Linksys Simplifies Setup

....chances are you don't need this software.

While it would be nice to use it with 3rd party firmwares, this seems to be aimed at the causal user crowd.

Exactly.

yep ........

made from grandma sue or uncle billy who isnt computer savy enough to load the third party stuff

or savvy enough to spell savvy.

spelling is pointless when ur job entails shooting a target at 500 meters

you owe me a new keyboard, best response I have ever seen to a spelling troll.

and you are correct, this is something my grandma could use

Agreed. You shouldn't need this if you're using 3rd party software - you already know what you're doing.

Sort of like SecureEasySetup...

does anybody use or run the CD that comes with the router anyway?

I have setup numerous wireless routers and find it alot easier to set them up and turn on security then to run the installation disk.

Also the article states that the "LELA" will install automatically, what if I dont want it to install, is there an option to not install it?

I think this takes the place of the ADMIN management console webpage.....

...There is no need for a separate installation of the network management tool. During installation, the user is asked to name the new network. No additional passwords or confusing networking terms are required after this step has been completed, eliminating up to 15 configuration choices from the installation process...

My experience with the CD that I got with the BEFW11S4 and then the WRT54GS (version 1) was the same, it did not work.

I followed their instructions, but in every case I kept getting the same message that I was not connected to the internet (PC cabled to router, router to cable modem, cable modem to cable jack).

Of course I could easily get to Yahoo or any other website, so the CDs were essentially useless. Really did not need them anyway, but I have always wondered what was on them. They may as well not bother with the CD and cut costs.

I have flashed the WRT54GS with 3rd party software numerous times and it has never bricked. I've had it for almost 3 years now.

I use WPA2 Personal TKIP+AES with a 63 character WPA shared key, totally non-dictionary.

The home desktop is wired and I run 802.11G to my work laptop and my Daughters laptop, never had any issues with speed, dropouts, etc. I did add the Linksys Hi-Gain antennas.

Apparently not one person here so far has ever been a first time user of a router. All were born with an inherent knowledge of how they work and how to set them up. As such, Linksys is making a ridiculous mistake offering this software.

LELA is a PC-based software application that simplifies the setup and management of wireless networks. Linksys products with LELA simplify wireless network installation, management, and monitoring, while providing recommendations and education to help customers realize the full potential of their network.

If the router is working properly (ie, doing what it was meant to do), there's no reason for most average users to mess around with "flashing" 3rd party software (seen lots of posts from "experts" yelling for help after they've borked their routers), but I'd imagine it's fun to say you've done it.

i think alot of folks have been using the blue box since the days of 802.11 B. There was, in the older boxes, advanced functionality. The last G router I set up seemed to be more quirky about its own function, not my knowledge. The easier they make it, the less I want to use it.
After all,if i want a dumb box I'll use 2wire!

"Apparently not one person here so far has ever been a first time user of a router. All were born with an inherent knowledge of how they work and how to set them up. As such, Linksys is making a ridiculous mistake offering this software."

Actually, most of us started using a router before wireless and when wireless was released, there still wasn't a CD, so we had to figure it out ourselves.

Let's be honest here, most people who post here are not the average PC user. This place is full of "above average" computer users. Many people (including myself) have set these things up for friends and family because it is simpler than the CDs given out by manufacturers.

Third party software is meant for those who want to play around and get some of the features of much more expensive SOHO/business units without paying the price for one.

Then of course, there are those who "know enough to be dangerous."

I normally use the CD but can anyone recommend some good 3rd party software?

It depends. For simplicity and few computers attached, the Hyperwrt variation by Tofu is good, but hasn't been updated recently since the developer has dropped updates and there are a few oddities that made me stop using it. DD-WRT is one of the most robust alternate firmwares, but requires the actual reading of the install instructions, on-line manual and help, including the 'more...' that appears on the router's configuration pages for important tidbits and suggested settings to get the best performance - not that the defaults are bad, but what you are actually using it for and the speed of your connection are considerations.

The Linksys models have become popular with a number of small hotspot vendors and shops looking to provide some sort of wifi for their customers using the 3rd party firmware. Even with 3rd party software, the Broadcom chip in the Linksys G routers will not support lots of computers transferring data at a constant high data rate all the time and there will be lags and stutters. You really need to examine your needs, and configure the device to support those needs.

For most home/soho users, just having the ability to up the power output to cover a further corner of the house is worth the change to 3rd party firmware, since it's cheaper than purchasing the high-gain antennas vs a donation to the author. Those who use BT can certainly benefit from 3rd party firmware as you can shorten the ridiculous 4 hour timeout default for sockets/ports on the router to a more reasonable 5 minutes or less, while increasing the number of active connections.