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I had this same router designed for sprint.Major issues not related to the ISP this is why im writing this review.I actually went through 4 of these units, all of them failed. Each time they had different issues. The initial unit was difficult to setup and tech support was little help (no speak english) and it had a total meltdown 2 weeks after purchase. Linksys did replace the units 3 times (With remanufactured product). The 4th one that i kept for 9 months was ok for a week and then the wirless stopped working so i used it pluged in for the last 8 1/2 months.Huge piece of over complicated junk. Best alternitive is the Cradlepoint MBR1000.Easy setup (5 min and i was online wirelessly) and 100% reliable so far.CB~
Allows you to share the resources of your AirCard with more than one PC. Can't say enough good about this product. Works great for us in that we have no access to cable, DSL, or FIOS. Super easy setup, flawless operation. Very cleaver. We've tried Satellite internet, but have had nothing but trouble with it and can't get any good support, plus it's SLOOOOOW. This AirCard setup BLOWS Satellite's performance AWAY.
This was easy to set up like all linksys devices. If you've got a mobile broadband card for internet service in your home and you want to share it with multiple computers, then you need to check out one of the variants of this linksys device (verizon, sprint, att). Our internet connection is rock solid and fast with this device. We were previously using internet connection sharing through a windows computer, but even when the computer was up we would have to periodically reset the network connection to maintain internet connectivity. In addition we had to keep a computer running (lots of energy) to maintain the connection. Highly Recommended. FYI, also works with the express card versions of mobile broadband adapters - with the appropriate adapter.
(My router, purchased in April 2009, came with firmware version 2.01.6, dated May 6, 2008 and likely the last firmware release Linksys will offer).If you insert a PC card other than those into the WRT54G3G-VN, the card will receive power but the router will not recognize the card or connect to Verizon. It took three support people and about an hour to get from Linksys tech support the compatible cards for this unit.About the unit:The WRT54G3G-VN's best selling point is that it's a standard Linksys WRT54G wireless-G router that happens to have a PCMCIA slot on the top, into which you stick an EVDO card. -- There's a 3-foot-long, yellow Ethernet cable included in the box. You'll want to ensure you can purchase a compatible EVDO card first, and keep in mind that in two or three years, you may not be able to easily purchase a replacement PC EVDO card if your card suffers a malfunction. That means the familiar Linksys administration panel and approach to home routers is in full presence. Overall assessment:Linksys has the lion's share of the home networking market for good reason: they build reliable, affordable equipment, and the WRT54G3G-VN is no exception.
Linksys will provide tech support for this device, but only over the phone (i.e., no live chat via the Web site). There's no comparison: the KR-1 (manufactured by D-Link), while adequate for the simplest home networking application, may have settings for port forwarding and VPN tunneling, but the router simply will not support either feature. If you want simple routing, the guided setup CD-ROM will have you up and running in five minutes. About technical support:Linksys places a large orange sign in the WRT54G3G-VN's documentation, suggesting customers call Verizon Wireless for support. Most laptops made in the last five years or so use wireless-G; older computers that use 802.11b and newer ones that only support 802.11n will not be able to connect to this router wirelessly.
Verizon will not support this product, don't bother calling. Other sources suggest five cards work with this router; that was once the case, but only for previous firmware versions, which are no longer available from Linksys. Verizon Wireless will not activate the card for you.-- It's becoming increasingly difficult to find PC EVDO cards. (As of this writing, Amazon sells the PC5750 and the AirCard 595). It's simple to administer, has more configuration options than most people need and runs rock-solid.I purchased this unit to replace a Kyocera KR-1 EVDO router purchased five years ago, when it was the only game in town. Expect several transfers and to be on hold for a while. The cord has an inverter built into the plug; while it's not heavy or hefty, it may take up two outlets on a power strip.-- The WRT54G3G-VN is basically the same as the WRT54G3G-ST (Sprint) and WRT54G3G-AT (AT&T Wireless). -- they all can be set in the admin panel as they would on any other Linksys router.
About EVDO card compatibility:Other reviews and several Internet forums discuss compatibility problems with Verizon's EVDO cards (e.g., wireless broadband cards).According to Linksys, the newest version of the WRT54G3G-VN's firmware only supports three Verizon Wireless EVDO PC cards: Audiovox PC5750, Novatel V720 and Sierra Wireless AirCard 595. The Linksys WRT54G3G-VN is hands-down a superior unit, one made by a familiar manufacturer with a proven track record.In short, there may well be other wireless broadband routers that are as good, but there sure aren't any that are better, so why risk using something that isn't familiar.Final notes:-- As others have noted, you need to activate your EVDO card in a laptop PC before it will work with the WRT54G3G-VN. The only way to activate the card is in a PC Card-equipped computer with a fresh install of the VZ Access software. -- The unit comes with a wide, sturdy stand; it can also be wall-mounted by screws, which are not provided. The back of the WRT54G3G-VN has four standard Ethernet switch ports and an Ethernet uplink port to connect to a DSL or cable modem. The only difference is the firmware, which controls what EVDO cards work with the router. I had to visit my local Verizon Wireless store to change cards (I went with the PC5750); they called it an "upgrade" and gave me the card for free in exchange for extending my service contract by two years. It is possible, therefore, that you could use a WRT54G3G-ST with a Verizon Wireless PC EVDO card, or a WRT54G3G-VN with a Sprint card, provided the router's firmware supports the EVDO card you use.It is also possible to download, for example, the Verizon Wireless firmware from the Linksys Web site, then "flash" a WRT54G3G-ST router with the Verizon firmware, basically turning it into a WRT54G3G-VN.
If you want advanced routing -- port forwarding, VPN tunneling, MAC address restrictions, DMZ, etc. Therefore, you could use this router for network failover; simply connect it to a cable / DSL modem via Ethernet, add an EVDO card and configure the router to connect to Verizon only when the cable / DSL modem doesn't work.This unit only provides 802.11g wireless LAN access. In spite of the odd jacket color, it's a standard, T-568B straight-through patch cord.-- The power supply cord is about four feet long. I don't advocate doing that, especially if you are not skilled in computer hardware and networking, but it is possible.
I bought this based on the specs for my Verizon PC5750 PCMCIA card.The first unit arrived and would not even power up the PCMCIA card - no lights, no power, etc. End result - advised this unit is also defective, and I need to return it. However, every time I made a configuration change (network SSID, security), the unit had to be powered off and on.
Oh - but you can't RMA it to Linksys - it has to be returned to the vendor. Then, it would only connect to the internet when connected via cable (wireless.). I still had to spend 1.5 hours with Linksys support before they gave up and declared the unit to be defective and said to return it.
. Contacted them and they were very nice and sent me a second unit.Second unit arrived today. Followed directions and voila - the Verizon card powered up ok, lights looked good.
Another 1.5 hours with Linksys tech support (1 hour 23 minutes, 56 seconds per my cell phone call log). Oh yes - same story - need to return through Amazon's vendor.I am giving up on Linksys - two units delivered, two units failed, nearly four hours wasted in setup, testing and Linksys tech support AND I have to arrange to mail back the two defective units.I would give zero stars, but that doesn't seem to be an option.
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