Cisco-Linksys Maximum Performance E4200 Dual-Band N Router: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Product Description

The Linksys E4200 offers maximum speed (up to 300 + 450 Mbps), optimal range, and simultaneous dual-band technology, plus a next-generation industrial design
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The Linksys E4200 offers maximum speed (up to 300 + 450 Mbps), optimal range, and simultaneous dual-band technology to create an ultra-powerful wireless network designed for home theater performance. Simultaneous dual-band Wireless-N technology allows for smoother and faster HD/3D video streaming. A built-in USB port lets you add external storage to share files across your network. And a built-in UPnP AV media server means you can seamlessly stream media files across your network. Plus, included Cisco Connect software gets you set up in three easy steps and offers powerful tools for ongoing management of your network.

See how the E4200 stacks up against the rest of the Linksys E-Series routers below.

Key Features

Maximum Wireless Speed

The Linksys E4200 offers ultra fast speed to connect your computers, Internet-ready TVs, game consoles, and other Wi-Fi devices at transfer rates up to 300 + 450 Mbps speed for a premium home network experience.

Superior Wireless Coverage

Built with leading 802.11n wireless technology, the Linksys E4200 offers maximum range to create a powerful wireless network. Full 3x3 MIMO antenna array boosts signal strength to provide exceptional coverage and reliability so you can enjoy your wireless network from anywhere in your home.

The Power of Dual-Band

Double your network bandwidth with dual-band N (2.4 and 5 GHz) designed to avoid interference and maximize throughput for smoother and faster HD video streaming, file transfers, and wireless gaming.

SpeedBoost

Higher quality antenna technology helps to maintain high speeds across greater distances throughout your home for maximum wireless coverage and in-home mobility.

Advanced Security

Keep Wi-Fi freeloaders and Internet threats at bay with WPA/WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall to help keep your network protected.

The rear of the Linksys E4200 with four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB 2.0 port

Benefits of Gigabit

Use the four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports for quick file sharing, 10x faster than standard Ethernet, between other Gigabit-enabled devices like computers, hard drives, and servers.

Built-in USB Port and UPnP Media Server

The USB port lets you add devices such as storage and printers^* to your network to share files at home or over the Internet for greater access to more information. The built-in UPnP AV Media Server enables seamless streaming of video and media files on your attached storage to an Xbox 360, PS3, or other UPnP compatible device.

Easy set-up with Cisco Connect software.

Home Theater Ready

Bring the ultimate entertainment experience to your home by connecting computers, Internet-ready TVs, game consoles, media players and more to your wireless network and the Internet. QoS traffic prioritization technology is designed to deliver your time-sensitive Internet traffic efficiently so you can enjoy fast downloads, smooth video and music streaming, gaming and VoIP.

Quick to Install

Cisco Connect software helps you set up your home wireless network in three easy steps.

Easy to Manage

Cisco Connect software helps you customize your settings and quickly add multiple devices to your network:

Create a separate password protected network for guests
Limit access time and websites with Parental Controls
Access advanced network settings easily

	E1200	E1500	E2500	E3200	E4200
Linksys Wireless-N Router Comparison

Technology	Wireless-N
Wi-Fi Max Speed	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	300 Mbps in 2.4GHz 450 Mbps in 5Ghz
Compatibility	Wireless-N, -B, -G	Wireless-N, -B, -G	Wireless-N, -A, -B, -G	Wireless-N, -A, -B, -G	Wireless-N, -A, -B, -G
Bands	Single-band 2.4 GHz	Single-band 2.4 GHz	Simultaneous Dual-band 2.4 + 5 GHz	Simultaneous Dual-band 2.4 + 5 GHz	Simultaneous Dual-band 2.4 + 5 GHz
Transmit/Receive Streams	2 x 2	2 x 3	2 x 2	2 x 3	3 x 3
SpeedBoost		√		√	√
Power Amplifiers	Integrated On-Chip	External Off-Chip	Integrated On-Chip	External Off-Chip High Power	External Off-Chip High Power
Ports	4 x 10/100	4 x 10/100	4 x 10/100	4 x Gigabit 1 x USB	4 x Gigabit 1 x USB
USB Features				Shared Storage Shared Printer*	Shared Storage Shared Printer* Media Server
Wi-Fi Protected Setup	Yes
UPnP Support	Yes
Parental Controls	Time of Day Access Controls Specific Website Blocking
Guest Wi-Fi Access	Separate SSID for guests keeps your WiFi private
Wireless Security	WEP, WPA and WPA2 Personal and Enterprise, RADIUS
Warranty	1 year hardware limited warranty, 90 days complimentary assisted support
Package Contents	Router, AC Adapter, CD-ROM with setup software, Ethernet Network Cable, Quick Start Guide
Setup Software CD	Cisco Connect Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1 or later, Windows 7 Mac OS X 10.5, 10.6

^{* Shared printer support available via firmware/software download in Summer 2011 (E4200 and E3200)}

Product Description

Linksys E4200: E4200-UK

- Simultaneous dual-band for high performance wireless entertainment
- Maximum speed (300 + 450 Mbps) for ultra-fast wireless transfer rates
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) ports for 10x faster wired speeds
- USB Storage Port for centralized file sharing with built-in UPnP AV media server
- Full 3x3 MIMO antenna array for maximum range and reliability

Wireless-N Technology

Built with leading 802.11n wireless technology. The Linksys E4200 offers maximum speed and range to create an ultra-powerful network designed for home theater performance. Connect your computers; Internet-ready TVs; game consoles; and other Wi-Fi devices at transfer rates up to 300 + 450 Mbps for an unrivaled experience.

The Power of Dual-Band

Double your network bandwidth with simultaneous dual-band N (2.4 and 5 GHz) designed to avoid interference and optimize throughput for smoother and faster HD video streaming; file transfers; and wireless gaming.

SpeedBoost

High-power amplifiers increase signal strength across greater distances for maximum wireless coverage and in-home mobility.

State-of-the-Art Security

Keep Wi-Fi freeloaders and Internet threats at bay with WPA/WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall to help keep your network protected

Benefits of Gigabit

Use the four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports for quick file sharing; 10x faster than standard Ethernet; between other Gigabit-enabled devices like computers; hard drives; and servers.

Built-in USB Port and UPnP Media Server

The USB Storage Port lets you add an external USB drive to your network and share files at home or over the Internet. Plus; a built-in UPnP AV Media Server for seamless streaming of your video and media files to an Xbox 360; PS3; or other UPn

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Customer Reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars V2 Much Better! 10 April 2012

By Kub

Amazon Verified Purchase

After owning the V1 version of this router and trying various things to make it better such as loading custom firmware onto it (DD WRT), I gave up on it. Whatever I did l would get constant drop outs and the only way to get the Internet to work was to switch the E4200 off and restart it. My son also complained of lag when he was on the PS3! All the forums suggest you are lucky if you receive a V1 as you can modify it with various firmware. The V2 is not compatible with custom firmware due to the chipset used.
In the end I gave up and ordered a new one. This one was a V2, clearly stated on the base of the router. The top looks exactly like the V1. The packaging does not mention its a V2 either. Only the 450+450 blurb on the packaging gives it away.
The V2 is finally a set & forget router that I was looking for. It had great range and no drop outs so far. It's great to be able to modify equipment to your needs but with a router I find it's a device that most people would want to set up once and not to worry about it again. I'm no longer searching for the next firmware update or a new release of DD WRT to make my router work!
UPDATE 08/05/2012:
Linksys have released a firmware update for this router. It has been running rock solid with no issues at all. I get reception all over the house, even upstairs in the bedroom where my Apple Airport Exteme would always disconnect!
Definitely the best router out of all the ones I have used.
UPDATE 27/06/2012:
The router continued running smoothly with no reboots required, I was however getting dropouts in the main bedroom. The WiFi range just doesn't seem strong enough to give a reliable connection there. In order to resolve this problem I looked at other routers and went with the Asus RT N66U. I'm getting full bars in the same room with the Asus router. This prompted me to sell the Linksys E4200 V2 and stick with the Asus.

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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It works, but it needs _very_ careful set-up in my experience 13 April 2011

By keribillen TOP 500 REVIEWER

Given the generous amount of antennae within the e4200, I bought this expecting a significant improvement in 5.0GHz network coverage around my home and in my garden, compared to my Apple Airport Extreme (also a simultaneous dual-band router).

After experimenting a lot with physical location, orientation, network settings and so on, it seems to offer no/little improvement (have checked this with three different computers in several different locations). Its settings are more flexible than the Airport Extreme, which is nice, but in the real world this does not offer much (if anything).

Also, to confirm what one review (elsewhere) has said (but which others have stated incorrectly), it is not readily wall-mountable, though with a spot of velcro I have managed this. Yes, the e4200 is actually light enough to stay up and in position with velcro on the ceiling! Not what Linksys intended, I am sure, but is nonetheless an advantage over the heavier Apple Airport Extreme.

Therefore, my conclusion is that this is a perfectly good simultaneous dual-band router for someone looking for their first such device, though there are cheaper models in the Linksys range that accomplish the same thing.
For those already using a simultaneous dual-band router, it offers no/little noticeable improvement....not to me, anyway. My advice: save your money.

** UPDATE on APRIL 16 ** After a considerable amount of further experimentation with orientation, location and height above the ground (more than is sensible or practical for most people), I am now achieving what could be termed 'maximum performance'. My connection is about 30% faster than the Airport Extreme allowed. Have increased my rating by a star. My advice now: yes it is a very fast router but I suspect that most people will not see the benefit from it. It does reward the user with state-of-the-art performance if they're prepared to put a lot of time into experimenting with physical set-up.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Solved my connectivity problems 5 Jan 2012

By m0m0reviews

After being sent a Netgear DGN1000 by Virgin Media I have constantly had problems with my WiFi connectivity. After 3 months of dealing with their technical support telling me that there was no problems with the Netgear, I took it into my own hands to buy this!

The E4200 was simple to set up, just requiring me to plug an Ethernet cable from my Netgear to the "Internet" port of the E4200. The wireless has proved to be much stronger and now my connectivity issues have gone.

Only downside is the price, but it is a small price to pay for reliable Internet.

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