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Review on Leviton 47611 GB4 Gigabit Internet Router by Andy Tunes

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Expensive 4 port router, no wifi

I am a general home user, not a power user. I need a router to connect my home network (consisting of two computers, printer and NAS) to the internet to play games, surf the internet, send email and stream movies. I need a Wi-Fi option to connect my Kindle Fire and laptop in another room. So the Leviton 10/100/1000 Gigabit Internet Router presents me with a dilemma. I really want to like this thing, but I also have to wonder why the average home user/consumer even bothers with it. See, this is an Ethernet only router. There is NO wireless option. No one. Why would the average home user/consumer choose this expensive ($250 at the time of this review) Ethernet-only router over a sub-$100 WiFi router? Maybe it would be nice to have your entire home (or business) connected to Leviton, but not so much for someone like me just looking for a new router. This Leviton router features standard 4-port Ethernet LAN ports. on the back and a WAN port for connecting a modem. It's supposedly a "professional" class, which initially got me excited, but in a month of use I've had to reset it twice due to disconnection. It didn't impress me very much. After setting up the Leviton router on my home network, I was able to add the missing Wi-Fi functionality by reconfiguring my only Linksys WRT54G2 and reusing it as a wireless access point. said I really don't see the point in bothering when my Linksys WRT54G2 does the same thing in one device, takes up less space on my bookshelf and one less plug in the wall outlet. On the plus side, Leviton has a nice user interface. It's highly configurable, even more powerful than my Linksys WRT54G2, but like most home users, I really don't deviate much from the default settings and basic add-ons like firewall, DCHP, QoS for movie streaming, and routing of some ports for the game. There is an option to use "Virtual Server" if you want to make a computer on your network a dedicated web server, mail or FTP server, which is very convenient. There is also a built-in packet capture utility, but there are no instructions on how to use it. The Leviton router comes pre-assembled to a bracket designed for use in a Leviton media center pantry or panel box. Luckily, if you don't have a Leviton media center cabinet or panel box, this bracket detaches with two screws. I'm currently using it without the mount, standing on one end next to my modem and my Linksys WRT54G2. The size of the router is 4 x 5.5 x 1 inch (approx.). Has a white metal body. I was only able to connect it to my PC at 100Mbps, but to be honest I'm pretty sure it's a limitation of my PC/setup. Ethernet only router I would not recommend this to family members, friends or the average home user/consumer as it lacks wireless connectivity and is too expensive for just 4 port ethernet.

Pros
  • Cascade additional switches, hubs or routers from any port
Cons
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