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The Cisco Linksys Wireless-N Range Extender Bridge (RE1000) is one of the most popular and best performing wireless extenders that our tech experts have tested so far. However, consumers should not expect a complete miracle—most wireless network extenders are pretty useless at distances that exceed 150 feet away from the wireless router. But unlike the other wireless extenders that our tech experts have tested, the Cisco Linksys RE1000 proves that it can still give a steady signal and connection (although one must not expect ultra-fast speeds) even at 150 feet, as long as the user’s network transmits in the 2.4 GHz band.
Design and Specifications
The Cisco Linksys RE1000 comes in the form of a small, rectangular box with a two-prong electrical plug. This extender device has a Wi-Fi Protected Set-up and a reset button on its top panel. There is a Fast Ethernet 10/100 network port on the bottom panel, which serves as a wireless bridge for a wired device. Also visible is the removable panel on the underside of the device, which can be lifted off to reveal a C7 AC power port. Some users might see this one little as a downside to the Cisco Linksys RE1000, though: the extender device only supports the 2.4 GHz band, which is a bit shameful, especially given the numbers of 5 GHz and dual-band routers out there in the market.
Set Up
The Cisco Linksys RE1000 extender device comes with its own set up CD. There are enclosed instructions that will direct users to set up the device. First, the user must set up the extender device close to the computer being used for the installation process, which is required to ensure a strong signal. The Cisco Linksys RE1000 extender device can be moved away from the computer (to your desired location) after the set up process.
As the installation process kicks off, the Cisco software can even discover a newer version of the set up interface (if available). Users will find that setting up the Cisco Linksys RE1000 with a computer that is online a good idea—preferably, the computer must be connected to the wireless network that the users are trying to extend.
The next step in the set up process will have the users plug the extender device into an outlet. The set up software will then search for the Cisco Linksys RE1000. This happens relatively fast—the set up software discovers the extender device, as well as all the names of the wireless networks within proximity. Users should select the network that they want to attach the extender device to. The password required is similar to that of the wireless network that you wish to connect to.
So far, our tech experts agree that the Cisco Linksys RE1000 has the easiest set up process out of the wireless extenders that they have tested. Cisco lives up to its reputation as one of the most respected brands in the world of technology—the software involved in the installation process is user-friendly, efficient, and very, very simple.
Configuration and Features
The Cisco Linksys RE1000 comes with a browser-based utility that can be used for the configuration of the device. The interface of this browser-based utility is remarkably similar in design as in the Cisco Linksys E-Series. Within this interface, the users can get a view of the status of the extender device and important information such as the channel width, the strength and quality of the wireless signal, as well as relevant packet information.
The extender device also features support for some Quality of Service (QoS) functionality. This comes with WMM (wireless multimedia) support for improving the quality of video, voice, and other kinds of network traffic. Also included in the features of the Cisco Linksys RE1000 are diagnostics and the enabling of log files.
Performance
The Cisco Linksys RE1000 has impressed our tech experts, who have used the Ixia IXChariot testing suite to measure the extender device’s throughput at varying distances (50, 75, 100, and 150 feet) away from the router. The tech experts have also tested the throughput of the device right next to the server room where the router is placed in. Aside from measuring the throughput of the extender device, our tech experts have noted how many signal bars the operating system of the wireless client used for testing is reporting—finding out whether it is possible to the connect to the wireless LAN at greater distance and if it is possible to browse the Internet at greater distances.
This Cisco Linksys extender device did not exactly give our tech experts the best throughput figures, but it has allowed our testers to connect to the wireless network successfully and surf the web from 150 feet away from the router. Yes, the surfing was not as fast as we would like it to be, but at least the Cisco Linksys RE1000 stays true to its promise. This seemingly small fact has won our tech experts over, as they have yet to find a wireless extender that truly allowed users to connect to the wireless network 150 feet away from the router.
TheProductSite – Final Verdict: 8/10
Our tech experts believe that the Cisco Linksys RE1000 is a great extender device for those who really want something that would work. Wireless extenders have a bad reputation for having frustrating set up processes and do not exactly offer much in extending the wireless signal. The Cisco Linksys RE1000 is remarkably reliable in this area—and even allows the user to connect to the wireless network even if the computer is 150 feet away from the router.
The Cisco Linksys RE1000 truly extended the wireless signal to 150 feet, but do not get your hopes up in terms of connection speed. However, our tech experts are quick to note that this might be because of the heavy interference in the testing area. Overall, the solid features of the extender device and the simple set-up process makes the Cisco Linksys RE1000 a winner in our book.