The Linksys WRE54G is a neat idea. When you get it configured right, it works well. The trick is: getting it configured right.

For those of you whom have never tried using a wifi repeater, the basic idea is that the repeater uses the exact same settings as your master WiFi router. The repeaters talk to the routers using something called Wireless Distribution System (WDS). WDS ensures data is communicated between the master WiFi router and the repeaters.

Because the WRE54G has no wired connection to speak of, the only way to configure it is through WiFi. That's great, in theory, but it does mean you have to do a lot of manual configuration on your WiFi-enabled PC. It's also important you follow the directions carefully to ensure it will work when you are done.

The WRE54G should work with any Linksys WiFi router, whether you are using the stock Linksys firmware or a third party firmware. There are other WDS-enabled routers as well which may or may not work. It worked on my Linksys WTR54GS which runs Tomato Firmware.

Elsewhere, I posted some additional thoughts on my version 1 WRE54G. Leave your experiences or questions related to the WRE54G, any version, in the comments.