Logging In To Your Linksys Router

A routers systems page is where you will configure your router, from what ports are open, to security settings, to the name of your Wi-Fi network. For Linksys routers, this is also the case. However, before you make any changes, you need to access that interface. Luckily, the process for getting into your Linksys router’s systems menu is relatively straightforward.

Who Are Linksys?

Linksys specializes in networking hardware for domestic and smaller commercial use. Founded in 1988, Linksys came to be because of a Taiwanese couple, Victor and Janie Tsao, who were both immigrants in the United States. To date, Belkin, based out of southern California, is the current owner of Linksys, with Cisco being the previous owners before that. Unlike Cisco, Belkin has opted to keep the Linksys brand. Belkin’s advertised goal is to use the power of technology to make people’s lives easier, better, and more fulfilled. As of 2018, Foxconn is waiting for their pending purchase approval to pass, with a purchase amount of $866 million.

Linksys has a variety of networking products available. Though most famous for their routers, Linksys also offers modems, network storage, Wi-Fi extenders, VOIP phones, network media hubs, and more. Belkin prides itself on the fact that all of its brands, including Linksys, produce products that have a focus on simplicity and ease-of-use. They also credit Linksys as one of the reasons wireless connections are now the mainstream norm.

Linksys is currently working on using your Wi-Fi network to monitor your health. The Velop series of mesh routers can already track the movement of individuals, by sending an alert whenever a signal is blocked, which provides home security without the need for a camera. A collaboration with Origin Wireless, an AI company, will soon allow Linksys to track the quality of sleep someone is getting along with their breathing patterns. The technology can also help detect falls, which is excellent for those concerned about elderly family members.

Comparing Linksys Routers

Due to being one of the leading network device providers, Linksys has built up an extensive collection of routers. Such a broad range can be intimidating for a first-time buyer. With so many different series of routers on offer, Linksys have devised a more straightforward way to break down their routers, by outlining the speed. Their routers have an AC classification, relating to 802.11ac Wi-Fi, followed by a number, AC5400, for example. The 5400 refers to how many Mbps the router’s Wi-Fi network can provide, though the number gets broken up over how many bands the router has. For example, the AC5400 has two bands offering up to 2166Mbps and one band providing up to 1000Mbps, which totals the 5400Mbps indicated in the name when rounding up.

What Should You Look For In A Linksys Router?

The speed classification used by Linksys makes picking a router that much more straightforward, as speed is a deciding factor when buying a router. To ensure you are getting the most out of a high-speed router, you should have a Gigabit port, which is faster than a standard ethernet port, and features on nearly all of Linksys routers.

Also, above, you will see dual-band and tri-band. A router with tri-band is capable of hosting three different Wi-Fi networks with the total Mbps split over the three, though not evenly. Some devices cannot use the most recent form of Wi-Fi 802.11ac, so having another separate network for 802.11n means there is more compatibility across a more extensive range of devices that can use Wi-Fi. A tri-band router will usually have two 802.11ac networks, meaning more devices can use the connection at any one time, without seeing a lapse in internet speed.

An additional feature that is becoming more standard on routers is a USB port. USB 3.0 is the new standard and more than ten times faster than the previous USB 2.0. A USB port on a router is ideal for creating network storage for all users to use. It may also be necessary if you plan to connect a printer to your network.

Your planned usage may dictate the router you choose, with the Linksys WRT32X router optimized for gaming, for example. Additional features may be built into the router to improve your experience, so if you have a specific need, you should consider that requirement.

No matter your needs in terms of router performance, you also want to ensure that your internet usage is secure. Different routers come with different schemes of security with Linksys routers supporting four different types.

• WEP
• WPA Personal
• WPA2 Personal
• WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode

WPA2, also sometimes referred to as PSK2 in the Linksys router settings, is currently the most robust security setting available. However, some devices may fail to connect to your network, depending on the security settings used. A dual-band or tri-band router will allow you to set up separate security settings for each network, which can help with the issue of some devices not connecting

Security, speed, and intended usage are all things you should consider when buying a router. Once you find a router that meets those three requirements, you may want to consider what additional extras you can make use of. Do you need lots of Gigabit ports? Do you need to use Wi-Fi range extenders, and thus have Mu-Mimo functionality? Linksys provides such options and more.