Linksys BEFW11S4 (October 2003)
- Approximate Cost: $70-$90
- OS Support: Windows *, Mac, *nix
- Protocol: 802.11b
- Features: Wireless Acceggss Point with Cable/DSL router+NAT, 4-port 10/100 switch
- Nics: 4 x 10/100 LAN (one of them can be uplink), 1x10/100 WAN
- Antenna Connectors: 2 RP-TNC female jacks for diversity antennas (L=rx only, R=tx/rx)
- Bridged Mode: WAN to LAN+Wireless only
Security: 40/64-bit & 104/128-bit WEP, MAC filtering
- Max wireless clients: 32
- Useful Links (Reviews, Product Description etc):
[http://www.linksys.com Manufacturer's site]
[http://www.linksys.com/download/firmware.asp "Official" firmware update]
[http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark%2c910510%3broot=equip%2c16%3bmode=flat#1039710 Firmware v1.37.9b], which includes 128-bit WEP
[http://www.linksys.com/download/vertxt/befw11s4v4_fw1453_ver.txt Firmware Version : Version 1.45.3] fixes several issues with http, ftp and VPN as well as some XBOX compatability
[ftp://ftp.linksys.com/pdf/befw11s4ug.pdf User Manual]
- Comments/Thoughts:
- I have one of these at home and I help look after 5 more at work. Some of the older units seem to have had trouble but Linksys have been very good about replacing them. Usually they can be fixed by a firmware upgrade.
- Overall they're pretty well behaved with the newest firmware (1.37.9b) that you can get from dslreports.
- The unit ships with 40-bit WEP. To get 128-bit, you should upgrade the firmware.
- The older firmware has problems with multiple clients if you have a DHCP server that's separate from the AP. You should upgrade the firmware.
- The system is configured via the web. You can disable WAN side configuration if needed. You can configure over wireless, but you have to provide a password.
- The cable/dsl router gives you:
- NAT (can be disabled - ROUTER/GATEWAY mode)
- Optional DHCP on the LAN side (50 clients) - DOES NOT WORK WHEN IN ROUTER MODE!!!
- Port forwarding
- DMZ host
IPSec & PPTP passthru
- PPPoE client if needed
- These units tend to get upset by port scans.
- Did I mention that you should upgrade the firmware?
-- MariusMilner
- I setup one of these in my home with very few problems. Before reading the instructions I assumed that enabling MAC filtering would allow only listed MAC addresses to associate with the AP. Actually it prevents listed MAC addresses from being forwarded to the internet. Other than that it has been great.
- I also setup one of these for home (and neighbour's) use but find that it locks up every couple of days. Sometimes it just stops relaying from the WAN port but still pings ok. Othertimes I can still link test to it, but its effectively dead. Both ways a quick power cycle gets it going again, but its a pain (and yes, I'm running the latest firmware).