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Linksys by Cisco WRT320N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router
See it at Amazon.com for $69.98Average Customer Rating
(3.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
READ THIS - Great device, but only with newest firmware 1.0.03
(5 out of 5) by Photoshop User on Aug 29, 2009 (Boston, MA USA)I have this router now for six weeks. Right out of the box it gave me great speed over wired Gigabit ethernet. But over a few days, the speed went down to good ol' dial-up times. Only a router reset gave back the full speed - for a few hours until the problem came up again.
There was long discussion about this problem over at the vendor forum, and finally the issue was solved by Linksys/Cisco (had something to do with UPnP, you don't wanna know the details).
So please do yourself a favor: Buy this router. It is the best device for a home great network with a fast internet connection. BUT immediately after purchase, upgrade the router firmware to Ver 1.0.03 build 10 (release date 08/13/2009). It will save you the trouble I had.
There was long discussion about this problem over at the vendor forum, and finally the issue was solved by Linksys/Cisco (had something to do with UPnP, you don't wanna know the details).
So please do yourself a favor: Buy this router. It is the best device for a home great network with a fast internet connection. BUT immediately after purchase, upgrade the router firmware to Ver 1.0.03 build 10 (release date 08/13/2009). It will save you the trouble I had.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
A- product, F support. I'd try someone different.
(2 out of 5) by Fourmaples on Jun 15, 2009 (Northern California)I'm your average end user. Not a geek, not a technophobe. I bought this when changing ISP's where the new modem didn't have a wireless router. I have a laptop/docking station, 2 pc's, 1 ethernet 3/1 network printer, and wireless samsung blu ray for streaming pandora and netflix (an excellent device, by the way). I thought the second channel would be good for the streaming media. I had significant trouble getting the linksys router set up. After 3 unsatisfying and lengthy calls to tech support over 10 days and multiple hours spent, I still don't have use of the printer or true interconnectivity of the pcs and laptop. The desktop interface is "pretty" and very intuitive, and the wireless "router-ing" aspect is working fine now. One of the tech support calls had to end because the technician wasn't familiar with the linksys wireless network tool! I wouldn't buy this product again due to the abysmal support. Note to Shah at Cisco support: I'm still waiting for you to call me back "within an hour" as you assured me you would...
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
Great Upgrade
(5 out of 5) by Brendan Buschi on May 11, 2009 (Dover, DE USA)I bought this to replace my Linksys WRT54GS wireless router because I wanted the gigabit functionality for my wired network. I installed this router without using the included software. It worked instantly and flawlessly.
I have only had it for about a week. So far, I have nothing negative to report. The strength of the wireless signals is improved and my wired computers (3) transfer data at incredible speeds.
Installing routers successfully, especially wireless routers, requires a solid understanding of the technology and options available to you. I was actually hesitant to buy this router because of the negative reviews I read, but I wanted gigabit connectivity and this seemed like the best option. A lot of products get blasted, but its not always clear whether the problems lie with the products or those attempting to install and use them.
Suggestion: When installing wireless routers, I suggest filtering MAC addresses for wireless connections to only allow computers with the MAC addresses you have entered on your list to connect to your router.
I have only had it for about a week. So far, I have nothing negative to report. The strength of the wireless signals is improved and my wired computers (3) transfer data at incredible speeds.
Installing routers successfully, especially wireless routers, requires a solid understanding of the technology and options available to you. I was actually hesitant to buy this router because of the negative reviews I read, but I wanted gigabit connectivity and this seemed like the best option. A lot of products get blasted, but its not always clear whether the problems lie with the products or those attempting to install and use them.
Suggestion: When installing wireless routers, I suggest filtering MAC addresses for wireless connections to only allow computers with the MAC addresses you have entered on your list to connect to your router.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
make sure to update firmware
(5 out of 5) by Allen Vietzke on May 11, 2009 (Ypsilanti, MI)I have the 310n and bought the 320n for my mother-in law, both will run hot out of the box but once I updated the firmware they cooled way down and performance was better and reliable
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
Unable to maintain connection
(1 out of 5) by Jack on Apr 29, 2009 (Columbus, GA)Linksys by Cisco WRT320N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router
We were connecting a Vista laptop running a Dlink N adaptor, a MAC laptop and a wired Vista desktop. This home/office configuration previously operated on a Linksys wireless G router. We have been using Linksys routers for several years. When the older G router finally failed, we stayed with the same vendor. We purchased a new Linksys WRT320N. Initially the WRT320N connected and appeared to be much faster and better. A few hours later we started having connection trouble. Our MAC laptop would lose the connection and need to be reconnected using the SSID and the wireless password. Both the MAC and the Vista laptop would separately lose connectivity to the WRT320N network. Our wireless distance was about 20 feet from the WRT320N router. Sometimes when we attempted to connect using wireless we would not see our network in the list of networks that we can connect to. Other networks around the neighborhood were visible. Once connected, the router was unable to maintain any type of load such as wirelessly watching a movie. An internet movie would fail in less than 5 minutes time.
PROS:
The wired connections seemed to work well. Wired router response time was good.
CONS:
The WRT320N ran very hot. We were careful to position the router to receive maximum air flow.
Under ideal conditions, Individual wireless sessions would randomly lose connection.
Under ideal conditions, Wireless connections were difficult to establish.
Under ideal conditions, Wireless connections could not support a consistent load.
SUMMARY:
After many hours of trying to fix connection trouble, we decided to pack it up and return it. We replaced it with a Netgear 3500. Once installed, all of the connection issues vanished. Wireless movie viewing worked without a hitch. Netgear wireless throughput was fast and good.
We were connecting a Vista laptop running a Dlink N adaptor, a MAC laptop and a wired Vista desktop. This home/office configuration previously operated on a Linksys wireless G router. We have been using Linksys routers for several years. When the older G router finally failed, we stayed with the same vendor. We purchased a new Linksys WRT320N. Initially the WRT320N connected and appeared to be much faster and better. A few hours later we started having connection trouble. Our MAC laptop would lose the connection and need to be reconnected using the SSID and the wireless password. Both the MAC and the Vista laptop would separately lose connectivity to the WRT320N network. Our wireless distance was about 20 feet from the WRT320N router. Sometimes when we attempted to connect using wireless we would not see our network in the list of networks that we can connect to. Other networks around the neighborhood were visible. Once connected, the router was unable to maintain any type of load such as wirelessly watching a movie. An internet movie would fail in less than 5 minutes time.
PROS:
The wired connections seemed to work well. Wired router response time was good.
CONS:
The WRT320N ran very hot. We were careful to position the router to receive maximum air flow.
Under ideal conditions, Individual wireless sessions would randomly lose connection.
Under ideal conditions, Wireless connections were difficult to establish.
Under ideal conditions, Wireless connections could not support a consistent load.
SUMMARY:
After many hours of trying to fix connection trouble, we decided to pack it up and return it. We replaced it with a Netgear 3500. Once installed, all of the connection issues vanished. Wireless movie viewing worked without a hitch. Netgear wireless throughput was fast and good.