| 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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Does exactly what I need it to, July 17, 2008
By user
I'm very glad to say it does exactly what It was supposed to do and that get's wireless to my room.
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Lynksys review, July 13, 2008
By user (Syracuse, NY)
Excellent range with easy set up. A little annoying to set up the firewall password but within a few minutes I was secure. The phone call support to India was a little strange but clearly understood
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Fast shipment and great condition, July 13, 2008
By user (Boston, MA USA)
This router got to me unexpectedly fast and was brand new as listed.
I was very happy to get it and would purchase it again.
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Opening review.....let's just knock on wood, July 12, 2008
By user (Massachusetts)
OK, I needed to replace a well worn Belkin wireless router that served well for over three years and I bought a WRT54G by LinkSys/Cisco.
Looks cool with its dual pseudo-rubber ducky antennas and bold color scheme. But honestly, that's not why I bought it.
I'm a Mac user and it seems that most after market companies neglect to mention if their router(s) are Mac compatible. Now I know that basically, wireless is wireless and 99.9% of all routers probably work with Macs OK. But BEFORE I purchased I called LinkSys just to be sure and I was told very politely by an AMERICAN CS rep that YES, ALL LinkSys routers are compatible with Macs and that if I have any trouble simply call customer service and they'll walk you through.
So I bought it. Got home, opened it up, hooked it up and just for s**ts and giggles I started up Firefox (Internet Browser) and I had internet.
Now hold on. It wasn't really right. I still had to configure the router and I couldn't access the router's home page. I knew this would happen. No big deal. I called LinkSys and within five minutes a wonderful young lady by the name of Roxanne had all of my settings straightened out.
Now I know that this isn't really a big deal. Or isn't it? I was going to buy Apple's Airport Extreme. The price tag didn't bother me. But do you know what did? No tech support unless your have an active extra care plan on your computer. You can get tech support but you have to pay for it. Outrageous, but I still love Apple.
If your looking for an affordable wireless router with no bells and whistles and you appreciate good, American customer support. Buy this one or one of LinkSys's other routers.
I've probably jinxed myself now and there'll be some problem coming up. Knock on wood.
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not too shabby, July 12, 2008
By user
easy to set up, and has worked without a problem since i got it. not much more i can ask for. i have great signal strength anywhere in my house.
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Very good Router, July 12, 2008
By user (Guatemala)
This product is one of the best to mount a wireless network, relatively easy to install and economic for the budget.
To create the network as you want, just use the cd and consult in the forums, very interesting if you dont know much about networks because of the learning tools within the cd.
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Good Router, July 10, 2008
By user (San Antonio, TX United States)
So far so good. It took me a few days to figure out Linksys connection software and also to figure out why the wireless kept disconnecting. I figured it out (still don't know what I did) and haven't had any problems since.
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Works like you think it would, July 10, 2008
By user (Corona, CA, USA)
I ordered this product about a month ago, and it works just as I thought it would. I have this unit attached to my cable modem to support two computers with no problem. I am in a rather small apartment, so I cannot attest to the strength of the signal, but I get full bars everywhere in the apartment.
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Still Waitining, July 8, 2008
By user (Ronkonkoma, NY United States)
I ordered this item the Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router last week and at the time the Delivery estimate was July 7, 2008, now that it's July 8th, when I look at the web page, my Delivery estimate has been changed to July 14, 2008. The item was ordered on July 2 and listed in-stock and at the time it said delivery would take 3-5 business days, so even allowing for the 4th of July holiday, it should be delivered no later than July 10th. I know giving a bad review is a little pre-mature at this stage, but I've searched everywhere and there doesn't appear to be any e-mail address to send a comment or a concern to and the only email address I can find just has an auto-reply. So if I can not contact the seller, this is the only other option I can find!! If I do receive the item in the next day or two I'll remove this, but changing the delivery estimate date and not providing an accessable email or contact number is very frustrating!!
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Excellent value, July 5, 2008
By user (Palm Bay, FL)
I needed to upgrade my wireless network and since I had previous good experience with Linksys products I decided on this wireless router. It set up easily and access is quick and the options for security types is excelllent in this low cost product. I have not had any lost signals or downtime since installing it more than a month age.
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Just as good/bad as everything else, July 4, 2008
By user (Colorado)
I've had the WRT54G for over a year and its just as good/bad as everything else I've used or read about. Every few months, I can't get a wireless signal, so I have to cycle power. (Its still more available than Windows.) I had the same trouble with cable modems, even put one on a home controller so that I could cycle power automatically every few weeks.
I need another unit to set up a network at a second location and was looking for an "n" device. Turns out, whichever brand/model I look at, there are people that love it and people that hate it.
This device works, despite flaws. Whatever you buy, somebody will think it is wonderful, others will call it a piece of crap. I hope I can find something that most people like and reviews that I know are not written by the competition.
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Great product...I would highly recommend it..., July 3, 2008
By user (Schenectady, NY)
This router has worked out perfectly for me. The instructions were so clear that I was able to put it together on my own, and the product itself is great. It was much cheaper than similar items from other brands, and the shipping was fast. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to set up wireless in a home or apartment.
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Happy ending, June 28, 2008
By user (Rockport, MA USA)
Getting the router to communicate properly with my Internet service provider was difficult, but Linksys's excellent tech support solved the problem.
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Great at the right price, June 21, 2008
By user (Japan)
The Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router by Linksys was the rather unattractive blue and black model (although there are newer models which look much nicer). We used it alongside Linksys' Wireless-G adapter as my roommate was using a desktop with no wireless card.
My computer, as the master still had one wire connecting to the Wireless router which, in turn, was connected to the modem why was connected to the phone jack. The adapter plugged into my roommate's USB port.
I recall that installation was really easy. One can either use the setup wizard software provided on the disc or go to address of the Linksys web utility. I used to software and it was easy enough for me, someone who had never used a router before, to figure out on my own. It included options like securing the network with a password, something I recommend to all. An unsecured network can lead to others leeching your connection, the least possible result is a slower connection and the worst is a hike in your internet bill!
At the master computer, I had virtually no problems and any I did have were easily solved by resetting the router by the button on the back of the piece. However, my roommate had more problems than I did. The network usually worked well across a space of 25 - 40 feet (I'm not a great guesser) but obsessionally she would not have any connection while mine was fine. Sometimes this situation would remedy itself and others I would reset the wireless router, reboot my computer or physically unhook the router and modem to fix the issue. Sometimes this did not help and we simpyl had to wait for the issue to sort itself out.
Now, I'm pretty confident that this wasn't an issue with my connection because, at the time, it was very fast and very reliable. Furthermore, I had few issues at the master computer. It seems that Linksys wireless options are at the low end of the spectrum and while this was only mildly irritating for us, for someone who requires constant uptime or fast connections, the Linksys WRT4G Wiress-G Router may not be the way to go.
However, it is readily available and, if you find rebates, quite affordable. I think we ended up spending about $40 for the pair from Best Buy via a mail in rebate. For that price, I can't really complain.
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Meh - not worth it, June 20, 2008
By user
This is a pain in the neck to set up with a Mac. I followed detailed instructions posted both in the reviews and elsewhere on the Web. The thing wouldn't stay online long enough to get it set up. I gave up and bought an Apple Airport. That is totally worth the extra money.
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Junk, June 19, 2008
By user (Penrose, CO USA)
Big and small problems -- requires a cable to initiate setup, complains when internet not connected, requires (for me) at least daily reboot, low signal strength unless nodes are close, etc. I'm giving mine away, and will replace with Belkin N1, which has great reviews for ease of setup and reliability, with mediocre performance. I'm not running a data warehouse, and don't anticipate a performance problem with the Belkin for my home/office application.
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Linksys wireless router, June 18, 2008
By user
going wireless is the way to go, the set up is straight forward, though I ran into an issue with existing anti viral software on my lap top interfereing with the set up. After disabling the anti viral for an hour, the set up ran completely and I was set to go.
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Easy setup, good range, June 18, 2008
By user (Dallas, TX)
Was able to set up this product in about 5 minutes, has done nothing but please me since. Have it in top corner of my townhome and can use in backyard on other side, but not in the street, what I would call a perfect range. Probably could put in middle of apt for better performance. Speed seems good on my girlfriends Wireless B laptop and the only other wireless is an audio bridge downstairs that has no problems. I'm sure G flys but why not go for the N if you can use it right?
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Fine for wired, practically useless for wireless, June 17, 2008
By user (seattle, wa United States)
So, I have owned this product for 2 months, and in those two months, the wireless has regularly cut out for no reason for about 4 to 6 seconds every 5 minutes or so. This is enough of a timeout to cause ssh sessions to die and streaming video to halt. So, I updated the firmware, changed the broadcast channel, altered the encryption. None of that solved anything. I tested the product on the floor 3 inches from my laptop...same problem. I called linksys support, and they told me to raise it up a foot...why the wireless can't reach 3 inches, I don't know, but I did it, on a stack of books. Problem persisted. The tech support representative had no other useful information, telling me it was probably something environmental. I highly doubt this to be the case, since I see this problem is quite frequent. If you plan to use wireless, I truly can't recommend this product.
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Requires a Network Specialist, June 15, 2008
By user (Hershey)
The WRT54G works intermitantly. When it goes down, you have to reset or download new firmware or generally spend hours trying to figure out what went wrong with it. Definitely high maintenance and I consider myself fairly knowledgable and patient, but I resent having to spend a weekend futzing around with it to get it to work. Buy this router only if you like spending time doing this sort of thing and have a fairly good knowledge of Internet protocol, WLAN and LAN. Also, if you have more than one computer connected, the problems jump exponentially. I have a desktop, two laptops and a Blackberry. It can't handle multiple devices connected to it. If you have a live-in network specialist, it may work fine for you. I am now down on all Cisco/Linksys products. Why can't they make a product that works out of the box?
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