Linksys E3000 Wireless-N Router

[Reid Kistler]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/linksys_e3000_wifi_router' target='_blank'>http://www.maximumpc.com/article/re...000_wifi_router</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Cisco's new Linksys E-series routers look a lot like the WRT-series routers they replace, complete with the weird flying-saucer motif and internal antennas. All the new features are under the hood and in the setup software. As befits a flagship product, the E3000 is a dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) router that enables you to operate two discrete wireless networks simultaneously. You can also operate a virtual guest network on the 2.4GHz band that limits clients to Internet access, isolating them from the rest of your network."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1278709118.usr19541.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>Sitting at the top of their current home router line, the <a href="http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Routers/Linksys-E3000L-HighPerformance-Wirelessn-router_stcVVproductId97826163VVcatId551966VVviewprod.htm" target="_blank">Linksys E3000 High Performance Wireless-N Router</a> looks like a winner on the basis of style alone (although apparently at the cost of a vertical stand option). Toss in 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, dual-band capability <a href="http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/products/linksys-eseries-compare_stcVVcatId552048VVviewcat.htm" target="_blank">"optimized for streaming HD video,"</a> 6 internal antennas, and a built-in UPnP AV media server, and it would appear to be an easy purchase decision. Still, Michael Brown, at MaximumPC.com, notes several shortcomings in its performance and control software, and feels it falls short of their category winner. Read his review for more details, including comparative performance test results!</p>

[Brad Adrian]

Just venting here, but why is it that, no matter how idiot-proof they make the installation and setup for these systems, I STILL get phone calls from my Dad and brother saying they've spent four hours on it and they cannot get the network to recognize their PCs? ;)

[Reid Kistler]

Networking seems to remain one of biggest problem areas for most computer users - right up there with FAILING TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS (!) [for Whatever product....] :rolleyes:

Our two primary desktop machines are both running Windows 7 - and yet it is problematical whether one will be able to "see" the other at any given time without first having to reboot either one or both machines. And don't even get us started about trying to communicate RELIABLY with one of the older systems (XP, 2000, 98...): sometimes they work; sometimes they don't... :confused:

OTOH, just installed a new Canon MFP which features wireless networking (along with wired Ethernet and USB ports), and it was easier to get it recognized on our network than it was to do the basic machine setup & software installation - although the SCANNING function somehow remains locked to Canon's own software: Paperport Recognizes the scanner, and will test the scanner, but will NOT complete a scan - although Canon's own software will happily do so...

Probably should try to sort that out - but the printer came as a 'freebie' with a nice little Canon Document Scanner which sets next to my desk, and our fancy Brother MFC has proven a reliable networked ADF scanner (although only one side at a time). But both of our Brother machines shipped with lengthy Network User Guides and the BRAdmin control software: more power perhaps than the new Canon MFP, but the Canon was much simpler to get connected....

[John Lane]

I own this and it works well, but it is quite irritating that I can't change the settings via 192.168.....

How stupid is that? Why can't Cisco add the 3 lines of code needed to duplicate their own software?

[HaydenHarnet]

sharing the same thought with you, the router is hard to install for newbie users (can't be done for me without multiple cisco customer service call), besides the router get hot in short time.
Networking seems to remain one of biggest problem areas for most computer users - right up there with FAILING TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS (!) [for Whatever product....] :rolleyes:

Our two primary desktop machines are both running Windows 7 - and yet it is problematical whether one will be able to "see" the other at any given time without first having to reboot either one or both machines. And don't even get us started about trying to communicate RELIABLY with one of the older systems (XP, 2000, 98...): sometimes they work; sometimes they don't... :confused:
OTOH, just installed a new Canon MFP which features wireless networking (along with wired Ethernet and USB ports), with linksys e3000 review (http://www.wireless-reviews.com/routers/cisco-linksys-e3000-n-router-review) it was easier to get it recognized on our network than it was to do the basic machine setup & software installation - although the SCANNING function somehow remains locked to Canon's own software: Paperport Recognizes the scanner, and will test the scanner, but will NOT complete a scan - although Canon's own software will happily do so...

Probably should try to sort that out - but the printer came as a 'freebie' with a nice little Canon Document Scanner which sets next to my desk, and our fancy Brother MFC has proven a reliable networked ADF scanner (although only one side at a time). But both of our Brother machines shipped with lengthy Network User Guides and the BRAdmin control software: more power perhaps than the new Canon MFP, but the Canon was much simpler to get connected....