Linksys "N" router question/observations

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dkryan

dkryan

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I just purchased and set-up a new Linksys E2000 "N" router to replace my WRT54G router.

Overall, set-up was easier this time around once I figured out I had to let Windows control my wireless, i.e, I had to shut off the Intel Pro/wireless on my Toshiba laptop before I could connect remotely to the router.

What's odd to me is I have an ethernet connection between my cable modem and my router, but no ethernet cable connection between my router and my ASUS laptop. Yet, I'm still connected to the internet and to my e-mail server.

That wouldn't have happened with my "G" router. How is that possible?

Also, the router is auto configured for 2.4 but I can change it to 5.0 Ghz manually. It also is set for "mixed" configuration, i.e., both G and N wireless signals.

I probably do not want to change the "mixed" config, as the ASUS uses and "N" card and the Toshiba an "G" card.

But, should I change to the 5 Ghz band? Thanks.
 
Ok, I can't help you with your new router, but I just got a WRT54G router for free and it's been nothing but a headache. I can get it to connect wirelessly to my Toshiba laptop and by ethernet cable to my desktop, but I can't get the router to connect to my DSL box and provide internet to my desktop and laptop. What am I doing wrong??
 
Originally Posted By: SrDriver
Friend had the same problem and called their tech support and that solved the problems.


As did I. It was a pain to set up, requiring a phone call to Linksys. They were quite helpful and once it was set up, life was good!

I'd vote not to waste any more time in frustration and suggest you just call them and ask for help.

And there's a reason you received THAT router for free!
 
Originally Posted By: dkryan

And there's a reason you received THAT router for free!


I'm surprised people would even take it. Linksys is awful, not allowed in my house.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: dkryan

And there's a reason you received THAT router for free!


I'm surprised people would even take it. Linksys is awful, not allowed in my house.

The early WRT54G units are good. I have a v 2.2 right here that I also got for free. Its a decent unit once some good firmware is installed.
The later ones are neutered and have barely enough ram and flash.
 
A friend of mine bought a Linksys E2000 'n' router last month to improve wireless signal strength.

Setup was via the http interface was convoluted, but we got it all working eventually.

But what a disappointment!

Signal strength is significantly weaker than the $30 Belkin 'g' router it replaced, with all devices in exactly the same location.
 
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: dkryan

And there's a reason you received THAT router for free!


I'm surprised people would even take it. Linksys is awful, not allowed in my house.

The early WRT54G units are good. I have a v 2.2 right here that I also got for free. Its a decent unit once some good firmware is installed.
The later ones are neutered and have barely enough ram and flash.


To be fair, all companies have their hit and misses, but I've had so many problems with their products as a whole, I really just cant be bothered gambling on whether or not it may work for me, when my past experience says it won't.

Although I think the 54G is like the most selling router ever probably.

I have always had better luck with my D-Links. DI-524 is rock solid and now my DIR-655. No issues.
 
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: dkryan

And there's a reason you received THAT router for free!


I'm surprised people would even take it. Linksys is awful, not allowed in my house.

The early WRT54G units are good. I have a v 2.2 right here that I also got for free. Its a decent unit once some good firmware is installed.
The later ones are neutered and have barely enough ram and flash.


To be fair, all companies have their hit and misses, but I've had so many problems with their products as a whole, I really just cant be bothered gambling on whether or not it may work for me, when my past experience says it won't.

Although I think the 54G is like the most selling router ever probably.

I have always had better luck with my D-Links. DI-524 is rock solid and now my DIR-655. No issues.

I agree, and I wouldn't pay for a Linksys. After I went through 3 or 4 in a year I stopped buying routers completely.
 
IMO it has more to do with which chipset they use rather than what brand the router is. I've been using all brand and the only thing consistent I found is Broadcom chipset router of all brands work flawlessly. Atheros seems fine too, but Marvell is not too reliable, and Ralink is horrible in comparison.

Not all routers have the same power output. When I upgrade my router my signal quality improves a lot, that my connection speed go from 5.5mbps to 36mpbs even when my connection remains in G rather than N.
 
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
IMO it has more to do with which chipset they use rather than what brand the router is. I've been using all brand and the only thing consistent I found is Broadcom chipset router of all brands work flawlessly. Atheros seems fine too, but Marvell is not too reliable, and Ralink is horrible in comparison.

Not all routers have the same power output. When I upgrade my router my signal quality improves a lot, that my connection speed go from 5.5mbps to 36mpbs even when my connection remains in G rather than N.



For sure. I did buy a D-Link DIR-615 a while ago, and after reading about how to make it work properly I ended up decided I would just get a better router (with a better chip) and get the DIR-655. Since I've done that, its been smooth sailing.

I find routers a very sketchy area for consumers. It seems you can't just go buy a router off the shelf and have it actually do what you want, even thouth that is its sole purpose.

I had to flash the DIR-615 before it would even dish out an IP via wireless... After I did that it was fine, but the signal was terrible and connection unreliable. I can't figure out why products are sold that are basically not functional right out of the box. It's quite unfair to the general public.
 
Does using 5Ghz instead of the normal 2.4Ghz make any difference in signal quality and/or strength?
 
Originally Posted By: dkryan
Does using 5Ghz instead of the normal 2.4Ghz make any difference in signal quality and/or strength?


Usually 5Ghz is less crowded than 2.4Ghz, but the distance is shorter due to higher frequency. So if you are closer to the router, using a higher frequency is has better bandwidth and is more secure.
 
I bought a Linksys router once and couldn't get it to work. If Belkin makes a product in the category I'm looking for, I buy it. Never had an issue with Belkin either for set-up or reliability.
 
Our Belkin router has worked without issue now for well over a year. It supports the new "N" standard too.

I don't think we have anything that requires or supports the 5Ghz frequency although both our laptops support the N standard.

Few home users have any device that can utilize 5Ghz. See the following web site.

Link regarding 2.4 and 5 GHz

Belkin offers settings that you can increase output + if all your devices use the new N standard for example, you can shut off B and G.

In the US and Canada there are 11 different Channels but actually only 3 frequencies. They are 1, 6, or 11. Others share. See the following web site.

Link To Article

Try different channels.
 
You can use software like Net Stumbler which can help you setup things like Channels, etc.

You need to use it on a system that has Wi-Fi.

Link To Web Site

Spend some time reading before downloading.

There is other software available too.
 
Most consumer-grade networking devices are junk. They fill a price-point and subsequently, compromises are made.

Even though Cisco owns Linksys, it is something that is done at arm's length. Linksys fills the role of providing consumer-grade equipment and Cisco puts their name on it because it is well known.

What I find unfortunate is that in doing so, Cisco is cutting their own throat because of the problems people have with Linksys hardware. It is not Cisco-grade, and being branded with the Cisco logo leaves people with expectations that the device is simply unable to fulfill.

For my own wireless, I use a Cisco AP541N. It is bulletproof. But it better be for the price. Range is also phenomenal.

I recently deployed one at a client's, who's aged ASUS RT-N11 started to cut out weekly. Though for the price of it, and how long it lasted, I do not fault it. 2+ years, HEAVY use and it gave us lots of notice that it was time to be replaced. The Cisco AP541N has a three year next-day replacement warranty on it.

What I recommend to some, that if they can afford it, picking up something like a Cisco 851W or 871W on E-bay and using that for their home network. They will have a powerful routing solution, blended with reliable wireless performance. I have many in the field for small-scale operations, and they have been perfect. Not a problem with a single one.

As far as consumer devices go, my best experience has been with ASUS products.
 
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