linksys

{{Infobox company

| name = Linksys Holdings, Inc.

| logo = Linksys new logo 2023.svg

| type = Subsidiary

| founded = {{start date and age|1988}}

| successor =

| founders = Victor Tsao
Janie Tsao

| location_country = Milton Keynes, England

| industry = Networking equipment

| products = Routers, DSL/cable gateways, switches, wireless access points, storage and security IP cameras

| parent = Cisco Systems (2003–2013)
Belkin (2013–2018)
Foxconn (2018–present)

| homepage = {{URL|https://www.linksys.com/}}

}}

Linksys Holdings, Inc., is an American brand of data networking hardware products mainly sold to home users and small businesses. It was founded in 1988 by the couple Victor and Janie Tsao, both Taiwanese immigrants to the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://magazine.iit.edu/spring-2011/score-another-team-tsao|title=Score Another for Team Tsao|date=January 20, 2011 }} Linksys products include Wi-Fi routers, mesh Wi-Fi systems, Wifi extenders, access points, network switches, and Wi-Fi networking. It is headquartered in Irvine, California.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2031036/linksys-brand-name-survives-as-belkins-takes-over-from-cisco.html|title=Linksys brand name survives as Belkin takes over from Cisco}}

Linksys products are sold direct-to-consumer from its website, through online retailers and marketplaces, as well as off-the-shelf in consumer electronics and big-box retail stores. As of 2020, Linksys products are sold in retail locations and value-added resellers in 64 countries and was the first router company to ship 100 million products.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2020-10-30/linksys-and-qualcomm-launch-the-first-5g-and-wi-fi-6-mobile-hotspot-in-korea-and-hong-kong|title=Linksys and Qualcomm Launch the First 5G and Wi-Fi 6 Mobile Hotspot in Korea and Hong Kong|newspaper=Bloomberg |date=October 30, 2020 }}

History

{{Plain image with caption|Linksys Logo 2016.svg|Logo used from 2013 to 2022}}

In 1988, spouses Janie and Victor Tsao founded DEW International, later renamed Linksys, in the garage of their Irvine, California home. The Tsaos were immigrants from Taiwan who held second jobs as consultants specializing in pairing American technology vendors with manufacturers in Taiwan. The founders used Taiwanese manufacturing to achieve its early success.{{cite web

| url= http://www.inc.com/magazine/20040101/linksys.html

| title=Entrepreneurs of the Year

| publisher=Inc.com

| date=January 2004

| access-date=2009-03-10}} The company's first products were printer sharers that connected multiple PCs to printers. The company expanded into Ethernet hubs, network cards, and cords.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cta.tech/i3/Innovate/2014/September-October/2014-CE-Hall-of-Fame-Victor-and-Janie-Tsao.aspx|title=2014 CE Hall of Fame: Victor and Janie Tsao|access-date=April 30, 2021|archive-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418120259/http://www.cta.tech/i3/Innovate/2014/September-October/2014-CE-Hall-of-Fame-Victor-and-Janie-Tsao.aspx|url-status=dead}} In 1992, the Tsaos began running Linksys full time and moved the company and its growing staff to a formal office. By 1994, it had grown to 55 employees with annual revenues of $6.5 million.

Linksys received a major boost in 1995, when Microsoft released Windows 95 with built-in networking functions that expanded the market for its products. Linksys established its first U.S. retail channels with Fry's Electronics (1995) and Best Buy (1996). In the late 1990s, Linksys released the first affordable multiport router, popularizing Linksys as a home networking brand. By 2003, when the company was acquired by Cisco, it had 305 employees and revenues of more than $500 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/2340867/cisco-buys-home-networker-linksys.html|title=Cisco buys home networker Linksys|date=March 20, 2003 }}{{Cite web|url=https://mashable.com/2013/01/24/belkin-buys-linksys/|title=Belkin Acquires Linksys From Cisco|website=Mashable |date=January 25, 2013 }}

Cisco expanded the company's product line, acquiring VoIP maker Sipura Technology in 2005{{cite web

| title = Cisco Systems to Acquire Sipura Technology

| url = http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2005/corp_042605.html?CMP=ILC-001

| date = April 26, 2005

| publisher = Cisco Systems

| access-date = 2009-03-08

| url-status = dead

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050427012633/http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2005/corp_042605.html?CMP=ILC-001

| archive-date = April 27, 2005

| df = mdy-all

}} and selling its products under Linksys Voice System or later Linksys Business Series brands.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/13/1451411.htm|title=The New Linksys Voice System 9000 Provides a Complete SIP-Based Multi-Line Phone System for Small Businesses}} In July 2008, Cisco acquired Seattle-based Pure Networks, a vendor of home networking-management software.{{cite web

| url=http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2008/corp_072308.html

| title=Cisco Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Pure Networks

| date=2008-07-23

| publisher=Cisco press release

| access-date=2009-03-10}}

Cisco announced in January 2013 that it would sell its home networking division and Linksys to Belkin, giving Belkin 30% of the home router market.{{cite web|last=Ngo|first=Dong|title=Belkin completes acquisition of Linksys from Cisco|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57574628-92/belkin-completes-acquisition-of-linksys-from-cisco/|work=CNet|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc|access-date=8 October 2013}}{{cite news | url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/1/24/3912908/belkin-buys-linksys-home-router-unit-from-cisco | title=Belkin buys Linksys home router business from Cisco, giving it 30 percent of the market | work=The Verge | access-date=January 24, 2013}}{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/01/cisco-to-sell-linksys-to-belkin-will-exit-home-networking-market/|title=Cisco to sell Linksys to Belkin, will exit home networking market|date=January 24, 2013 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2015/07/18/linksys-sheds-merger-blues-irvine-firm-that-once-dominated-router-industry-has-returned-to-its-roots-after-years-under-cisco/|title=Linksys sheds merger blues: Irvine firm that once dominated router industry has returned to its roots after years under Cisco|date=July 18, 2015 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/foxconn-subsidiary-buys-belkin-linksys-and-wemo-for-866-million/|title=Foxconn buys Belkin, Linksys and Wemo for $866 million|website=ZDNet }}

In 2018, Belkin and its subsidiaries, including Linksys, were acquired by Foxconn, a Taiwanese multinational electronics firm and the largest provider of electronics manufacturing services, for $866 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/linksys-is-changing-hands-again-with-foxconn-buying-belkin-for-dollar866-million/|title=Linksys is changing hands again with Foxconn buying Belkin for $866 million|website=PC Gamer |date=March 28, 2018 |last1=Lilly |first1=Paul }}

On June 4, 2021, Harry Dewhirst was appointed as CEO.{{Cite web|url=https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/linksys-names-harry-dewhirst-as-chief-executive-officer/83299430|title=Linksys names Harry Dewhirst as chief executive officer}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplemattersglobal.com/site/interstitial?return_to=%2Fnews%2Fc-suite%2Flinksys-names-harry-dewhirst-new-ceo-29577|title=Linksys names Harry Dewhirst new CEO}} In September, cybersecurity firm Fortinet made a $75 million investment in Linksys.{{Cite web |date=March 31, 2021 |title=Fortinet invests $75 million in Foxconn subsidiary Linksys |url=https://techobserver.in/2021/03/31/fortinet-invests-75-million-in-foxconn-subsidiary-linksys/ |website=Tech Observer}} Their focus is on the security of home networks for remote workplaces.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/03/22/2196965/0/en/Linksys-and-Fortinet-Announce-Strategic-Alliance-to-Deliver-Enterprise-Grade-Performance-and-Security-for-Work-From-Home-Networks.html|title=Linksys and Fortinet Announce Strategic Alliance to Deliver Enterprise-Grade Performance and Security for Work From Home Networks|date=March 22, 2021 }} On September 24, 2021, Fortinet invested an additional $85 million in cash for shares of Series A Preferred Stock of Linksys.{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2021 |title=FIT Hon Teng : Nasdaq-listed Fortinet Eyes Bigger Stake in Foxconn's Linksys with $85 Million Deal |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/FIT-HON-TENG-LIMITED-37543442/news/FIT-Hon-Teng-Nasdaq-listed-Fortinet-Eyes-Bigger-Stake-in-Foxconn-s-Linksys-with-85-Million-Deal-36046790/ |website=MarketScreener}} Mark Sanders became CFO in October.{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2021 |title=Linksys names new CFO |url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/linksys-names-new-cfo--1399178 |website=Telecompaper}}

In 2023, the company starts its global expansion with a development centre in Taipei (Taiwan) and a new sales and marketing centre in Amstelveen (The Netherlands). The new facilities are close to leading technology centres and universities.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-04 |title=Linksys Announces Global Expansion with Additional Offices |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/linksys-announces-global-expansion-additional-160000069.html |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}

Products

File:Linksys-Wireless-G-Router.jpg router]]

Linksys initially sold connectors for PCs and printers before newer forms of connecting home and business networks through wired Ethernet and wireless technologies.{{cite web|author=Jacob Kastrenakes|title=Foxconn buys Belkin, Linksys, and Wemo|date=March 27, 2018 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/26/17166272/foxconn-buys-belkin-fit-linksys-wemo}} Its networking products include Gigabit switches, Wi-Fi routers, Intelligent Mesh Wi-Fi systems, Wi-Fi extenders, Wi-Fi access points, and networking components.

Linksys Aware was introduced in 2019 as a first-to-market home monitoring system that alerts users to movement in their home through the Velop Triband system.{{cite web|author=Barbara Krasnoff|title=Linksys' mesh routers can now detect motion using Wi-Fi|date=October 8, 2019 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/8/20905223/linksys-aware-mesh-routers-motion-detection-wifi-smart-home}} In 2020, Linksys released Linksys Shield, a parental control subscription service for the Velop AC2200 Triband that allows users to manage or block online content.

The company also announced its Linksys Cloud Manager 2.0, which included a configurable captive portal.

= Routers =

Linksys released its first Wi-Fi router in 2001 and has maintained early router releases for newer generations of Wi-Fi.{{cite web|author=Ian Mount|title=Entrepreneurs of the Year|url=https://www.inc.com/magazine/20040101/linksys.html}}

The WRT54G was notable for having firmware based on the Linux operating system. Since version 5, flash memory was reduced from 4 MB to 2 MB, and VxWorks was used instead of Linux. The original Linux model with 4 MB was later available as the WRT54GL.

In 2017, Linksys launched the Velop line, a multi-unit tri-band mesh router system that uses three Wi-Fi radios.{{cite web|author=Jacob Kastrenakes|title=Linksys announces a mesh router system to envelop your home with Wi-Fi|date=January 3, 2017 |url=https://www.theverge.com/ces/2017/1/3/13989402/linksys-velop-router-system-announced-home-wifi-ces-2017}}{{cite web|author=Anthony Karcz|title=Linksys Launches Into The Mesh Networking Scrum With Velop|website=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2017/01/03/linksys-velop-ces/?sh=161b95d32d13}}

First announced in 2020, Linksys began marketing home-based Linksys smart routers and Velop Mesh Wi-Fi.{{cite web|author=Chance Miller|title=HomeKit integration begins rolling out to Linksys Tri-Band mesh routers|date=September 22, 2020 |url=https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/22/homekit-linksys-velop/}}

In April 2021, launched its first Wi-Fi 6E-certified systems, including Hydra Pro 6E router and the Atlas Max 6E mesh system.{{cite web|author=Mariella Moon|title=Linksys' first Wi-Fi 6E routers are now available to buy|date=April 29, 2021 |url=https://www.engadget.com/first-linksys-wifi-6e-routers-now-available-130016648.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFslBhfDmhIJ61xUHLhLX2_UaCT27y1Q9qalyDqZpCKkn8rFkcj3BWrOeHNHSqLetgbZK85dwmuv8RqvP7TKmzC7FGCeSa5qa3CyyizjdYldK22cY9bQ0PCt-FmnDznHbPwgkhcg0lgOIlK-AgCAzZe20p9WJ3PFKqCE3ZT8XjSH}} In January 2022, Linksys launched Hydra Pro 6, a scaled-back version of the 6E model.{{cite web|author=Mat Gallagher|title=Linksys Hydra Pro 6 is a fast and affordable Wi-Fi 6 router|date=January 4, 2022 |url=https://www.t3.com/us/news/linksys-hydra-pro-6-is-a-fast-and-affordable-wi-fi-6-router}}

= Wi-Fi systems =

The Linksys Intelligent Mesh line, Velop, combines Linksys software and hardware to provide higher connection speeds throughout a location by using nodes with dynamic networking capabilities. Linksys in 2019, with the Linksys Aware line, was first to release mesh nodes as motion sensors, utilizing Wi-Fi signals without having to rely on other sensor devices.{{cite web|author=Andrew O'Hara|title=Hands on: Linksys Aware is a useful software feature for the Velop router|date=November 11, 2019 |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/11/11/hands-on-linksys-aware-is-a-useful-software-feature-for-excellent-routers}}

Linksys markets Wi-Fi extenders that work with most Wi-Fi and ISP routers, including dual or tri-band units, and plug-in devices that eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones by wirelessly communicating with a router.{{cite web|author=John R. Delaney|title=Linksys Velop Plug-In Review|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/linksys-velop-plug-in}}

In 2018, Linksys released its cloud-based Wi-Fi management for business-class access points, the Linksys Cloud Manager.{{cite web|author= E-Channelnews|title=Linksys Launches Cloud Networking Management for SMB Networks|date=September 20, 2018 |url=https://e-channelnews.com/linksys-launches-cloud-networking-management-for-smb-networks/}}

Linksys markets mesh Wi-Fi routers built for Wi-Fi 6 capacity, offering four times the speed and capacity of Wi-Fi 5. The mesh Velop Wi-Fi 6, announced in October 2019.{{cite web|author=Jon Porter|title=Linksys announces Wi-Fi 6 Velop mesh router, starting at $399|date=October 30, 2019 |url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/10/30/20939739/linksys-velop-wi-fi-6-wifi-mesh-router-internet-speed-range-specs-price}}

In 2020, Linksys debuted 5G mobile hotspots, modems, mesh gateways, and outdoor routers.{{cite web|author=Thomas Ricker|title=Linksys combines 5G and fast Wi-Fi 6 networking in new gear|date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/6/21051392/linksys-5g-mesh-wifi-6-router-networking-ces-2020}}{{cite web|author=Jeremy Horwitz|title=Linksys debuts 5G hotspot, modem, mesh gateway, and outdoor router|date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/01/06/linksys-debuts-5g-hotspot-modem-mesh-gateway-and-outdoor-router/}}

At CES 2021, Linksys announced a line of Velop mesh systems and routers that support Wi-Fi 6E.{{cite web|author=Ry Crist|title=Linksys unveils a next-gen router that senses motion in your home|url=https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/linksys-velop-unveils-a-next-gen-wi-fi-6e-router-that-senses-motion-in-your-home/}}

= HomeWRK =

HomeWRK is a two-node, mesh-enabled Wi-Fi 6 router. The appliance provides separate wireless networks for personal and business traffic. Fortinet’s security stack runs on the device, blocking malware, ransomware, and filtering content.{{cite web|author= Tobias Mann|title=Fortinet, Linksys Extend Corporate Security to the Home|url=https://www.sdxcentral.com/articles/news/fortinet-linksys-extend-corporate-security-to-the-home/2021/09/}}