The WRT51AB Dual-Band Wireless A+B Broadband Router is like four devices in one box! The Router function lets you securely share one high-speed Internet connection among your entire network, while the 4-port full duplex 10/100 Switch jump-starts your wired-Ethernet network. Connect four PCs directly, or daisy chain out to more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need. The Dual-Band Wireless A+B Router also contains two Wireless Access Points, which let you connect with wireless-networked PCs using either the popular 2.4GHz, 802.11b standard at 11Mbps, or the new, almost five times faster, 5GHz, 802.11a standard. Since both standards are built in, you can protect your investment in existing 802.11b equipment today, and migrate to the 802.11a standard as your needs grow. In addition to up to 152-bit encryption of wireless transmissions, the Dual-Band Wireless A+B Router supports the industrial-strength wireless security of 802.1x authentication and authorization. The Router also serves as a DHCP Server, has NAT technology to protect against Internet intruders, supports VPN pass-through, and can be configured to filter internal users' access to the Internet. Configuration is a snap with the web browser-based configuration utility. With the Linksys Dual-Band Wireless A+B Broadband Router at the center of your home or office network, you can share a high-speed Internet connection, files, printers, and multi-player games with the flexibility, speed, and security you need!
The Linksys A+B dual-band wireless broadband router is like four devices in one box. The router function lets you securely share one high-speed Internet connection among your entire network, while the 4-port, full-duplex 10/100 Mbps switch jump-starts your wired Ethernet network. Connect four PCs directly, or daisy chain out to more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need.
The router also contains two wireless access points, which let you connect with wireless networked PCs using either the popular 2.4 GHz 802.11b standard at 11 Mbps, or the almost five times faster 5 GHz 802.11a standard. Since both standards are built-in, you can protect your investment in existing 802.11b equipment today, and migrate to the 802.11a standard as your needs grow.
In addition to up to 152-bit encryption of wireless transmissions, the A+B dual- band wireless broadband router supports the industrial-strength wireless security of 802.1x authentication and authorization. The router also serves as a DHCP server, has NAT technology to protect against Internet intruders, supports VPN pass-through, and can be configured to filter internal users' access to the Internet. Configuration is a snap with the Web browser-based configuration utility.
With the Linksys A+B dual-band wireless broadband router at the center of your home or office network, you can share a high-speed Internet connection, files, printers, and multiplayer games with the flexibility, speed, and security you need.
Note: All Linksys routers now include a special edition of Norton Internet Secur ity! Claim your free CD-ROM by calling (800) 814-0180, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific, seven days a week.
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See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies. | Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere -- without wires. Outside of the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, airports -- great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer.
What Wireless Standard is Right for Me?
Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed.
For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart. |
1 This LINKSYS product is the worst networking product ever
This thing crashes and reboots every 10-15 minutes. In case you are thinking you'll just upgrade the firmware, LinkSys has not provided a firmware update to date. I've been working with computers and networking equipment for more than 25 years and never seen anything this bad. DO NOT BUY THIS ROUTER!!!
2 Very bad wireless experience
Do you want to spend 3 hours on the phone with India tech support restarting your computer, upgrading firmware levels, cycling your DSL modem and being fed useless platitudes?
I did - and eventually decided to return this garbage and go with a different brand.
I have a new IBM Centrino XP Pro laptop. When I connected to the router through wireline I could get an internet connection, but as soon as I enabled wireless on the router, my whole network was put out of action. Linksys insisted I must have a problem with the laptop, but it works fine when I connect to T-Mobile at Starbucks. Reading some of the other product reviews it is clear to me that Linksys has some serious problems with their wireless products.
Shame, I bought my first Linksys product back in 1999, and I used to love the brand.
3 Wonderful wireless router that provides A and B
I've been using the WRT51AB for 1.5yrs and love it. I have a Thinkpad that has A/B and get great range from my 802.11a connection. The 802.11b connection is comparable to their other Linksys router.
I've considered upgrading but will keep it since the 802.11a works for me.
4 I am happy with it
I was looking to buy a wireless B 802.11b but since this model was sold with the same price so I bought it. I set up with two wired on my two PCs and one wireless on my laptop. There was no problem with the installation and set up as I followed the instruction on the user guide. I had a little problem with set up WEP though but after playing for a while, I had it working perfectly. The only thing I am not happy is I have a fair signal when using 802.11a mode sometime but I am happy that I have a choice to switch between two modes.
5 Product does NOT deliver
The Linksys WRT51AB does not deliver at all. Using the 802.11A radio, we've experienced nothing but lockups. The router locks up which then locks up the computers attached to the point the keyboard and mouse do not respond. With the cards set for ad-hoc and the router unplugged, the network runs fine. Three months of constant contact with Tech Support has netted us repeated canned responses that do not resolve the issue. Please, do not buy this product. I am a certified network engineer with 12 years experience. I tried more possible solutions than Linksys script monkeys can offer.
6 Ugh - Absence of Tech Support & Product Quality
I got my 802.11AB router and it works fine to the internet, but I can't get access to my VPN server (for work). This is the simplest of advanced functions and worked on my other two routers (D-Link & Netgear) without a hitch. I've bounced back and forth with "tech support" for 2+ weeks now to no avail. Too bad, great concept - needs better execution.
