Home Business IT Networking Cisco says Linksys Smart WiFi routers can be cloudless
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Cisco has confirmed that users will not be obliged to activate the new Connect Cloud configuration feature of its new range of Linksys routers, following the huge furore that erupted when early users of the products found that their routers had been updated to support the feature without their knowledge.


The primary function of Connect Cloud, announced last week is to enable other devices equipped with NFC tags to be configured into a local area networks based on new Cisco Linksys Smart WiFi routers, using an NFC tag that will be shipped with the router.

However the first Smart WiFi routers were shipped without support for Connect Cloud and Cisco implemented the feature via an automatic firmware update, creating a huge uproar.

This prompted a rather half-hearted apology and clarification from Brett Wingo vice president and general manager Cisco Home Networking, on Cisco's official blog, where he said, contrary to what some reports had claimed: "Cisco Connect Cloud was delivered only to consumers who opted in to automatic updates."

He said also that: "customers who do not wish to establish a Cisco Connect Cloud account and would prefer to revert back to the traditional Linksys setup and management software can do so by calling the Linksys customer support line at 1-800-326-7114. One of our agents will walk you through the process."

However he did not make clear whether this was a permanent option, or whether, as some reports had suggested, Cisco would not support routers on which this downgrade had been installed.

Wingo has now published a much more detailed blog making it clear that Connect Cloud is optional and that Cisco will support Connect Cloud capable Linksys routers on which Connect Cloud has not been installed.

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Stuart Corner

 

Tracking the telecoms industry since 1989, Stuart has been awarded Journalist Of The Year by the Australian Telecommunications Users Group (twice) and by the Service Providers Action Network. In 2010 he received the 'Kester' lifetime achievement award in the Consensus IT Writers Awards and was made a Lifetime Member of the Telecommunications Society of Australia. He was born in the UK, came to Australia in 1980 and has been here ever since.

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