Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G

Even though that Linksys has not tested this expander with their new WRT160N Wireless "G" and "N" router I found that is is possible to work to extend the signal 50 feet or more. Previously I was getting only one bar of signal at 45 feet but now I have 5 bars.I gave the item 5 stars for Performance of the unit and 5 Stars for Amazon's customer service who replaced the first and according to Linksys Tech support, defective unit, and they shipped it 2nd day air. I give Linksys Tech support 4 stars for getting me up and running. I subtracted one star because the first tech did not recognize the first unit was defective as it has two blue lights (about which more below) but did not increase the signal level. I give the documentation and CD-ROM that came with the Linksys expander 0 (ZERO) stars as it is worthless. Even though I am an engineer and familiar with networking I had to call Tech Support to get running as the CD-ROM could not even find my router that I knew was working correctly as I had just received 29 emails by wireless.My setup procedure was as follows:To set this up with the WRT610N Cisco (Linksys) wireless router in Microsoft's Windows you'll need two Ethernet cords and the patience of Job.On the wireless router plug one Ethernet cord into jack #2 which will go to your desktop or main computer (my base computer is a laptop set up like a desktop with external keyboard and mouse and additional hard drives for storage and backup) and the other Ethernet cord into any one of the other jacks which will go to the Extender. I recommend that you setup your distant computer (if this is a separate unit----my two are) and have it in contact with your router, albeit at one bar of signal. This latter point will allow you to tell if the extender is actually working. You can't assume that two blue lights are an indication the unit IS working---only an improvement of the signal level will do that.First, setup the extender close by your router and main computer and plug it in to power (not yet into the router with the Ethernet cord). Plug the router from jack 2 into the main computer Ethernet jack. In your web browser (I use Firefox and since I have Windows I also have Internet Explorer----I used both in the setup but you can use the same one but I recommend two separate windows so you can see the settings of both the router and the extender at the same time) in the space for the address type 192.168.1.1 (the address of the router). A window will appear. You want to go to the Wireless tab and under that to the Wireless Security tab. From the drop down menu for security (it probably reads WEP when first reaching this window)select "Disable." Do this Also, on drop down menus for both frequencies. Select "G" Only (as far as I know this extender will not work on the higher "N" frequency). Click "Save Settings" at the bottom of the screen. A separate window with a confirmation appears----click "Continue."Next, plug the extender into the router with the second Ethernet cord with the power on. At this point the one light on the extender will be blue and the other red. In a second browser window type in the address space 192.168.1.240 (the address of the extender). You'll get another window. The important part is that the SSID in both the router and extender have the same name---say, Home Wireless. Check to see that the security on the expander is disabled. Click "Save Settings" and a window will appear "Rebooting." Both lights on the extender should now go blue. If they do go to the next step.Unplug and take the extender midway between the router and the remote computer and plug it into power. Hopefully, both lights come on blue. If they do check the remote computer to see if the signal has improved. If it has you're almost done.Take the extender back to the main computer area and plug it in to the power and the Ethernet cord to the router. Go to the browser and access the extender again (192.168.1.240). On the screen for security WEP and 64 bit from the drop down menus. In Key 1 type in a 10 digit number you'll remember---your phone number is good (without the hyphens------1234567890). Save Settings. A window appears and says Rebooting and the lights turn to red and blue---you've lost the connection until you set the router to the same settings.Go to the second Browser window and access the router (192.168.1.1) and set the security to WEP, 64 bit, key 1: 1234567890. Make sure that the TX key (1 is recommended to get the best range)is the same for both the router "Save Settings" at which point the extender 2 lights should both go blue. If they do move the extender to the position to extend your range and plug it in to power. At this point you can also unplug the router from the Ethernet port of the main computer. If both lights are blue on the extender in the desired location check to see you have improved signal on your remote computer. If you do you're done. If you don't, call Tech Support!I downloaded and printed 36 pages of reviews from this website which were helpful but because the first unit was defective even with 2 blue lights and the 2nd CD-ROM could not find my router, I called Tech support. You'll need the model number and serial number of both the router and expander if you call. Allow about 1 hour for the call and be ready to get accustomed to an unfamiliar accent. I suggest a portable telephone so you can be in constant communication with Tech Support when moving the expander and checking the signal on your remote computer

First of all I want to say that when the repeater is setup and working, it works great. It really expands the range of your wireless network without having to buy additional AP's or stronger antennas. If however you are running security on your network, dont even bother reading the instructions. Follow the steps in the reviews here from others that have set it up and got it working.I got the wifi repeated to expand the range of my buisness router which is a Cisco 871 Intergrated services router. I was not entirely sure if it would work or not but decided to give it a try. If it can work with the cheaper Linksys then why not with the higher end buisness routers.I ran into multiple problems and I will explain them and tell the solution's that worked for me.1. Before even opening the device and taking it out of the box, make sure that your wireless network meets these conditions.a). you are not using any security. If you are then turn it off for now.b). If you are not broadcasting your SSId that you want the repeated to expand, you must turn on broadcasting of the ssid.If you do not do those steps then you might as well just send the unit back because it will not work.2. Make sure the device you will be configuring it with is connected to the wireless network you will be expanding. plug the provided cat5 cable from the repeated to your existing wireless router. Turn on the repeater. Make sure the network you are plugging it into is the same network as the wireless network it will be repeating.Many have said that it will pick up 192.168.1.240 but that is for the most of you that used the default network. In my case it is on an entirely different network and DHCP gave it an address. I just logged into my 871 router and saw that address it got to.3. Make sure that you can of course ping that address. Copy the address and put it into a web browser. Log in using a blank username and admin for the password. Once logged in make sure that the default IP, subnet mask and gateway are correct that matches the network this will be used on. Go ahead and change the password of the repeater.4. Go ahead and setup your wireless security as it will be the way you want it set up on your router. You must change the ssid or security key first but not at the same time before saving. If not then just the first setting changed will change and the other will not. Each change the device will reset automatically. It does not take long for it to reboot.5. Once you have setup the wireless the way you want to and have saved. UNPLUG the cat5 cable going from repeater to router. If you do not when the repeater comes back up because it is connected both ways(Cat5 and Wireless) you will get an ip address conflict and will need to reboot the repeater again. Once the repeater comes up both lights should be blue and all should be good.6. If not log back into the repeater via web browser and make sure all the settings saved. Also log into your wireless router and make sure the repeater is connected to it.All in all it was frustrating and took me about an hour to get it up and running and I have been in computer networking for about 10 years now. There should be options when running the setup wizard if your network is/is not secure, if/if not the ssid is broadcasting, etc so it can find it without you having to change your entire wireless setup back and forth. It would save a lot of time and headaches.Also another note is make sure that the channel matches what your router is. In my case it was not and I had to match the repeater channel which was by default 8, to 11 which is what my wireless was on. I hope that this helps some of you.