Linksys Etherfast 10/100 Network Kit $14.88 at OfficeDepot w/ MIR

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unclebud

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2000
5,518
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last one on the shelf(i think) in Memphis on Winchester...somebody might have hidden it. but if somebody can't save up $33.00 for emergencies, hey... thanks to the poster of this hot deal(Railstix).
models w/SOF and descent 3 still $99.99. wish i'd gotten this a year before, but i'll find some way to use it eventually, maybe humbug upon a hot deal on a desktop.
thx agin
 

Debosteebo

Banned
Feb 1, 2000
27
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what do u think the chances are of getting if u backordered, when do u think they will get them in stock?
 

Maverick319

Platinum Member
Dec 4, 1999
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From Nexialist's reply:



<< I ordered 2 of these on the OD website and they are backordered. I don't expect to get em.

On my way home today I was gonna stop at the 4 OD stores in my path. The first one had one Network kit. The guy told me when you see a price that ends with .88 that means the item is a sell out and will not be re-ordered.
>>





If you want one, it looks like the only way is to call OD and ask them to search for one. Or try to find one in the B&amp;M stores. You could try different Zip Codes...
 

wasssup

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2000
3,142
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Yup...so go to the B&amp;M stores and try to find one. Call them up actually and if they say they don't have it, MAKE them check for sure in their computers (give them the item number). I can assure you New Jersey is out, since according to their computers the last one was in Edison today (the one I picked up). Good luck to you all!
 

Acme

Member
Nov 29, 2000
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Just checked OD B&amp;M in Plano, Texas (Park &amp; Preston), and they are out. The sales guy started trying to explain to me why a switch was so much better and I should buy the $99 one instead. Thanks pal, I already have a switch on my network, this was just a good deal. Anyway, that store is gone.

The Staples B&amp;M up in Frisco by the new mall has 2 of these in stock but I couldn't get them to PM them since the OD was out of stock. Apparently someone in there is wise to our trick. :)
 

c0pperas

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
890
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Based on JesseKnows comment about them being on clearance at OM also I went by the one here in town. Shelf tag showed $149.99 had the girl at the counter scan it for me. Came up $19.00!!! She scanned it 3 more times and called a manager over and had him scan it also. At first he couldn't find it in the lockup room. I went and got the display box for him and stood in the doorway of the lockup room and he found it. Came to 20 and change with tax, that means this one will cost me a little over 5 bucks!!!!! :D
 

GQUnknown

Banned
Nov 26, 2000
137
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I would go for the 5 port switch instead. $60 after rebate. cost more but much better/reliable/ more ports/ and expandability
 

pancho619

Platinum Member
Feb 4, 2000
2,467
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On my way to OM after work today, I hope they have some in stock. Thanks c0pperas.



pancho
 

stingygrrl

Golden Member
Jul 30, 2000
1,829
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:( Now I have to make a trip over to OM to see about this. :(

(Well, thanks for the heads up.. I hate it when someone gets a better deal than me!!!!) :)

 

mrlnmarce

Banned
Oct 4, 2000
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So what is the difference between the switch and the hub?

I was able to get Staples to pricematch Buy.com with the FENSK05 model, which is not the one that office depot has... what's the difference?

Can I use both to connect multiple computers to one with a DSL connection?
 

GQUnknown

Banned
Nov 26, 2000
137
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If you got the FENSK05 then you got the wrong one buddy. That one is not a switch its just a hub. A hub is like a stupid switch. Where as the switch is an intelegent piece of device and can actuallly direct data traffic therefore better bandwitch and more spead. if you paid more than $50 for the FENSK05 then you over paid. Just my two cents.
 

wasssup

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2000
3,142
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I know you can share dsl with the one at officedepot, that's what I just set up...this is VERY sweet btw...that's odd (that it got bumped to $19), must've happened right after I bought it since I paid $29.88 for it at 11:45pm...anyone know if we can go back to get a readjustment even though it's a clearance item?
 

SilverEdge

Member
Nov 7, 2000
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From everything Ive read and looked up myself, the one that is being sold at OD for 29.88 is the model FENSK05, which is the LinkSys Etherfast 10/100 Network Kit (not a switch) which comes with a 10/100 5 port (shared) hub. Course, cant get one in central MO, but thats another story. :p
 

Maverick319

Platinum Member
Dec 4, 1999
2,421
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The Hub will share an Internet connection, but only with Software. (No WAN port) You either got SyGate's Sygate software in the box, or can get if free from Linksys (see above post) NOTE:
Sybergen.com is now Sygate.com.

Here is the README from SyGate on how to share the connection:

+==============================================+
| Sybergen SyGate 3.5 Build 624 README |
+==============================================+

Thank you for trying Sybergen SyGate 3.5. This document
contains important information that you may find useful for
installing and using Sybergen SyGate. For additional
instructions on installing and using Sybergen SyGate 3.5,
please refer to the Sybergen SyGate 3.5 User's Guide.
You can quickly find the help menu within the Sybergen
SyGate application.

+--------------------------------+
| CONTENTS: |
| |
| SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS |
| INSTALLATION AND USE |
| TROUBLESHOOTING |
| MAJOR FEATURES |
| KNOWN ISSUES |
| HOW TO REGISTER |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| KNOWN BUGS |
+--------------------------------+

+---------------------+
| SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS |
+---------------------+

* Intel 486 or higher for analog or ISDN modem sharing,
or 586 or higher for xDSL or cable modem sharing
* Windows 95, Windows 98, WinNT 4.0 (SP4 or higher),
or Win2000
* 12 MB or more free disk space
* 32 MB or more available memory
* Microsoft TCP/IP protocol installed ( with Winsock 2.0 or higher)
* DSL, DirecPC, Cable Modem, ISDN, or Analog Modem
* A working Internet account with an Internet Service Provider
* Microsoft DUN (Dial Up Networking) 1.3 or higher or America Online
4.0 or higher, a cable modem ISP, an xDSL IDP, or a DirecPC account
* Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher

+----------------------+
| INSTALLATION AND USE |
+----------------------+

It is recommended that you close any other services or applications
that may be using your network or modem drivers prior to installing
Sybergen SyGate.

For Windows 95 Users:
--------------------
It is recommended that you have Microsoft DUN (Dial Up Networking)
1.3 (or later) and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (or later).
You should download Windows 95 Service Pack 1 and Winsock 2.0,
which can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows95.

IMPORTANT: For ISDN via Ethernet, xDSL, cable modem, and DirecPC,
you need to verify that these devices can connect to your computer
through Ethernet.

+-----------------+
| TROUBLESHOOTING |
+-----------------+

* A Troubleshooting section is presented in the SyGate 3.5 Users
Guide.

* For additional troubleshooting information, please see the support
section of www.sybergen.com.

* Frequently asked questions related to SyGate are presented in
in the SyGate Users Guide and on the web at www.sybergen.com.

+----------------+
| MAJOR FEATURES |
+----------------+

* Automated Internet connection detection in real-time.
* Automated inside network detection.
* DMZ mode support with ARP capability.
* DNS forwarding for Linux/Windows 2000.
* Support multiple DNS with auto-switch capability.
* SyGate 3.5 supports single NIC mode, which uses
one NIC for both outgoing network and inside network.

+--------------+
| KNOWN ISSUES |
+--------------+

* If you are running Sybergen Secure Desktop 2.0 or older,
it will not be compatible with SyGate 3.5. Uninstall
Sybergen Secure Desktop before installing SyGate.

* If you are currently running SyGate 3.11 or older, uninstall
the old version of SyGate prior to installing SyGate 3.5.

* SyGate will not detect an invalid gateway IP on the server.

* SyGate DNS forward will not function with AOL if you have
an invalid DNS IP.

* If you are currently using a free ISP, you must manually
connect to the internet. Auto dial-up will not function
properly.

* SyGate does not support Mircosoft Millennium.

* In Windows 2000, users must manually add dial-up entries
(including username and password) after installation.

* Using AOL, users must have their password saved in AOL through preference.

+-----------------+
| HOW TO REGISTER |
+-----------------+

You can register this software online at
http://www.sybergen.com/buy/salespolicy.htm. Upon registering
this software, our website will automatically generate a serial
number and registration key for your continued usage. After
receiving this information, you can enter it into the registration
screen (available in the Help menu from the Sybergen SyGate
manager).

+----------------------------------+
| HOW TO CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT |
+----------------------------------+

If you are evaluating this software or purchased this software
online, you can contact Sybergen Networks for support at
sgsupport@sybergen.com or go to the Sybergen Networks support
page at http://www.sybergen.com/support/default.htm.

+------------+
| KNOWN BUGS |
+------------+

* Using Socks5 you can not get an Ident response from mIRC.

* SyGate service will not start if you have one NIC with a
gateway and you create a connection with a dial-up.

* SyGate is not able to retrieve the user name or password in Dial
-up mode in Windows 2000. Manually entering the User
name and password to configure your authentication will enable
Dial-up.

* While using Altavista free dial-up service, SyGate can not
recognize the internet connection, even when manually dialed into
the ISP.

* While using AOL 4.0 or 5.0 with Windows 95, user may have to stop and
restart SyGate service after a client dials up to the Internet through AOL.

How to Get the Latest Release
-----------------------------
If you would like to get the latest release of SyGate or Sybergen Secure
Desktop, you may download it from
http://www.sybergen.com/cgi-bin/trial.cgi.
 

mcdull

Senior member
Aug 7, 2000
348
0
0
Unless your LAN is going to have heavy traffic, I don't think a switch is necessary. A switch is necessary only when you expect there will be quite a lot collision on the LAN (a hub is not a stupid switch, instead, a switch is a smart hub). A 100Mb hub works well for home or small office networking with several machines.

I'm using the a software called AllAboard for modem sharing, using my PC as the router (2 NIC, 1 to DSL modem, 1 to hub). This small program works excellent for me.
 

c0pperas

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
890
0
0
The one at OM(That's Office Max for the jr members) is $19.00 at the B&amp;M stores. It's still either $99.99 on their website or $149.99 on the shelf tag. You have to ask to have them scanned to get the $19.00 price at OM(That's Office Max for the jr members).

And yes it's the Linksys Model FENSK05.

And yes it has a hub in the kit not a switch.

But it does have TWO Linksys 10/100 pci cards with lifetime warranties. Also TWO 15 foot cat-5 cables.

The kit I got at Staples had a full copy of Descent 3 in it AND a full copy of Sybergen Sygate. The kit at OM(That's Office Max for the jr members) has Soldier of Fortune(general audience) and cd with TurboLinux 6.0.

I know that a switch is better then a hub BUT the cost of 2 cards and 2 cables is more then the final cost of the kit after rebates. Put the hub on a auction site or sell it to a friend...
 

rk1

Member
Sep 11, 2000
27
0
0
So if you have a switch connected to a hub, does that make the whole setup one giant switch?

What's the performance penalty of
[1] reading each packet and routing (switch) [the pc still does a match]
vs.
[2] broadcasting to each packet and having each pc detect if dest matches (hub)
 

SilverEdge

Member
Nov 7, 2000
155
0
0
Woohoo! Bout time...thanks to whoever posted about OfficeMax. I called the one near my mothers house (given that there isnt one in Central MO) and they had three. Had him pull all three, put them on hold and my mother is going to pick them up tonight for me! Hehe...$19 each...after rebate that will be $4 + tax each! Ya cannot beat that at all for 2 NICs, a hub and cables. ;) I love this kind of thing! Thanks again for the hot deal!
 

Grond1

Junior Member
Oct 18, 2000
10
0
0
I bought this kit from buy.com when it first came out. Unfortunately I've been having a lot of trouble with it. A couple times a week I have to turn off and reset the hub and turn it on and turn off and turn on the DSL modem to get back online. Never had this trouble when I had the DSL plugged straight in to the NIC. Hope it works out better for everybody that bought one.
 

mrVW

Senior member
May 18, 2000
992
0
0
Thanks for the OfficeMax catch! Cleared out the last two in Tukwila Washington :) I missed out on the Office Depot order by seconds (I caught the post right away here.. I had two in cart, went to register, then it said only 1 was available, then when I OK'ed the 1 only that one was gone!).

The guy at OfficeMax had no clue they were on clearance :)

BTW: For anyone considering a LinkSys 10/100 switch (not the hub that we are all talking about)... I have one of these and it has some serious compatibility problems with some network cards. Those based on a Digital &quot;Tulip&quot; chipset (which is a very superb design chipset, very low CPU and very high performance). I replaced my crappy Realtek 8139c based adapters with the Tulip's and I had all kinds of problems. So I researched it on the web and found this very interesting web site: Network Adapter cards THAT HAVE PROBLEMS With LinkSys 10/100 Switches. The page mentiones &quot;Linksys Routers&quot; but I had the exact problem with a LinkSys switch... Linksys sells combo routers+switches, so that explains why both could have problems. And for those who don't know, DEC = Digital Euipment Corp.

No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to work under Windows 2000 or Linux... so after finding out the Linksys switch was an issue, I swapped my LinkSys switch out for a Compex brand switch I had... problem went right away!

Funny, as LinkSys actually used to sell cards with this chipset.
 

ghouldini

Senior member
May 26, 2000
434
0
76
I have only 2 computers at home. I want to use the 2 NIC cards to join them and share the internet connection. I was told I would not need a hub or switch for just 2 computers, that I could hook them directly with the 2 NICs and one Cat5 cable. Is that true? Or would it be better to still use a hub or switch (faster?) Does that OM kit have the Sygate in it too?