| 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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Worked great for 2/3 of my computers; has a config issue with the 3rd, October 13, 2006
By Fisher Man (New Jersey)
This was very easy to configure - all you do is insert the CD and follow the steps. If you can follow a recipe on a box of brownies, you can hook this up to your modem.
Upon completion, two of my laptops easily found this wireless device and connected to it. My desktop wasn't able to locate the device. This was odd since it had been finding my Wireless-B device prior to my upgrade to Wireless-G. After poking around in the setting a bit, I noticed that both Windows XP and my Linksys Wireless-G card were trying to "run" the access to the device. I disabled the Linksys card from this action, and immediately had the new device show up in my Wireless Connections.
Now that all three have connected, I can say that performace is solid. Speed is good. No downtime (so far, but it has only been 24 hours). I'm very happy with my purchase.
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challenging setup, ok performance, October 11, 2006
By jheikeb (TX United States)
I spent about 2 hours trying to get this router on the internet using the included wizard software then trying to manually configure it using the browser-based interface. I made sure the ROM was updated etc but no luck until I called tech support (I was getting desperate). While I was on hold I got the message that the Linksys site had a new tool for making configuration easier (EasySetup, QuickSetup or something like that). So I downloaded the app, ran it and with very little input from me (or feedback from the app for that matter) the router magically connected. While looking at the settings through the browser-based admin tool, I could see no obvious changes from the settings I had applied before so either it made some esoteric change or something that can't be changed via the browser admin. Since then, it has been working pretty well for about 3 weeks except it loses connection to the net about every 5 days, but this is quickly fixed with a reset. I'm running Mac, PC and Linux clients and I thought when I bought this router, I'd have no problem setting it up through the platform of my choice since it has a browser admin, but without the PC-based quick setup app, I don't think I would have been successful whithout spending more time with tech support. So except for initial setup, browser admin works fine.
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Good startup router, October 10, 2006
By C. Lynch (Queens, NY)
I have this router set up in my basement, and I receive the signal on the second floor my house. It is usually connected at 54mbps which is its highest capability. I had initial installation problems and had to have tech support trouble shoot the problem over the phone which took about 3 hours, all to find out it was a firewall issue. The router worked fine for 2 months, then crashed. I had to call tech support again and spend another 2 hours on the phone with them to resolve the issue wich turned out to be a software problem. After the software upgrade, It seems to be working fine. I would recommend this router only to computer savvy people because perhaps you could get yours up and running without the assistance of tech support. Otherwise you will most likely end up spending a greater portion of a day, or night in my case, on the phone with them trying to get it working. But once it works, it seems to work fine. Never drops the connection in my useage.
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self-setup was easy, October 8, 2006
By Nimar S. Arora (California)
I never install the CDs for any computer peripherals, and I wasn't going to change that policy with this router. But, it did make it difficult to manually configure, the box doesn't even come with a manual. However, once I found out that I could configure it by attaching a network cable to the router and opening up http://192.168.1.1 (user/pass is admin/admin) it didn't take very long to setup.
I configured the router with a static IP, enabled WEP encrption, connected to it, and enabled MAC filter in a matter of minutes. I don't see any drop in my 1Mbps internet bandwidth when using wireless vs wired.
Now, I'm all setup and secure, hence I give it 5 stars. but I would have preferred if they had given the address of the web utility somewhere in the box.
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good range but some small issue with AT&T (SBC) DSL, October 3, 2006
By GameGameAndMoreGame
The wireless range is good, about 150 feet from downstair to upstair in my house. The small issue with AT&T (SBC) DSL service, I have to set the DSL modem as a bridge and let the router do the authentication (that solved the drop connection issue).
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BattaBingBattaBong! Up and running, October 1, 2006
By Bob (Prescott, Mi USA)
I was a little worried about my new WRT54G at first. I attempted to set it up via the hard wire LAN. I could not access it at all and thought I was in trouble. When my daughter arrived with her new wireless ready laptop, I attempted to access it through the wireless side. Within 5 minutes, the system was set up and running. Now I can access it through either wired LAN or WLAN. It's fast, and we at one point had 4 computers running on it and had no slow down of traffic.
Thumbs up to Linsys for a fine product!
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Good Router Sucky Range, September 25, 2006
By Steven A Tantes (Columbus, OH)
I like this router alot its great took no time to install but i called linksys and they said it had a 40 Foot range my computer is about 18 feet away from the router and my signal is low all the time and it only runs at about 36.0 Mbps or less at all times i did everything they said and it never fixed it so now i have to buy an $80 range expander or deal with the problem my opinion is unless your only going to be 10 feet away from the router at all time don't bother getting it without a range expander because the computer has to be basicly on top of it to get a good signal i give it 4 stars because up untill now i'v had a good expierience with linksys and the router signal may be low but it doesn't give me all that much trouble its just playing an online game and have it say no packet flow and kick you off then find out its bacause the router signal went dead is very annoyiing so to the point basicly it only has a 10 foot range don't believe what they say.
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not good compitability., September 25, 2006
By Liwei Sheng
It seems this router becomes worst every day by judging from the reviews from all the users. I did not quiet believe it and thought I might be lucky. Well I was quite wrong. My old router from airlink101 is not very stable when it is heavily loaded with trafic so I want to try a router from a well-known brand this time. However with this router I am only be albe to connect one computer to the network. With same setup I have no trouble to connect all my computer 2 laptop, 2 desk top and a print server. I am unable to connect my dell and the print server to the network. When I power the Linksys down and airlink101 on, those devices have no trouble to connect to the network. Since I can connect one Gateway desktop though Linksys, I confirm the network setting is right. Somehow the other devices does not like Linksys. I can spend more time to trouble-shoot but I 'd rather return it.
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No problems here, September 25, 2006
By Bob - that guy from No Where (The Middle of No Where)
I have been using the router since Dec 2004. We are able to recieve clear data through several layers of walls and use the net with our 2 note books at speeds that are 95% + that of the main desktop
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Configuration = hassle, September 24, 2006
By G. Serra (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
I wanted to go wireless so i bought this and a Trend wireless pci adapter.
As I opened the package, I saw everywhere signs of "run CD first", and so I did, everything seemed to be running smooth until I got stalled on step #8 where it asked me to put in a password, did not said which one, so I put any combination I could, inlcuding wireless router's default and nothing, kept asking me for a password. I had to download the Linksys easy advisor (I recommend it) and my wireless network was set up instantly, so, in the end, I didn't use the software that came in the CD.
I am testing it and so far no drops, just the signal range, I am a bit dissapointed because it will not reach the whole house, though I can't set up the router in the middle of house, but I put 4 stars to this product just because of its configuration process, after that, I really like this product and would recommend it.
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WRT54G = Dead Bird, September 24, 2006
By The Commie (Honolulu, HI)
I had no problem setting the POS up at all, it was faily simple. The problem is that the damn thing don't work, period. Taking it back and getting something better, and not from Linksys.
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easy to set up.....works very well, September 23, 2006
By Monkeybrain (Iowa, USA)
I read the reviews regarding a host of routers, saw that every one had mixed reviews. When this one arrived, I put off setting it up for a few days, basically because I figured it'd be a chore, and I absolutely hate having that happen. Well, when I finally got to it on my very slow and primitive e-machine, I followed the instructions to the letter. The only difficulty in set up was in rooting around and finding an ethernet cable, which I had buried underneath a ton of crap in a drawer. Once that was resolved, I booted up and KA-CHING! .... it worked perfectly. Still works perfectly. Easy to follow directions, like "turn off modem", "unplug modem", plug in unplugged modem cable to router" etc. I'm quite the happy wireless nerd now.
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Not Easy to Setup/Configure, September 22, 2006
By RG
Linksys touts this as an easy to setup router. It was anything but easy. It took me six hours and three different online chats with tech support to work out the kinks. I have version 6, which is suppose to be the latest.
It's been running now for roughly 12 hours, so maybe the worst is behind me. If I need to upgrade/change routers in the future I'm not sure I'd go back to this brand unless I saw/heard about serious improvements in the installation process.
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Returning item--couldn't establish internet connection, September 22, 2006
By Enderby scout (Stanford, CA)
I've just had a long and terrible experience trying to get this to connect to the internet. But my gripe with the router isn't so much that it doesn't work--that's simple enough to deal with--but that the configuration software sucks so very much, as a lot of other reviewers have already pointed out. The set-up wizard is spectacularly slow and stupid.
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Very easy setup, September 20, 2006
By globewriter (Toronto, Canada)
Opened the box today, plugged in my DSL cable into it, Plugged the provided cable into the computer, Plugged it into the power and voila! It works great and the range is excellent ( my usual experience with Linksys). Including going to the browser page and enabling Wireless security and setting up a router password the entire process took no more than 3 minutes. I use Macs so the included setup CD was of no use to me but given the ease of setup without it I really don't think it is needed for Mac users. Not sure about reliability yet but my past experience with Linksys products was good so I am quite happy.
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sucks, September 19, 2006
By S. Goodbar (AZ, USA)
Works great if you don't mind calling for tech. support everyday in order to get online. They outsource jobs so the accents vary all the way to completely uncomprehendable. They get a little frustrated when you have to keep saying "What?" all the time. My Indian isn't real good so...If you get one in the Phillapines you'll be lucky. You can understand them and they are very good. This is my fourth day in a row of 30 min. plus tech support and...oh never mind...It goes back to the store tomorrow.
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Simpler to hook up than in the past, September 18, 2006
By Eastkoy (The North Coast)
I replaced an eight year old wired 3Com hub in my office that had become intermittent in the past couple of months. I had installed one of these at home about two years ago and it was a bit difficult to set up and configure. The setup button on the front of the new Linksys router however made this very easy.
By the time I had looked at the online manual and help information the hub had configured itself and my two wireless laptop computers were telling me that there was a wireless network available and the PC I initially plugged into the router was giving me the network key. Made me feel like I actually knew what I was doing. Great job Linksys!
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WRT54G V5/6 horrible with VoIP, September 18, 2006
By J. Mitchell
Although I have recommended the WRT54G to many people over the last couple of years (which ended up being V1-4), I have had a version 5 and version 6 of this router now and neither lasts more than 5-10 minutes when there is VoIP traffic from my Linksys PAP2 going through it. The power light starts blinking and it resets itself. I've current got the WRT54GL on order so I can get back to life without dropped calls (got an old Microsoft MN-500 in place of it now and it also has no issues with same environment/settings).
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Horrible and Broken, September 17, 2006
By JonaAmazon
Why do they keep releasing this kind of horrible and broken product that doesn't work. Stay away. It might be cheap, but trust me, it's not worth it. Spend more and get a more competent product from a competent company.
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Why do we put up with these inferior products?, September 13, 2006
By H. Markowitz (Cleveland, Ohio)
I'm heavily invested in the technology. I have too many Linksys accessories to change branding. I have never... I repeat NEVER had successful experiences with any router working thru either cable or DSL. I'm on my fourth model... they are all pretty much the same... They are iffy, problematic and unreliable, and to expect these devices to provide any level of consistent service, is obviously asking way too much. They stop working daily... often hourly. They tune out and refuse to reconnect without the proverbial reboot, pray, reboot, reset... and pound a few tables routine. How many times do I need to reinstall the software? How many connection checks does it require for my hard earned green cash to produce results that are CONSISTENT? How about REALIBILITY? Do the tech support guru's in India ever consider any options other than reboot, reinstall Windows, call the DSL company and complain?... and it goes on and on. Just to let you know... if I run directly from DSL to computer... it works perfectly and forever and a day. When I connect a router to my simple system... the evil router gods spew fire and wrath down upon my office. So...? Does the rest of the consumer world out there have as many issues as I do? Even if a small percentage of users out there are experiencing this type of frustration?? I wonder why we are continously throwing money at these people? Time for a little more responsible accoutability?
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