The Linksys Befw11S4 is a cheap and easy way to set up an access point. The unit has external antenna connectors (RP-TNC) and a 4 port switch. This would allow you (although I have not tried it my self) to hook up other access points (LinksysWap11?) to create separate wireless networks for your home use and for SeattleWireless. The unit is easily configurable using any web browser and can be set up in under 5 minutes.
I have mine set to use 10.10.10.x. I plan on adding an OmniDirectionalAntenna soon to increase the range.
Review of the Linksys BEFW11S4
This is the etherfast wireless access point + Cable / DSL router with 4 port switch.
This unit is very easy to add an external antenna to using a Reverse Polarity TNC connector. However it will be on little or no use to the Seattle wireless project or any other wireless project as it is limited to 253 IP's. This is hardcoded in and according to Linksys will not be changed in any future firmware updates. The IP scheme must obey the 192.168.1.X scheme as the subnet is confined to 255.255.255.0. My humble opinion on the product is that unless you are planning a home network with no site to site or site to multi site links this would make a fine AP. In any other situation it is a worthless pile of plastic!
This review brought to you by,
Jeff Nye
&
Luke Jenkins
The address limitations cited in the previous review are not true. The BEFW11S4 can use any /24 (or smaller) address space as the local network. Yes, this does limit it to 253 clients (256 minus network, broadcast, and router addresses). The device has an actual routing table and supports both static and dynamic (RIP1, RIP2) routes. Unfortunately, it does not consider the LAN and the two antennas separate interfaces for purposes of routing. The routing mechanism has a WAN port (RJ45, for DSL and such), and 802.11b antennae + 4-port switch as its two interfaces. Communication between the two antennae and the LAN is essentially in the form of a bridge. I'm not sure if it is possible to make a point-to-point link using two of these, but it should be fine for point-to-multipoint or as a client cell.
Note that mine was purchased July 12, 2001 and has firmware dated May 30, 2001 (version 1.37.2b), and that the previous review may be with an older firmware version. The latest firmware is dated June 21, 2001 (version 1.37.9b).
Update: I've just flashed the latest firmware and it includes some options to tweak the wireless connection. I am not familiar with some of the terminology, so I don't know what all of these options do, but here's the list of new options in the 1.37.9b firmware:
- Beacon Interval (units: ms, default: 100)
- RTS Threshold (range: 256-2432, default: 2432)
- Fragmentation Threshold (range: 256-2346, default: 2346)
- DTIM Interval (range: 1-65535, default: 3)
- Basic Rates (units: Mbps, options: 1-2/1-2-5.5-11, default: 1-2)
- TX Rates (units: Mbps, options: 1-2/1-2-5.5-11, default: 1-2-5.5-11)
- Preamble Type (options: short/long, default: long)
- Authentication Type (options: Open System/Shared Key/Both, default: Both)
I can guess what most of these are, but could someone explain the RTS Threshold, Fragmentation Threshold, DTIM Interval, and why there are separate "Basic Rates" and "TX Rates"?
Note: Save yourself time and stress... turn off Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) in your operating system's TCP/IP stack before attempting to connect to this device's web interface. In Linux type echo 0 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_ecn to turn off this feature. Other Linksys devices will probably require this mod as well.
Note the Linksys has released version 1.4f(?) firmware for the WAP11 (version without the 4 port switch) that allows point-to-point WAP11 connections in the form of a Bridge. Not sure if many of the other limitations have been lifted. -Michael
I had never seen a reverse TNC antenna connector before and I figured it was a Linksys attempt at propriety. If it helps anyone, I figured out how to make an adapter to a reverse TNC, or at least a reverse TNC to put on the end of a coax. Radio Shack sells a push on TNC quick connect adapter. stock #278-133 It is 99 cents and closeout--so you might have to hunt around. It is what you think, a male TNC to a push on female. What I did was to take a thin screwdriver and a hammer and knocked the center pin out. Then I basicly turned the pin around and stuck it back in. It won't fit perfectly, but it's nothing a little hot glue or epoxy won't fix. You could solder the center conductor of your RG-58 to the centerpin before sticking it back into the adapter, then fill the rest of it with hot glue. Might not look pretty, but it will save voiding the warrenty on a $220 access point! -Scott, Newbie to this whole thing. Mainly reading other peoples posts and information gathering right now. Made an antenna out of an old DSS dish..looks beautiful but I haven't tried it yet. ric0123@hotmail.com
Well, in my never ending job of sticking my foot in my mouth, I found someone on ebay selling RP Tnc connectors. If you don't enjoy the fun of making your own. you can just look here http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1285257457 By the way, I don't know this person nor have I delt with them.
UPDATE: The above e-bay link no longer seems to be valid. I have ordered RP-TNC connectors from http://www.rfparts.com and was very satisfied with their service and pricing. Here's a link to their reverse-polarity product page: http://www.rfparts.com/connectors.html#Reverse
A quick note on RP-TNC (reverse polarity) cohhhnnectors:
These connectors are apparently the result of demands by the FCC and other national regulatory bodies to limit the scope for people to increase the radiated power of wireless units. Approaching the problem from the angle of "security through obscurity" they came up with the rather silly RP-TNC connector (which is simply an inversion of the standard TNC connector). They are awquard to find and expensive to buy. Rather than using a converter (which will unnecessarily increase loss), the solution I adopted when modifying a Linksys WAP11 was simply to buy an N-type connector and an MCX connector with free ended lead. (the wap11 has an MCX antenna socket inside it). Incredibly this pushed me just over the threshold - I'm now able to get 11Mbs between 2 APs in bridge mode at a distance of 2.5 miles without full radio line-of-sight. (previously I got a shakey 5.5MBs). The moral is this - cut your losses wherever you can - It all adds up!
"Roddy." <next_time_gadget@hotmail.com>
I'm curious about the version 2 of the Linksys BEFW11S4. It has a completely different design than the version 1. Does anyone have comments about the version 2 and how it differs from version 1?
Chris Murphy
I've owned both. Bought ver 1 when it first came out (along with ver 1 of their wireless PCMCIA adapter). They were TERRIBLE. Couldn't take them back (Circuit City at that time wanted to charge a restocking fee of $70, to return a piece of "working" equipment). Beat myself up for 13 months with Linksys Tech Supp having me flash the firmware several times, to no avail. Range was only 30 feet thru one concrete block wall in my house into my back yard. Couldn't even connect in my dining room 25 feet away and on a level 5 stairs higher than the router (no matter how the equipment and antennas were oriented).
This story has a happy ending, though. After 13 months, Circuit City began advertising their free return policy on recently purchased goods. I called them and finally found someone sympathetic who listened to my whole story (backed up by several pages of user reviews with the same experiences). They allowed me to exchange the ver 1 router & card for a ver 2 router & ver 3 card. I'm quite pleased with the higher power output of the ver 2 router & the improvements to both devices. I can now use my wireless anywhere in my house or in my yard. I'm writing this response on the wireless laptop right now!
randy_havener at hotmail dot com
I bought a Linksys BEFW11S4 Router. Now it's on the way to the Netherlands, to Linksys. It's broken. I hope to get a new one.
Denis Hierholzer dehi at gmx dot de
This page may finally explain the trouble I've been having. I was planning to set up a link to my BEFW11S4 ver.1 from a client site just under 1 mile away using store-bought 24 dBi grid at both ends. The information here seems to imply that I'm wasting my time given the weak signal of version1 of the BEFW11S4. I know the client side will not be an issue as I'm already using it (Linksys WET 11 bridge w/ 24 dBi grid) to connect to a commercial access point over 5 miles away. Although I will say that I haven't seen the poor perofrmance "aound the house" that others have described.
Rod Keller
I talked to a Linksys support person and was told that there are no more version 1 units in retail stores... He said "in fact the model you are buying on Amazon is version 3". So if you are stressing about which version you are going to receive, I think its safe to say that all version 1 units are gone. Sure enough, I received my version 3 unit in the mail today ($87 including shipping). The linksys support person said that version 3 has the same hardware as version 2 (same processors, same Reverse Polarity TNC connectors) but that they may have changed the manufacturing techniques to make it cheaper (he said something about soldering).
I need clarification on one point. Can this WAP be used as a client (or is the term repeater?)? Hypothetically, I'd like the Linksys WAP to receive a signal from a seattle wireless node. I would then like to use my laptop to connect to my WAP. That way I can boost the seattle wireless signal all over my apartment. Is that possible with the Befw11s4? How can I set this up? Ive already made my cantenna with the intention of linking to the Queen Anne highschool node.
Chris Murphy murph2 at hotmail
Hey Guys i am not form seattle. I used to live ther as a kid but now i am in KY. I have a question for you all since you all are lookin like the people to ask on the WWW. I am quite impressed by what you all are doing. I have a Linksys BEFW11S4, my friend is next door. He also has the same router/WAP. Is there anyway to get these to see each other. I have no clue on getting this to work. If anyone has any pointer or know of anyone that has done this please email me. We both have V2 WAPS.
Jesse Jesseheseman@msn.com
A note about ROUTER mode If You configure this box as ROUTER (no NAT), embedded DHCP server stops working at all. Generaly Linksys AP/Routers have "issues" with pure ROUTER mode - for example WRT54G does not allow any connections from WAN to LAN (like not configurable firewall)...
-tko
This is a website with an excellent webpage dedicated to this router and ways to hack it. Whilst it is not a wiki where you can put and get feedback on the webpage, it is a remarkably thorough site. Give it a try.
http://www.allaboutjake.com/network/linksys/befw11s4/
I have a Befw11s4 ver2, and use it in my home network without problems. i upgraded the firmware after seeing the Vulnerability In Linksys Cable/DSL Router topic in slashdot.org http://slashdot.org/articles/02/11/07/0324213.shtml
I currently connect to the internet through my wisp on a Orinoco USB client, and used Win2000 internet connection sharing to allow access to my PC's before. But now that I have the Linksys, I would like to use it to connect to the net. I have thought of employing a Pentium 166MMX I have lying around as a router, and connect it to the WAN port of BEFW11S4. I will disable DHCP in the router box, and make it assign a single IP to the Linksys, which in turn provides DHCP to my home network. Is this a logical way to go? Or are there better ways of doing this? Any help appreciated.
UPDATE: I came across a DLink DWL810+ wireless bridge on Ebay, and now use it wired to the Linksys. It took a while to sort the DLink to act as DHCP client on one side, and a static IP on the other, but now it works OK. Now, I don't have to keep a seperate ICS box on all the time. 
Baris baris@ina(nospam)me.com
Hi Pal´s,
I use the BEFW11S4 and i tried to hook up my xbox with a 2nd access point from Netgear Me102 the problem that i found is , if i conf the Me102 as AP Client wich get´s an ip(wireless) via DHCP from the BEFW11S4 i can ping the 2ng AP by adress 192.168.1.100 successfully but my xbox get´s nothing i tried to conf the Me102 as Bridge point to point and added mac adress from the lan mac adapter but nothing happend ... also i tried the mac adress from the wireless adapter of the BEFW11S4 with no Result I read some conf about having an BEFW11S4 and 2 ME102 AP 1 connected to the rj45 of the BEFW11S4 conf´d as bridge and the 2nd ME102 also as bridge but with an different channel ID but that can not be the thing buying 2 access points if i use the BEFW11S4 it is an accesspoint and might not be conf´d as bridge mode or am i false ??
is there a secret to get him into bridgemode ? or am i defintly on the wrong way ??
btw. if linksys is a daughter of Cisco why the setting of the BEFW11S4 are so crappy ??
thnx
hi guys,
i have one question: is it possible to disable all the NAT stuff on the BEFW11S4 and have all my local computers have real IP addresses, because my outbound connection is to a neighbourhood LAN, not some cable company, and I want to have access to the "Network Neighbourhood" in windows (Samba in Linux) shares on the other PCs around. We have 192.168.1.x IPs, and i see these are the default for the BEFW11S4, so i'm confused whether this would be a problem or not?
-- I believe so. There is a configuration item for "Router" vs. "Gateway", with protocol settings for RIP, etc, in the router mode. That would lead me to believe that you can disable NAT.
We picked up a BEFW11S4 version 4 for use in our apartment [purchased 9/2003]. It's not an expensive unit by any means, and that was the main motivation behind its purchase. There's been a great deal of discussion of late about the failings of this unit, particular the v4 iteration. As the unit has progressed from v1 to v4, it has changed dramatically it seems. The current version is radically different in just about every fashion save for its name. You can tell immediately the v4 models as they have a smaller number of LEDs on the front of the unit, and emblazened on the case is "Wireless-B Broadband Router." I don't think the other version use this same wording.
In terms of its functionality, the unit works well for our needs. We're covering no more than 600 square feet, total, and the longest distance we could ever be from the router is about 30'. This is by no means a high-end device, nor should it be deployed in a situation requiring one. If the price alone wasn't enough of a suggestion, know that this is purely a home environment thing. Should you have elaborate plans to cover the free world with WiFi, you'd need equipment that's two or three steps above this.
Nearly any BEFW11S4 you'd find sold will be of the v4 iteration. They might, as a first step essentially, require a firmware update. What shipped with out unit was such an abortion that it was a shame to even have paid for the thing. The firmware out of box was version 1.44.2. This had major problems with MSN Messenger, and HTTP and FTP downloads -- problems sufficiently obvious that I cannot imagine how it shipped.
Regardless, once we upgraded to firmware version 1.45.3, these issues stopped. I'm still not sold on the stability of the device. It has required two hard reboots in the past three weeks. If this was a computer, I'd be pleased. But its a standalone device used in a low-stress environment.
Just as an aside, it seems to work best using Channel 11, but is very tempermental (could also be the WMP11 cards we use) to humidity. From 50-60 percent RH humidity it's fine, but from 70 percent and more humidity Rx performance is degraded. We still get a full 11 Mbps, but connection quality is down to as low as 67% and I'm only fifteen feet through one gypsum wall to the router.
Hopper
I purchased the v4 of this router, and it works fairly decently. I had to reboot twice in the past month and a half. I upgraded to firmware v. 1.50, which added wi-fi WPA, and other stuff which can be found here: http://www.linksys.com/download/vertxt/befw11s4v4_ver.txt
I was wondering, is there any difference in output power in v4?
UPDATE: There's now firmware upgrade 1.50.10. This adds: 1. Fixed a lock up issue reported by some users. 2. Fixed vulnerability issuing URL commands 3. Added support for "Filter Internal NAT Redirection" to block internal users from accessing internal server through Internet IP address. 4. Fixed Multicast pass-through using Windows 2000and wireless connection. 5. Fixed NAT Transversal with some VPN pass-through.
-Xenon
xenon at dvista dot net
This device would be perfect if you could configure this AP as a Bridge. Now that would be heaven. Also, if item is a PRISM chipset, cannot PRISM Chip software utility work to confgure the power output?
Just wondering (not wandering) in Iowa.
PS, there is a could source in Germany for RP adapters, example RP SMA to SAM female, US <$5.00, stateside price $25.
here is the link
http://www.wimo.de/verteiler-e.htm?katbst_e.htm
I have firmware version 1.45.Z and my computer is logging : martian destination 0.0.0.0 from 192.168.0.1, dev eth1
Further investigation shows that these are SNMP packets directed to 0.0.0.0
Has anyone noticed this before? There is no setup page for SNMP on the router so I can't get rid of the messages.
Note, they are valid messages about intrusion attempts , they are just being sent to the wrong IP address.
Regards, Jean
