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He could not find where earlier firmware versions were available any longer to see if that would make any difference. As I was going through the screens to complete the install, I came to the Log setup screen. That, of course, voids any warranties from the platform manufacturers. Nothing changed, no mail server field, or the other missing ones. I wasted many hours on this router family, and never even got to the VPN issues that others have reported having so much trouble with. Since this was taking place after store hours, it would have to wait until the next day.Before I could replace it, we noticed that the "Up Time" reading kept changing, and I don't mean it was keeping time with the clock. That would have left my client without any internet for a week or more unless I provided a loaner.
He wasn't able to receive a screen shot from me either. The replacement was 103 serial numbers later.I get the replacement back to the customer's network closet to configure while the original one limbered along still providing some connectivity to the company employees. I got the router configured to connect to the internet without much difficulty. I've still had issues with the RV042 routers that I have that Cisco/Linksys never did deal with, ultimately ignoring my email requests for progress reports and fixes.
I had decided that I needed to pick up a replacement router from a different Frys to avoid, as much as possible, getting a defective one from the same batch. The customer called to tell me the Wi-Fi links had dropped several times too. I flashed it to 2.39.2e, then loaded the config file saved from the first one to expedite the conversion. First, I noticed that the log screen was just the same as before, still missing the fields.
It has an option to email the log and a field to enter the email address. I just lived with them being the less of several evils. Cisco/Linksys would give me an RMA to return it and send a replacement, but could not sent the replacement until they received the defective router back. While I'm delighted for those of you that found success with this router, I wouldn't wish it on my worse enemy. Since this is the first router that I can remember that doesn't have a way to view the log locally, you have to email the log and/or have it send to a syslog application at a remote location, which I do have, but most users wouldn't.I contacted Cisco/Linksys support via an online chat. I asked him if having the router not connected to the internet might account for it being so very slow, perhaps trying to do a DNS lookup, but he was sure that would not be the case and advised that I get a different router model altogether.
I offered to let him connect to the router I was setting up, but he said that his group wasn't allow to do that. He assured me that the fields should be there and that he could see them on his screen. He concluded that the router must be defective and I should replace it. The router was brand new, and Frys turns over stock quickly, so I was a little surprised that it seemed to be a version that was 3 years old. 2006. I called the Cisco support in Greenville SC which handles the professional support side of the business.
I was shocked that a group to support routers wasn't allowed to connect to the customer's router. The support tech suggested that I do the upgrade to 2.39.2e, which I did. The "in router" help described this field in detail along with 3 other log fields I didn't have on my screen. It wasn't clear what the 'e' version would do, but the release notes only said something about adding more VPN connections, nothing about any corrections to the firmware. The best router experiences I've had has been with DD-WRT firmware loaded in router platforms that support it.
I still don't know if this router had hardware or firmware problems or both, and whether the issues I faced were isolated to the 2 devices I tried, or whether there is a more systemic problem with this product line. I took the second one back and got an RV042, which I have used in my 2 offices for a couple years, but it doesn't have Wi-Fi, so I had to also buy an additional Wi-Fi Access Point to install. Even clicking one another screen within the router setup would take 3 - 4 minutes to load. Got somebody I believe was in India.
Other entries in the syslog indicated abnormal functions and failures, that even the Cisco support could not explain what they meant. A slightly later version was 2.39.2e, which was about Sept. I install networks for customers and have for years. Looking at the syslog entries, we discovered the router apparently had been rebooting. What it was lacking was any field to enter an email server, so the log could actually be emailed. What kind of support is that. Instead, it seemed to be going backwards or just jumping around each time we check it.
This engineer also concluded that the second router was defective as well. The router had V 2.39.2 and according to the release notes, was dated in early 2006. Like another reviewer, I bought one of these at Frys because I didn't have time to get it shipped to me. We exchanged version info, which I had already checked at Linksys' online support section. I noticed that this router was going extremely slow, taking a very long time to upgrade, and again to load the config file.
I am returning mine to Amazon. I only bought this because it was advertised as the preferred router for setting up a Boingo HotSpot in a Box.Boingo no longer offers that system to new providers so don't waste your money.There are many other wireless routers that do a better job for a lower price. They shouldn't advertise it for a service that is no longer provided.
Alas. Pros: Can't really think of any.
To top it all, they advertise on the cover to run your own wifi-spot with this junk ;) Yea right. Did Cisco/Linksys even bother to do an internal QA on this product.
I'm going to return it anyway, and hoping to get the refund asap :)Cons:1) This router needs constant human supervision to power restart every now and then. Just average.
I bought this router from Frys store(not Amazon) hoping that it would be better than the Belkin router that I already have. What an utter disappointment.
2) Routing functionality doesn't seem to be good either.
The person who tried to install it at my office was a certified IT hardware consultant with over 30 years' experience; after nine billable hours he conceded that he couldn't configure the VPN side, even with the help of Linksys technical support. Don't go near it, IT DOESN'T WORK. Linksys has a well-deserved reputation for solid inexpensive equipment, but this router is a breathtakingly inept piece of junk. Between his time, and pulling my office network down for a day, this misbegotten experiment cost me over $2,000.
Perhaps someone knows somthing their tech folks don't. This is the third router of this model that i've tried, all with setup problems in the wireless/security mode. I'm still trying to find the time to do this added step. I have not checked their Website for help from peers. After numeruos calls to Linksys, the router still will not come up properly in the wireless mode. They are recommending resetting it again, then reinstalling my configuration. I have to admit, they answer their phone and do try to help, but after three hours on the phone, this item seems to have some problems.
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