Linksys

Corporate brand

Networking-equipment brand best known for home and small-business routers, mesh Wi-Fi systems, and related connectivity products.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

Linksys is a British-American networking-equipment brand focused primarily on home users, small businesses, and distributed workplaces. Its portfolio includes wireless routers, mesh Wi-Fi systems, Wi-Fi extenders, access points, Ethernet switches, mobile hotspots, gateways, and networking-management software. The brand is sold through its own direct-to-consumer channels, online marketplaces, consumer-electronics retailers, big-box stores, and value-added resellers. Reference material states that Linksys products reached retail and reseller channels in 64 countries by 2020 and that the company became the first router manufacturer to ship 100 million products. The business began in 1988 as DEW International, founded by Taiwanese immigrants Victor and Janie Tsao in the garage of their Irvine, California home. The founders combined knowledge of American technology vendors with manufacturing relationships in Taiwan. Their first products were printer-sharing devices that allowed multiple computers to use a common printer. The company later expanded into Ethernet hubs, network cards, cables, and other components, and adopted the Linksys name as its networking business developed. The Tsaos began working on the company full time in 1992. By 1994, Linksys had 55 employees and reported annual revenue of $6.5 million. The wider adoption of personal-computer networking, particularly after Windows 95 introduced built-in networking functions, helped Linksys move from specialist components into mainstream retail. The company established retail relationships with Fry's Electronics in 1995 and Best Buy in 1996. During the late 1990s it became associated with affordable multiport routers, helping make home networking more accessible. Its WRT54G router became especially notable because early versions used Linux-based firmware and later became an important reference point for open-source router-firmware projects. Cisco acquired Linksys in 2003, when the business had 305 employees and revenue of more than $500 million according to the cited reference material. Under Cisco, Linksys expanded beyond traditional home routers. Cisco acquired VoIP equipment maker Sipura Technology in 2005 and used the Linksys name for voice products, including the Linksys Voice System and later Linksys Business Series offerings. Cisco also acquired Pure Networks in 2008 to strengthen home-network management software. In 2013, Cisco announced the sale of its home-networking division and Linksys to Belkin. Belkin subsequently operated Linksys as a major consumer and small-business networking brand. Foxconn acquired Belkin and its subsidiaries, including Linksys, in 2018 for a reported $866 million. Linksys later emphasized mesh networking, cloud administration, security, and newer wireless standards. The Velop family, launched in 2017, used multi-unit tri-band mesh architecture. Linksys Aware, introduced in 2019, used changes in Wi-Fi signals to detect movement, while Linksys Shield, introduced in 2020, offered subscription-based parental controls for supported Velop equipment. The company also expanded into Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E products, including the Hydra Pro 6E router and Atlas Max 6E mesh system in 2021, and introduced business-oriented cloud management through Linksys Cloud Manager. Linksys announced a strategic relationship with Fortinet in 2021 focused on securing home networks and remote-work environments. Fortinet invested $75 million in September 2021 and an additional $85 million in preferred stock later that month. Harry Dewhirst became chief executive in June 2021, and Mark Sanders became chief financial officer in October 2021. Linksys established a development centre in Taipei and a sales and marketing centre in Amstelveen, Netherlands, in 2023. On January 31, 2025, Fortinet acquired the remaining outstanding Series A preferred stock for $20.8 million, making Linksys wholly owned by Fortinet. The brand remains active, with a business spanning consumer…

History

Linksys was founded in 1988 by Victor and Janie Tsao, Taiwanese immigrants who had been consulting between American technology companies and Taiwanese manufacturers. Initially named DEW International, the company operated from the Tsaos' Irvine garage and made printer-sharing devices that allowed multiple personal computers to access a shared printer. It expanded into Ethernet hubs, network cards, cables, and related connectivity components. The founders moved into full-time management in 1992, and by 1994 the company had 55 employees and annual revenue of $6.5 million. The arrival of Windows 95 and its built-in networking support helped broaden the market for home networking. Linksys entered U.S. retail distribution through Fry's Electronics in 1995 and Best Buy in 1996. In the late 1990s, it gained recognition for affordable multiport routers and became a leading consumer networking name. The company released its first Wi-Fi router in 2001. The WRT54G family became particularly influential because early versions used Linux-based firmware, contributing to the device's importance among open-source firmware users and networking enthusiasts. By the time Cisco acquired Linksys in 2003, the business had 305 employees and revenue exceeding $500 million. Cisco used Linksys to broaden its home and small-business networking portfolio. Its 2005 acquisition of Sipura Technology brought VoIP products that were sold under Linksys voice and business lines. Cisco acquired Pure Networks in 2008 to strengthen software for managing home networks. In 2013, Cisco announced the sale of Linksys and its home-networking division to Belkin. Belkin later developed the Velop mesh family and expanded Linksys into cloud-managed networking and connected-home services. Foxconn acquired Belkin and its subsidiaries in 2018. The modern Linksys portfolio moved toward whole-home coverage, software management, and security. Velop, introduced in 2017, used multi-node tri-band mesh networking. Linksys Cloud Manager provided cloud-based administration for business-class access points, while Linksys Aware used Wi-Fi signals to detect movement. In 2020, the company added Linksys Shield, a subscription parental-control product, and expanded into 5G hotspots, modems, mesh gateways, and outdoor routers. Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E became central product generations, with the Hydra Pro 6E and Atlas Max 6E announced in 2021 and the Hydra Pro 6 following in 2022. In 2021, Fortinet invested in Linksys to support security for home networks and remote-work environments. Harry Dewhirst became CEO in June and Mark Sanders became CFO in October. Linksys continued international expansion in 2023 through facilities in Taipei and Amstelveen. Fortinet completed its ownership transition on January 31, 2025, when it acquired the remaining Linksys Series A preferred stock. Linksys is now a Fortinet-owned, active brand serving consumer, home-office, and small-business networking markets.

2025
Fortinet becomes sole owner
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Fortinet acquired the remaining Linksys Series A preferred stock and made the brand wholly owned.
2023
International facilities established
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Linksys expanded with a Taipei development centre and an Amstelveen sales and marketing centre.
2021
Wi-Fi 6E products and Fortinet investment
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Linksys announced Wi-Fi 6E systems, while Fortinet invested in the business and its secure-home-networking strategy.
2020
Linksys expands services and 5G hardware
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
The brand introduced Linksys Shield and expanded into 5G hotspots, modems, gateways, and outdoor routers.
2019
Linksys Aware introduced
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Linksys launched a Wi-Fi-based motion-monitoring capability for supported Velop systems.
2018
Foxconn acquires Belkin and Linksys
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Foxconn acquired Belkin and subsidiaries including Linksys.
2017
Velop mesh line launched
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Linksys introduced Velop, a multi-unit tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system.
2013
Belkin acquisition announced
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Cisco announced the sale of Linksys and its home-networking division to Belkin.
2005
Sipura Technology acquired
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Cisco acquired Sipura Technology and incorporated its VoIP products into Linksys voice and business offerings.
2003
Cisco acquires Linksys
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Cisco acquired the networking brand after its expansion into mainstream home and small-business networking.
2001
First Linksys Wi-Fi router released
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
The company entered wireless home networking with its first Wi-Fi router.
1995
First U.S. retail channel established
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Linksys products entered Fry's Electronics, followed by Best Buy in 1996.
1992
Founders begin operating the company full time
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
The Tsaos left their consulting work and moved the growing operation into a formal office.
1988
Linksys founded as DEW International
[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Victor and Janie Tsao founded the company in Irvine, California, initially producing printer-sharing equipment.

Products and positioning

Consumer and small-business networking brand combining accessible hardware, mesh Wi-Fi coverage, cloud administration, newer wireless standards, and security-oriented features.

Wi-Fi router
WRT54G
The WRT54G was one of Linksys's most influential router families. Early versions used Linux-based firmware and became widely associated with third-party firmware development and enthusiast customization. The family helped establish Linksys as a mainstream home-networking brand and was later represented by the WRT54GL model after firmware and flash-memory changes in newer versions.
Mesh Wi-Fi system · 2017
Velop Intelligent Mesh
Velop is Linksys's multi-node mesh networking platform. Its nodes dynamically coordinate to extend wireless coverage across a home or small workplace, with tri-band and later Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E variants. The platform also supports Linksys software services such as network management, motion awareness, and parental controls on compatible models.
Wi-Fi 6E router · 2021
Hydra Pro 6E
Hydra Pro 6E is a Wi-Fi 6E router designed to use the additional 6 GHz wireless spectrum alongside established Wi-Fi bands. It formed part of Linksys's first Wi-Fi 6E-certified systems and was positioned for higher-capacity home networking and demanding connected-device environments.
Wi-Fi 6E mesh system · 2021
Atlas Max 6E
Atlas Max 6E is a multi-node mesh system supporting Wi-Fi 6E. It extends Linksys's Velop-style whole-home networking approach into the 6 GHz generation, targeting broad coverage, high device capacity, and lower congestion where compatible client devices and regional spectrum rules permit.
Home-network monitoring service · 2019
Linksys Aware
Linksys Aware uses changes in Wi-Fi signals between compatible mesh nodes to detect movement in a monitored space. It was presented as a home-monitoring capability that could operate without installing dedicated motion-sensor hardware.
Parental-control and security service · 2020
Linksys Shield
Linksys Shield is a subscription service for supported Velop equipment that lets users manage, filter, or block online content. It extends the router from a connectivity device into a household-management platform.
Cloud networking software · 2018
Linksys Cloud Manager
Linksys Cloud Manager provides cloud-based administration for business-class access points and related networks. The platform includes configurable captive-portal functionality and is intended to simplify remote deployment and management for small businesses and other managed-network environments.

Brand decisions

2025
Fortinet obtains full ownership of LinksysM&A
Background
Fortinet already held Linksys preferred stock following its 2021 investment.
Action taken
Fortinet acquired the remaining outstanding Series A preferred stock for $20.8 million.
Aftermath
Linksys became wholly owned by Fortinet.
Purchase price for remaining Series A preferred stock. $20.8 million (January 31, 2025)
Source
2021
Security-focused partnership with FortinetStrategy
Background
The growth of remote work increased demand for secure home and small-office networks.
Action taken
Fortinet invested in Linksys through an initial $75 million investment and a subsequent $85 million cash investment for Series A preferred stock.
Aftermath
The companies focused on integrating or applying Fortinet security capabilities to home and remote-work networking; Fortinet later acquired the remaining preferred stock.
Fortinet investment amounts. $75 million initial investment and $85 million additional investment (September 2021)
Source
2018
Foxconn acquisition of Belkin and LinksysM&A
Background
Foxconn sought to acquire Belkin and its associated consumer-electronics and networking brands.
Action taken
Foxconn acquired Belkin, including Linksys, in a transaction reported at $866 million.
Aftermath
Linksys operated within the Foxconn-owned Belkin group and continued developing consumer, mesh, and business networking products.
Reported acquisition value. $866 million (2018)
Source
2013
Transfer of Linksys from Cisco to BelkinM&A
Background
Cisco decided to divest its home-networking division as part of a broader portfolio focus.
Action taken
Cisco announced the sale of Linksys to Belkin.
Aftermath
Linksys continued as a Belkin-owned consumer and small-business networking brand until Foxconn acquired Belkin in 2018.
Source

Recent events

2025
Fortinet acquires remaining Linksys preferred stock[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Fortinet acquired the remaining outstanding Series A preferred stock for $20.8 million, making Linksys wholly owned by Fortinet.
2023
Linksys expands with Taipei development centre and Netherlands sales centre[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Other
Linksys opened or established a development centre in Taipei and a sales and marketing centre in Amstelveen as part of global expansion.
2021
Linksys announces Wi-Fi 6E product family[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Product generation
The company announced Wi-Fi 6E products including the Hydra Pro 6E router and Atlas Max 6E mesh system.
2021
Harry Dewhirst appointed Linksys chief executive[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
Harry Dewhirst became chief executive as Linksys increased its focus on secure connectivity for homes and remote workplaces.
2021
Fortinet invests in Linksys[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Fortinet invested $75 million in Linksys in September and later invested an additional $85 million in cash for Series A preferred stock.
2020
Linksys introduces Shield parental-control service[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Product launch
Linksys released Shield as a subscription service for supported Velop systems, enabling users to manage or block online content.
2019
Linksys launches Aware motion-detection system[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Other
Linksys introduced Aware, which used Wi-Fi signal changes through supported Velop systems to alert users to movement in a home.
2018
Foxconn acquires Belkin and Linksys[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Foxconn acquired Belkin and its subsidiaries, including Linksys, in a transaction reported at $866 million.
2013
Cisco announces sale of Linksys home-networking business to Belkin[1]Linksysen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Cisco announced that it would sell its home-networking division and the Linksys brand to Belkin.

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