| Linksys Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54GC |
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Model: WRT54GC
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 181
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
All-in-one Internet-sharing Router, 4-port Switch, and Wireless-G (802.11g) Access Point
Shares a single Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet wired and Wireless-G and B devices
Compact form factor fits in anywhere
High security: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2 Personal), wireless MAC address filtering, powerful SPI firewall
Compatible with Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP |
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| Description: |
| The WRT54G Wireless-G Broadband Router puts you onboard for the newest wireless networking standard. Wireless-G is 54Mbps wireless networking that's almost five times as fast as the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes & businesses. They can interoperate with existing 802.11b equipment, making them more flexible thanother networks. The built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 connects 4 PCs directly and lets you daisy-chain out to more hubs and switches for as big a network as you need. To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless-G Broadband Router can encode all wireless transmissions using 128-bit WEP encryption. The powerful Stateful Packet Inspection firewall will defend against most Internet attacks. |
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| User Reviews (181 total): |
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Great Travel Router, December 7, 2007
By bflanagan (Eldersburg, Maryland USA)
This has been the best compact/travel routers that I have used over the past couple of years. It is small enough to carry within my computer bag. The transmitter power can be enhanced by the external antenna jack, but I have found that the reach is sufficient enough to reach across to several adjoining hotel rooms. The four port switch allows for additional connections from non-wireless computers. This router can also be configured as a access point by enabling the wireless and connecting the network into one of the four hardwired jacks instead of the Internet port. I have used several of these routers to extend my wireless zones for trade shows. One drawback is that this router does not have the ability to disable the wireless function and work as a four port switch.
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Not a happy experience, December 1, 2007
By Yi Wang
I bought this model about one year ago, and had very hard experience on it. Yes, it is compact and looks cute, but that's all. Because of the size, it comes with only an inner anntena. The signal is very poor and my Thinkpad always got discoonected in my bedroom, which is only 10 feet away from the router and there is no obivous obstacle between them. But my thinkpad works well in other wireless networks. Disconnections happened very often. I have three laptop in my home, two Thinkpads and one DELL, none of them can work well with the router, it was hard to get an IP when two laptops were working together. Now I'm using another router which is also made by Linksys, but it is very stable and I'm happy with the new one.
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Crashes, November 29, 2007
By helpdeskdan (Midland, Mi United States)
Works fine if you don't use WPA. As soon as I enabled WPA, it will crash every few days and require rebooting. Google it, I'm not the only one. (If you don't know what WPA is, learn - unless you don't mind people stealing your internet and passwords)
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No Range, October 14, 2007
By C. Funari (California)
I bought this a few months ago. It has no range whatsoever. It only really works in the room where it is placed. If I move rooms or stories within my house, I either get no signal or one that is weak and intermittan.
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Don't waste your cash., October 4, 2007
By Vams (Atlanta, Ga)
I am deeply disappointed in this router. Its physical link is fine, but its wireless capabilities are horrible.
It doesn't have a long range. Two regular walls will kill the signal. But what really pissed me off is now quickly this router crashes and needs to be reset. The actual router doesn't crash, but the DHCP server does. Your laptop will take whole minutes trying to get an IP address, but eventually fails at obtaining one. No IP, no connection.
It will crash like this once every 2-3 days. Horrible compared to the other Linksys, Belkin, and sadly even Netgear and D-Link routers I have used which have uptimes in the weeks if not months.
If you just need a simple router that you don't mind restarting every 2-3 days, then I suggest getting a cheaper router. If you need something more, I suggest you spend a bit more and get a lot more value for your money.
In case you are wondering, my best router so far has been a Linksys WRT54GL with the custom Tomato firmware. Uptime close to a year with 4-5 wireless computers continuously flipping on and off line over the week
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Rock Solid Router, August 14, 2007
By Allan Revich (Toronto, CANADA)
Configure it and forget it. This little baby just keeps working. Add an external high gain antenna and you can cover your entire house.
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A definite step up, June 29, 2007
By G. Stewart
I purchased this router after being fed up with my Belkin router. So far, it's been speedy, I haven't had to restart it for no apparent reason, and it has a very small footprint. Also, the signal is quite strong most of the time, even on upper levels of the house. I would, however, recommend getting a signal booster if you'll be connecting wirelessly from far distances. All in all, this is a sturdy router. Plenty of features, somewhat easy to use interface, and minimal setup.
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Simple to Use, June 27, 2007
By Renato B. L. Monteiro (AusBrasil)
Very nice product. This is very reliable and easy to use. The installation CD is useless and the correct way to make the setup is via IP address provided in the support sheet. Because of that the 4 stars.
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Great little router., June 21, 2007
By LDLM (NYC)
After a bit of a search I decided on this unit as my cable router. I am quite satisfied. It was easy to set up and has a great signal for my 2 story home. Without adding an external antenna I get a strong 5 bar signal in every room. Nice and small. About the size of a 2 disc CD case.
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No problems. Quick to set up. (two weeks using it), June 5, 2007
By HarakiriBanzai (USA)
Works. No problems at all. Range kind of limited, but good enough for my 1 bedroom apartment(800ft^2). Easy to set up.
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works great, May 30, 2007
By dandan (Boston, MA USA)
i had no problem starting this router on my own on my mac. very easy to install and works great! the size is a plus as well, fits anywhere, and doesnt look ugly!
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A Good Choice, May 21, 2007
By networkengineer (GOW) (Northern Michigan)
Easy set up. Works like a champ for my one laptop in my home. Also works great in my control network at work. I use it as a router and an AP. awesome little unit. Great price.
If you want more range be prepared to pay the same price for the external antenna as the router.
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Great product, May 14, 2007
By kreamy (AR, USA)
A brand you can always trust, compact yet powerful!
Service beyond the purchase from the Linksys support group.
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It's great but not perfect, May 14, 2007
By Scimount (TN USA)
This router works great as a cable router and for wireles short distances but may not work as well if longer distances (over 15') need to be accessed. Then the signal decreases and may need to be amplified. In any case good value for the price.
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Good Wireless Router, May 12, 2007
By Chandan Kumar (Chantilly, VA)
Linksys Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54GC is a compact, simple to install router.
I researched for wireless routers before buying this, and I would say I am happy with this one.
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Good cute little wireless router, May 10, 2007
By Ruler (NJ, USA)
This router delivers amazing performance for its size. I don't have a problem with the connections or the connection speed, as compared to my previous much bitter, ugly router. I recommend it!
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Great Value, Great Performance, May 3, 2007
By sosoba (Boise, ID)
I purchased this router for one simple task - provide my laptop from work with wireless broadband access so that I can work from home when needed. For this task - this little router EXCELS. I have a 1700 square foot home on one level - so its not much of a challenge from a signal perspective, but this little thing really throws out the signal anywhere in my house. I can be in the backyard, on the patio, in the master bedroom or wherever and I always seem to have the max signal strength. I am using the WPA wireless security protocol and change the password every now and then, I feel pretty secure that my connection is safe for the most part.
This router was a great value and it works as advertised. Highly recommended.
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If you have plenty of free time buy this product, April 28, 2007
By sunmoon
I'm not an IT wiz but my experience with this router has been terrible. In the past 36 hours I have connected Linksys 7 times. It connects and drops. I can see another "linksys" on my network that is probably a neighbor's and I can connect to their WiFi with NO problems. Unbelievable!!! This unit requires you to manually enter setting like the DNS1 and the gateway. Geeze! The CD to configure this unit is worthless it takes you to all of 2 steps and then tells you "sorry" your will need to enter your settings. I need something easy to set up, even the Linkys techs can't get it working for more than 20 mins. The plan was to piggyback into a wired router (connected to my work computer) that I need for security purposes for my job. All I do is reboot, unplug, reconnect, reboot, unplug, reconnect -get the picture? I will be returning this unit and look into a Netgear product. If you have TONS of free time and would like to play IT then by all means buy this product. If your time is valuable and you want something that is reliable then this might not be the product for you.
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Compact, April 28, 2007
By OWEN (OVERLAND PARK, KS)
I've had no issues with this unit, and I take it on trips too for hotels with iffy WIFI and to connect a couple of gaming computers for practice when in a LAN town. 3rd party firmware is also available if desired. if you need help with this product, go to a forum because the guy from Linksys that will try to help you is from some backward country where they kill their "wives" if they drive a car.
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Small Area Router, April 18, 2007
By Loving Father (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida United States)
The router was purchased based on specifications given. I realised too late that houses where I'm from are constructed differently (we use block and steel for all walls both interior and exterior). The signal from the router was weak and I had to purchase a high gain antenna to get signal in the bedroom. The signal from the router was steady but coverage is small. Assess your usage before buying. If you are going to be some distance away consider using the regular router rather than the compact model.
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