Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router

Even though this is the best SOHO Router out on the market (Small office/Home office)Linksys cut down the quality of their manufacturing parts when they joined forces with CISCO. CISCO was realising that a lot of large business were using these very small cheap linksys routers instead of spending a boatload on CISCO hardware. Their solution: they made the new Linksys routers come with less RAM and a different CPU and chipset. Most users wouldn't know this, it isn't on the box, it isn't on their website, but it IS inside everyone of the new routers. The chipset is now not a linux based, so people who want to have their own firmware can't do that anylonger. On top of that, the RAM was decreased. This decrease in RAM made one problem... slower connection.

You might want to do some research about this Linksys if you plan on doing any firmware hacking or are trying to tweak your network to the max. BUT, this router is GREAT for home users, however I would not recommend it for business with more than 3 computers, but I would recommend Linksys's WRT54GL, all the hardware of the old Linksys WRT54G's in a new, more expensive, box.

This router run under a linux based operating system and there are numerous firmware upgrades that can be installed on it transforming the router from a home to an enterprise router

easy installation, good support software, exceptional range with this router. this was my first attempt at setting up a wireless network in my home and I should have done it long ago.

I purchased a Linksys WRT54G router after thoroughly researching and reading a lot of EBay reviews and that helped me makeup my mind. I know I made the right choice. I'm confused because on the box it reads install CD first. A lot of reviewers said no need to install the CD at all. I don't know what to do, HELP! I have a desktop and a new laptop.

This product is fantastic. I've placed mine on the second floor while most of my laptop and iPhone usage is on the lower levels of my home. The signal is always strong. Set up was as simple as popping a disc into the cd rom. I have not a single complaint. If you're looking for a wireless router I can safely recommend this one.

Cheers,

-B

This wireless router is pretty good, but has some slight issues. It will lock up randomly sometimes about once every month. I don't like the fact that I can not edit the DHCP client list and setting static IPs for my devices. The signal range of the wireless router is great!

If you are looking for a good household router you have reached the best one. I have been using this for about 2 years now. I have installed this in some of my clients offices as well.

After doing some research about this paticular router I have come to the conclusion that it is the most secure router you can find. My reason? you ask. This routers firewall has never been cracked by a hacker. It is the most secure firewall that Linksys has come out with.

This is also the most secure for your wireless network. When you have security set up right nobody that has been added to its security can get in.

Overall this is the best router I have ever come across. The only downfall is that this router does not have brute force lock up on the admin login. This is the only part of this router that is a little "iffy". If you have a good strong password though, that contains a mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols nobody will be able to crack it anyways.

I hope this helps!

~USCoinstore

it is so easy to install and really useful for my kids to online. and it is great price to purchase over ebay.

I had 3, all three died during warranty. Units would "lockup" frequently, eventually refuse to boot up at all. Replaced with the Linksys WRT54GS Wireless Router.

On the plus side, tech support was great! I spent nearly 30 hours working with them!

My original worked like a champ for 8 months.It died on 3-30-07.Since that day I am on my 4th store replacement & got online for 30 total minutes.This after spending over 40 hours with their tech support,a total of 22 support agents and 3 supervisors.I have over 25 pages of notes with agents badge numbers and most of their names.The 40+ hours is actual talk time,not counting about 20 hours of wait time to speak to agents you can hardly understand.Also spent time running the routers back to the store,a little over 60 miles round trip.The tech support actually started calling me back at pre-arranged times.BE SURE TO WRITE DOWN YOUR CASE NUMBER,AGENTS BADGE NUMBER & BE READY FOR HOURS of trial & error.I was in screens on my PC that I never knew existed.I typed different settings,commands & several sets of numbers,NOTHING worked.I had to uninstall my firewalls & my anti-virus in my PC.Tried re-programming the routers all over again.After anywhere from 30-90 minutes of typing,it allowed me online for about 2 minutes then I would check the black screens & see: Request timed out 4 times,This meant starting all over for the umpteenth time.Also disconnecting the modem about a hundred times,the router hundreds of times & shutting down my PC too many times. I had my internet company pinging my PC to see what was going on since my PC connection was 100% until 3-30-07.Also all the tech support people said that version 5 and 6 routers were VERY troublesome & all needed updated.This took about 30-45 minutes each time.You will find the version number in tiny print on one of the bottom labels on the router.All the techs said buy a version 4 or a version 8.Problem with this is the only way you know what version it is,is to open the box and remove the router.Try that in the store after 4 trips bringing back routers.I finally received my replacement router from Linksys to replace my original which was covered for 1 year.(now router # 5) I found this out after buying the 1st replacement myself.Also they charge your credit card until you send it back with store receipt.You also eat the return shipping.The tech support told me when I got another router after my first replacement to call them,DO NOT USE THE INSTALL DISK, they do an online install & update for the routers.All 4 replacements would not work.The supervisor got on the phone and said:You get the replacement we sent you,it work for sure.So we tried connecting it last night,guess what? It was a version 6,according to Linksys is an out of date version.I had it updated & after re programing it.I went online for almost 10 minutes before it quit and erased all the upgrades we installed.I have since talked to my anti virus company (Panda) & they said 90% of wireless router problems are Linksys routers.Linksys is now blameing Panda & Panda blameing them.I have to agree with Panda since I removed my anti virus & my firewall for an install attempt.(Panda said try it to prove them wrong) Panda gave me another free install of my anti virus.I know this is a long article but I have about 60 hours of phone time & 10 hours of return trips invested.I call Linksys at noon Monday the 30th of April 2007 after getting another re install of my anti virus from Panda incase I have to uninstall it again for another 3 hour try.All we are trying to run with this set up is a one year old desktop & a top of the line 4 month old notebook.The best I can say is:tech support is hard to understand but very polite.

Like how well it works. Unfortunately, had to spend more time than I expected I would have to in order to setup. Used their very cooperative support staff.

If your new to this or your old router crapped out and u need a new one, this is for you! I had a belkin and it was the worst router ive ever seen. poor signal, poor connectivity, always locking up, only thing was it had good download speeds. Since im not new to this i bought it plugged it in without any cd and punched in 192.168.1.1 the password was admin and set it up. It works great with or without security. I have security and it was still easy to set up.
great router

GREAT. IT WAS VERY EASY TO INSTALL. I HAVE 3 COMPUTERS HOOKED UP TO DSL. IT IS WONDERFUL NOT TO HAVE DIAL UP AND THE HOUSE PHONE TIED UP.

i simply love this router,i have had other brands,wired,wireless and this one has to be the best.I never have connection problems and it gets a good signal all the time.i live in a 3300 sq foot house and its just like i have the line coming directly from modem.awesome choice!!

If you need wireless this is for you. It is easy to install and use. It is dependable and functional. The price is right. It is the best route that we have used.

Works like a charm in unison with the satellite laptop. Setup takes some time, but once your wired up, the router makes life alot easier by allowing freedom of movement since no cables need be attached while surfin at super high speeds.
Bought it as a gift, and have access to it all the time; in fact, i'm using it rught now!Cheers!

If you are in the market for a home or home office router, look no further than the Linksys WRT54G router. Powerful enough to support dozens of workstations (if you have them), this router supports a host of control options for your network - time of day access, type of access (limiting instant messaging for example), etc.

There is quite the cult (open source) following with this device as well. Looking to the internet, you'll see dozens of alternative firmware that can be loaded to the router, making it even more powerful. This is not recommended for the novice, but if you look around you'll see many ways to improve the device making it function like other routers that cost hundreds of dollars.

This router is very easy to set up.No CD needed.Super fast and so far very reliable.Have not had a dropped signal. I had purchased a Netgear that that was DOA out of the box,and I'm still trying to get my money back from them.A friend told me to try a Linksys and Im so glad I did. My son was on the internet with his laptop in 15 min!

This router, the LinkSys WRT54G, is excellent if you are setting up a wired and wireless network. If you get one off e-bay, make sure you download the latest firmware from www.linksys.com (sometimes people will think the router doesn't work and will re-sell it, when in reality, all it needs is an updated firmware). If you get an older version of this router, (v1 through v4), you can install 3rd party firmware to GREATLY increase the potential of this router! You can also install the high-gain antennas for better coverage (for every 3dBi of gain, it's just as good as upping the power output by 100%, so if you get a 7dBi antenna, it's like having 2 1/2 times the power output from the same box). I used to have a NetGear WiFi router, but had too many problems with it, switched to LinkSys and I've been trouble free! You won't regret this router!

There are a few other routers that you can do this to, but the Linksys WRT54G is by far the most popular. Two things are required, one, use 3rd party firmware, obviously at your own risk, standard disclaimer :-(( second, the most important, the proper version of the router. You want to look for versions 1-4, reason being, the firmware was based on Linux components. Because Linux is released under the GNU General Public License, or GPL, the terms of the license obliged Linksys to make available the source code to the WRT54G firmware.
A version 5 can be used but with only a mini version of the firmware update. To get the full capabilities of this router, you must have versions 1-4. As of v5, Linksys dropped using Linux.

By switching to a 3rd party software, such as DD-WRT, you can also use this as a Bridge. The internet router does not have to be a Linksys. Do a Google search for more information on this topic.

One other thought, for those of you considering using Vonage or some other VOIP company, there is a 3rd party firmware that can be applied to this router. It still has all the advanced features along with, now, the VOIP capabilty. I'm doing it. There is no need to dump this router and purchase a Vonage router. This is the only router that you can have your cake and eat it.

It is easy to install and provides excellent performance for my home networking. I have already purchased 4 units for my friends.

I got this router for christmas because i needed it to use my nintendo DS, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3, and maybe my 360 in the future. It has incredible range! I love this router. The speed is amazing and the rangeis great. Highly advise anyone looking to get a wireless router to buy this one!

So you happen to have more than 1 computers and a couple of laptops. This is a business run family so internet is a must. Not only do you need connection but a reliable and quick connection as well.

I’ve used both DSL and CABLE on this router. (Cable was obviously friendlier than the ever so slow DSL).

The router does its job... It’s simple, easy to hook up... best of all, its reliable.

Definitely a must if you have more than 1 computer in the household and a faster connection than your old school 56k.

I decided to buy because it`s cost benefit is good. However, I am a bit dissapointed because two previous ones have died out and it`s not worth repairing.

The wireless signal strenght could be better though..