Linksys BEFSX41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Firewall Router (4-Port 10/100 Switch / VPN Endpoint)
The Linksys BEFSX41 is the perfect solution for connecting a small group of PCs to a high-speed broadband Internet connection, or a 10/100 Ethernet backbone. Acts as the only externally recognized Internet gateway on your local area network ( LAN ) Protects PCs from Ping of Death, SYN Flood, Land Attacks, IP Spoofing & other DoS attacks Blocks Java, ActiveX and Cookies Easily configurable though a Web browser from any networked PC Power Adapter Included Diagnostic LEDs 2H x 8W x 7D; 14 ounces One Year Limited Includes - 60-day trial of Norton Internet Security 2003 (if not in the box, check www.linksys.com)
The Linksys Instant Broadband EtherFast cable/DSL firewall router with 4-port switch/VPN endpoint is the perfect solution for connecting a small group of PCs to a high-speed broadband Internet connection or a 10/100 Ethernet backbone. The router can be configured to limit internal users' Internet access based on URLs and/or time periods (URL filtering and time filtering). For enhanced protection against intruders from the Internet, the router features an advanced SPI firewall. Use the cable/DSL firewall router with 4-port switch/VPN endpoint to create IPSec VPN tunnels, so you can securely connect to the corporate server from your home office--or from any location, when you're on the road. The router provides a dedicated port for DMZ hosting and acts as the only externally recognized Internet gateway on your LAN. With the performance and security features of the Linksys cable/DSL firewall router with 4-port switch/VPN endpoint, your network will take advantage of the Internet while keeping its data secure. This router is compatible with Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, Me, and XP. Note: All Linksys routers now include a special edition of Norton Internet Security! Claim your free CD-ROM by calling (800) 814-0180, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific, seven days a week. 
See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies. | Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere -- without wires. Outside of the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, airports -- great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer.
What Wireless Standard is Right for Me?
Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed.
For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart. |
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Linksys BEFSX41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Firewall Router (4-Port 10/100 Switch / VPN Endpoint) Reviews
I'm sure one could spend two or three times as much and get a fancier product, but I recommend this BEFSX41 router/firewall for a household on a budget. I ordered this product as a Gateway for all my devices, because I kept losing internet through my Vonage (Linksys) router/phone adapter. Computers can communicate and see all the printers, which wasn't working before the switch. This system has worked flawlessly now for a week. They've got to economize somewhere with all the cheapskates, like myself, who want the technology for $50 or less.
Setup isn't complicated. No lost connections. The Vonage router is now connected to this routerbehind its Firewall. The product I got (from Tiger Direct) doesn't have all the lights shown on the BEFSX41 listing in Amazon, so Linksys seems to have multiple variants under the same product identifier.
Setup isn't particularly difficult, however. Linksys has done a good job of minimizing complexity for a product aimed at the low-end home network market. My wife complained a lot and looked accusingly at me every time she lost the internet. A separate cable leads from this router to a Linksys router/wireless adapter which feeds all my computers. I installed behind my Zoom Cable modem (which works greatI don't recommend the Motorola Surfboard modems provided by Comcast, which habitually lost connections and had us swearing at Comcast for two years before I finally ditched their lousy hardware).
My wife has stopped complaining about lost internet connectionsthat's success in my book. My only caveat is that the documentation is minimal, but that seems to be true for most all of these economy products these days. This is a fine low-price router.
I got this router when out company switched to VPN for remote desktop connections to increase security. The longest uptime I have ever seen was about 12 hours. Their support was horrible, and told me that they would not support the product at all if I upgraded the firmware from their website. This is one of the worst routers I have ever used, and I returned it to Amazon after about a week. I have since switched to netgear VPN routers, and those have been up for about 2 years now. I used to recommend Linksys, but now I tell people to stay away, or carefully check the model and version number, and compare them to the reviews.
(this went for three rounds). Now she says "how many lights are on the front of the router.".NONE. And do you know what her response was. I have included what lead to my reason why I only give the router 3 stars to save others from wasting their time with product support. I now needed to get an RMA# to have a new adapter sent.unfortunately, this meant calling the Linksys/Cisco "outsourced to god knows where" tech support (I have a better name."waste of time NO-support".
"Okay, your router is defective. I figured "cool, this should be easy".famous last words. There's no power getting to the router so resetting it won't do any good. I found that there was an option to replace a defective power adapter with no need to return the defective unit (that was a clue that there is obviously an "issue" with the power adapters if they have their own RMA Option). I ended up having to call THREE times because the first person didn't give me an RMA# before hanging up (although he did agree with me that it was most likely the power adapter). With 25+ years of working with computer software and hardware, it didn't take me long to surmise that the power adapter was no longer functioning-it wasn't warm despite being plugged into a functioning surge suppressor overnight. My second call I was put on hold for just shy of 15 minutes with dead air before I finally hung up. 2 1/2 months into using our new Linksys BEFSX41 router I went to connect to the Internet and the router was dead (this was last night.I'm using an 8 year old HP Gateway Router right now).
for pete's sake. I got the RMA# I needed, checked the box for "replace defective power supply" option on the Linksys RMA web site page and proceeded with my request to have a new power adapter sent. Even though I explained that there was no power getting to the router because the power adapter was not emitting power, she proceeded to have me "reset" the ROUTER using the reset button. There's no power getting to the router. I checked the Linksys web site to see about a warranty issue since it was past the 30 day Amazon warranty. I went ahead and held the stinking button in for 30 seconds.
You will need to return it".I held my tongue. I doubted it was the router that was the problem. So, the moral of my story.If you can help it, avoid the Linksys/Cisco "tech support", because in my opinion, it's a complete waste of time and another fine example of useless foreign outsourcing.corporate America, BRING THE JOBS BACK TO THE U.S. My husband further tested the power adapter with a power meter and the adapter was indeed dead (we also checked another adapter that we knew was working to verify the power meter was functioning properly, it was). I didn't say what I really wanted to say to this poor excuse for tech support. My third and final call stuck me with an unbelievable airhead.
HELLO. After starting to ask me questions about an "ethernet card" (NIC), which had NOTHING to do with the router, she proceeded to ask me the same questions over and over, even though I had already answered her ("when did you buy the router.".March 19th, "where did you buy the router.".Amazon.com."how many lights are on the front of the router.".None, there's no power getting to it."so the power light isn't even on.".No.
I've owned this router for 3 months and have 3 months of on and off performance - keep away. Constantly breaks down, have to reboot.
Upgrading the firmware didn't help, hardware reset didn't help, Buying a new router solved the issue. I own several linksys routers and they all have at least one annoying issue.
Mind you there were only 4 computers on the network. Honestly though i strongly believe that linksys's quality has been going down lately.
I loved the option to block content by keyword or by website name, the communication speed was great, no problems at all until recently where it stopped assigning new DHCP addresses, and within a couple of hours i lost the ability to assign new static addresses. a Call to the tech support yielded no result since the router was out of warranty.
Plugged in fine, worked right away, i really didn't use the VPN function so this review will not cover it.
I purchased this router 4 years ago and set it up in my office.
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