Linksys ADSL2 Gateway with 4-Port Switch AG241 - router

...a lot of praise about Linksys routers. And the praise was true to it's word.

The router packs the following statistics, which may mean more to some of you that others, but listed her for simplicities sake when you read reviews on it.

Built in Modem. No need for both a router and a modem.
ADSL2. You can connect up to 25 mb per second with this
4 ports. You can connect 4 PC's, Routers or other Ethernet devices ...
...from the router though, but Linksys have a 24 hour support line. I've never had to ring it, and I'm just getting this of the box right now, so it probably isn't a free call in the UK. (It's says toll-free US calls). I'm not sure what the tech support is like, but give a little guidance from the instruction manual, you shouldn't need it.

Quite simply, all you do is plug the phone line splitter in to the wall jack, the line to the router, ... more

I decided to write this review today, after helping a friend of mine choose what type of router to go for. Having had only two routers in my lifetime, I'm not the biggest technicality whiz, but I know enough stuff to get me going.

After my first router (A mentor, which by the way, you shouldn't buy) broke, I needed a new. I'd heard a lot of praise about Linksys routers. And the praise was true to it's word.

The router packs the following statistics, which may mean more to some of you that others, but listed her for simplicities sake when you read reviews on it.

Built in Modem. No need for both a router and a modem.
ADSL2. You can connect up to 25 mb per second with this
4 ports. You can connect 4 PC's, Routers or other Ethernet devices to this.
Wired. Means no wireless troubles and better security, but more wires.

As with all hardware and peripherals, it must be installed. This is the part that most of us hate, because it's almost guaranteed to go wrong somewhere. So, what do you need to install this?

You need the username, password as much other information as you can scrounge from your ISP if you want to use it to connect to the internet.
You need an Ethernet cable (RJ45 to RJ45)
A networking card for your PC(s)
A phone line
A phone line splitter (in box!)
A spare socket to plug the power in to
And you're off!

The instructions that come with it are very simple, and easy to follow. They give step by step instructions and images to guide you through the setup, taking the time and care to make points where things could get confusing. (For instance if you have a special type of connection)

The router has been left on since day one, and now for nearly a year or so, has only ever been switch off once, just to see if the router was causing an issue. Turns out it was just our ISP messing about!

You will need a little bit of technical know how to get the most from the router though, but Linksys have a 24 hour support line. I've never had to ring it, and I'm just getting this of the box right now, so it probably isn't a free call in the UK. (It's says toll-free US calls). I'm not sure what the tech support is like, but give a little guidance from the instruction manual, you shouldn't need it.

Quite simply, all you do is plug the phone line splitter in to the wall jack, the line to the router, the Ethernet cable to the PC and follow the instructions. You'll be on the internet in moments.

This router is a great piece of kit, but this is my first real review on this sort of thing. So look out for edits soon.

The price is very good, this morning whist search around on price comparison sites, I saw one for less than £30, and postage was £3. Most places will charge you around £40, which is also a reasonable price.

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Is something missing? Something spelled incorrectly? Please leave a comment to let me know or even come sign my guest book and I'll be happy to alter it! 

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