| 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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Easy setup, excellent performance, October 26, 2005
By Jeff Chambers (Pleasanton, CA USA)
I was able to setup this device in 10 minutes. It provides great features including some new security capabilities. My previous Linksys 802.11b router dropped connections all of the time due to interference from 2GHz cordless phones in our house. Linksys/Cisco seems to have resolved this problem with this device. It works flawlessly and I'm very satisfied.
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Fine product, poor tech help, October 24, 2005
By S. Cohen (Portland, OR)
Now that I've got it working, the router is fine. The tech help, however, was pretty bad. I eventually ignored their advice (after spending about two hours on the phone) and figured out the problem myself. Hey, it least it was empowering if not unbearably frustrating.
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No problem, October 24, 2005
By Cam (S. Bend, IN)
I have no router experience and was kind of expecting the worst, as some of the reviews suggested was possible. Fortunately, I can report no problems, at least in the first day of use.
If you have no experience with routers here is a good link for setting up the security side of things:
(...)
The authors put it up on the web so I hope I ain't breaking his copyright.
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Easy setup, works great, October 24, 2005
By Michael Evans (Seattle)
I have owned a Lynksys Router for many years. Finally decided to go wireless. The old Lynksys had always worked well, so this unit seemed like an obvious choice. So far, so good. Spent a little bit of time on config and now it's hands-off and worry free.
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The right route(r)., October 22, 2005
By Imma Reader (San Clemente, CA USA)
Simple to order. Simple to hook-up. Simple to use. The right choice from the right source. Works all the way around.
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works fine for me, October 22, 2005
By Daniel Kreindler (Foster City, CA USA)
hardware works just fine as it should. the sw was broken from the start and I could not launch the intsall wizard from the disc. (maybe the disc itself was bad?). called tech support and they walked me through the manual configuaration of the router and setting up the network. it took about an hour by a freindly gal from the Philipines stayed with me until I verified the network works.
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Frequent drops in service, October 22, 2005
By Skip (Hartville, MO)
The setup was no problem. Anyone with even a small bit of network experience can figure this one out.
The problem here is frequent drops in service - as often as every 30 seconds. I have no problems when wired directly to this unit. However, I run two wireless laptops and both have frequent issues with disconnections. One of the systems rarely reconnects without a reboot of the router.
I have never had problems with Linksys in the past, however this product has led me to question the quality that is being produced. After numerous emails to technical support in trying to resolve this issue, they have stopped responding. My recommendation is to look at another manufacturer.
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Good router! It works as advertised!, October 21, 2005
By Baper (Findlay, OH)
I'm a neophyte when it comes to wireless networking. Had there been some documentation (manual, brochure, booklet or something) with this router besides just the CD setup wizard, I may have given it 5 stars. I already knew how to hook it up to my cable modem and computer but configuring it was not easy for me. The wizard proceeded to lead me through a simple configuration which I followed but when I finished, I had "excellent signal strength" but couldn't sign on to the internet. I called tech support and a technician with a foreign dialect talked me through a manual configuration in about 30 minutes. I know more now than I did, but I'm still not sure what all we did...but I'll learn. I searched the Linksys web site and found an 84 page User Guide which I printed. I had trouble downloading the latest firmware but after disabling my firewall, it downloaded in less than a minute. The router is working perfectly and I can access the internet on my laptop from anywhere in our 1900 sq. ft. condo. Tech support was very good. My chief complaint is that there was no printed documentation with which to educate myself. It seems to be a good router though.
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Good product, Awful setup, October 21, 2005
By Steven Collins
I don't have any problem with the router. It took me several days and four calls to customer service to get it working. It was the fourth customer service rep. who was able to tell me how to set up the options so it would work. Setup was _extremely_ tedious and difficult. I never could have done it on my own and I'm a sophisticated computer user.
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Great for first time wirless users, October 21, 2005
By Russell B. Smith (Lodi CA)
I use these routers all the timefor customers of my company.
They are easy to set up and easy to use and all of my customers recommend them to their friends and family.
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Upgrade Firmware first, reasonable SOHO features, October 19, 2005
By RoyalEF (New Rochelle, NY United States)
(...)
Like most SOHO routers, it has nearly non-existant logging. And provides near zero-statistics. SOHO boxes don't give you a clue about who is one your network or what they are doing. This is universal across every brand I've worked with. If a PC asks & takes a DHCP address you'll have that record, but that's it. Very easy for visitors to be invisible on all home-marketed boxes.
I'm disappoointed Linksys still doesn't allow mapping specific IP addressses in DHCP (what Windows Server people call Reservations). Netgear and Dell (which I think may be DLink rebranded) do.
BEST SECURITY PRACTICES I RECOMMEND...
Pick a UNIQUE SSID. SSID are like filenames in Windows. When your laptop come home it must have a profile with the SID. If you leave it as LINKSYS you will have to wipe out your config to connect to someone else's LNKSYS router cause they didn't change the default SSID on their router.
MAC filtering stops visitors from using your network but they can still spy on your traffic. MAC filtering isn't too hard and it is just a config change on the router. You don't have to monkey with the PC config. Easy and a basic step, but if you have suspicious teenae computer geeks in the area, maybe not enough for privacy.
Best practice is learn how to setup encryption. WEP encryption is weak but most computer people couldn't figure out how to break it. WPA is best. Problem is sometimes you can't get a visiting laptop to work with certain encryption. Getting Apple/Macs was historically a pain, but they've all improved interoperability now. Encryption means people can't join OR read what you're doing.
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Great Router, once you know the secret..., October 18, 2005
By Recovering Academic (California, USA)
The setup software on the CD won't work if your internet provider rejects connections from unknown MAC addresses. RoadRunner and maybe ComCast, at least, are this way.
Here's the steps to set up your router manually:
1. Connect the router in between your modem and a wired PC with the included cable.
2. Plug in the power supply for the router.
3. On your PC, go to http://192.168.1.1
4. Enter "admin" in the username and password fields
5. On the first screen, click the link "MAC Address Clone"
6. Click the link to clone your PC's MAC Address and click Save Settings
At this point you can open another browser window and connect to the Internet. Your wireless connection is wide open to anyone now however. You should go into the Wireless setting on the setup pages and change the SSID to something else, and set the encryption to the maximum whatever you're connecting with can handle (the WPA algorithms are the strongest, but WEP is better than nothing). You should also set MAC address filtering so that only the devices you've specified the MAC addresses of can connect.
Change the setup site password to something besides admin too.
There are lots of walkthroughs for WRT54G security settings on the Internet. A search on "WRT54G settings" should get you some good links.
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Great range, easy to install if you've done it before, October 17, 2005
By robertxm (florida)
Replaced my DLink 11b router with this one. Hookup went well but make sure have the documents from you ISP provider handy. Depending on how the ISP does things, you may need your IP address. In fact, I suggest calling them first and telling them what you are going to do. They may be able to save you some time. I happen to know that my cable provider uses DHCP and not a static IP address (which is the default choice).
If you have an existing wireless network like I did, make sure you have your old SSID handy and if you use encryption make sure you have your key. That way, you can configure this router the same as your old one and your other wireless devices that connect to the network will still be able to do so without any modifications to their wireless setup. Conversely, it might be a good time to change your encryption key just as you should regularly change your system password in case someone has spoofed it.
The setup software has a few typos in it that reduces your confidence in how robust it is. I suspect its just that it was written in Asia.
I had to turn off my cable modem and restart it in order for the setup software to access the internet via the new router. There was a lag of a few minutes before everything started working. I don't know anything about how the ISP deals with a new router but I suppose it takes some time to get things sync'd up.
I have two wired and one wireless laptop on the router. The range on this one is much, much better than my old DLink, but it should be since it is one of the better wireless routers out there and newer.
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Quality Product, October 14, 2005
By Maverick MachineWorks (Western, Ma USA)
I got this router to use to get internet access in my 3 car garage that's detached from the house. I was worried about the signal strength since it was about 150' away. The signal is decent at about 50% and is usually pretty stable. When it has a signal it is very fast. I may try the longer antennas they sell and see if that boosts the signal. I'm also going to move the router in the house so that it is closer to the garage. Easy setup and very easy to use. Some basic computer knowledge is obviously needed but no professional. I used the USB type receiver at the other computer which works great. Makes t versatile for any computer to use it later quickly and easily. Would definitely recommend this product for someone looking at wireless routers for their home.
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Setting up WRT54G with a Mac iBook, October 14, 2005
By unknown
It is amazing that the WRT54G supports only Windows/Intel computers and nowhere on the box or manual is there any mention of Mac computers. Although it is not a complicated setup, for a first time user like me it was a bit time-wasting. Here is a very rough fast guide for installing WRT54G with iBook and cable modem.
Insert the CD into the iBook, open it in Finder and go to the Docs folder to open the user guide pdf file. The CD won't run on Mac anyways. Now plug in the power supply to the router and disconnect cable modem ethernet wire from laptop and connect to the router's Internet Jack on backside. In iBook go to airport icon and click on linksys network, this is the default name. Open Internet Connect/Network System panel and click Assist Me and use the airport option to use the linksys network. With a web browser check that you are able to use the internet through the wireless connection. Then open browser and go to http://193.168.1.1 (check this address from the users guide as i am typing from memory) and then follow chapter 5 or 6 of user guide where it explains how to configure router through web utility. Here you can change name of network from "linksys" to something else, set security options and login password.
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linksys router, October 14, 2005
By Sarah J. Jordan
it is a good router, when it workers properaly, but my main problem is with my ISP and that i have to regester the mac adress and linksys had 3 different mac adresses for their wireless routers.
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sometimes idiot proof is dangerous, October 14, 2005
By harpo (brooklyn,NY)
this router has an auto setup button on the front panel. if you inadvertantly push this button after everything is setup and secured it will reset its installaton and wipe out the setup from before. nasty .other wise its a good router
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Good product. Need clone MAC for Comcast cable, October 13, 2005
By Ken Chen (Santa Clara, CA)
I used a linksys router before and when I decided to upgrade my network to go wireless, I decided to go with Linksys again. Linksys setup was a breeze. The webpage management is very intuitive. This router comes with 4 ports for wired option. I am connecting my PCs to the router through wired ports and connecting my notebook computers through wireless. It was simple and setup was easy.
Note to Comcast users:
I couldn't get the router to work with Comcast Cable modem even though if I connect my PC directly to the cable modem, the PC was able to connect to the Internet. To fix this problem, you need to log into the router through the webpage management. Under "Basic Setup", "Clone MAC Address", clone your PC's MAC address to your router.
Somehow Comcast can detect if the MAC address is a router or not. If it is, there is an intermitten disruption and the router doesn't work correctly. If you clone your PC's MAC address to your router, then it will fix this problem.
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"Easy Setup" was a COMPLETE DISASTER, October 13, 2005
By A. Bogan (Palo Alto, CA)
As a frequent network user, I have set up four different brands of WiFi routers on a dozen platforms (various ISPs using DSL, cable, corporate networks, even dial-up) in four states and two countries (US and Korea). I have never seen an install wizard as completely useless as this one.
I followed the directions, used the set-up CD and followed its steps one-by-one. It was very simply with idiot-proof diagrams throughout. However, at the very end of the process I chose the manual set-up in order to disable the security to have an "open" network. Everything looked really straight forward until an error message popped up during the very final step saying that my settings had failed. There was no way to proceed that didn't generate the same error and my network was not working at all. So I called tech support.
I spoke with tech support (who had a very heavy foreign accent and was difficult to understand) for 30 minutes. After determining that I knew how to plug everything in properly, they gave me the device's IP address so I could configure it manually and walked me through that. It turned out to have already taken most of my settings, despite the error messages. However, the wireless still did not work properly. I could see the wireless network from my laptop's network window, but the network name had been mangled (several letters were incorrect) and I could not connect to it. After many attempts to fix this, including updating the firmware from Linksys's website, refreshing the factory settings and following the Easy Set-up again, it still did not work properly.
I plan to return this Linksys WRT54G WiFi router immediately and continue to use by SMC Barricade WiFi router (which is also somewhat disappointing in performance, but at least functions). Maybe I'll go buy an Apple WiFi box instead. The first two WiFi routers I owned were Linksys and those worked well for many years (one still does). It's a shame that Linksys's quality and tech support have deteriorated so much under Cisco.
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Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router, October 12, 2005
By K. Tower (Eugene, OR USA)
Setting up this router is very easy - it worked fine right out of the box. I especially like the feature which allows one to completely disable the wireless network if it is not needed. One thing that I *don't* like is that one cannot reserve a static address for a device that you want to stay at the same address all the time, such as a printer. My obsolete old Netgear "b" only wireless router would let me do that.
As nice as this router is I can't believe that they would overlook that feature. Otherwise I'm very happy with it.
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