Cisco-Valet Wireless Router

You can believe all of the good reviews about the Cisco-Valet wireless router. I read everything I could about routers before deciding which one to purchase, and now I know Cisco really was the best choice to make. I'm pretty good with most things computer, but I am a router idiot. Not knowing anything about routers, but needing a wireless connection for my kids' 2 new laptops, I needed something easy to set up, something reliable, and something I didn't need a home equity loan to purchase. This thing is perfection in how simple it is to set up, and it has worked flawlessly so far. I did have to call the Cisco help line when my own pc refused to cooperate with the setup, and that went very well, too. Wait time was less than one minute, and the tech spoke English! Ok, let me clarify that statement: the tech spoke English I could easily understand. I would have paid for that all by itself. I highly recommend the Cisco Valet for anyone who wants to set up a home wireless network in a matter of minutes, and then use it without worrying about it anymore. I love it!UPDATE - June 16, 2012This router is still going strong almost 2 years later, and through 2 household moves. It holds all settings, so even after being unplugged and tossed in a shipping box for a week or even a month, it will reconnect as though nothing ever happened. The signal has also stayed strong, so all family members are able to use their devices throughout the house without loss of signal. I stand by my original review - this is an outstanding product that is worth much more than the actual price.

Recently, I introduced my dad the joys of wireless internet. However, the router that I gave him decided not to play nice with his internet provider. I decided it would be a good idea to get him a new router, but I wanted to get one that it would be easy for someone like himself that could be able to set it up. Most routers out of the box are not easy to set up since you have to actually look at the directions included to determine what type of setting you need. And heaven forbid if you want to set up a secured internet connection. Well, I installed for my dad the absolute easiest wireless router on the market to setup. It was so easy, he could have set it up and my dad is by no means technically inclined.The setup is extremely easy. First, you attach a USB setup key into an available USB slot on your computer. Then, click on the Cisco easy setup and an onscreen window will guide you through the next steps. You then attach the ethernet cable from the modem to the router, another cable to your computer that you are using, then plug in the power adapter. After completing that, hit the next button on the screen and within 5 minutes, the router is ready for use.Now for your laptop computers, setting up a wireless connection can be a royal pain. With the Valet, it also is easy. You take the USB setup key and place it into an available slot on the laptop. During the first step, the settings for the wireless network were being copied onto the setup key. Again, within 5 minutes, the laptop is ready for use wirelessly.The range for this device is quite adequate for his place, however, you should identify how much range you would like to have covered before purchasing.This is the easiest router out of the box to set up. I highly recommend it.

We purchased a wireless router because we wanted to connect our Wii game console to the internet. At this time, we do not have any other wireless devices. We chose the Cisco Valet because, based on other reviews, it seemed to be easy to use and had a good reputation. When the router arrived, we connected it, and it appeared that the connection to the Wii should be fairly simple, but it repeatedly failed to connect. I called Cisco customer service. By the end of the half-hour call and and with some changes to the advanced security settings on the router, the connection worked. It worked fairly well for a couple of months until our power went out for a short time during a storm. Again I could not get the Wii to connect, though the internet was working on the computer, and again I spent half an hour on the phone with Cisco verifying the problem and tweaking the advanced settings. The Cisco reps were friendly and have been able to solve my problem both times, but it's frustrating to spend half an hour on the phone every time this comes up. If Wii connection is a major reason for purchasing a wireless router, this one may not be the best choice.

A friend had recommended this item to me. I really needed wireless service in my home since my only PC is in the basement (not easily accessed). The directions were very simple, plug in and follow the prompts. OK, first attempt - message says my computer is not wireless ready. I called the help desk 800 number. The very nice person on the other end explained that I need a wireless adapter since my computer does not have the proper plug in. OK, off to radio shack to purchase the adapter. I plug that in, still no luck. I again call the very nice customer service people at Cisco. They explain that I now need an extra intranet cable. Off to radio shack again for the cable. Now in addition the router, I have purchased an adapter and an extra cable fully expecting this all to come together. No such luck. 3rd time calling the customer service people at Cisco. It took 1 hour on the phone which consisted of upgrading software, you name it. But after all that I do have wireless service and it works great.I just wish I knew I had to get all the extra hardware for my computer before all this. Lesson, if you have a computer that is 4 years old or more, be aware that this set up will take alot of time and energy.