| Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router |
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Model: WRT54G
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 1702
Platforms: Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Windows
Operating system: Windows XP Professional Edition
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
Wireless data rates up to 54 Mbps--5 times faster than 802.11b
Shares a single Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet wired and Wireless-G clients
Interoperates with 802.11b clients at 11 Mbps
Advanced wireless security with 128-bit WEP encryption, MAC, or IP address filtering |
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| Description: |
| LINKSYS WRT54G - Wireless-G is the emerging 54 Mbps wireless networking standard that's almost five times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B ( 802.11b ) products found in homes, businesses and public wireless hotspots around the country. The best part is, since they share the same 2.4GHz radio band, Wireless-G devices talk to existing 11 Mbps Wireless-B equipment. Operates as a DHCP Server NAT technology to protect against Internet intruders Supports VPN pass-through Easy configuration with web browser based configuration utility |
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| User Reviews (1702 total): |
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Junk, July 19, 2007
By user (Philly)
60 days and it doesn't work anymore. All I get is the firmware upgrade screen. No internet. I used another PC to get the upgrade file to install, but it still behaves exactly the same. Yes it's from Cisco, but this one goes in the waste-basket.
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Simple setup; Connects even to unusual devices (Nintendo DS), July 17, 2007
By user (Boston, MA USA)
This is a review of the WRT54G v8, which as of July 2007 is what's sold in stores.
This is coming from someone who absolutely hates Linksys. The last Linksys I owned was over 5 years ago and I swore I'd never go back, so giving this router 5 stars is huge.
Setup was bogglingly easy. I didn't even really follow the directions - I put the CD in and just hooked things up while it spun up. Everything worked anyway. The first 5 or so steps are walking you through hooking a cable modem to the router, and your router to your PC, and... plugging it in. So I did that part quickly but if that's new to you the setup has you covered.
I was actually surprised to find one of the last steps automatically get me online, as I was expecting it to fail and require manual configuration like past routers - this one connected without my help. It then walked me through setting a custom password for the router, a critical step most routers let you skip. I was impressed with how simple changing the password was and its being part of the actual setup process, because a malicious web ad can make just one web request to login to your Router with the default password, and open your PC up to hackers and viruses. Few people realize how critical this is, and making it so convenient helps a lot.
What put this router to 5 stars is that within 10 minutes I had my Boot Camped MacBook/Windows XP laptop connected, and my Nintendo DS. Both over 128-bit WEP. The Nintendo DS doesn't do WPA (a more secure method) so I haven't tried it. As a tip, the Nintendo DS works best with 128-bit WEP (not 64) and on the DS you need to enter the HEX password generated for you by the Router, not the PassPhrase.
I've gone through an SMC Barricade (2804) and a NetGear RangeMax N, and both caused serious drama. The Barricade dropped Nintendo DS connections after 2 minutes and laptop wifi connections after an hour. The NetGear barely got my desktop online, wouldn't connect to my laptop, and wouldn't connect to my Nintendo DS.
I only considered this Linksys after having it recommended to me 4 times by people whose technical knowledge I respect. I'm actually shocked this thing works, let alone flawlessly. I hate to say it but if I had to recommend a router to someone in the future, I'd recommend this one. I'd make clear that it needs to be THIS one, as other Linksys routers really are crap.
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Excellent 802.11G product, July 14, 2007
By user (San Jose)
Great product! Has WPA2, plus a whole host of security features, such as MAC filtering and preventing wireless clients from configuring router settings. The best part about the whole thing is that most settings can be changed without a router restart, including the keys. Signal strength is very good across the whole house, (including different floors). The LEDs are not too bright, so they won't bother anyone at night either. Best part is that Linksys is very diligent in releasing new firmware for this router, so new features are constantly being added.
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Great Wireless G Router, July 14, 2007
By user
If you want a wireless G router, buy this one. Everyone I know has it and they'd had no problems. It very easy to setup and has excellent reliability. The price is very good as well.
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It works, but for how long. And setup was a bear!, July 14, 2007
By user (Walnut Creek, CA)
Note: After a year, I have my answer: it lasts at least 4 months, and I haven't had any significant problems. Every once in a while, when there are four computers on the network, it helps to unplug it and plug it back in and then all's right with the world. I'd go 4 stars if I were writing this today (Nov. 16, 2007) It was still a bear to set up: one forgets how if one doesn't set these things up every day.
I bought this WRT54G as a replacement for a 4 years old Linksys (b) that had to be unplugged and plugged back in again two or three times a day so that the two other computers on our network could stay online. I was told that the WRT54G would be 5 times faster anyway, and much more reliable.
First, a disclaimer. Wireless networks drive me nuts. I understand how they work: I just don't understand all the jargon that Cisco and Belkin and "normal" folk use in describing how they're set up. That is NOT why it too almost 3 hours to set this one up with Cisco's "easy set up" CD or Windows "make your own network."
I have one primary PC,a laptop, and my wife's PC. The laptop is 3 feet from the router and modem. My wife's computer is maybe 10 feet away. No biggie. So, the disk say to unhook the power from the modem, and the "cable" from the computer. Look, 80% of all routers have a yellow and a blue cable. Cisco couldn't refer to them as the "blue" and "yellow cables?" Evidently, that would be too simple.
Finally, I got it physically set up, and hit the "East Setup" button. No way. WEP keys and certificates and all kinds of crap kept getting in the way. So I called Cisco, and the folk in the Philippines couldn't have been nicer or of less help. (It's true: never tackle something like this on a weekend!)
Then I called my tech reps at Dell. I paid extra for our corporate licensing, and I even if this was the only call I ever made, it would have been worth it. I stumped the tech rep and his boss, and we tackled everything from auto set up to the CD to Windows stuff. The PC worked. The laptop worked. My wife's computer on which we have the company's books didn't work. Finally, out of sheer exasperation and inspiration (the inspiration was the the old router worked yesterday), he told me to do a System Restore to yesterday. It worked!
I should be happy as a lark, right? Well, not quite. The new router is not as fast as the old one on the two peripheral computers. So far - 6 hours - it has remained on line, however. It's fast enough on the primary PC, but only two-thirds the speed on the other two. I don't know why. If I knew why, I'd be a tech rep. In order to "know" something, it's good if you work with the same stuff all the time. How often do I change routers?
One last thing for Mac users, and I mean Mac as in Apple not Mac as in MAC: If you use a WEP key for encryption, don't forget to put a $ in front of the WEP Key, a little something that Dell told me three years ago and Apple didn't.
Cisco gets a C. Apple gets a D. And Dell gets and A+ just for sticking with me until it was resolved.
I love the question below that asks if you're over age 13? By the time I get done with these "minor" computer problems, I'm over 90.
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WRT54G Router - Worked perfect, July 13, 2007
By user (Annapolis, Md)
I use Linksys and Netgear everyday in the office.. This router seemed to setup perfect. No complaints...
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Easy!, July 13, 2007
By user (Syracuse, NY)
This item arrived at my home while I was at work. Since it was for our son in order for him to gain internet access on his laptop, I decided to put him in charge of setting it up. The techs at Linksys assured me that I would be able to do this myself, so I figured my 19 year old son could manage, which he did beautifully. This router is a no-fuss deal, and was shipped/arrived in an extremely timely manner.
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Works great, and provides security., July 12, 2007
By user (Minnesota)
Customer service from Linksys is great, but you won't need to call! Their products are great and this one works very well. Multiple security options and much more make this a great addition to any wireless network.
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Router High Speed, July 12, 2007
By user
The router has solved my wirless issues and continues to work at the speed it is marketed to do.
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Excelent, July 12, 2007
By user
I love this product, and the most important, is very easy to install and configure.
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poor product, worse customer service, July 11, 2007
By user
I'm on my second WRT54G as the first was replaced by Linksys following 6 tech support calls to reconfigure the router. It doesn't seem to keep the same IPV4 address day to day so I could never get to the internet through it. I had to pay the $10.00 to send it back (had to be priority with a tracking number or I'd be charged for the replacement). Unfortunately I've already called in twice for reconfiguring, spoken with the supervisor and her manager, and been sent back to tech support. I've ruled out problems with the modem, ISP, computer and my phone device and it seems my Linksys is the problem again. I've since been told to avoid the version 5 models as they have the worst reputation for consistency.
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Looks Good, July 10, 2007
By user (California, USA)
I have been using this product for almost a month.. works fine mostly, except in some cases when it seems to hang (all lights become still instead of blink during normal operation) when I need to restart the router..
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Easy setup, July 10, 2007
By user (Beaver Falls, Pa United States)
Easy install and setup, great signal strength.
I know this is short but this is all it took.
Followed Linksys's setup instructions then followed my ISP's and I was done.
Didn't diminish my main computer's access speed at all.
Verizon customers.....remember to set your modem to bridge mode first.
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It works for me., July 9, 2007
By user (AZ USA)
I've been banging my head against the wall for a couple of months trying to get a netgear system working.
I finally decided to give this a try.
I wish it had been as plug and play as some have experienced.
I had to spend over two hours on the phone with some east Indian before we got it to work. Once done it worked great!
Until I tried to add a range extender. The auto configure completely screwed up everything that I had spent hours on the phone getting it up the first time.
Another call to tech service. He completely jacked up my desktop pc and my laptop pc. He got frustrated and hung up on me.
I called back and finally got someone who knew what they were doing!
System is up and running and so far I couldn't be happier.
But you shouldn't have to spend that much time on the phone.........
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good for a start, July 9, 2007
By user (going to indio,ca fromprineville,or)
when i ordered the router.. i had been told.. suggested strongly.. to get the linksys wrt54gl i messed up and got the wrt54g instead. i had a few problems with it.. and had my friend come over 4 days straight to get the kinks worked out.. it seems to be fine now, but i am going to move and that is going to start things over as far as getting on-line wirelessly.. i would suggest the wrg54gl if one doesn't mind paying a little more.. less problems..
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Short Lifespan... Doesn't play well with Mac, July 8, 2007
By user (Redmond, WA USA)
It's Linksys and it works out of the box like it should - IF you use a PC! With Macs, you better be able to do some typing and configure it thru the browser - 192.168.1.1 but it's not bad if you have some technical background. You don't need to be able to write code, just understand the basics of what you're setting up and WRT54G will come to life and fly like a bird.
A bird with a short lifespan...
This is my 3rd Linksys WRT54G Wiireless Router. They, like all Linksys products, seem to have a short lifespan after which Cisco/Linksys Technical Support will declare it "Bricked" and direct you to replace it or use it as a plastic boat anchor.
Needless to say, I'm going to try Netgear now.
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so easy to set up, July 5, 2007
By user (colorado)
very easy to set up and works perfectly. I actually purchased 2 wireless routers to set up a small internet access at my business and I couldn't have picked better units than these Linksys routers.
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Warning to AT&T high-speed internet customers, July 5, 2007
By user (San Diego, CA)
I'm sure under the right circumstances this is a great product. In fact, I use a Linksys wireless router at home with a Linksys cable modem and have never had any problems.
HOWEVER: If you use AT&T DSL, this product ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY DOES NOT WORK with a Siemens SpeedStream 4100 DSL modem. AT&T does not give you the option of using any modem but the one they send you so do yourself a favor and try a web search using the name of your modem and the name of the router you are thinking of purchasing to find any compatibility issues.
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Nightmare, June 29, 2007
By user (NYC, New York)
Buying this wireless router turned out to be the singularly most frustrating experience I've ever encountered with any product. When -- after a good deal of difficulty and a long call with customer service -- it finally was up and running, connectivity was only intermittent. Customer service is a nightmare . . . waiting, waiting, waiting to get a live person . . . then after more than an hour of diagnostic testing they tell me the router is defective (duh) and that I will need to call another number to "apply" for a replacement under the warranty. When I do, I'm told that before they can accept that the product is TRULY defective, more tests will have to be run and that I will need to call tech support again for that. So I do . . .and after literally two more hours on the phone, they confirm absolutely that the product is defective and that I REALLY can call the other number to "apply" for that replacement . . when I do call the other number (they call it the "RMA Department"), they want a deposit on my credit card before they will ship so they can be assured I'll actually send them the defective one! After all that incompetence, should I have to entrust them with my credit card information? And what're they going to do with the defective product?? Sell it to YOU???? . . . . You get the picture.
I have a NetGear wireless router in my other home that works like a dream. Steer clear of this Linksys product.
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Linksys is ok, June 27, 2007
By user (Westerly, RI)
Does everything it is designed to do. Gives very good range of operation throughout the house. This one replaces a similar unit that got fried during a electrical storm.
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