Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G by Linksys
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Digital camera reviews of Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G
Digital camera Review: Be aware of potential issues
Summary: 2 Stars
I have a v3 version, and I upgraded the firmware. I have a WRT54G access point. The expander loses connection frequently in my home (red light comes on). Seems if it's too far from the access point it has problems connecting to it and if you're laptop is in range of the expander and the access point then the laptop keeps switching from one to another and the expander sometimes drops the connection and needs to be reset to restore. It generally works but the reliability of the connection depends on where you are located and where the expander is located -- sometimes frustrating and I found myself simply unplugging it sometimes when I needed a reliable connection. I have also found the expander to be more susceptible to interference from other wireless devices than the WRT54G.Digital camera Review: Be prepared to struggle
Summary: 3 Stars
When the range expander works it is great. Setting it up can be another story though. I have had it for about two years and each time I have made a change to my wireless setup it takes me a couple of days to get the expander working again. Part of my problem is that I know a little bit too much about this stuff (read complete novice who gets lucky occasionally). The last adventure was a couple of weeks ago when I attempted to change the level of encryption on the network. I finally discovered that the Linksys web site has a pretty useful download to help with setup (called Lynksys Easylink Advisor). It saved me and I finally got the thing working again, although I still don't really know what I did to fix it. Bottom line is that you should expect to struggle a little when setting it up.Digital camera Review: Before you do anything else...
Summary: 2 Stars
If you have the WRT54G router, go to Linksys and download the latest version of the firmware. Note that if you have an older version (I had WRT54G v1.1) you cannot get it at the product page. You need to go to the downloads section (Support/Downloads)and select your version from the dropdown. Check under your router for the version you have. The versions of this router goes from 1.0 to 5.0 and trying to install the latest one from the products page will fail if it's not your version.
I could not get to the expander address 192.168.1.240 before installing the firmware (version 4.20.7). After, it was smooth sailing.
Digital camera Review: Below Linksys Standards
Summary: 1 Stars
This device has major problems (just Google WRE54G). I am a Network Tech who specializes in small LANs. One of my customers, who is fairly sharp worked for weeks trying to get one of these to work - without success.
Basically, WEP does not work with these units. I followed the diections to the letter without success. They did work without security.
THIS IS WHAT DOES WORK: Get a WET54 bridge connect it to an access point or a router configured as an access point (change the IP address, SSID, broadcast channel and turn off the DHCP server). This will allow users to choose their access point and extend your network. You can even use an ethernet cable between them to move the AP into an area where the signal is weak.
This is what we did and it worked GREAT.
Digital camera Review: Best solution yet!
Summary: 4 Stars
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.