| Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B Cable/DSL Router |
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Model: BEFW11S4
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 1079
Platforms: Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Windows
Operating system: None
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Connects to a broadband modem, a 10/100 Ethernet backbone, or wireless network
Long wireless operating range supports 300 feet indoors and 1,500 feet outdoors
Provides roaming, best access-point selection, load balancing, and network traffic filtering
Configurable through your networked PC's Web browser
Can act as a DHCP server for your existing network |
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| Description: |
| The Linksys BEFW11S4 is your all-in-one networking device This wireless router features support for the 802.11b protocol, which lets you wirelessly access your network and the Internet from up to 800 feet (outside), or 300 feet (inside) away |
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| User Reviews (1079 total): |
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Stay Away, March 18, 2006
By user
This router is horrendous, I've worked in IT before so I know a tad about networking and these routers are bad. I returned 4 of these back to Linksys before finally asking if they'd allow me to get a different router, I had to pay ~$20 to upgrade to a different model because the BEFW11S4 is just not worth the trouble. 2 of them dropped the connection intermittently, one completely died, and the other had horrible speed issues(dial up speeds on a broadband connection). There is a reason Linksys does not make this model anymore. Stay away from this router if at all possible.
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great product, easy to install, March 17, 2006
By user (Belo Horizonte, Brasil)
If you are no expert in putting up a wi fi system, this is the router for you. With the included cd, you can install in any type of high speed internet (I tested with direct network, cable and dsl) in a couple minutes, and works right away. I litlle harder to put the encryptyon working, but not the routers fault, but the others computers.
The only problem is that if you loose the included cd, there is no way to download the installer from the web and it is EXTREMELY hard to configure without the CD. SO...DON'T LOSE IT. Lucky me that have 3 of them, so I had extra cd's.
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Good Router, March 15, 2006
By user (Central Arkansas)
The product worked as advertised. I ran into some glitches connecting the device to a SBC/ATT DSL modem. Neither company advises you that you must disable the DSL modems internal PPPoE login, and set the login name/password in the router. To do this, you have to disconnect the router, log into the modem, change its setting, and then reconnect it to the router. Once set up, however, it works perfectly. Wireless access is simple, the signal strength throughout the house it good. Some applications will need special attention, especially peer to peer server software. Due to this, I set my network up using static IPs for the desktops plugged into the router, and left 3 open dynamic IPs for logins using the wireless. Security is easy to set up as well. For fulltime laptop access, I would recommend the G version, however, for occasional laptop use, and for friends dropping by wanting to connect, the price was well worth it, as 11mps is more than fast enough for all purposes except perhaps streaming dvd video across the network.
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nice and simple wireless AP for regular home use, March 14, 2006
By user (CA)
I have tried a couple of other brands like D Link and Netgear. Linksys is by far the best when it comes to wirelress throughput. I upgraded the firmware to the latest and once or twice a month I had to reset/powercycle the router because the router freezes and the PCs lose connectivity. Then I decided to downgrade to 1.50.14 and I dont have the problem any more.
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Let Me Put this easy for you all that are gonna by this...., March 10, 2006
By user
Let Me Put this easy for you all that are gonna by this. If you are just geting it for a laptop or PSP or even a DS then go for it BUT if you plan on useing it for your desktop you are saddly mistaken. It constintly crashes on a desktop and refuses half the time to play videos or some times even download stuff I simply unplug the thing when not on my laptop or handheld.
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junk, junk, junk, March 4, 2006
By user (eldon,missouri)
how can a company put out such junk....many times, almost everytime I boot up, I have to minipulate router to get it to work...the best thing I found when it won't connect, is unplug the router, wait a few seconds..the plug it back in...I've called tech many times..but they outsourced to India, and you can hardly understand the helper...find a more reliable router
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Terrible, February 26, 2006
By user (OVERLAND PARK, KS)
If you run anything that needs a constant connection (MIRC,online radio,web cams) this router isn't it. Linksys still hasn't done a thing about the streaming media bug. This is when you try to use a link that pops open the Window Media player which promptly crashes the router every time. The "English as a second language" guy in India thumbed his way through the manual and suggested all of the usual crap(MTU,etc) , which of course was fruitless. I can crash it on demand every time. I've tried all of the firmware I can find and searched the forums to try and eliminate the issue without a solution. Very frustrated. I guess it's time to start over and get a Pre N, or wait for the standard to ratify. I also tried the VOIP unit for my Callvantage phone. It was worse than this unit(Went to the D-Link unit. You get what you pay for. Can you say Belkin Pre-N?
If anyone gets a fix for this, I'd appreciate it if you send it my way. [...]
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Linsys Wireless-B (Slim) BEFW11S4, February 26, 2006
By user (Henderson, NV United States)
This slim Wireless-B router rocks. My TiVo now connects with my other TiVos extremely quickly transferring shows much fast than my old fat B router. The UI is updated and a lot easier to use.
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Worst router and tech support ever, February 26, 2006
By user (United States)
I bought Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B Cable/DSL Router 2 years ago when it was new and expensive. It kept dropping my connection and I had to spend half an hour every time getting to work. So we decided to use my roommate's Mac Airport instead which worked perfectly. After my roommate moved away I pulled the Linksys router back out to use. Here is the story of my encounter with the tech support: First time I called, I got a guy with such a thick English accent that I had to ask him to repeat every thing 3 times and I was still not sure if I understood what he was saying. He got angry and hung up on me!!!! The second time I called, I got a woman who had absolutely no clue how to fix the routers problem. She would remain silent and I had to keep asking if she was still there or not. This time I hung up on her! Third time I called, I got a guy who thankfully had a smart head on his shoulders and an understandable accent. He figured out that my router that was marked BEFW11S4 was actually a WRT54G so with his help I installed the new driver on the router. Problem is that I still get marginal signal sitting only 2 feet away from the router and it still drops connection every half hour and I have to spend a lot of time getting back to work.
I will never purchase another Linksys product. I am going back to Mac Airport!
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Beware of defective product with horrid tech support, February 25, 2006
By user (Boston, MA United States)
I bought this product because I wanted an inexpensive wireless router that my roommate and I could use. This one is certainly NOT simple to install - I had to call tech support several times. Finally, after the third or fourth call, they told me the router was defective and I should return it. Bad, bad, bad experience. I know several other people who own this router and have had to constantly reset it, etc.
I would recommend buying a Netgear instead - I bought one when I returned the Linksys and all I had to do was plug it in.
Even if your Linksys router doesn't end up being defective like mine, beware. If you ever have a problem, you'll go in circles with tech support.
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router setup, February 25, 2006
By user
router connections to computer and internet is easy. what's not easy is finding the right codes and IP addresses for your setup.
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Wireless Internet, February 23, 2006
By user (Broomfield, CO USA)
This little unit works well in my small office space and generally throughout my home. Purchase was to provide a wireless connection for my laptop and this unit does just that and does it well.
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Definitely not the best Linksys product, February 17, 2006
By user (Irvine, CA)
I purchased this router (hardware version 4) to hook up desktop and laptop to internet. Desktop is connected by cable, laptop uses Wi-Fi. Installation was easy, firmware had to be upgraded to the latest one (laptop refused to connect without that). Every hour or two I experience WiFi connectivity loss for ~3 seconds, causing my VPN connection to terminate, and it gets me mad because I have to waste about 10-15 minutes to recover every time. At least once a day router stops responding at all (it won't even open admin web interface), and has to be powered off and then back on.
I've tried all (even most weird and shamanic) methods posted on all web forums - nothing helps.
The bottom line: it is usable, easy to set up, but if you are working from home, or play online games and thus need to be 100% online - this router is definitely not for you. If you just surf the web for entertainment - it's worth $25 I paid for it.
UPD: I've replaced it with a NetGear 614 recently - finally everything is fine!
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Avoid this router..., February 9, 2006
By user (Pittsburgh, PA United States)
It's cheap, but you get what you pay for. It shipped with v 1.50.10 of the firmware, but using this version, the router didn't work with one of my friend's wireless cards. Upgrading it to 1.50.14 broke connectivity with another one of my friend's wireless card. When I upgraded it to 1.52.02, there were no connection problems with the wireless... but now, random connections will drop every few minutes. It makes the connection more or less useless. I'm planning on upgrading routers--I haven't decided to what yet. Even though the DGL-4300 by DLink is a lot more expensive, all the reviews are positive, so I'm strongly considering upgrading to that.
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Good product, but had old firmware on it, February 1, 2006
By user (SF Bay Area)
I use the router with a Comcast internet connection--I replaced an older version of the same item, but when I installed it, I kept losing connection after an hour or two.
Called Linksys, got excellent support. Downloaded and installed new firmware. All is well.
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The Router Really Works, January 31, 2006
By user (Colorado Springs, CO)
I'm a Systems Engineer and I know what works. This linksys router operates without fail day in and day out. I work from home and haven't had any failures.
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good bang for the buck...careful with those firmware updates, January 29, 2006
By user (Tegucigalpa, Honduras)
Inexpensive and does what is suppossed to. I own version 4 and recently experienced problems upgrading the firmware to version 1.52. Upon doing that connection began to drop constantly. A fellow poster from another board said that there's a problem with that version and that I should revert to version 1.50. Problem solved. Other than that the product has delivered.
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Great Item, January 23, 2006
By user
This router works wonderfully for my pci wireless adapter in my desktop and a pcmcia wireless adapter in my laptop. However, i cannot get it to work properly with the Nintendo DS wireless capability. WARNING: If you have to change settings, be sure to have a hardwired connection to the router
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A Good Value, January 19, 2006
By user (columbus, ohio)
I am very satisfied with this router. It was easy to install and has operated without problems since I purchased and installed it. The price was competitive with local stores. I would recommend this product for those looking to set up a wireless network.
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FIxed It Finally, January 13, 2006
By user (Minneapolis)
Shortly after I got this router I went to the Linksys web site and upgraded the firmware. HUGE MISTAKE!!!!
The latest and greatest firmware caused any streaming video or intermittant blips in the cable signal to cause the router to crash and need resetting.
I DOWNGRADED the firmware to version 1.50.14 and haven't had a crash yet. It works perfectly.
With the latest firmware, I had all the problems reported by everyone that considers this a POS.
It works so well now, that I simply couldn't ask for more.
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