| 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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Arrived DOA, January 11, 2007
By Robert Vogt
I finally had a chance to install the router 2 days ago. After much effort, reading and re-reading the installation and set up instructions, I have concluded that the router is "broken"
i.e. It will not communicate or link with my laptop.
So, please advise what the return procedure is...
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Works as advertised - if you set it up right in the first place!, January 11, 2007
By Armyvet (Middlesex, NJ)
The Linksys G router sets itself up - I used the ethernet ports from the start, and they connected each of my child pcs instantly. When I bought a linksys USB adapter for a distant PC (downstairs about 35 feet away) that machine picked up the signal immediately, even though it was weak (18 mbps). So...I moved the router around a bit, aimed the antennae towards the adapter, added a longer USB cord to bring the adapter a few feet closer and now I'm hitting 54 mbps. Also, I set it up for WPA personal security with a nice, long password to get in. The connection is not really fast, but the PC itself is the real culprit - it's just slow. Since I have a lot of experience on the enterprise level in using networks and sometimes fixing them, I recommend this device. It helps a LOT to know even a little bit about networks.
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So Far So Good, January 11, 2007
By E. A. Chavez
I previously had a Netgear router and wireless adapater which I never was able to configure properly. It worked on one laptop but not another. I reluctantly purchased this router and the accompanying adapater and now everything works perfect. I have no complaints and would purchase another Linksys product again.
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Works great!, January 11, 2007
By Dave M (New Hampshire, USA)
I had no trouble getting the wireless router to work on its own. It was a bit more complicated getting it to "play nice" with two other Linksys routers that I also have. One of those is the primary switch for my wired LAN. After looking at a few blogs, though, I found that all I needed to do was disable DHCP on the wireless router and let one of my existing routers handle that role. It's worked great since.
We get great signal strength anywhere in our home, through walls or floors, to a distance of 30+ feet away. It is winter as I write this, so I have not tried to see how far it goes outside yet!
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Reset! Reset! Reset!, January 11, 2007
By cookiebook (Laurel, MD USA)
In general this router performs as advertised, but sometimes I cannot connect at all even though I am eight feet away. After much frustration I discovered the reset button on the back. Push this and hold for ten seconds. Wait for another minute and it works fine.
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Just what I needed!!!, January 11, 2007
By AwenVA (VA)
Love it! Now both computers can be online with our 1 dsl box!!!
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Extremely pleased with this router, January 11, 2007
By sew2nsew (Cherokee Village, AR United States)
It is doing the job of connecting my 3 computer very well. Once out of the box, read the instructions and I was hooked up. Very easy to connect. My highest praise would be directed to their tech service. I have had nothing but the best from them. I had an older router that kept failing, I would call tech support and they always walked me thru the repair. It was very seldom I was on hold for any length of time; sometimes the language was a problem but patience on both ends of the line overcame that. I finally gave up on the old router and bought a new one. Have not had to call tech support once.
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Wireless router, January 11, 2007
By Tom (Michigan)
Plenty fast for a home network.
Mildly muddled documentation.
Web based administration sub menus not always visible.
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Fine router, January 11, 2007
By Trebla (Colorado Springs, CO USA)
Works very well. Strong signal anywhere in my house and obviously no breakage so far. Setup was a bit cumbersome, but there were good instructions and an interactive wizard. You'd think anyone with networking experience would be able to skip the setup wizard, but you'd be wrong. And this is the only thing that lowers the score to me.
The admin panel was in German (or possibly Russian... basically a language I didn't know) and there's no easy way to change this. I had to open a trouble ticket with LinkSys which lead them to send me multiple page instructions to perform a FirmWare upgrade which is the only way to change the language on the admin panel. Through research I was able to determine that the admin panel language uses the country of origin of the router, so it's luck of the draw which language you'll get.
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No support for Mac, January 11, 2007
By Parul Gupta (San Diego, CA)
Bought this router for my home - it works fine with my roommate's Windows PC but just refused to with my Macbook. It didn't come with any detailed instructions, only a one-click installation CD which runs only on Windows. Tried pretty much everything I could find on the internet but failed. "Linksys customer service does not support MAC" - thats the one line response I got when I called them for assistance. Would have returned it but a friend put in a round-about fix to make it work .. but even with that I need to change a list of settings each time I switch between home and school. It is painful but it works!
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Worked perfectly, January 10, 2007
By H. Tjoa (CA, United States)
Having failed with a different brand I thought I would try this. With a couple of calls to Tech Support, which were very productive, I managed to get the wireless network going. I am concerned that the level of security recommended was not what other reviews/forum have recommended. Perhaps the techie did not want to complicate matters for me.
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Love my router!, January 10, 2007
By Flyerdude81 (Palm Springs, CA)
I now have two of these routers, and they work perfectly. I did have difficulty getting a laptop card (by Linksys, incidentally) to interface with the router, but the online help from Linksys really aided me in getting the difficulty corrected, and I've had no more problems. It's a terrific networking tool!
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Linksys WRT54G Review, January 10, 2007
By Daniel Mercado
This is the perfect router for the average home user. It has wpa encryption which is more than enough security for residential use. The wireless has a strong signal and you are even able to play video games on it without experiencing any latency issues. The router is very easy to install and use, every option is straight forward and it also has explanations to almost every option right next to the options. I recommend this router. If you want a little bit more power and freedom with options, buy the WRT54GL. You can load a new IOS onto the router which has more options than the standard linksys IOS. There is a web site with the IOS upgrade free of charge.
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Excellent Router- easy to program, January 10, 2007
By Richard F. Tallini
This is the second Linksys WRT54G I have purchased. My first one has been in use for over a year with no problems. I used this one to setup my daughters network. The setup disk which is included makes installation very, very easy. This router as was the case with my previous WRT54G operates flawlessly. I am pleased with the knowledge that these routers provide a firewall which is highly rated by the experts. If I have need for another router this model will be my selection.
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Another great product!, January 10, 2007
By green machine (Savannah, GA)
Perfect for my wireless network at a great price. No problems setting up and using this router.
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Only minor problems, January 10, 2007
By The Reality Hammer Blog
The Linksys WRT54G wireless router is a good product for everyday home use. It has performed well in the past two months, needing only a couple of resets to fix connectivity issues.
Setup in a mixed computer environment took a bit of time until I resolved a conflict with the Macintosh remote login service (which needs to be turned off). Downloads on our computers have averaged about 800K (one computer being used) with a low of about 400K during heavy shared usage on a 768K DSL account.
We are using both the wireless connections and the ethernet LAN connections with Macintosh and PC computers. Setting up the router was relatively straightforward, as was implementing security. You can also limit access via MAC address and use preset IP address ranges.
The wireless broadcast has a good range and has not been affected by our 2.4 GHz wireless phone or our microwave. Updating the firmware is easy, requiring only a visit to the Linksys web site and a download to your local computer. You can also rollback driver updates and reset the router to factory settings.
We have the following computers hooked up to our network: Two Macintosh OS X machines, two PC laptops and one PC desktop with a USB wireless adapter (all running Windows XP). There have not been any machine conflicts or problems outside the remote login service conflict on the Macintosh computers.
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No problems with Router, January 10, 2007
By YoYo (Texas)
But major problems with the bundled Norton Internet Security software. Had it not been for the Norton software completely denying access to the internet, it would have been a quick, problem-free installation of the router, which is working great - very strong signal and great security features. I had to uninstall the Norton software just to gain access to the internet again.
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Down for the count - twice, January 10, 2007
By ttfn...Alan (Albuquerque, NM United States)
I happen to own a Linksys Cable Modem. So, when my old router died, I thought what the heck. Plus, even though the Linksys is wireless, it also has 4 Ethernet ports in the back, and I thought that this would be the perfect transitional item to help me on my way - when I made the decision to go wireless.
WRT54G #1 - So, I got my router, and it installed easily (With the on screen tutorial coaching me every step of the way. Which is just what I was hoping for. Then, four hours later, it stopped. I know the drill by now: reboot the router (sometimes the modem too), and it continued to work well - for the next 2 days. Then it stopped again. This "on again - off again" situation would last for about 2 weeks until I finally had enough! It went back.
Now, since the reviews for the WRT54G were good (save one - whom was having the same issue - go figure), I thought I'd give them one more try. Maybe it was just this one? Besides, with the same "box" as the modem, they stacked oh so nicely.
WRT54G #2 - So, I got my next router. This one, for some reason, didn't install quite as easily. Same tutorial, but... It would talk to the computers, but not to the Modem! That was the last straw! It too went back.
I was beginning to think it was me! Then finally, I went with a different router (Net Gear), and everything's been working fine.
From the Tech End: You may ask, "Are you sure it wasn't the Modem?" Yes, I'm sure it wasn't the Modem, because in between the times that I didn't have the router, I was plugged directly into the modem. We also had the Cable Internet company come out, and it was not my equipment.
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Not working device was delivered, no support provided, January 9, 2007
By Avihai
The product delivered to me isn't working. The support from LinkSys is poor.
They were unable to assist and unwilling to replace
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Linksys Still On Top, January 9, 2007
By Greg (Pittsburgh, PA USA)
Very easy to setup, good range as long as its away from big appliances.
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