Wireless Internet Throughout Your Home - Linksys BEFW11S4 EtherFast Wireless
Written: Sep 16 '03
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Pros: Very easy hookup with no wiring required!
Cons: None I have found.
The Bottom Line: If you need Internet throughout your house and don't want to run network cable, this is the unit for you!
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| rbinck's Full Review: Linksys (BEFW11S4) 802.11b Wireless Access Point |
Introduction
Over the years I have had many DJ gigs, as being a disc jockey is a part-time hobby of mine. Being in the computer business, I created a database for my disc and record (remember those?) collection that I would take to the gigs to allow me to find requests quickly. As early as the 80’s people would ask me if I could just call up the desired song on the computer and play it out of the computer. I would explain that I was just looking up the disc or record where the song was located, and that the ability to store all of my songs on the computer was something for the future. Well the future is now!
I had added some large hard drives and over the past year or so, eventually stored my collection of 9,000 plus (and still growing) collections of tunes in my computer. I organized the mp3 tracks in MusicMatch Jukebox, as I have described in an epinion on that product. Still, it was not too handy to get the songs played through my home theater system as it is in another room from where my main computer is located. I had considered running a cat 5 cable from my home office to my living room, but never got to it.
Enter wireless networking
As might be expected I was aware of the wireless networking equipment when it first came on the market. It was very pricey and I never could justify the expense just to save a wire from my home office to the living room. Finally my son-in-law got the Linksys system for his home so my daughter could take her laptop anywhere in the house and still access the Internet. I found out the prices have come down considerably. Well, this could be the answer to my jukebox dilemma, or more correctly my wiring dilemma.
I purchased the Linksys wireless router for the main computer end and the wireless PCMCIA card for a laptop. With the addition of a VGA to TV converter, a wireless keyboard and mouse, I was up and running my jukebox using my TV screen as the computer display for the selection of the songs. The speed of the wireless network was more than adequate for the streaming of the mp3s. In addition to having a jukebox, I can also surf the Internet right there on my TV during commercials. My TV is a Toshiba wide screen job that allows me to split screen two sources horizontally, sort of like picture in picture, except Toshiba calls it picture on picture. Anyhow, I can place a TV program I wish to watch on the left of the screen and surf the Internet on the right side of the screen during commercials. When the program comes back on, I can return the TV to full screen mode…. all from the comfort of my easy chair.
Components
I acquired the Linksys model BEFW11S4 EtherFast Wireless AP+ Cable/ DSL Router w/ 4-port Switch as they advertise its description. In laymen’s terms it is a router that allows your high speed Internet modem to be hard wired to as many as four computers and will additionally support many satellite computers over the wireless network without wires. This component is located at your modem and probably your main computer or computers. In my case there will be a combination print server and music file server in my home office. On the Linksys website there is a very good description of where the router fits in a network at: http://www.linksys.com/Products/display.asp?conmap=003BEFW11S4CMdiagram.jpg&prid=173&grid=23
For the other end I acquired 2 Linksys model WPC11 Instant Wireless Network Adapter. As far as I know you can add virtually an unlimited number of remote wireless adapters, so everyone in the family can have access to the high speed Internet connection. I used one for my jukebox laptop and the other for my laptop I carry about.
Software
The software supplied with the unit was very easy to use. One note of caution however, if you are currently using Internet connection sharing with 2 network interface cards in your main computer (as I was), it is important to remove the software for the Internet connection sharing using your Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel. It is not necessary to remove the extra network interface card, just the software. The Internet connection sharing software seemed to interfere with the installation software supplied with the Linksys unit. Since you will be using the Linksys router instead of the Internet connection sharing, you will not need the extra card or the Internet connection sharing software anymore, so I don’t know why you would leave it in your computer. By using the Linksys router you will only need a single IP address as well. Many Internet Providers will charge extra for multiple IP addresses on a single account. The Linksys router will allow virtually an unlimited number of remote computers to be connected to the Internet via a single IP address.
Range
I found the range of the unit to be very good and to match the published specs very well, although I must admit I haven’t tried the extreme limits. In any case here are the ranges from the product data sheet:
Indoors: 30M (100 ft.) @ 11 Mbps
50M (165 ft.) @ 5.5 Mbps
70M (230 ft.) @ 2.0 Mbps
91M (300 ft.) @ 1.0 Mbps
There are outdoor specs that go up to 457M (1500 ft.) @ 1Mbps should you have an outdoor need.
Hookup
The hookup of this unit is very easy and straightforward. You just plug in your modem to the WAN port and any hardwired computers you may have into the other ports. Plug up the power using the power supply provided and you are ready to go. There may be some configuration required in your computers, but that is pretty straightforward as well.
Performance
The performance of the unit in the hardwired mode is as good as any other router that you would use to network your Internet modem. Virtually as fast as your modem will allow. The connection between networked computers is also as fast as any other router or switch you may use.
On the wireless side, the performance is going to be related to the distance and the obstructions between the router and the computer being served with the wireless router. I usually use it with my laptop and my jukebox computer and so far it has been great. The only time I have noticed any slowness is during multiple large file transfers. Still they are faster than using a floppy!
Conclusion
If you have a need for wireless networking for any reason, I would recommend this unit. Plug it in and it just works.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 80
Driver Availability: Windows, Linux, and Mac
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Epinions.com ID:
rbinck
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Member: Richard Binckley
Location: Houston, Texas
Reviews written: 125
Trusted by: 26 members
About Me:
Retired A/V professional, likes Hawaii and Classic Cars
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