Linksys Wireless router...help !!

This exact same thing happened to my Linksys wired router about 3 months ago. After 1.5 hours on the phone w/ Tech Support, I learned 3 things:

1. I am more knowledgable than Linksys's Tech Support team.
2. I should have done more research before buying a Linksys networking product. Apparently they have a history of "going kaput"
3. Linksys's customer support is excellent and you only have to go through an online process and print out a "ticket", mail back the router, and wait a week for a replacement.

I've had the replacement for the past 3 months, and it has worked just fine.

I have learned that Linksys has a very high product defect ratio. Apparently they don't practice Six Sigma techniques in their production process.

 

That's the exact one I bought last week. Did you upgrade the firmware?

 

funny thing..I have bought over 10 Linksys networking products in the last 4 years....not one problem at all.

I havent heard anything like this among the other networking guys I know...and I would say that 80% of them recommend and use Linksys for SOHO applications.



Dont know what to recommend at this point DaDak..other than maybe to try to upgrade the firmware..if that doesnt work...send it back, everyone has defects sometimes.

 

I just bought the Linksys 54G wireless router last week, too. Had been using their wired 4-port router for about 2 or 3 years. I also have used about 5 or 6 of their NICs with no issues whatsoever. My 54G's still running. I have an ancient laptop with a 54G wireless card hitting against it as well as a Toshiba PDA connecting to it. I have 3 other PC's wired into it as well. Haven't had any problems yet... In general, I love their products.

 

I always thought their products were acceptable as well. But a few months ago a couple of networking gurus from different companies (that I place my personal trust in) told me that they knew of several issues/complaints with Linksys's products.

Of course everyone has complaints about every product out there, and I was totally oblivious to any issues with Linksys.

Thus I've personally decided to avoid it in my near-future wireless router/PC Card purchase.

But to each his own.

 

I have that same router. The firmware that comes installed is buggy. Once I upgraded the firmware, it has worked perfectly for me.

The only challenge was getting the firmware loaded on it since it was flaking out. I had to download the patch from my PC by plugging my cable modem directly into my PC. Once I downloaded it, I had to plug in my PC back to the router and hardcode my IP address to the same as the router. Only then could I upgrade the firmware.

Once I did that, it has worked flawlessly for months now.

 

Since we are talking about these routers, what is involved in hooking up one of these? What is required considering I'm on a Mac besides the router itself and what is the distance the signal will reach?

I've been considering this for a while now, so thanks for the advice.

 

Connecting isn't very difficult at all. I don't have my Mac set up for wireless, but I doubt it'd be very difficult. I only have my PDA and laptop using the wireless right now. I have a couple of other PC's hooked into it with wires. The wireless portion is brain-dead simple. I had my laptop connected within 5-10 minutes. You'll need the router and a wireless card for each computer you want to "be" wireless.

As for the signal strength, that varies by brand and also by the construction of the house and the type of materials the signal has to pass through. I have 70-80% signal strength from my laptop on the Linksys when it's about 20 feet away and through a wall. I know people that take their laptops out into their front yard and still have connections. I know one of my neighboring apartments has a wireless router because I accidentally used their network (be sure to secure the network!).

 

Most of them are Mac-friendly. Having said that, if you can spare the extra jack, it is probably worth it to go with the Airport extreme. Fewer problems, and if you have Applecare for one of your boxes, it is covered as a peripheral.

 

I would assume the Airport works better since it is an Apple product but aren't they quite a bit more expensive?

 

Yup, the basic setup is theoretically pretty easy. But as you'd expect, there are 1000 things that can go wrong...hence the creation of this thread.

Regarding security, and I recommend it, there a several things you can do which really makes it difficult except for the most advanced hackers to gain unwanted access. Wireless gets a bad wrap because all the default settings allow anybody to gain access to your network.

Here is a list of security features you can utilize:
1. Change the default administrator password!!!!!!!
2. Change and do not broadcast the SSID
3. Enable 128 bit WAP encryption
4. Limit wireless access by MAC addresses of all your known addresses
5. Change your network address range (don't use 10.x.x.x)
6. Disable DHCP altogether and hard code your equipment.
7. Limit the hours of operation that clients access wireless (like between midnight and 5am)

That is just a few. You can use some or all of these techniques. If you do so, your wireless access will be pretty secure.

Item 1 you'd be flat out dumb if you didn't do.
Items 2 & 3 are easy to do for most home networks and provide a higher level of security.
Items 4-7 are more advanced but can really add another layer of security. I'd still recommend Item 4 but requires a little effort on your part to setup.

 

Jeff,

The AirPort and AirPort Extreme base stations are quite a bit more expensive than their generic equivalents. The advantage they do have is that there are nice OS X configuration programs that allow easy set-up. I have a Belkin 802.11b Access Point plugged into my ADSL router, and it's working great with my PowerBook and AirPort card.

Unfortunately, it's configuration program is Windows only, so I have to fire up Virtual PC if I want to reconfigure it. I haven't needed to do that since I first got it though. I don't have any experience with the 802.11g AP Extreme-type stuff, but I'd guess the interoperability is about the same.

 

"Quite a bit" is relative. ~$100 for a good generic 802.11g vs. $190 for a (modemless) airport extreme is common.

Most of the generics can be configured through the web. Usually a bit less flexible, but still functional.

Airport has some nice config/monitoring software. The AE also has a USB port, so it can be used as a wireless print server. Finally, base stations are covered by "AppleCare" on any machine you may own. If mine dies, repair/replacement is free.

 

All good info guys, thanks. So, what would I need to buy if I wanted to go wireless for my Mac and iBook? What are my options there?

THANKS!!!

 

I dont wanna call myself a pro abotu setting up the linksys system but I have had to do it about 4 times since going from Houston to Austin and back etc. THe key seems to be with the firmware version. I just moved into a 6 bedroom house with my college friends and we ended up buying a signal booster that is apparently too strong accoriding to FAA but I bought it before it was taken off the shelves. It works great and all rooms have a great signal. Linkysys tech support was able to help with some stuff but most of the time they just screw ya around. if ya have any major problems i might be able to help.

 

Hell...with some of the guys we have here...who needs manufacturer technical support?

Im always up to helping if I'm around, and I know of several others who have always come up with good tips and suggestions when someone has a problem.

gotta love this place..