NetGear WGR614 54 Mbps 4-Port 10/100 Wireless G Router (WGR614UK)

This is an exceptional router and at this price you can't find a better choice. I see a lot of disgruntled people here who can't connect to the router wirelessly after changing settings. I would like to give a couple of tips. First of all, make sure you configure the router when you are hard wired. You have to ensure that you are connected to the router via a LAN cable whenever you are making any changes to the router's configuration. This way when the router restarts etc. you will still be connected to it. If you are carrying out any changes to the router through your wireless card, for example if you have changed the WEP encryption code in the router, then once you submit those changes, the router will not let your wireless card connect until your laptop's card is configured for the same WEP key. So once again, please ensure you carry out changes to the router only when hard wired. The moment you get your router, I suggest you carry out a firmware upgrade (go to netgear's support site and download the latest firmware for your model from there). Once again follow instructions and make sure you are connected through a cable to carry out the same. Now log onto the router and then do a couple of things.

First of all, rename the SSID to anything you want (eg. Joan's Arc). Then go to the wireless settings, then to wireless access, and click on 'Disable SSID broadcast'. This ensures that the SSID is not broadcast to others around you who have a wireless machine. So when their software searches for a wireless access point all they will see is a blank name. To be able to connect to your network they would have to know the name of your SSID (Joan's Arc in this case) and manually type it in their machines (Highly unlikely that they will be able to think of the same name as you do. You can make your name even harder to obtain by simply using numeric characters in it.. for example Joan's Arc2004). Secondly, to make it secure use a 128 bit WEP key (this has to be a 26 digit key consisting of alphanumeric and numeric characters. You can use only certain alphabets in small and large case so you need to check that out. Also remember that you have to feed the same WEP key number in your laptop wireless card software (or the windows wireless settings if you are not using your wireless card's software). Finally you can ensure that only the wireless devices you specify can logon to your router. Go to the Wireless settings, then to wireless access setup and then click on 'enable wireless access'... Thereafter click on 'Setup access list'. Once there add your wireless device by using its mac address (the mac address is a unique number given to a wireless device, very much like a phone number- this enables the router to identify the device trying to connect to it). The mac address will be listed on your wireless device and you can also see all the devices that you can allow to connect to your router in the router's configuration window. (One important note to remember is that if you have already enabled WEP then you will have to first feed in the same key into your wireless device software settings before the router will display it in it's list of devices). Select the device that you want to allow to connect to your router and apply.

Hope this helps to a certain extent to configure your routers. Trust me, this is an amazing router and if you are having connection problems, it most likely is due to the settings in the router- not because the router is fault

I'm no expert in routers but between the price and ease of use alone, the NetGear WGR614 Wireless Router is a good buy (granted there are no out standing issues with the router you receive). Armed with only the online help, I had the router configured as a wireless access point and Ethernet switch in under an hour. The router only has IEEE 802.11b/g wireless standards but with two internal antennas, the wireless range on this router is impressive and supports WPA2 (security must). In the end this is what I wanted, a router good coverage and descent speed. This is what I see in the NetGear WGR614 Wireless Router.

The revision/version number of my unit is 'v7' (version 7) and it works GREAT!

I bought this from a gentleman who could not get it to work with both of his machines at the same time (i.e. simultaneously with Windows Vista and XP), but I think the problem was either a 'user' error or else the flaky new Vista OS.

My home network is a desktop machine running Win2000 Pro/Server (dual-boot) and a Dell Vostro 1500 laptop (with OEM wifi card) running Windows XP Pro. This router works flawlessly and configured itself with our Qwest DSL modem.

The directions and help files were clear enough, but the most important thing to do is this: CONFIGURE THE ROUTER THROUGH A HARDWIRED ETHERNET CONNECTION FIRST.

By doing the above, this router worked PEFECTLY first time out of the gate. It connected effortlessly to a Dell Vostro 1500 laptop after configuring the router via my desktop (wired connection).

After getting the wireless connection established and playing with it for awhile, I got down to the business of securing the router and laptop connection via the numerous built-in features.

Administration is simple and straight-forward via the router's built-in web interface . FWIW, I do any configuration and admin changes via hard-wire.

If you're looking for a secure low-cost router with easy set-up and administration for a home-based network, and need a range of <150 feet, this is an ideal choice.

My final advice is: don't get a router with any more -range- than necessary, otherwise you're just broadcasting your net to the bad guys lurking outside on the street or parking lot.

Excellent 802.11g speed; long operating range; very easy setup; includes four Ethernet ports; toll-free, 24/7 phone support

Great router. Nice features and security for the price. Simple setup and firmware management with the included software. I give a good rating instead of an excellent rating because I purchased this router to replace the same model I had that failed. But in its defense, it ran trouble free for 3 years straight never turning off. If you are looking for a reasonably priced wireless router with good features and easy setup, this is it.