Sharing internet connection and data in a SOHO environment can be quite a pain when, it involves using computers with different operating systems. Also internet security is a major concern! If you are looking for a solution to this, Linksys Broadband Router can be a great help for all you folks.
What is a Router? Ok let me begin with, what router is and how it works.Well a router is a device which routes or decides the way information in the form of data packets should travel from a computers in a network and reach the internet. A SOHO(Small Office Home Office) router like Linksys can be used to connect all the computers in the house or a cyber cafe and share internet connection using a single DSL or Cable connection. So in simple terms router is a information flow controller!
Linksys Router: A typical Linksys Router has five ethernet ports at its rear end. (One WAN port and Four LAN ports) A CAT 5 UTP cable(RJ45) is needed to connect the computers with the LAN ports on the Router and Modem to the WAN port of the router. Once this is done you can share your internet connection with all the PC’s in your house also share the resources.
Wi-Fi: Thats their speciality! Now sharing internet with wired network is ok thats what every router does, However the linksys WRT54G is G standard router(Operates at 2.4 and 5 GHZ Frequency) that comes with an built-in Access Point which, allows you to access internet wirelessly. So you can take your Laptop anywhere inside your house and still access the internet!!
Products : There are basically three types of routers offered by linksys 1.Wired Routers 2.Wireless Routers 3.VPN Routers
Of these the most popular and efficient routers are WRT54 G and BEFW11S4. Both are wireless routers however the later is a B standard router operating at 2.4 GHZ that will give you 11 mbps transfer rate. The G standard WRT54 G will give you 54 mbps transfer rate with an operating range about 100 feet. The WVP 54 G is a VPN router it is very useful for creating a Box to Client or Box to Box VPN Tunnel. It comes bundled with a Cisco client software.
Compatibility: The Router is independent of Operating Systems
it works with Win 98, Me, NT, CE, 2000, XP (I did not test it with LongHorn) Mac osx, Linux etc. Windows 95 being an operating environment only wired router works with it. However the Company recommends it windows operating systems above win 98.
Features: The special features in the Linksys Routers are
- Network Address Translation (NAT): Linksys routers are equipped with NAT which seperates your home network from the internet by using a private IP Range of 192.168.1.x, so for your computers are not susceptible to hacking and foreign intrusions.
-DDNS & TZO: If you are hosting your own website using DynDNS or TZO services than, Linksys has a special feature of DDNS, which can be used to float your website.
-Wireless Security: Linksys has a very easy to set up WEP (wireless equivalent privacy) key, which ensures that only you use your wireless network.
-Application & Gaming: This feature allows you to open ports for Playstations, X-Box, Cameras etc.
-uPNP Forwarding: Allows you to well known port no. such as FTP(20, 21) with a different port no.
-URL Blocking: Certain URL’s can be blocked to restrict users from accessing them, also ping of death also can be stopped.
-Advance Wi-Fi Support: You can buy a Range expander so that the range of the router can be extended in the entire building and users in different apartment can share resources. A speed Booster is also available.
-Linksys routers also support third party wireless card and APs. Have excellent compatibility with other wireless devices such as Print Servers, Tizo, VOIP phones and Gaming Consoles.
Problem Areas: Linksys Routers have some issues like
-WRT 54 G sometimes creates issues with AOL Cable connection. The issue can be fixed by MTU adjustments from Router set up Page.
-All linksys router face an IP address conflict with westell Modem from Verizon DSL and sometimes with speedstream Bellsouth DSL. However issue can be resolved by changing IP address of the router.
-Port forwarding sometimes is not successful with the Game Age of Empires.
-Win XP SP2 may create an issue opening the set up page of the router.
Price: You will get a WRT 54 G for around $122 and BEFW11S4 for $69 on best buy or can buy it from local vendors. In India Ingram Micro Inc. is a sole distributor for Linksys.
Service and Installation: Installing the router is as easy as an apple pie, and if you have windows XP than you can go for an automated installation called easy connect from the website ’ http://www.linksys.com/connect’
The Toll Free Customer Support & Technical Service is available 24*7 for free on 800-5465-797 or 800-201-3949.(Only US and Canada)
Conclusion: All in all a great router with a good price which is a boon for SOHO Networks.
For More Information visit
http://www.linksys.com and for technical trouble shooting log on to kb.linksys.com