Thinking of buying the Linksys EA4500 wireless router? Find out more in this Linksys EA4500 review by actual owners themselves. Find out why the Linksys EA4500 is an excellent router that is easy to setup and gives you a long range.

1. Linksys
EA4500
Review
An Easy To Setup Router With
A Long Range
By Eric Banner
Check out this Linksys EA4500 review if you are looking for an easy to setup wireless
router that also gives you a long range. The Linksys EA4500 is also very fast as well.
Here are some Linksys E4500 reviews shared by owners that would be useful to know before
you make the decision to buy this router.
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2. In his Linksys EA4500 review, David Bradshaw also explains how he sets up his router. We
must thank David for giving a very detailed account on his experience with the EA4500 WiFi
router in his Linksys EA4500 review.
I hope you will also enjoy the various feedbacks through their Linksys EA4500 reviews here
by other owners and I hope you will have enough information to help you make your decision
by the end of this review:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Router and the Cisco Cloud gives it a nice
interface and some neat apps, April 26, 2012
By David Bradshaw (Georgia, USA)
UPDATE (26 June 2012):
I got ready to add a USB storage device (Seagate 2TB) to the router and when I launched the
router page I was presented with a new screen and asked to create an account for Cisco
Connect Cloud. I created the account and was presented with a new way to manage my
router.
The new way has a new (and improved) management screen that makes it easy to manage, it
takes some time to get used to, but it is very user friendly (I am used to the more technical
way, so I have to look closer through the options to find most stuff). The system is nice since
you can access it from different computers without using your home network.
You can now use neat apps to limit the network (like content and media and protect your
network), most apps are advertised and some are available for Android, but most say coming
soon for iPhone. Some look promising and the new system is neat. I look forward to the
improved version for iPhone (over Cisco Connect Home). -- One thing to point out, the Cisco
Cloud will log you out if you do not stay active (kind of bad for your own router...), but the
device list customization is nice and you can add custom names and images for each item (to
easily recognize suspicious devices.
The iPhone app is also available in the Apple App Store and is a small install. Once I logged
in (with the account I created when I launched the router page), from the app you can see the
status of your network (is it connected to internet, who [what devices] are connected), you
can also edit most parts of the router settings (not the more advanced stuff, like the QoS,
Gaming, and Internet settings), but you can edit passwords, wireless names and passwords,
and guest access. Pretty neat, and it will be fun to see what other apps become available that
make this even better.
I also wanted to add that when I tried to add my USB Storage device, I ran into trouble. I had
the drive formatted in exFAT (I did not want the 4GB file size limitation of FAT 32 nor a
specific to Windows or Mac (since I use both)).
I plugged in the drive and the Cloud Connect did not recognize it. I contacted support and
they informed me that the router only supports: FAT32, NTFS and HFS+ formats. So, I
wanted to let you all know, just in case you try to use it with a LINUX formatted or exFAT
formatted drive. I am going to format it into NTFS and use the network only to connect to it
from my Mac.
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3. Once it was formatted for NTFS, the Cisco Connect Cloud recognized it instantly. The
settings were easy to understand and there were easy options to setup FTP settings for
accessing files over the internet (I did not want this, since I just wanted to share the drive on
the local network). When I opened Finder on my Mac I could get to my drive over the router
name in Shared section. The USB storage section also included addresses to access your
storage drive.
I was excited to see this router after seeing the online push and emails that Cisco has sent out
advertising there new Router with Apps. I was curious on what they would utilize with the
Apps. Since my E4200v2 and E2000 both support the Cisco Connect Express app from my
iPhone.
Apparently the big app, that is what all the buzz is about is the Cisco Connect Cloud. I looked
around for it, and it is not advertised on the box or on many sites, so I finally found it on the
Cisco website, but it apparently will not be available until the Summer (I always believe that
stuff should not be released until all the features are available, with apps and cloud based
services this type of delay has become quite prominent).
So I cannot use the main new feature until later... Cisco says once it is available the Cisco
Connect app/software will alert me. As soon as it is available I will definitely try it out, but I
have a fear with that high amount of Upstream traffic will slow my network down (I have
AT&T DSL), so I am curious about it, and will update my review when it is available.
Now for the router itself:
Like I said, I am updating from a Linksys E4200v2 to the Linksys EA4500. So far there is no
difference. They have the exact specs (from what I see), just the new one has app enabled (for
an app that is not out yet...)
So Since they are near identical routers, installation was similar. I never like using the install
CDs, since I do not want these software on my computers. So I plugged into the router using
a network cable, and went to the router's home page (192.168.1.1). The default setting is
username: admin, password: admin.
I then from the main page set up my DSL connection, so since I have AT&T DSL, I selected
PPPoE, then inserted my at email and then my password (provided by your DSL provider), it
is a different approach for Cable Internet (MAC Cloning is the easiest), although if you are
not sure how to do this you might want to go with the software, I am familiar with setting up
networks, so it is easier to do it manually. Set your routers IP here, and the range of addresses
for leasing (you can just use the default, unless you need more than 50 devices, then change it
accordingly).
I then went to the Wireless tab and set up Manual WiFi settings, I like broadcasting on the 2.4
and 5GHz so I can manually connect my 5GHz devices to this network and my 2.4GHz to
there network (although 2.4GHz devices cannot see the 5GHz broadcast). I gave each
network a recognizable name for my network, and then used WPA-2 Personal for encryption,
make sure to use at least two combinations (numbers + letters or + symbols), it makes brute
force attacks nearly impossible due to time required (I use letters + numbers + symbols).
I then set up the Guest Access (which can be done from the web interface, this was not
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4. possible on the E2000s), I gave it a name and a password and limited it to 5 guests. Guest
access creates a network separate from your main network, different IP address group for the
two (for example my home is 192.168.1.XXX, and my guest is 192.168.3.XXX), this way
guest cannot see my machines on my main network. A neat feature when relatives come over.
I then went over to Quality of Service and set my Media Center, Roku 2, and Skype
Applications as High Priority to ensure that they work properly even if I have a lot of activity
on other devices.
I also went into the DHCP Reservation (Home page toward bottom), and gave my Printer a
Static IP address. To do this go to DHCP and then if you see your printer in the list check the
box next to it and hit Add, then give it a name and Static address. You then need to tell the
printer to use that Static IP (this ensures proper behavior). If you do not see your item yet in
the Client list, you can get your MAC address from the device (make sure to get Wireless if
you plan to connect wirelessly or Wired if you plan to connect over Wire (they are different
MAC addresses, even in the same machine! [Separate network devices]).
Then in the DHCP Client type in a name, your preferred IP address and then the MAC
address. I do this for printers to ensure that computers that connect to it using its IP address
stay connected even if the network reboots and issues out new IP addresses (it takes a little
extra time, but is worth it to ensure devices like Printers stay active on the network).
This device can have USB HDD and USB Printer plugged in to serve as a file or print server.
This is great for people who have older USB printers and want to share it across the network
without keeping a PC running all the time just to host it. The file sharing is also nice for large
USB HDD that you want access to over the network.
In the end this is a great router, has some great features and is easy to install and monitor
(whether you use the Cisco Connect or the Web Interface), I look forward to playing with the
Cisco Connect Cloud (and wish that when devices come out that their new features were
available at release), but in the end if you need a router able to handle larger networks, and
high intense applications (I cancelled Satellite for Internet Streaming and Off Air
broadcasting (HD HomeRun to Media Center Computer with Hulu Desktop) and Roku 2, and
cancelled home phone for a Skype subscription.
Therefore, I need a router that can handle this type of network activity, and these routers
(EA4500, E4200v2) have worked perfectly and never have any problem keeping my network
live! Highly recommend!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars Giant leap from a D-Link DIR-655, April 11, 2012
By G. Haney (Florida)
As noted above, I upgraded from a D-Link DIR-655 router, which was a good piece of kit
and did its job well. However this Linksys EA4500 is more than just an incremental
improvement.
SET UP
I'm fairly tech savvy, so I'm not afraid of a challenge, but this thing coddled me like I was an
AOL user and just got the job done.
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5. It's an extremely easy set up. It sniffs for your internet connection, sets it up, and basically
gets itself comfortable and up and running with very little need for anything from you. Heck,
I used the same SSID as my prior router and many devices (like my Tivo, iPhones, and
Macbooks) connected to it like there had been no change in router.
If it weren't for a pain-in-the-butt webcam, I would have been fully set up within 15 minutes.
The other 4 hours were purely the fault of my Foscam (and only related to setting up that
device)!
Back to comparisons with my DIR-655:
SPEED/THROUGHPUT - Per either the router app's built in speed tester (very cool, as is the
automatic firmware upgrade option, if desired) or speedtest.net, I went from something like
an average of 25 over 10 Mbps to 43 over 25 mbps. Finally, efficient use of my advertised
Verizon FiOS connection!
RANGE - Our house is about 1600 square feet, but it was built in 1942, meaning plaster and
other Frankenstein structural components abound. My DIR-655 was barely making it to the
middle and back of the house (router is in the front) with a serviceable connection, such that
my wife (who is typically in middle or back and was losing connection) was very frustrated at
times.
Based on my speedtests on her computer in other parts of the house, I don't think she'll be
cursing our network anymore. So far so good. Also, that cursed (just in terms of set up)
Foscam webcam is showing a much better video feed both in the house and via remote view
on port forwarding. That was an unexpected bonus.
SOFTWARE - Cisco/Linksys are definitely trying to make it an easy/pleasant experience to
manage the router, but I (and I'm sure many others who would use a piece of kit like this)
won't to go beyond the glossy top level management app. So I was pleased to see that I could
indeed jump over to a much more detailed device management interface, much like you'd see
with the DIR-655 or other routers.
I'm still getting used to the different menus, but it looks like just about everything is there. I'm
having a hard time finding the status/MAC address/etc. of all connected devices (such that I
had to use a separate IP sniffer when setting up the webcam) but I have to believe it's there
somewhere!
Overall, it was absolutely money well spent to move up to this device.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Router and very easy to configure and to
customize, April 19, 2012
By Steve S. "Steve S." (Salinas, CA)
I recently upgraded my home network to gigabit wired ports and to an 802.11n network. I
have in home RJ45 wiring and a large house, 2 story 4300 square feet. As such, I use multiple
access points along with a wireless router, now the EA4500. My ISP is Comcast Internet and
I use the 20 Megabit blast service.
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6. First, my observation is that today's versions of Linksys / Cisco routers, access points etc. are
unbelievably easy and accurate to configure with the startup CD, the Cisco Connect CD, that
ships with these products. I installed the EA4000 in minutes with this CD and it connected
right up to my SB6121 Cable Modem.
It worked great, no changes needed. I did go into the setup utility via the URL for the router,
after, 192.168.1.1 to change my password for access the administration utility since the
default is the password to access the admin utility is the same as the one you indicate in the
Cicso setup wizard as the SSID password. This is not a problem. I just prefer to have separate
passwords for the router admin access and the SSID connection.
Similarly, I used the wizard to connect up the WAP410n range extender. Once again, a piece
of cake. I really don't know why there is criticism about the setup of any of these devices.
Basically, in a matter of minutes, the CD does all the work for you. Again, though, I used the
setup utility to change the SSID to be the same as the SSID in the router and I defaulted the
connection to 2.4 GHz. This may sound complicated but it is not.
All you do is log into the router, 192.168.1.1 URL, go to the status tab, right tab, click local
network then, at the bottom of that page, click DHCP Client Table (Bottom Left Grey box)
and look for the WAP610N and its IP address, which is dynamically assigned.
It is listed right in the table, mine was 192.168.1.129 but yours is likely different since the
assignment is dynamic and not static. Next, you log into the range extender using this IP
address, click wireless and you can change the SSID, the channel etc.
However, I found that it is not necessary to change the channel on either the router or on the
access point, just leave it as "auto" and simply change the SSID. I was worried that there
would be conflicts and network drops. There are no problems at all.
Seems one picks up where the other leaves off and provides nice seamless coverage. I still
maintain 3 802.11G range extenders, all actively used with this same router EA4500 and on
the same network as my new WAP610n access point.
So, to net it out, I have the EA4500, three 802.11G Access Points and the new 802.11n
Access Point, the WAP610n all working beautifully together. I use one SSID for the EA4500
router and the WAP610N and another SSID for the 3 older 802.11G access points and I
turned off the guest access on the EA4500 so two SSIDs cover my entire house and the end
user can select to use one or both SSID's to gain access to all five access points.
In short, I highly recommend both the EA4500 router and the WAP610N Access Point. I find
it easier to stick to all Cisco / Linksys equipment as well, except I do have one 16 port
Netgear Gigabit Switch that works great in my configuration. I also have several other
Linksys / Cisco gigabit switches.
I do find, in general that wireless performance degrades quickly as you move away from the
location of the access point. This is even more exaggerated if you use a range extender, which
is amplifying a weak wireless signal. I returned a range extender since I find access points are
superior, likely because they derive their wireless transmission from a wired connection to
the router.
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7. Five stars for both the EA4500 and WAP610N. Enjoy. :-)
What You Can Expect With The Linksys EA4500
 Very user friendly and easy to configure, customize and setup
 Very long and extensive range
 Very fast
 Can monitor via your iOS device through the apps
 Good looking gadget
Conclusion
The reviewers for this Linksys EA4500 review generally found that the Linksys EA4500
router to be an excellent router with many of them giving it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The
Linksys EA4500 has a very long range and is easy to setup as well.
The router looks aesthetically pleasing and the Cisco Connect Cloud interface is also easy to
use. Overall, it is a five stars product.
Now, make sure you get yourself a very pleasant offer…
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8. The End
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