We named our BEFSR81 "Linky".

The Linksys BEFSRR81 Cable/DSL Router is a great idea. Basically, when you have a cable modem or DSL connection...you can only have 1 IP address. This means only one computer can be connected to the Internet at one time.

Well, Linky to the rescue! Linky takes the single IP address and pretends to be your computer. It also hands out IP addresses (DHCP) to up 253 computers so they can all surf. In layman's terms, Linky acts as a traslator between all the computers and your Internet Service Provider. Your ISP only sees 1 computer (Linky), but you can have many connected.

In the package you will find Linky, a power supply, a CD with help utilities, and a user guide. When you buy Linky, be sure to keep your receipt! In order to connect other computers, you will need a CAT5 Ethernet cable for each one.

Linky has space for up to 8 computers to connect directly to the router. If you need more, you'd have to purchase a hub or switch to connect up to the router.

Linky is a small box and does not require much extra space. (approximately 6" x 5" 1.5") The router is very quiet and uses little power.

Setting up Linky is a piece of cake. I've done it numerous times for both myself and friends. You can just follow the instructions in the book and configure it via web interface (Internet Explorer or Netscape).

One key feature is the ability to clone a MAC address. Many Internet service providers limit your access by only allowing the original computer you connected to get an IP address from them. Your network card has a finger print so to speak which is called a MAC address. They check the finger print and if it matches then they allow you to use the connection. If you have multiple computers this a problem unless you have Linky or another brand of router. You can configure Linky to pretend it has your computer's MAC address (clone).

Linky has extra firewall capabilities and QoS packet filtering for all the geeks out there. Linky also works with PPoE connections. The router uses NAT (Network Address translation) which gives you an extra amount of safety on the Internet.

LinkSys offers 24 hour technical support. My 6 month old Linky died last week and I called support at about 1am in the morning. They answered in about 25 minutes. After some troubleshooting, the tech confirmed that Linky needed to be replaced and that the router was under warranty. However LinkSys' RMA department would not replace it because I did not save the receipt. That is a big problem for me. I work with many hardware companies at my job and none has ever required more than a serial number to replace a defective product.

This is my 3rd LinksSys Router product to fail and because of this I have my concerns about reliability of the product. I've opted to purchase an SMC Router with similar capabilities and pricing. I'll review that in a few weeks.

Bottom line - Easy to use, fast, quiet, excellent idea...but questionable reliability.

I can not fully recommend the product, but I'm sure as long as it works...it will fulfill your routing needs.