Networking Reviews

I bought this hub to connect the computers in my home so they could share a cable modem. I looked at a lot of 10Base-T hubs, and found this one to be among the least expensive with the best satisfaction ratings. I am especially impressed with the hub's small size and metal case -- other hubs are larger and have plastic cases.

To me, the best recommendation for a piece of network hardware is that you never have to think about it, it just works. This hub gives me that in spades.

The Netgear EN104TP is one of the best products that I ever bought. It does just about everything that more expensive 10/100 Ethernet hubs do at a fraction of the cost. If all you're doing is adding additional computers to your network, then the EN104TP is all you need. I use it at my job, which is a company that sells greeting cards wholesale.
I decided to get the EN104TP after determining that our Macintosh needed access to the (PC-dominated) network so we could transfer and print TIFF and EPS files of artwork the company intends to sell. Because of a lack of Ethernet outlets in our printing department, I decided the best and cheapest way to do that was by adding an Ethernet hub. At first, I was a little skeptical about getting a 10 Base-T hub, but after finding the EN104TP on sale (...), I decided to take a chance, and it was worth it. It transfers files easily, it facilitates network printing (allowing us to maximize resources) and, for the computers connected to the hub, uninhibited access to the Internet.
Although this product is almost perfect, I encountered a couple of minor flaws. Recently, due to a windstorm that blacked out most of Memphis, we had to move the printing operations to another location. In doing so, I took the EN104TP in the hopes that it would function as a stand-alone Ethernet hub. Although it worked the first day, it didn't seem to function any day after that. Granted, I am not sure if it was the EN104TP's fault or the quirkiness of our computers which uses different Windows OS's (ME and XP). However, we were able to piggyback on the network of the building we were working out of and everything was fine. The other flaw is an obvious one: download speed. I found that files downloaded through the hub took longer to finish than ones downloaded directly from our main 10/100 hub.
In summary, I must say that the EN104TP is a great product and a great value for people who want to expand their network without having to spend a fortune to do it.

For this price, you can not expect more: compact size, the easiness to install, and the very clever design making it a perfect home network product. If you've already had NIC installed, you network can be up and running in less than five minutes. It's that simple.

Keep in mind that this hub is 10 based, if the speed is important to you, then you should consider the 100 based hubs. If you're trying to connect Windows 9x and Windows 2000, make sure to load the NetBUEI protocol into you Win 2000 machine. In general, NetBUEI is one of the default protocols on Win 9x, but not on Win 2000.

I bought this hub about a year ago and it ran without issue for 3/4 of a year thereafter, exhibiting no anomalies and overall being quite an efficient little hub.

That was until one port died a few months ago with a second one now dying.

This is the first linksys product I have purchased, and it has problems. Maybe it was from a bad batch, but a failure rate of 40% in less than a year is unacceptable. The general verdict about linksys is it either works for about a year or two or doesn't work at all. i.e. if you want reliability, don't buy them.

Trust me, I've config'd their BEFSR41 router and even port unblocking is a nightmare. That and getting supposedly ROUTABLE protocols working across all ports.

People only get this stuff because they know no better.

I have avoided the router and used a K6-2/450 as my "router," a system whose CPU is about 100x more powerful than the one in the linksys anyway. If you really really want a single-purpose router, get a real one, like the Cisco 2610XM. If that's out of your price range, your application probably doesn't call for a router.

Don't buy this HUB, instead buy the 5 port SWITCH put out by the same company (EZXS55W). Anything a hub can do, a switch can do better (DSL, Cable, Networking). A must for Pic n' Save shoppers who demand Mercedes Benz performance. Most important feature: Each port has devoted, uncomprimisable bandwidth. A hub, on the other hand, has bandwidth that varies directly with network demands. The rather insignificant price difference between Linksys' 5 port hub and 5 port switch demands that EVERYONE buy the switch. The hub is by far a more profitable item for Linksys. Don't be fooled by the best seller indices that we see upon entering the networking page, or you too may fall victim to the cult of mob rule.

I've used my hub for various applications - cable modem splitting from a router and simple PC-PC gaming. This hub is perfectly utilitarian for getting the data back and forth with high reliability and unparalleled speed. No problems auto-sensing in either situations over several months of use.

Though it does say 5 ports - if you use this as an uplink from the router, you'll obviously only get 4 output ports. This is not the case with the gaming issue though. The only minor complaint is the AC resistor power cable. The AC adapter plug is rather easy to yank out of the backside - especially if you are moving cables frequently. Other than that, it's worth every cent for high speed fun and efficiency!

I bought this switch because I trust the brand and also because I thought it would stack well with my Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless router (which I've run out of ports on). However, when I received the EZXS88W, it was smaller than in the technical description given by Amazon (which is actually the size of the box, not the switch itself). Because it is about an inch and a quarter narrower than my Linksys router, it does not sit nicely on top or underneath. I know that it's only a small complaint (otherwise the switch is terrific), but I just wanted to let potential buyers know about the possible size difference, especially if one is buying it specifically because it will interface nicely with a previous Linksys purchase.

Cisco bought Linksys a while back -- smart move! Can't get any easier -- works great, while it is smaller than the Linksys router, it still sits nicely on top, although feet pattern does not match.

I have two of these switches in my network, never turned off connected to Compaq servers.

Not one issue. I see why Cisco purchased this company.

The Linksys USB 4 Port Hub Universal Serial Bus = B00004Z6PI = was working just 10 minutes after I got the package open. Now I'm able to have my USB devices like Scanner, printer, WebCam etc. on a table quiet far away from my PC - AND - may "travel" with my WebCam (HomeConnect PC Digital Camera = ASIN B00000JDHV =) as far as 31 feet away from my computer. The USB 4-port Hub serves as a "cable extension adapter" thanks external power supply which makes cable lengths possible beyond USB norms (limited cable lengths). I liked the packing and the well designed device. Need more USB ports? Buy this Hub by Linksys. Need a A-B to A-B "cable extension adapter"? ProConnect USB 4-Port Hub will serve you even here and - last but not least - it's affordable. Therefore: BUY IT!

Fortunately their isn't a lot to say about the Linksys USB 4 Port Hub. Why? Because it is the simplest, and best solution to the problem of hooking up all of your USB gear to your computer. It comes with a separate power supply, which is a transformer, plugging into the hub. You can use it without the transformer, but single powering multiple USB devices, running just off of the power coming from the computer can cause problems, depending on the device. So it is self powered. Or you can use it by itself without the adapter hooked up, then it runs off of your computers power.
I am using mine without the AC adapter, because it causes the Smart Card Reader to stay on, even when the computer is shut off. If I turned off my power strip every time, this would not be a factor, but I don't, so I use it without the adapter. Then when I fire up the computer, the devices are powered. Some reports state that some digital camera smart card readers are prone to not working without a second power source. Mine works fine working off of the computer power alone. So that is the simplest for me. Anyhow, you have either option with this unit, they supply the ac adapter, and the instructions state that it works either way.
It also includes a single USB cable, which hooks the hub up to your computers USB port. Then you have 4 powered USB ports on the Linksys unit to hook up all of your gear. You can even daisy link these to get up to 127 devices hooked to one machine.
Having the hub easily reachable from your desk, instead of having to go plug hunting under your desk in your pc is worth the price of this unit alone. I looked at 4 port hubs at the local office supply, and the price was more by twenty percent, then this unit even including the shipping.
Nothing to load, nothing to configure. (I use W98 second edition) Just plug it in, boot up and Windows auto recognizes it, and uses standard windows drivers. It doesn't come with a disc, because it doesn't need one.
A few reviewers mentioned that all of the little lights come on when you power up. They thought that was a waste, wishing for it to light up only when each channel was in use. The instructions state that the lights flicker based on each channels use. Not that this is even important.
It's a great little hub. No nonsense. Works they way I wish everything worked. Great and simply. Buy it. I'm glad I did.

After struggling with a USB controller card and discovering that my system didn't have enough power to support a second one, I bought this great little USB hub with its own power supply. The installation instructions were clear and easy to understand. This hub is really plug and play. It came right up and all the USB devices I plugged into it worked immediately including my PDA cradle and compact flash card reader. I'm very happy to have expanded the number of USB ports on my system and happy that I didn't have any installation problems.

For whatever reason this set-up did not work. As others have noted, phone support is non-existent. Even at 4 am they won't take your call. Email to support was also fruitless. I got one email back asking "what are your settings?". I replied, sent a tracer but never heard back. I see they have discontinued this product. Technical issues aside, Netgear has a ways to go to provide basic customer support.

I moved from an apartment with all hardwired Ethernet to a townhouse with computers on every floor. I tried wireless but it didn't work well in the basement and was not reliable or consistent. I looked into HPNA but couldn't find any kits to purchase. I decided to give Netgear's xe102 a try. First, as others have stated - you CAN literally just plug it in and go BUT I wouldn't advise that. It's very important to set up the encryption software and change the network password. One simple step that can help protect your network but so many people don't do it. This is more important for users that live in multi-dwelling homes like apartments/condos/townhouses.

Super Ease of use - This device is very easy to set up: plug it in, run the cd, change the password on each device and poof you are networked. The manual that comes with the device has step by step directions with screenshots too.

Reliable - I have never once had a problem with connectivity to my LAN using these devices. I not only have my Ethernet over power lines but I also use extended phone jacks that work through the power lines too. Even using those jacks at the same time as being on the network - nada - no degradation at all.

Great Support - Netgear is a fantastic company that puts out some darn good products. I haven't ever had to call regarding this device, but I have contacted them in the past for support on their routers and they were very helpful. When deciding on this product or other homeplug networking products, I chose Netgear because of my positive experiences with them. I have tried many other networking products by other companies and it's hard to find good service out there. When you find it, stick with it.

Great! Simple. Simpliest network-related device I have used. This product worked out of the box - no extra parts and no hassle. I plugged in one XE102 and then went downstairs and plugged in the other XE102. It worked without a hitch and provided network and high-speed internet access to my laptop ( via the connected Ethernet RJ45 cable).

Then I set the password to encrypt communications between the two XE102 units. No problems and no slowdown.

While they are not super fast they are faster than the high-speed cable modem used to provide intenet access and plenty good for home network use. The best part is the ability to pull a unit out of one electrical wall outlet, go to another room and plug it in, after which, your back on the network.

My earlier experiences with an attempt to use a wireless network (which took many days and involved several different wireless units) and the associated unpredictable or lost encryption settings left me cold and frustrated. By sharp contrast, this product was instant gratification. I really like this product and plan to buy another unit.

After hours of customer service chats (customer service is very nice) and long conversations with my broadband and microsoft router customer service, I could not get this product working. I have the mn-700 router so it should be a no brainer. My computer it less than 50 feet from my xbox, with a clear line of sight. My signal was low, at best, and sometimes it didn't pick up the signal at all. However, even with a signal I got error after error.
I bought a 50 foot cable, and within minutes I was gaming, so I know it was the adapter. The adapter was shipped back today.
While it's a great idea, wireless for the xbox isn't really up to par yet. I envy those who got this to work, however I can deal with hooking up and taking down a cable rather than dealing with dropped games and unreliable signals. Hope this helps with your purchase.

....Ridiculously easy to set up. Actually ,the XBOX system did most of the work for me. It detected and configured most of the network info itself from my existing 802.11g wireless network. The hardest thing was typing the 26 digit WEP code for my wireless network.I just followed the step-by-step instructions and was online within minutes. Piece of cake.
I was a little concerned about the signal strength with my Base Station being two rooms over , about 35 feet away with multiple electronic devices along the way, and no real line of sight, but my fears quickly disappeared when I checked my network speed on the XBOX and found it steady at 54 Mbps with a Very Good to Excellent signal.Fantastic.
Online gaming on the XBOX is phenomenal with the Microsoft Wireless-G Xbox Adapter.The game play is flawless. It's as if your playing with that person in your living room right next to you. There was no laggy or choppy gameplay, just really really smooth. I love this thing!!
Just take the time to read the instructions one step at a time and you'll be playing before you know it. I look forward to playing you on XBOX Live.

Ridiculously quick and easy setup with the mn-740!!After having used the Linksys wgallb game adapter, this things connects and configures like a dream! It took hrs to get the linksys to work right with 128bit encrytion even though I was using a Linksys router. Linksys support is a joke! Absolutely terrible. They told me my game adapter was defective and that I need to return it. It wasn't, they just have poor troubleshooting ability. I would like to know how many thousands of non-defective linksys products have been returned because of poor tech support? I had the mn-740 Xbox adapter up and running in 2 minutes! With 128bit encrytion, I am seeing 48MBPS through 3 rooms and 80ft. My Xbox adapter is running beautifully with a D-link DI-624 with the 108G firmware upgrade. With rebates, the router and mn-740 Xbox adapter together is around 100.00. That's incredibly cheap for the quality and performance with this setup. Buy the MN-740! Stay away from Linksys, you'll thank me. Also, I have read from other reviewers that you can use the mn-740 as a wireless network adapter for any device with a ethernet jack after the initial setup. Hope this helps.

I had nothing but trouble with this card. First off it took me forever to install the software for the card...and it isn't as though I am running a (s)low end PC here! (650MHZ PIII, 32x CD-ROM, 160 MB Ram, etc.) Then, the instruction pamphlets read like stereo instructions! I thought companies were supposed to be creating these things "easier to use"...not with this product! To top things off, Windows 98 SE didn't recognize the product until I restarted the computer for the third time. Then, after it was finally installed, it kept dropping data packets when I connected it to my MediaOne Road Runner. I had had enough! I took it back, and then went out and spent $40 on a Linksys...it took 1/2 the time to install the software, and it worked perfectly after the first try...no data loss!

I have had my PC for a while with just a standard 56K modem. Then I wised up and bought cable access. Now I needed a NIC to go along with the Cable modem. The Cable Company offered to let me buy one from them ... I did some research on the Internet and this Card was ... on sale at an online retailer at the time. So I bought it and the installation went rather smooth.

Windows was able to recognize it right away, and it already had the drivers on the Windows Disk, I didn't even need the floppy or instructions that came with the DFE-530TX+. And when the Cable Guy came to install the service, everything worked just fine. I have no complaints and can't see how others could mess up this easy installation.

Highly Recommended

Have had several in operation on XP, M.E., and 98 SE computers. Have been mostly trouble free, small problems worked out with assistance of helpfull phone staff. User's guide is somewhat confusing, On page 17, under title "Software Installation" directs you to the "READ ME" file on root directory of installation diskette, of course there is no readme file there. But, well, nobody's perfect.

I used it for less than a month. It replaced an Netgear RT-314 I had before. I was happy with the basic functionality of the RT-314, and I wanted to add some kind of parental control (essentially limit the hours my children could use the Internet).
The RP114 is advertised as having that capability, but it is quite limited. You can only set global access hours, there is no way to target different users. I also found that both the RT-314 and RP-114 would not allow multiple VPN sessions simultaneously, and I had to reboot the router to be able to connect to ATT Net Client after my wife had connected to her company. This was a great annoyance, and I finally returned the RP114 and bought an SMC Barricade 7004-ABR. That solved the problem with VPN. And to my surprise, the Barricade has the parental controls I needed, but they are not trumpeted on the box like netgear does, plus it has a print server. All for about [price] more....

I was able to connect my Windows98 PC and a Sun Ultra 5 running Solaris 8 in about 2 minutes and 15 minutes respectively.

Remember to telnet to the modem: telnet 192.168.0.1 and change the default password, once you've got all you comps. up and running. Various models of Netgear routers have the same USername and password combos.

For Sun Ultra series - if you're having config issues - on Solaris 8:

go to: /usr/sbin

execute: sys-unconfig

Reboot.

The system will ask you a bunch of questions. Just keep the IP address of your router handy. That's all you need. Keep answering the questions and you'll be networked in no time.

Give your Sun box an IP like 192.168.0.2 or .3 or whatever is unused. For example if you have a Windows box on the network already hooked up - give the Solaris box a +1 IP addy.

The CD that comes along with it is junk and the 'foldable' manual page is not too great either. The Netgear site FAQ will tell you to refer to the User Manual on many occasions. It does not EXIST... So don't waste your time. But the product itself is super simple to use.

This router is an excellent choice for establishing a home or small business network. I have extensive experience with computer hardware, but this was my first experience with setting up a home network. I looked at this router and the Linksys BEFSR41, and ended up going with the Netgear. I'm very glad that I did. Reviews of both routers complain about customer service. I wouldn't know how Netgear's customer service is because I never had to call them. I was setting up a network with three computers, all running XP. Withing fifteen minutes of taking the router out of the box, all three machines were hooked to the network and working flawlessly. I used the setup instructions that came with the router, which told me everything I needed to do. Installation was a breeze, it quite simply couldn't have been any easier. I have been running it now as an "always on" network for over a month, and it has never frozen or locked up; I have not had to reboot or reset it a single time.

My only complaint is the orientation of the plugs. All the network connections are on the front of the box, while the power jack is on the back, which makes it hard to put anywhere on a desk. But this objection is cosmetic and nit-picky. However, the outside of the unit is made of metal and is very sturdy. Overall, it is a very competitively priced router that doesn't necessarily have all the bells of whistles of other models, but it is very dependable and good at what it does. If you're looking for a nice priced, very dependable router for home or small business networks, pick this little guy up today.

Don't bother reading this if you live in the States or Canada, but if you are one of the many Americans stationed overseas who buy electronics online, you might benefit from my frustrating experience.

When the router arrived, I read the box very closely; even though every other piece of computer equipment I've purchased in the last few years has been dual-voltage, I wanted to make sure this one was, too. The box doesn't specify the input power requirements, but it does say "For all EU countries" and specifically refers to using it in France and Italy. So I logically assumed that I would indeed be able to use this product in Europe without needing a transformer.

But no. The power adapter is 120V only. I've been trying for over a month to get Linksys to send me a 220V-compatible adapter -- I know they make them; Linksys is worldwide. But every call and email I've sent (and there have been many, to the UK and Germany as well as to the States' outsourced customer service locations) has only resulted in being told to call someone else. Customers can request a replacement power adapter from the Linksys website; I did that, specifying the 220V version, and was sent another 120V one (incidentally, I had to have it sent to my parents, who forwarded it to me, as Linksys refuses to ship to APO addresses). I guess the good people at Linksys thought I didn't know what I wanted.

So -- I can't evaluate the product itself because I haven't used it yet. But the customer service has been extremely disappointing.

I've been a Linksys user since my first 4-port DSL router. Unfortunately I made a bad decision when I upgraded to a 802.11g AP. I bought a Netgear 802.11g AP based on the recommendation from CNET. Then my nightmare began!! Whilst the wireless signal strength was quite decent, the connection was dodgy.

After months of suffering it finally came to an end today... from the moment I setup the WRT54GS router. :-) The web GUI is well organized and easy to follow. Connection speed as well as response time is far better than my old Netgear AP that has a very high latency in initiating connection. I used to have problems in maintaining my PPTP connection to my office. Now it's stable as rock!! Overall this is a very well built product with solid support (in terms of firmware updates/bug fixes).

no problems so far with 1 airport extreme card and one linksys PCI 802.11g on a win xp box. using stock firmware.

worked well immediately, is fast, and stable.

avoid the d-link pci card, had problems with this router.

- Installation was a no-brainer on Window 2000 and XP machines. Within 5 minutes everything was up and running with my DSL. Also using a Microsoft wireless base simplied the installation/integration task, too.

But I gave up on a laptop that uses Win98. I tried it myself three times, and with the help of customer support once. It was a definite no-go. Perhaps my Win98 laptop is a bit old and does not have enough RAM. It messed up the OS that I ended up reloading the it on my laptop.

- Its range is very adequate.
- The utility software that came with the adapter is as straight forward as software can be, no complain here.

I have used for 1 year and there is no problem.

Inserted the setup CD, followed the prompts, plugged in the card and it started working. I don't have any signal problems throughout my house. Comes with a neat graphical status program too. For the price, you can't beat it. Unless you want to run CAT 5 all over your house.