase, I had to turn WEP back on on my router before saving the settings on the range extender. Basically just put step 6 before you save settings in step 5, this is what worked for me at any rate.
I've had it for about 4 months now and it has worked as advertised. I gave it 4 stars because set up was still kind of a pain.
From S Huff: The tips that Anthony Taylor left helped me get it working... but I still had some issues. I've added onto his tips from his review below
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 that you will be putting in your router or AP in step 6 -- aka same passphrase), save settings again.
5.5 - As soon as you enable WEP on your expander - you will loose your connection to it as it's now setup for WEP and your router isn't - keep this in mind - drove me nuts.
6-Go to your Router or Ap settings and enable WEP.
7 - UNPLUG your expander for 10 to 15 seconds and plug it back in -- Bang you're DONE. Enjoy
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Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander, November 10, 2006
By M. Tsutsui
It works, but not fantastic (at least in my setting). If you're expecting a dramatic
result, you may want to be careful.
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What a pain!, November 9, 2006
By Mark (Ann Arbor, MI USA)
I purchased this item after carefully reading all the other reviews. I, like others, cound not get it to work with wireless security turned on. I even tired using the "tricks" described in another review.
To be fair, the product worked fine without wireless security, but I see little point in helping my neighbors tap my internet connection.
I am very disappointed in the product.
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its works ok, November 3, 2006
By R. Corbin (Killeen, Texas United States)
it made it possable for me to work on my patio when before i could not
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Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G, November 3, 2006
By Gary R. Rotenberg (Florham Park, NJ, United States)
This device does not work nearly as well as advertized. It took a long time to set up and program properly with the base unit, it frequently drops the signal, and we have to reboot it. It beats not having a signal repeating component, but it certainly has flaws. The set-up can, if it does not go flawlessly, bring tears to your eyes.
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Great device -- ROTTEN documentation, October 31, 2006
By a curious layman (Medina, OH, USA)
This device works flawlessly once you get it installed, but the Automatic Setup process did not work for me and there was no useful documentation or trouble shooting guide to get me unstuck. I nearly returned this product before I found a fix (from looking at the other reviews here, I am not alone.)
In my case, the trick was to change the IP address of my router (SMC Barricade G) from its default setting of 192.168.2.1 to what the Lynksys Range Expander expects: 192.168.1.1. After that the Lynksys automatic setup worked as advertised and I was up and running in no time.
According to many of the other reviews posted here, calling tech support may have shortened the duration of my agony. But there are a lot of SMC routers out there... Linksys can do better.
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Be aware - MAC Address issue!, October 31, 2006
By Marc Stephens
Tried auto config, tried manual setup, no dice. Tried with WEP, tried without. Finally figured it out - if you have MAC Filtering security enabled on your wireless router (which any security savvy homeowner should), you have to enter the WRE54G's MAC address (on the unit's bottom) into your router's filter settings!! Otherwise the router will refuse its connection! Haven't seen this mentioned on any documentation or help sites.
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WRE54G + XBOX360 = Amazing Performance, October 29, 2006
By Software Engineer (Los Angeles, CA)
Wow, there is an amzing antenna on this thing, it is worth the hype! However, the instructions are useless and configuring this thing is moderate to advanced, especially when dealing with non-linksys devices. I have a 2wire router and xbox360 which had terrible reception. Here are some pointers for people wanting to extend their router coverage to their XBOX360 wifi:
1. When you get the device, you really have to hold down the button for a long time. The button is kinda flakey, so make sure it is down firmly and the lights are blinking on the front.
2. Contrary to what some people say, the lights don't have to be blue for you to log into the device's website. I held the buttons down for about three minutes and then put the device's ip number in my browser (192.169.1.240) and it came up.
3. The XBOX really complained about two devices having the same SSID. This made autoconfiguration on the XBOX360 impossible. You have to manually configure it. I manually configured all my devices because the computers were totally freaked out at having two SSIDs to DHCP to. I had problems with dropped connections until I plugged in my numbers manually. Here's how:
Set the main IP to something like 192.168.1.20 and the subnet to 255.255.0.0 then look up your DNS on your personal computer and enter the same ones into the xbox360. Finally, put in your router's address into the gateway (it should be something like 192.168.0.1) or a variation on this. This is what made mine work, and I went from half of one bar to a full five bars! This dramatically improved gaming too.
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Excellent signal boost, once I finally got it configured, October 29, 2006
By Art
As many others have already written, configuring this device can be time consuming (especially if you are the type that prefers "trial and error" over reading the manual). As long as you temporarily disable the security on your router, the "auto-config button" will connect the expander (v3) with a WRT54G router with no problem. Once connected, you can connect to the device's interface via your web browser and configure the security settings (WPA-Pre Shared Key/AES was the winner for me).
My basement was my weak spot. My connection has now increased from intermittent/low to excellent.
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Wireless-G Range Expander and WPA, October 28, 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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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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Perfect Solution, October 25, 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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Waste of Money, October 20, 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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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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Decreases broadband internet speed, October 14, 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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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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