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Linksys WRT600N Linksys Ultra RangePlus Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router with Storage Link | 
 enlarge | Brand: Linksys
Category: CE
List Price: $199.99
Buy Refurbished: $112.99
You Save: $87.00 (44%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  95 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 11.3 x 9.7 x 3.3
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: WRT600N
Model: WRT600N
UPC: 745883573134
EAN: 0745883573134
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Internet-sharing Router and 4-port Gigabit Switch, with a built-in, dual-band, speed and range enhanced Wireless Access Point | | • | Two simultaneous, separate, radio bands double your available bandwidth | | • | MIMO technology uses multiple radios per band to create robust signals for maximum range and speed, with reduced dead spots | | • | Connect a hard drive or flash-based USB storage device to allow access to your music, video, or data files from within your network, or through the Internet | | • | Advanced wireless security and SPI firewall for protection from Internet attacks |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router is really four devices in one. There's the dual-band Wireless Access Point, which lets you connect to the network without wires. There's also a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100/1000 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices together at up to gigabit speeds. The Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection. There is also a Storage Link that lets you easily add gigabytes of storage space onto your network using readily available USB 2.0 hard drives or plug in a USB flash disk for a convenient way to access your portable data files. The built-in Media Server streams music, video, and photos from the attached storage device to any UPnP compatible media adapter. The Access Point built into the Router uses a dual-band version of the very latest wireless networking technology, Wireless-N (draft 802.11n). By overlaying the signals of multiple radios for each band, Wireless-N's Multiple In, Multiple Out (MIMO) technology multiplies the effective data rate. Unlike ordinary wireless networking technologies that are confused by signal reflections, MIMO actually uses these reflections to increase its range and reduce Dead Spots in the wireless coverage area. To help protect your data and privacy, the Router can encode all wireless transmissions with industrial-strength 256-bit encryption. Security features - WEP - WPA - WPA2 Security key bits - Up to 256-bit encryption System Requirements - Internet Explorer 6.0 or Firefox 1.0, CD-ROM drive, Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP and Vista, and Network Adapter Dimensions - 7.48 x 5.71 x 7.01 (190x145x178mm) Weight - 1.51 pounds (683 grams)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 90 more reviews...
 Excellent - range, speed, secure and easy November 17, 2007
77 out of 82 found this review helpful
We want a router that covers the whole house, that is fast, and secure since my wife and I both access business information from home. I used to use 2 802.11b AP but still not satisfied and added power-line Ethernet
for the 6 computers we have. Selected WRT600N based on the reviews for range and 5.8GHz 802.11n.
I am very happy with the router that offers long range, good bandwidth and security. It is easy to set up after the initial confusion. Tech Support was helpful but could be better.
The 5.8GHz 802.11a radio is fast and cover the whole house (good size) with at least 2 bars. The 2.4GHz 802.11b/g radio covers the whole house with 5 bars. Both delivers good bandwidth to all 3 floors. On-line gaming is good :-)
My router came configured so EasyLink Advisor could not find it. I consider this a bug. Tech Support told me to connect the router to PC via wire and go to 192.168.1.1 with a browser, login (user name and password are on page 5 of the user guide) then it is easy from there. Here is a quick guide for wireless.
Tech Support wanted me to use WEP for security, I had to tell him I want WPA2 twice since WEP is unacceptable. He did warm me about bandwidth drop, but I only have a 3Mbps fiber connection at home so it is not a concern.
I could not get Tech Support to give me the user manual, it is available here http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_CASupport_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1175237935014&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=3501429063B390&displaypage=nodata#versiondetail
The box came with EasyLink Advisor version 1.0. I was concerned with all the not-so-positive reviews about version 1.0 with WRT3xx. Downloaded version 1.6 but I did not need it.
Linksys might consider using screen shots with higher resolution for the user guide.
Your Tags: wireless router
 crashes December 31, 2007
41 out of 54 found this review helpful
I have both Linkys WRT300N Linksys WRT300N Wireless-N Broadband Router and this WRT600N. Unlike 300N, this is a dual-band wireless router. Apparently, 5GHz does help in term of speed. 600N is about 50% faster than 300N, in 5GHz. The problem is, it crashes too often.
Every time, when I transfer a 700MB file, it crashes the router (about 500MB copied). I have to reconnect. WRT300N works much more reliable, although a bit slower.
Not recommended. WRT600N not a mature product as of Feb 2008 February 19, 2008
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
I am finally getting around to posting this review. I see that more recent users have been having good experiences with this product so I am considering giving it another try.
This review was originally drafted in Feb 2008 as I was preparing to return my second WRT600N with no intentions of getting a third.
Recommendation: after attempting to get two WRT600N's to work, I have come to a personal conclusion that the product is not mature and needs much more work. I applaud and am envious of others who have been able to make it work.
Review Synopsis: my first WRT600N failed to establish a connection with multiple laptops and an Xbox 360. After two hours with Linksys technical support, they recommended I return the router for replacement. Second router connected routinely, but every 10 - 20 minutes would drop the wireless connection on the 2.4 GHz signal. Returning it as well.
Full Review: I had been using a WRT54G v3 successfully for about three years now. Why replace it you ask? A few reasons:
1.I connect my Xbox 360 to a computer in my office via Media Extender. Because it is wireless from the router to the Xbox (linear distance is about 10 feet but through two glass windows), navigation of Windows Media Center on the Xbox has quite a bit of lag.
2.I live in a high rise condo... as you can imagine, the 2.4 GHz spectrum is crowded contributing to reason number 1, above.
3.I have many wireless devices connecting to my router at any one time: Xbox, Tivo HD, and up to three laptops.
4.Lately, the router will all of a sudden lose connection to the internet. This happens about once every three to four months. No amount of power cycling or refreshing of IP addresses on the Administration tab will re-establish the connection. The only solution I have found is to reset the router to factory defaults and then re-enter my settings. I have confirmed that I have the latest firmware.
After reading some favorable reviews of the WRT600N on CNET, Laptop Magazine, and other publications (I know... I know), the router seemed a solution that would fit my environment. Also, it offers the built-in USB port to which one could attach an external USB HDD for a nifty Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution.
First WRT600N: got the first one. Opened it up and boy it sure looked purdy. Followed the setup instructions to a "T" using the EasyLink Advisor software that came on an installation CD. Since I was transitioning from a Linksys product, the EasyLink software detected my existing router and led me through the steps of replacing my WRT54G with the WRT600N. There were clear pictures and the software even transferred the settings from my WRT54G to the WRT600N. The only thing it did not transfer were the MAC addresses of all the computers I had on my network.
When it came time to test the internet connection, the router could not get an IP address from the modem. The EasyLink software kept putting me in an endless loop where it checked for the internet connection, could not find one and the only assistance it gave was to go back one step (Back button was the only step available) to test it again. No hints on how to resolve the issue.
However, after a few power cycles, the router finally got an IP address and I was connected to the internet via a wired connection. I got my Gigabit Ethernet signal indication on my computer. This is where the success of the first router came to an end.
I wanted the following configuration on my router; the 5 GHz radio for the Xbox and maybe my one laptop. All other devices on the 2.4 GHz radio. I was able to connect my Xbox to the 5 GHz broadcast at first, but the signal was extremely weak ; one red bar. By comparison, the WRT54G maintains between 3 and 4 bars (out of four). The laptops connected to the 2.4 GHz signal a little easier and with better signal strength as compared to the Xbox, but showed dramatically fluctuating signal strength (50% - 85%) as soon as I took the laptops more than 15 feet away from the router. I live in a 2BR condo, total sq ft around 1100, so distance from the router should not be a factor.
I tried all combinations of settings before calling tech support. 5 GHz on mixed, then A only. 2.4 GHz on mixed, but 20 MHz bandwidth instead of 40. Mixed on all. Specified channels instead of Auto. Advanced tweaks discovered via some user forums. Nada worked. Called Linksys tech on the 24 x 7 line. No support was available until the next morning at 8 am. So much for 24 x 7. Next morning, after 2.5 hrs on the phone with Linksys tech support and failed firmware upgrade attempts, they recommended I return the router.
Second WRT600N: setup was a little more difficult with this one as the EasyLink software froze. Had to end it, reboot and restart. Same issue with not being able to get an initial internet connection as the first router. Several power cycles, resetting of the router etc. until I finally got an IP address from Cox Cable.
Now, on this second unit the wireless connections went easily and flawlessly. Connected the Xbox 360 on mixed mode on 5 G Hz with Auto setting for bandwidth. Smoother response and much less lag using Windows Media Center connected via Media Extender to my computer. Signal strength somewhere between 60 - 80%. All other wireless devices connected via "g" on the 2.4 GHz frequency. I was happy... until.
15 minutes into this, all 2.4 GHz devices dropped their signal at the same time for about 15 seconds, then came back on. Hmm. The Xbox stayed connected on 5 GHz. Again, 10 - 15 minutes later, another dropped wireless connection; this time all devices lose signal for about 10 seconds.
More tweaks,another call to tech support.
NOW, HERE IS THE CLINCHER that is making me return the second router and not giving a third attempt at this. When I talked to the tech support line, their first recommendation was to disable the 5 GHz radio! What?! Why? Yes, I know what they were trying to assess... are the radios interfering? Ok, so let's say they do... what's the point in having a dual radio router??? I told them that disabling was not a solution for a router marketed as having two radios intended for simultaneous operations. I asked if it was their intention that I operate the router only on the 2.4 GHz radio. They said, well, if that fixes your signal dropping problem, then yes. That's when I told them I might as well return the product. They tried to dissuade me from doing so and insisted that I turn off the 5 GHz radio, "just to see... ". Ok. Done. They told me to leave it that way for a few hours and call them back if it dropped. I asked, "What if it does not drop? Is it Linksys' recommendation that I operate only one radio?" The support person backed away from that and she did not want to give a definitive response. After pressing, I finally got her to reveal that there are issues with the dual radios and that the standard recommendation is to disable one of them.
Now I know that I could attempt to flash the WRT600N with third party firmware from [...] which some reviewers have done successfully and have said it fixes their issues, but I am of the belief that the manufacturer should make products that work. I am afraid to brick the product by doing something I am not experienced at so...
Time for a refund and kiss the WRT600N goodbye. I'm looking forward to the D-Link DIR-855.
Some equipment notes:
-Xbox 360 using Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter that supports 802.11abg
-Thinkpad T42 with Thinkpad 11 a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter (Atheros OEM), Vista 32-bit
-Thinkpad T61p with Thinkpad 11 a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter (Atheros OEM), Vista 32-bit
-Dell Latitude D620 with Dell Wireless 1490 Dual Band WLAN Mini-Card, XP 32-bit
First router: S/N MNR008107370, manufactured 1/2008
Second router: S/N MNR008107361, manufactured 1/2008
Both routers came with firmware version 1.01.35 Build 5. The latest version on the Linksys support site was Build 3. I told the first tech support person who wanted me to install the Build 3 firmware of this inconsistency, but she said it does not matter... try anyway. The firmware upgrade failed on the first router. I don't know if it made a difference.
About me: though not a networking specialist or technician, I consider myself a relatively competent and experienced user of technology, installing and setting up my own equipment (which basically means I read instructions and figure things out with a bit of internet research when I run into problems).
 Not up to the hype November 24, 2007
24 out of 33 found this review helpful
I recently purchased the WRT600N N-series to replace a D-link g-series wireless router. I wanted a Cisco product (quality) to avoid the random connection issues I had experienced with prior products. This WRT600N has both 2.4 and 5GHZ bands to operate simultaneously. I also purchased the WPC600N notebook adapter that was specifically designed to work with the router. My wife and I depend on a strong signal so we can actually do work and not play wireless connection debug. I am running Vista and she has XP. I specifically went for the 5GHz product, which I expected to have a greater signal strength farther from the router.
Impressions:
1)The 5GHz signal is weaker than the 2.4Ghz signal far from the router where it is supposed to be stronger.
2) The router install program did not work. Just use 192.168.1.1 directly to configure it.
3) I don't feel it was worth the extra expense since the 5ghz signal is NOT stronger.
Recommendation: By a 2.4 GHz product and use the wireless adapters built into your laptop.
 Good router but may be too many features to be useful February 8, 2008
23 out of 26 found this review helpful
Purchased because needed extended range to reach a computer in my basement (3 floors down from my router) and I wanted to get a gigabit router. I also liked the storage link function. Overall, the router performs great. I don't get the blazing speeds in the basement, but I do get connection where my old G router did not quite make it there. I also believe that moving my router may also increase performance. Setup was very easy moving from one linksys router to another, however I would say that the wizard doesn't do everything it should...
I also like the interface (with the exception of storage link noted below) and it is VERY easy to set up. I use a VoIP phone and it was simple to set up the phone for QoS and that has worked flawlessly. (Another big reason for purchasing the phone.) You can set QoS by MAC address, IP address, ports, etc. Very few people use this function and you definitely should.
I'm disappointed with the storage link. I'm familiar with technology and disk management and I have yet to figure out the Storage Link interface. There is NO documentation with the unit, and very little on this feature online. I know that if I spend some time with it, I will be able to find instructions, but a SimpleShare device I purchased a few years ago didn't require reading manuals (yuck!).
I am also disappointed that, at the time of purchase, only notebook cards were supported with the dual radios. I don't know if this would have increased my range (don't think so) so for now, I think I would purchase the less expensive non UltraRange version of this with only the one radio.
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