Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX, 802.11g, b
Now you can enjoy wireless home-network access in those hard-to-reach rooms and--simultaneously--get faster networking and Internet performance, too. The WRT54GX Wireless-G broadband router from Linksys uses the company's advanced SRX (Speed and Range eXpansion) technology to enhance the speed and the reach of a Wireless-G (802.11g) network. The WRT54GX can provide faster wireless network throughput, reduce dead spots, and increase wireless range over standard Wireless-G networks.
The handy WRT54GX serves as an Internet-sharing router, a 4-port 10/100 switch, and an SRX-enhanced Wireless-G access point all at once. Relative to standard 80 2.11g technology, a network using all SRX products can extend network reach up to 3 times as far and boost wireless network speed by up to 8 times. (Actual throughput, speed, and range depend on a host of factors, from building materials to network traffic and distance from the router.)
The device is WiFi-certified and backward compatible with 802.11b (Wireless-B), 802.11g (Wireless-G), and, of course, other Linksys SRX products. Mixed wireless environments such as networks containing SRX, Wireless-B, and Wireless-G products can operate each client at its own maximum data rate. SRX products maintain their higher speed and range, providing the throughput and quality of service to deliver applications such as VoIP (Internet telephony) and video streaming.
SRX is based on MIMO (Multiple In, Multiple Out) technology, a key component in the upcoming Wireless-N (802.11n) standard. To improve range and speed, MIMO uses 2 radios and 3 antennas on a wireless router or client adapter.
To enhance data protection and privacy, the router can encode all wireless trans missions with WPA (Wireless Protection Access). Its powerful Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall enhances protection to all the wired and wireless PCs against intruders and most known Internet attacks while also supporting VPN passthrough. Configuration is easy using a Web-browser-based configuration utility.
What's in the Box
Wireless-G broadband router, a setup CD-ROM with Symantec Internet Security, a u ser's guide on CD-ROM, an AC power adapter, an Ethernet network cable, a quick-i nstallation guide, and a registration card.
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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 Forget about the SRX, go with Belkin Pre-N!
This is my first Amazon.com review, so please bear with me. I bought the Linksys WRT54GX router along with the companion SRX wireless PC card because: 1) I wanted to replace an 802.11b wireless network in my 2-story home for better coverage (I was having to use a Linksys wireless access point in repeater mode to get "complete coverage" with the old setup); and 2) I wanted a faster wireless network.
I quickly became frustrated with the new Linksys SRX wireless setup, primarily because my laptop (a 2004 HP model) wouldn't always detect the wireless card after powering up from sleep mode, and often there would be dropouts in my wireless internet connection, even when my laptop remained stationary. In addition, even though the wireless icon in the task bar would constantly indicate a connection speed of 108.0 Mbps, it was obvious that my new wireless internet connection was often far slower than my old 11.0 Mbps wireless connection! This problem was especially obvious with websites rich in photo-quality graphic images, like ESPN.com.
So, I contacted Linksys tech support and, with the help of a friendly tech support agent, reprogrammed several parameters on the router. The problem improved, but only temporarily. Frustrated, I returned both the wireless router and the PC card and immediately ordered the Belkin Pre-N router and PC card (based on Cnet reviews, which rated the Belkin system higher anyway).
Both the Belkin wireless router and PC card installed quite easily with the accompanying installation CD's and my system has been up and running without a hitch--so far. One other thing I have liked about the Belkin system is that (using the included Belkin Wireless Client) it displays realtime send and receive speeds of the wireless card, which are often slower than the 108.0 Mbps the wireless icon in the taskbar is constantly pegged at; but at least I know the "true" speed of my wireless network at any given point in time (the measured speeds that are displayed are constantly changing and fluctuate mainly according to distance from the router).
Needless to say, I have been impressed with my early experience with this Belkin system and won't hesitate to highly recommend it to others considering a future home wireless network upgrade. Oh, and did I mention that the Belkin system was cheaper than Linksys'?!!
2 Many drops, poor setup
Router has good range, but far too many drop connections for me. Everything interferes with the signal. Went back to my Microsoft MN-700, which performs way better than this.
3 Finally, I got this one to work.
The setup was pretty straight forward and I took all the security precautions that Linksys suggests. I changed the router's password, changed the SSID, disabled the SSID broadcast, and used the MAC filtering to allow only my MAC addresses to connect.
However, my network was still disconnecting all my XP computers every few minutes or so. The solution was to disable the "IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network" button found on the "Authentication" page on the "Properties" page for the network.
4 Not worth the price and the antennas break off easily
This router is overpriced compared to other similar MIMO products, especially once you buy the required interface card.
The unit isn't very stable after you have several ethernet cables plugged in. My unit fell over, which caused two of the antennas to break right off!
5 Linksys WRT54GX Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX
I purchased the Linksys WRT54GX Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX and the Linksys WPC54GX Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX.The first computer set up very easily. The other computer#2 would not connect to internet but said there was an connection when I checked other wireless networks - so knowing that I had an IP address problem I contacted Linksys. The first technician just ran me thru things I had already done. Later I contacted linksys again. This time I struck gold. This technician really knew what he was doing. So if you don't get help the first time you call, call again until you do.
After installing the router the speed was still 54 mbps. Then after I installed the notebook adapter the speed increased to 108 mbps (double). Which is double the speed that was my previous high. To get the full potential you need both the router and notebook adapter. Also the communication was very stable along with the speed staying at 108 mbps.
6 Great Stuff!!
My house used to be a dead-spot zone. After installing this router (I didn't use the CD provided, just went to 192.168.1.1 and did it myself), which was pretty easy; everything was straight-forward, I've got excellent signal strength all over the place. No drop-outs or kick-offs; nice product overall.
7 Linksys WRT54GX Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX
I purchased this to replace a Linksys WRT54G. Most of the same features are there, and I would estimate the performance and reliability of my wireless connections has increased by a factor of ~150% in my small house. A couple of annoying anomalies (which only a techie like me would notice anyway) are:
1) No WINS server may be specified as an option to the built-in DHCP server scope.
2) Instead of passing the DNS servers which the router acquires from the ISP on to DHCP clients, the router passes its own IP address. It seems to work, though, because I can get out just fine. Must be doing DNS forwarding.
3) From my inside network, I can no longer access any port-forwarded host using the DDNS name and port number. It works OK from outside, as before.
For most people looking for a first or basic router, I would recommend the WRT54G (not GX) which goes for about 1/3 the price, and $10-$15 extra usually gets you the "Speed Booster" model which I haven't tried.
Go to http://www.linksysinfo.org for lots more reviews and technical discussions about many Linksys products.
8 Excellent range, fast speed
I live in a two story house, with plenty of walls in between. This unit replaced 3 11a Access Points. I can now get 108mbps anywhere in my house with almost 100% signal strenght (my laptop is using the WPC54GX card).
The web interface is very straightforward and looks professional. I would buy it again.
9 a good router :-)
I just got this linksys router and it's pretty good. Compared to the older versions which reached about 30 feet, this one reaches 100 feet. There are three floors in my house and from anywhere, I've been able to get a signal. We have seven computers in our house (2 of which are Macs) and the network doesn't stall, even with the amount of users on at the same time. Even though there is a wall behind my computer, i get pretty good signal. I've already used it to transfer files between computers wirelessly. :-)
You can encrypt your network with WPA or WEP. You don't have to do this, but you don't want your neighbors borrowing your internet connection for free!
Remember, a computer can't use wireless unless it has a wireless enabling chip in it. Most newer computers come standard with them. And make sure that you follow the instructions on setting up your router, or else it won't work properly!
The bad thing about this is that the further away you are from the router, the slower your internet connection is. But in a standard sized house or apartment, the router should do fine.
10 Linksys SRX Review- for those that need something that works
I was reading through the reviews on this product, and I wanted to let everyone know that there is an alternative to using these products.
I too have been frustrated beyond all comprehension with the wireless game. I have tried several times to find products that will work in my modest sized home. I used a D-Link router, and then I tried Linksys in hopes of getting better coverage and performance.
I am not looking for serious razzle dazzle. I want something that works.
Even after trying several variations of Linksys products- I was not happy, I couldn't get coverage in my son's bedroom for the computer that he uses for school.
Then a friend of mine told me about ParkerVision. I bought a router and their USB card (the box said that it covered the entire house without repeaters). It was a little pricey- but I decided that it would be the last straw before I ran cable.
And it worked.
Wonderfully. Easy set up for me too.
So, I thought that I would do what I don't normally do and let people know about a good experience that I had. A good experience with wireless- which is difficult to come by these days.
11 AN IMPROVEMENT, BUT PROBLEMS REMAIN
This unit was purchased to replace a Netgear WGR614 "g" router. My family's computer, using a Netgear 2.0 adapter, could not keep a connection at all (distance: 30 feet horizontal / one floor, maybe 6 feet vertical - through wood and carpet and sheetrock).
Installation of the Linksys SRX Router was difficult. Documentation does not exist. The CD's Installation Wizard asked for a Host and Domain name for my Internet connection, though it noted that I did not necessarily need one. I left them blank because I didn't have any idea what they were. When I reached the final page of the Wizard, it told me it could not connect to the Internet and could not finalize. I suspected the problem was the leaving off of the Host and Domain name. On a hunch, I reconnected my Netgear router, got what information I could from the Internet (nothing), and tried again. Still nothing from the SRX.
I then called Earthlink (my ISP) and they were extremely helpful in getting me reconnected. (I had to reset everything.)
Now the SRX seems to be blasting mostly just fine. The speed rates seem to have increased in increments of 12 Mbps (from the Netgear), and the connection monitor in my family's Windows XP Taskbar no longer goes to red and stays there.
However, there have still been instances when my wife is on the Internet and she has been booted off. I can't imagine it is this SRX, but I don't know what else it would be.
I will likely return this, and try the Linksys WRT54GS (w/Speedbooster), along with Linksys's repeater antenna. Together, they are less money than this SRX. (Though all the negative reviews of the Linksys repeater give me gigantic pause.)
My frustration level with the Wireless Network game has reached a peak. With all the time and money I've spent on this stuff, I could have wired my house with RJ-45 three times.
Can't someone make something that works the way they say it will?
