Advantages: easy setup, good range, excellent value for money
Disadvantages: none so far

...The BT USB modem which came with our broadband package worked fine, but needed changing when we wanted to network the family's computers together. After much reading of reviews and visiting many forums on the subject we chose the Linksys WAG354G ADSL Home Gateway and, at £49.95 from Amazon, it looked very good value, especially as P&P was included. Linksys is part of Cisco Systems, a recognised expert in the field of computer networking. The Linksys Home Gateway combines 4 functions in one small box: an ADSL2+ modem, a hardware firewall and a 4 port switch and wireless access point. Not only can all the family's computers be on line at the same time anywhere in the house, but everyone can access both the printer and scanner attached to our main computer. You can connect up to 4 computers through its 10/100 ethernet switch and up... Read review

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Advantages: Reliable, good support
Disadvantages: bigger than other similar routers from competitors

...This unit replaced an awful Belkin router which was a simlar specification and price. This router was so much better, i.e. it worked, The installation was straightforward enough, and the router was up and running with 2 pc's connected without a problem. Compared to the Belkin unit it is a no frills product, the colour is OK, but whereas the Belkin looked sleek, thie linksys s more function over form. I wasn;t really bothered though, it was going to be sat next to the modem out of sight. The ethernet sockets are round the back of the unit, and the system LED's are on the front. Also the unit is stable enough not to be lifted when multiple wires are plugged into it. This can be a problem with very small units which are so light the cables own tension can lift them off the floor/desk where you placed them. Probably the most you can throw... Read review

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Advantages: Ease of use, reliability, WORKS WITH LINUX!
Disadvantages: Looks may put some off.

...Just a quick review here to confirm the other 2 reviews that this is a quality piece of kit. Although there is a lot of pressure for anyone from home users to businesses to 'go wireless', I'd say there really isn't any need. I mean, how often do you move around the house whilst surfing the internet? The likely answer is, not very often. Add to this the higher cost and reduced reliability of wireless routers and there is no wonder many people are sticking to wired routers. On with the product- This product comes from linksys, a company with a very good reputation (from what I had heard anyway). Open the box and you are presented with a router that feels very light yet well built. The colour scheme may put some off, but I have it placed under the desk, out of sight. Installation was as simple as can be- plug it in and we were any... Read review

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Advantages: Can hook up a few computers to it,can have a password
Disadvantages: slow transfer of big files between computers

...The last review was very good but I thought I would give one more about the product itself. After purchasing a laptop it became apparent that I wouldnt want to run a cable from my broadband box to my laptop in order to use the internet especially when this is already plugged into my PC. The next logical step? By a wireless router and i'm assuming that if your are reading this then you will either be in this position or just cant be bothered with having cables all around your house anymore. As the title says this is a Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch. Fore this router to work you need to make sure that your broadband has an ETHERNET port otherwise you will need to find another router as you plug your broadband into this router via an ethernet cable in order for it to be able to send out the signal... Read review

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Advantages: Linux Based Firmware: Easy for thirdparties to add new features
Disadvantages: There are much better looking routers out there.

...on this with the help of a certain search engine ;-) During my searches for this information I stumbled across various websites that explain how the firmware that runs this box can be developed by anyone as it was written in Linux and therefore is open source. Now for anyone who who wants to add features seen in much higher price routers/switches to a reletavely cheap box this is great. But of course you won't recieve any technical support from Linksys if it all goes pear-shaped so don't say I didnt warn you. I have found that the wirless range is more than enough to let me connect anywhere in my flat and stays steady for the most part. Also its nice to know that your the only person on your network with the help of the wirless MAC filters. A majorly branded feature of this router is its Speedbooster technology. Where basically if all the wireless... Read review

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Advantages: bullet proof, future proof, idiot proof
Disadvantages: too new to be great value for money

...We bought one of these through work to handle our company 2mb ADSL connection. As with all linksys units this is well made and behaves nicely. the 4 port switch is as fast as it's supposed to be. The setup is as hard as you want to make it. there are lots and lots of screens that can be used to tune your internet experience down to fine details, it contains URL blocking, IP, MAC and bad word filtering and you can set it to only allow specific computers to access the net - as if the unit wants to be a proxy server when it grows up. We selected this router specifically because we were looking long term at getting an SDsl connection when it became available and this router is one of very few which will handle that technology (sdsl has the same incoming and out going available bandwidth, rather than adsl which has more incoming bandwidth... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, Easy Install, Fast Connection, 4 ports
Disadvantages: Wired. Not always a disadvantage though.

..., 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... Read review

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Advantages: Good all rounder, brill signal
Disadvantages: Only for NTL/Virgin/Cable Users

...If you read my review about Virgin Media, then you will realise why I am writing this review. I was on a Linksys Wireless Router which was a great all rounder, but since upgrading my Virgin Services to a V+ Box my Linksys has become obselete and I have had to re-invest (at no cost to me, see my Virgin Media review) in a Dynamode Wireless Router which is compatiable with my new modem. My Dynamode was delivered, and after reading the instructions I was up and running in less than three minutes, good or what. The Dynamode BR-6004 W-G1 comes with a Wireless Router and a Wireless USB Dongle, the Dongle is ideal for additional PC's in your home. The unit itself is super slim and is in a stylish silver with a stand, making it look very elegant and chic in your home. Compared with the Linksys which was bright blue and quite ugly looking... Read review

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Advantages: Better than a hub, Well priced
Disadvantages: Only 5 ports, yet another damn power adapter!

...(also tells you the current load (%) on the network), but was just too slow when copying large files from machine to machine (like when I need to install or copy a windows service pack onto a machine (100megs worth!) Actually, its not that slow, but in this day and age, I want it copied and I WANT IT NOW! So patiance is not one of my more exercised virtues... Along comes the Linksys 5 port switch. Firstly, While wondering through PC World (yes, I know), I started to look and the hubs, hoping a 100BaseT would catch my eye for next to nothing. Well, that didn't happen. There were some nice 3Com hubs, but for a 100BaseT, I was looking at over £100. Then something caught my eye. It was screaming 200Mbs at me and was only £70. I picked up the box with trembling hands, it was not a hub, it was a switch...I had heard of these, but thought... Read review

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Advantages: Good Speed, Easy Configuration, Quick Setup, Good Documentation, Integrated 4-Port Switch
Disadvantages: Many configurable options, some networking knowledge required

...the equipment worked with minimal setup. The Web Interface to configure the settings is very clear and easy to understand. The documentation clearly explains what the functions are for, however I felt that it assumed a certain amount of knowledge of networking. The Linksys WebSite appears to give good information regarding the products and provides updates for Firmware which can be downloaded directly from their site. With the firmware there is also detailed release notes, however unless these fix a particular issue, I would recommend once the environment is working the way you want it, 'don't fix what isn't broken'. All in all I was very impressed with this product and would highly recommend it.... Read review

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