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"Really BAD!!!"
0.5 starson by KSSetiPros: None, None, None, None
Cons: Wireless Failure, VPN Failure, Tech Support Failure, Linksys FAILURE!!!
Summary: I am a 15 yr professional network administrator. I have worked with a lot of different brands and types of network equipment during that time. Including Cisco and Linksys. I think this is important for you to know. I have an IT staff working for me of 33 people, all college grads, all with varied networking certifications.
I originally bought the Linksys WRV54G for my home to create a simple VPN Tunnel and allow my kids wireless access for their systems.
VPN
The VPN functionality of this router while it can function after a BETA update from Linksys Technical support, it doesn't function well. Previous to the Firmware update the VPN Tunnels do not function properly.
After the update the VPN Tunnels fail about every 10-15 minutes because of some issue with the firmware. I played with the settings and had three of my staff experiment as well in a totally different environment. We determined that regardless of the setup VPN tunnels will fail at a random interval.
Therefore, as a VPN router I cannot suggest the WRV54G.
Wireless
This is where Linksys fails in the greatest sense of the word!
The WRV54G previous to the Beta update and post does not function properly.
The WRV54G requires a soft or hard reboot every 30 minutes - 2 hours. Symptoms are low speed leading to reduced signal and finally complete wireless failure requiring reboot of the WRV54G.
The wired portion of the router will continue to function when the wireless function fails. This is good because it saves you from having to walk across the house or building every half an hour.
Bugs, Bugs and Bugs
The firmware provided by Linksys Technical support and the version which ships with the WRV54G are buggy to say the least.
The easiest bug to identify is on the primary page when you login to the web interface. When you set a static IP for the WRV54G only wired clients will see the proper information on that page. Wireless clients will always see that the IP is dynamic.
There are so many little quirks and oddities I cannot list them all, but believe me... BUGS!
Techinical Support
Linksys technical support for the WRV54G is provided by live web and phone.
Both are handled by what I believe to be Indians. Their English skills are fair to poor.
That aside, they are not being given the tools by Linksys to support their customers.
Linksys is not providing ETA on fixes or temporary solutions to the problems I have explained.
I cannot suggest Linksys technical support as a solution provider should you encounter trouble with your WRV54G.
Testing
I had 3 of my staff and myself test the WRV54G over a period of 1 week. We tested wireless, VPN, wired, firewall, interface and more.
We came to the conclusion that the WRV54G was rushed to market and is not a functioning piece of equipment out of the box.
Conclusion
Do not purchase the WRV54G.
- 5 replies to this review
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I purchased two WRV54G's to set up a VPN between home and office.<br><br>The units were purchased 2 yrs ago. They have never worked and probably never will.<br><br>I use them as a ordinary router (no VPN).<br><br>Linksys tech support was really bad. After many, many frustrating hours of talking to a tech in India who is reading from a script, I finally got to level 2 support, then level 3 support and level 3 supervisor. Not only could they not make my vpn work, level three and the supervisor just stopped calling me back.<br><br>They did offer to take the product back, but considering shipping etc... I just use them as expensive routers, (hard wire only).<br><br>Does anyone know of a product that actually works and can be set up by the advanced end user?
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I bought 2 to enable a VPN between local offices. To get two devices to work out of the box, I had to go though 5 routers. 2 of the routers failed out of the box with total DOA no power. These are the first Linksys routers I've seen with power switches on the front and it would seem that they DO NOT WORK!.<br><br>After a LOT of tweaking I was able to get the VPN working between the sites and it is VERY fast and responsive. The Citrix sessions are as fast over the VPN as they are at the main site!<br><br>Disclaimer - I'm NOT using the wireless functionallity at ether site.
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What firmware version are you using? All the issues you bring to table here are totally foreign to me and my WRV54G! I am running firmware version 2.37 and have no problem with the 5 tunnels available. (I understand that in order to move up to 50 tunnels you have to purchase the extra upgrade). Compared to any of the wrt's, my WRV54G delivers better performance/throughput on both wired and wireless connections.<br><br>I agree that this product does not lend itself to enterprise level deployment, but that is not what the pricepoint suggests. The WRV54G Router and VPN upgrade will cost around $240. Now, if you want to deliver enterprise VPN service, I would suggest a slightly higher investment. For examples (and there are many other candidates out there) Firebox SOHO 6tc (http://www.watchguard.com/products/fireboxsoho6tc.asp)<br>or Zyxel ZyWALL productline (http://www.zyxel.com/product/model.php?indexcate=1073271397&indexcate1=1085450410&indexFlagvalue=1021873683)<br>These run between $400 to $900 and have decent support.<br><br>Bottomline on most homeoffice equipment, is support is semi to totally absent.
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I am also a Network Admin, and was forced to install wireless instead of my secure, stable wired router. I updated the firmware on my Linksys BEFSR81 router, and now all I have is a red diag light on continously. Meaning it is useless. I need a router with security and also VPN functions. I hope KSSETI is reading this because I am desperate! Thanks for the informative post!<br>CherylK
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VPN still does not work<br>Support is pathetic<br>I knew better than to buy Linksys but I won't get burned again.
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