Simple and Brilliant.

To connect to my corporate e-mail, I must use a VPN connection to the corporate server, and then connect to the mail server with Microsoft Outlook 2000 via Microsoft exchange server. I've been doing so for years without a hitch on the Gateway.

Hardwired to the Linksys router, my Gateway easily connected to both the VPN and the MS exchange mail server. The cable internet connection was shared successfully between the two computers, and I could transfer files from one computer to another, share the printer, digital camera port, et al, without a hitch.

HOWEVER, I could not access my corporate e-mail account with the laptop, either using the wireless Linksys PC card or using a hard-wired connection with the Dell's built in 10/100 3com NIC card. I could complete a VPN connection, but when Outlook tried to open the program responded "The Microsoft Exchange Server is unavailable". Yet I could connect the laptop directly to the Toshiba cable modem, and access my corporate e-mail with either the ethernet port or a USB connection. Oddly too, the VPN connection appeared "dead"; ie, I had no internet connectivity for my web browsers, etc, when the VPN was connected.

I tried unsuccessfully changing a number of different settings in W2K and in the Router's web-based configuration utility. I studied all the online documentation at Linksys' web site, but found nothing specific to my situation. I searched the web for answers, but was unsuccessful. I e-mailed Linksys corporate support, and got a e-mail full of suggestions for port forwarding, DMZ, ad nauseum, none of which worked.

I then spent over two hours on two separate calls to Linksys' tech support. The first tech thought I needed to upgrade the firmware and told me where to download and to call back if I needed more help. The firmware he suggested refused to load on the router. I called back, jumped through a few more hoops, before the technician declared the modem "defective" and that I should return for an exchange.

I was on the verge of returning the both Linksys units for a refund, and buying Netgear wifi equipment (which I'd read here are more VPN friendly). I'm stubborn, though, and made one final Google search of usenet rather than the internet. After an hour or so of searching, I stumbled across a recommendation to change the router's internal IP number from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.xxx.1. It was for a somewhat different problem and a different brand of router, and I had no idea whether it would work or not but I was desperate.

I opened the web based configurator and changed only the internal IP address for the router. I repowered router and rebooted the laptop. I was amazed (and delighted!) to see my laptop seemlessly connect to the VPN AND my Microsoft Exhanger server e-mail account. And I turned off all the security-reducing port forwarding and WAN filter disabling that Linksys' tech support had urged me to implement to try and get it working. All of that was absolutely needless.

I recounted this tale of woe to the local computer store where I'd purchased the unit. He was dismayed that Linksys' tech support didn't have such a simple solution on hand. It only took 10-12 hours of my life in web searches, software tweaking, et al, but the router finally worked perfectly.

It's a good unit for a simple, straightforward "vanilla" installation. However, if your configuration is "out of the ordinary" or complicated, I would recommend staying away from this product unless you're already a networking guru and don't require support from Linksys.

I'm running it on DSL with PPPOE.

I have a wired 100 Mbps connection in the basement where the router is and two wireless connections using the WUSB11 adapters upstairs (two floors up and on the other side of the house), both running at the full 11 Mbps with very good signal quality. This is amazing, since nothing else in this wireless world seems to be able to penetrate the basement (not even my cell phone or our wireless intercom system - both of which are useless in the basement)! This router has range/power to spare!

I had no problems setting this up and getting it up and running quickly. The quick install guide was helpful and was all I needed to get up and running. It would have been helpful to have a hard-copy of the complete user guide, though (the complete user guide is on the CD in PDF format). I would recommend this process (described in the quick install guide):

* Hook the router to your cable modem/DSL
* Hook one PC to the router WITH the supplied ethernet cable (don't attempt wireless yet)
* Once it works with wires, install the wireless network card to a PC and attempt to communicate
* Now, you can (and should) change your SSID, enable WEP encryption on the router and the PC. This makes your wirless network more secure. You must see the PDF install guide to read about security.

As I said, cannot complain about it. Go for it.

piece of cake, feature rich, and great range with my orinoco gold card.

I did quite a bit of research before settling on this model. Linksys seemed to be the wireless solution that most people have had success with; three friends also gave it personal recommendations based on their experience. I wasn't disappointed: I had it out of the box and working with three PCs in less than an hour. After noting my existing settings (I use it with DSL which provides a static IP), I installed the connections noted on the set up card, ran the software provided, and it correctly configured my PC (using DHCP). Setting up a second PC, this one using a static IP, was also simple.

I did have some questions about the exact configuration for what I wanted to do, which included placing an http server on my network, something I knew next to nothing about. The Linksys tech support page was fantastic: I was able to locate instructions for exactly what I wanted to do in a knowledge base that contained directions for dozens of scenarios. I understand that there is phone support available, but I haven't had to use it, despite having no networking experience whatsoever.

Configuring the wireless USB adapter was even easier. The default settings worked well, and clear and concise instructions showed me where I needed to set custom settings to sync the wireless unit up with the router and establish security. I get perfect reception (100% connection quality, and the full 11MBPS speed) from everywhere in my house (a small two-story). The 11MBPS speed is more than enough to push all my DSL bandwidth, so I didn't seriously consider the newer 54g models from Linksys, which would have been...more. I haven't had either the router or the USB/wireless adapter stall, fail or lock up a single time in the first two weeks of use.

I'm extremely happy with this unit. If you're looking for a reliable wireless solution for home networking or internet sharing, I'd say this is the unit to get. I've been pleased with price, reliability, flexibility, ease of installation and total performance.

I have 3 PCs hooked up to the router now. One is my workstation which is connected via Cat-5 (Ethernet wire). No problems there.

Second, I have a laptop with a Linksys PCMCIA card. I get a good signal everywhere in my apartment. The only problem I have is that my laptop will lock up when using this card. It never locks up using any other PCMCIA card - only the wireless. I have tried updating the drivers. Nothing helps. This could be due to the fact that my laptop is a little older. The Linksys card gets VERY hot in this machine (as does the laptop).

I just hooked up a third PC, via the Linksys WUSB11 (Wireless USB). The signal is great, but beware of Linksys' installation instructions w/ XP. Their software does not play nice with XP. You need to use XP's built-in Zero Wireless Config. For many, this won't be a big deal. For others, who aren't that PC-literate, good luck finding instructions for this install. There are none included. Setting up WEP will require you to write down your HEX key.

I was able to install the Linksys software after stopping the Zero Wireless service in XP.

As for the performance of the ROUTER itself, it seems to work well. I do recommend UPGRADING the firmware to the latest release. I was having problems doing an FTP transfer, and once I upgraded the firmware, all was working again...P>One last thing I want to add... now there are the 54g wireless routers. The BEFW11S4 will give you 11mbit across your LAN. Please be aware that you will NEVER get anywhere near this speed from your ISP (I get 3mbit tops, so unless you are doing alot of file transfers from PC to PC in your home, don't waste your money on the newer 54mbit routers.