News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

July 27, 2007

internet

Linksys is dead, long live Cisco

Posted Jul. 27, ’07, 8:13 AM PT by Derik DeLong
Category | Internet

LinksysLong before I actually knew much about networking, I knew that Linksys made decent networking equipment. They’ve been known for their affordable networking equipment for years now. In fact, my family’s first cable modem and router were both Linksys made. They’ve lasted many moons. More recently, I’ve entertained myself by trying out and tweaking all the firmware distributions available for the WRT54G model router.

So, let’s face it. In the US at least, Linksys is a big player and recognized by everyday consumers. Walmart customers know they can stroll into the electronics department and get a good router by looking for the word Linksys. John Chambers, Chairman and CEO of Cisco (the parent company of Linksys), has end of lifed the Linksys brandname.

“It will all come overtime into a Cisco brand. The reason we kept Linksys’ brand because it was better known in the US than even Cisco was for the consumer. As you go globally there’s very little advantage in that”, said Cisco’s CEO.

Cisco is a recognized name, but most consumers are rather unaware of what exactly they do. Personally, I think this another end of an established brand with little justification. I’m sure Cisco’s consumer hardware competition is wringing their hands in glee. Suddenly Netgear might be the most recognized name in the market.

[via Slashdot]


3 Comments

Fletcher said:

I think this is a mistake. Although I haven't had great experiences with Linksys I do think of them as one of the big names when I go to buy a router.

Cisco in contrast I have nothing but a negative opinion of. Although I know their hardware scales up to the enterprise, I have never seen a consumer level product which was any good. It has always been a pain to find drivers, get issues fixed, etc. It always felt like they only cared about the big guys.

July 27, 2007 8:28 AM
Chris said:

Whenever I hear "Cisco" (obviously, though, not when I read it), I think of "Sysco", the nation-wide restauraunt-supply company.

But that's probably just me.

July 27, 2007 10:28 AM
TowerTone said:

"Cisco rid
A router friend
Of mine"

July 27, 2007 9:59 PM

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