Our old D-Link 624 was starting to need rebooting weekly so it was time to upgrade. The router now is located in the master bedroom, so cosmetic appeal or should I say low visual impact was desired. This unit is very sleek and if it didn't have lights, would be almost unnoticeable.
After dealing with wireless routers since they came out the Cisco software makes it "Apple" easy. Our IS provider is Comcast and rebooting of the modem was required. The E2000 came with a SSID name that was good enough to keep (not Linksys or Cisco) and WPA / WPA2 security already on. After setup, it was time to connect all the wireless devices (4 - iPhones, 2 - lap tops, Xbox 360)which went flawless. Left it at the default 2.4mhz and no conflicts with any other devices in the house. The wireless range is a bit better then the prior Dlink and gives us good to excellent signal strength thru 3 - 4 walls. I don't believe any of our devices can take true advantage of the N+ but we'll be ready for it.
Now the real test...longevity. Cisco-Linksys E2000 Advanced Wireless-N Router
Anyone who has any experience setting up a wireless network will have no problem setting up this router. I didn't even use the included CD and I'm not a network guru. This router is much faster than my old Linksys Wireless-G it replaced.
For everyday internet use and viewing web video this router is perfect. No need to get the E3000. The manual setup interface from Linksys could use some updating, but it's straightforward and has everything you need. Be sure to protect your wireless network and you'll have no worries! There are endless websites that explain in detail how to secure your wireless network.
I bought this router after my linksys wrt54g started going out. It is a great router, with great features and flexibility. I am not utilizing any of the N wireless yet, but it is nice to have the option. I do like the built in gig switch. There are two reasons I gave it 3 stars. 1: The range on the e2000 is not as good as my wrt54g. I believe this is because of the lack of external antennas on the e2000. 2: They haven't changed the webpage that is published for setup. I think it is time they update that.
Unless you have an need for advanced advanced gaming setup, this router will do just fine. I am gaming on my Mac, PS3, and Xbox with no issues at all. No need for the e3000 for gaming.
This router seems decent enough. Just a warning, I would recommend disabling the guest wireless access. It creates an additional network with "-guest" added to the network name. Guests use this network, along with the a web page and password you configure. Cool! ... I like that. They keep away from my printers and internal network stuff.
Problem is it slows down the main network. I did not figure this out until I had my ISP tell me my router was SLOW. I tried disabling that service and it was looking much better. I'm still considering swapping it out for a faster one since I've only had it a few weeks, but it did almost 4x my upload speed and double my download speed (ISP speed that is). Keep in mind my internal network should be operating at the same speed. (at least 56-144 MBS wireless, 1 GB wired). However, I guess problem has less to do with the broadcast speed ... more with the internal router processing. The switch in the router seems to have some logic that is much faster when you turn the second network off.
Just turn it off. Trust me. ;)
... Or just use a web site that allows you to test your download speed and do your own little tests.
Enjoy!
This is my first experience with wireless anything. I did a ton of research online before finally deciding on this particular model. I did a lot of fretting and worrying about my decision and a lot of it was not necessary.
I have a hard-wired desk top HP Media Computer, a Vonage phone, and use DSL from the local phone company. I purchased a Toshiba Satellite A665 laptop and thus needed to network on a small scale. Also, looking to purchase a Roku box for Netflix soon.
I have used this router about 4+ months now. For someone completely ignorant about wireless it took me about 20 minutes to actually set it up from box to working. I admit to calling the Cisco-Linskys support line during setup with one dumb question. They were very helpful, didn't make me feel stupid, and even helped me finish my installation. I should have been able to do it alone. I was one connection from completion in the setup when I had a brain [...], uh, freeze, but it was probably brought on by fear and stupidity. I have contacted their support once since then, via online chat, with another very elemental question about wireless technology; again they were more than helpful. Their support certainly outshines (and out-communicates, if you get my drift) oh, I don't know, lets say...Hewlett Packard, Vonage, or Toshiba.
In the time I have had the router I have had to reset it twice - this is a HUGE improvement over my experience with just my cable modum and Vonage box. Resetting it is easy, just unplug three cords, replug three cords, and your back in business in about three minutes tops. I believe most, if not all, of that problem is my DSL company since it happened a lot more before I went wireless.
I have seldom lost my internet connection at the laptop computer level, tho it has happened a few times. I just clicked on the 'connect' link on the computer, reconnected with the router, and the internet was back up and working.
I routinely use both computers fairly close to the router itself, but have tried my laptop in all other rooms of my house, which is a one-story and not too big (about 1200 sq, ft.) Nothing in speed or connection suffered. Have not taken the laptop outside my home into the yard yet.
If there is a down-side to this router, it is that every once in awhile the video on an online video will freeze up while the audio continues on; the video portion will catch up later. I blame this on the router, but, I could be wrong, it could be my computer or actually any one of the other elements involved.
I have used a Linksys hard-wired router in the past for Vonage router and I was not happy with the company or the device at all.
But, having no wireless comparison experiences, and keeping in mind this is from a wireless newbie and a technical dunce, I can say the setup with this router was a piece a cake, much easier than what I had been reading, and the router itself has worked great and performed better than I hoped for so far. For ease of use and performance I would highly recommend the Cisco-Linksys E2000 Advanced Wireless-N Router. - Dual Band - Wireless N Router - Linksys - Wireless N'
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