Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G
So what is a "range expander"? How will it benefit my wireless in my office or home? Do I even need this thing?
Range Expansion is more like a self-fed repeater. Unlike Linksys' other "repeaters" that require a hardline to be dropped to it (which is actually a little more reliable), this systems "sees" a signal, latches on like a leach, then re-distributes it at an amplified feed. It is NOT a router, it is NOT a switch, it is NOT a hub. It is simply a pass through.
So, why would you want one? In case your 6000 Sq.Ft. house isn't able to distribute WiFi from your 4 car garage to your mother-in-law's house, and you REALLY don't want to run a laundry-line CAT5 line out of your living room to the maid's quarters, here is the solution. Let that 1-2 bar low signal get amplified by the Range Expander.
Now on the reality side, for people with upstairs down stairs configurations or maybe a church setting with a separate gym these things are perfect let your consumer level Linksys router distribute WiFi to the ground floor (for example) and plug the WRE54G in upstairs. If your network is "out of the box" (which I would never recommend) then it’s as simple as pressing the button on the side. Done.
For those engaged a little more in their networking, after preliminary setup, a standard patch gets you into the version2 and version3 boxes easily (version1 didn’t have the RJ45 onboard). 192.168.1.240 is actually the correct IP address for these at default, NOT 192.168.0.1 or whatever else has been stated. As ALL Linksys routers at default route from a gateway of 192.168.1.1 the setup has potential to be easy. With the addition of WEP and WPA some light security can be added. HOWEVER this is only WPA and not WPA2 personal nor WPA2 enterprise. Unfortunately there are some severe limitations on what you can do for security, and if security is something for you to consider, then be aware!
There is also no WMM setting to allow for Wireless QoS. Not sure why this wasn’t added as one would probably want to ensure some levels of quality or a level of rank, but regardless, it’s not an option.
The other thing is that no “WRE400” model exists. Nothing to take benefit of MIMO, SRX, or Wireless N (now that it’s finally out of draft status). For some reason, even though AT&T U-Verse exists, we’re still trapped to using this at 54mbps. Maybe the guy in the outhouse only needs 54mbps instead of 108… Who knows!
Windows 7 compatibility is a little spotty, only because of the more intense use of IPv6 instead of mainly depending on IPv4. Windows 7 HomeGroups depend solely on IPv6, and for more successful transmission from server to client stations, I’ve notices that monthly reboots are a necessity (of computers and network devices alike). Symptoms then become of machines not being able to see each other, or loss of external networking.
Anyhow, I’ve installed these across local hotels, and across the family living room. They’ve gone in churches and offices alike and with the understanding of what levels of security each is using, I’ve only had a few issues.
If you’re curious, I connect 2 desktops with Linksys WMP54GX4 (the ones with SRX400 antennas) to a server with the same wireless card. They feed off a regular Linksys WRT54G v2 then are boosted with my WRE54G v3. My front yard and back yard are both covered wirelessly as shown with my Intel PRO 2195ABG WiFi card in my laptop. Nothing in my house ever has less than 4 bars, not even in the closets!!Read full review
