Easy Home Networking

So, you just got DSL or cable, have a couple PCs in the household and want to share Internet access? This box makes it a cinch.

Originally, before I purchased this router, I had a home network (consisting of a Win2k box, a Win98 box, and a DEC Alpha running RedHat Linux), and I had the Windows 2000 machine set up as a server. At least I tried to have it set up as a server. I'm pretty proficient with PCs but for the life of me I couldn't get the darn things to share the cable connection. I tried WinGate, Nat32, you name it...nothing would work. My annoyance was further compounded by the fact that I had to run firewalls on all of them. What a headache! I saw an ad for the Linksys (model#BEFSR41) at CompUSA for $80. I rushed to the store. Unfortunately I ended up paying $100, but in hindsight it was worth it.

The installation of this product is simple. Make sure you have a network card and cable for each PC, then plug 'em all in. Set each PC up to use DHCP (BTW, this router is a DHCP server - the epinions description is wrong). If you're not technologically minded and have no clue what I'm saying, have no fear...excellent instructions are included (even a CD with videos on it to walk you through!). Anyway, plug in your cable modem and you're all set! (DSL users, who sometimes use something called PPPOE, might need a couple more stops, but the instructions will help you along with that)

The one configuration thing you MUST DO is change the router's password. You don't want a cracker breaking in...trust me, they do. Instructions will help you along with that as well.

This router works great. There's a firewall that keeps the crackers out of your system, but still allows all your messenger, music sharing programs etc to run. I have had no problem running games as well, I've never had to even touch the configuration (although there is an option, called DMZ, that will allow your machine full access to the Internet if you are having trouble with an online game).