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F E A T U R E

WaveBase: A Gateway to Wireless Heaven

October 29, 2001
By Dave Molta

Linksys EtherFast Wireless AP and Cable/DSL Router with Print Server (BEFW11P1); Linksys EtherFast Wireless AP and Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch (BEFW11s4)

Linksys is a leading player not only in the SOHO networking space but also in the development of gateway products. The company submitted two products for our tests, and while they look very similar in their distinctive purple and black housings and share certain user interface characteristics, they are built on different hardware designs. The BEFW11S4 is based on a unique hardware model, but it didn't take us long to discover that the BEFW11P1's hardware design was nearly identical to that of the MaxGate and Proxim products. The BEFW11S4's and the BEFW11P1's Web management interfaces and software capabilities vary somewhat.

The two offerings have several notable hardware differences. The BEFW11P1 uses a PC Card radio interface, while the BEFW11S4 has an integrated radio with modular antenna connectors. Also, the BEFW11P1 has a built-in parallel print server. Finally, while the BEFW11S4 has an integrated four-port 10/100 Ethernet switch, the BEFW11P1, like the Proxim and MaxGate gateways, includes only a single Ethernet port for the local network. That's a significant differentiator if you're using the gateway in a mixed Ethernet/wireless environment.

While both Linksys units are priced identically, other significant differences in features and functionality separate the products. The BEFW11P1 scored slightly better on most of our evaluation criteria, including performance. The only notable exception was range.

During our testing, we experienced failures with the BEFW11S4 devices. They would work properly for a short time, then fail to respond. Our first encounter with this problem was when the product was initially released. Then, for this review, we had three more units fail. The most recent replacement unit shipped by Linksys worked without problems. People at Linksys were at a loss to explain these failures. They cited a return rate of less than 1 percent on this product and provided assurances that 24x7 coverage is available on all their products.

If Linksys combined the capabilities of these two products and improved performance and range, it could have a winning offering.

EtherFast Wireless AP and Cable/DSL Router with 4 Port Switch and EtherFast Wireless AP and Cable/DSL Router with Print Server, $299 (each). Available: Now. Linksys, (949) 261-1288, (800) 546-5797; fax (949) 261-8868. www.linksys.com