Share your Broadband. Good Dog.
Written: Jul 16 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Simple to set up, shares broadband connection easily, helpful tech support
Cons: Instructions cover features for 3 different models, no cables included
The Bottom Line: I'd recommend the Linksys Router to anyone looking to share a broadband connection within their household or through their network.
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| RedLazarus's Full Review: Linksys Etherfast Cable and DSL Router |
We recently got broadband service as soon as it because available in our area, and after we were sure that the connection was working we decided it was time to share it with all the computers in the house.
Setup was most difficult for the first computer, which is running Windows 98. I know a decent amount about computer hardware, but networking is new to me. Instructions give a straight forward how-to for setting up your router and computer, with a fair amount of troubleshooting tips if you encounter problems. I did have a problem getting to the internet through the router at first, but tech support resolved the problem quickly.
As soon as I did what tech support recommended, I was online with the one computer. It was working perfectly, except I had to figure out how to get past the firewall for programs like Napster. Instructions tell you briefly how to do this, but not explicitly. I am happy to report that with minimal fuss I have gotten everything to work the way I want it to. Customizing the router is done through IE or Netscape, and is not tricky to figure out.
Except one Compaq computer. I currently have 3 computers accessing the internet via the router. One is running Windows 2000, and then two with 98. The two others went online with the first try. But there is one computer in the house that we cannot get to work with the router yet. I am almost positive that the cause of the problem is at the computer itself, and has nothing to do with the router. Just be aware that not every computer is set up to work with broadband with minimal fuss. The router also allows you to plug in an entire network with just one connection, with a maximum of 253 users using the broadband.
Now for the complaints, althought there are not many. The router came with no RJ-45 cables, only a power cord. It would have been nice if they included a wire to go from the modem to the router. The router is smaller than I expected, and can stand upright or flat. A tiny complaint is that it would have been nice for them to put the rubber foot pads on the sides of the router, like it has on the bottom, to keep it from slipping and sliding. No biggie though. I am not sure if I can bypass the firewall on more than one computer. DMZ hosting is allowed by the router, but only for one IP address at a time. This poses no problem for me, because only one of my computers has a need for this.
Overall, sharing broadband throughout the house is great. This router should be easy to set up for someone with minimal computer know-how, it might be a little tricky for a total newbie. The instructions explain most of the techno-terms in plain old english (with some watered down techno-jargon too). A great buy at $100, the hardest part was wiring the house.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
RedLazarus
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Member: John Lankau
Location: Centereach, NY (Long Island)
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 5 members
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