| Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router |
 enlarge
|
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
|
|
|
| |
| 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 |
| |
| 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 |
| |
| User Reviews (1702 total): |
|
Great article of Linksys, September 12, 2005
By Oscar Murillo Hidalgo (San Jose, Costa Rica)
The distance of the card and the router is long but the signal remains stable. With the Linksys card the installation of the network is easy and fast. With another kind of card the installation is quick with a few steps. I recomend this product of all points of view.
|
NOT FOR MACS, September 12, 2005
By Ryan Early (Boston, MA)
Do not buy this if you plan on INSTALLING it on an Apple Computer. You must use windows to install the software.
|
Wireless Router, September 12, 2005
By R. Heusted
The router has,so far, perform flawlessly. In an attempt to make installation idiot proof, the installation CD provides no explanations while guiding you through the screens. It was only on the second attempt that I found the option to display the full user guide. After that, I was able to complete the installation process.
|
Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router, September 12, 2005
By Just a guy (Columbia, MD)
I have always had excellent results with Linksys. This product is excellent, easy to setup, and with the new security features, great for home users who want a quick and simple setup. Some knowledge of what you are doing is a must. And for the price? You cannot beat this product.
|
Easy setup, reliable performance, A+!, September 11, 2005
By Joshua Kramer (Wisconsin)
I've noticed that all the people who have had problems with this device are the people who seem like they know what they're talking about as opposed to the regular casual users who have limited or no technical knowledge and also have no problems with their routers. I'm a total Wi-Fi nube, yet I got this router set up with the 128-bit WEP encryption in about five minutes, right out of the box. It's connected to the main computer downstairs, and I had no problems getting it to work with my Thinkpad, which I noticed some other people had complained about compatability between the two. I have had this router for several weeks now with absolutely no problems, no signal dropouts, and no interference with my cordless phone. The signal strength is great, and setup was a breeze. I highly recommend this product for anyone, even if you don't use any of the advanced settings it's a great buy.
|
Very solid - no issues, September 10, 2005
By Daniel J. Gilley (San Jose, CA USA)
My old Speedstream recently choked and died hence I was on the market for a new wireless router. I wanted 802.11g/b, VPN passthrough to get to my corporate network, cheap, and most importantly - painless.
My first attempt was the D-Link DI-624M. That product did not meet these requirements. I suffered lots of pain, going through 3 before I managed to update the firmware on one without it being permanently killed in the process. Also, I spent hours fighting to get my VPN working. D-Link tech support failed to make it work. I eventually figured it out myself but only after more painful hours spent. Also, the D-Link must be non-compliant/buggy with some standard used to detect changes in network configuration and automatically fix up the links. I had to make sure my cable modem was always turned on after the router or it often wouldn't ever get properly connected.
Anyway, the D-Link sucked.
So I picked up this Linksys WRT54G (version 4) and had absolutely ZERO issues. VPN worked right out of the box. Interaction with my Motorola cable modem is seamless and automatic. I just plugged the thing in and it all worked perfectly. That was what I have been looking for - painless. The Linksys also has many more advanced features. I've not used these yet but the menues are full of lots of options. The only feature I couldn't find (that the D-Link has) is the ability to force static allocation of private IP addresses based on MAC address.
Thank you Linksys for a solid product that saves us busy people time and frustration!
|
great product by linksys, September 10, 2005
By Never argue with an idiot. they drop you to their level and beat you with experience! (texas, usa)
This is an EXCELLENT product. I recently decided to share my wireless iwth my neighbor and we looked at getting a wireless extender (or repeater as most IT people know it as). I decided to replace all of my netowrk with linksys wireless - G products. I could not be happier. I have used netgear wireless, Belkin, Dell (when they were in the wireless business), and Proxim. By far this was the easiest wireless network to setup. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is that i do NOT like the one-touch programming option. it's just confusing. Give me a web interface and let's do it the old fashioned way... that way I know what I have.
|
Lived up to expectations, September 9, 2005
By Musicbuff (Milwaukee, WI)
While the set-up was not as easy as I had hoped, it is possible to do with a small amount of knowledge. The unit works very well once set-up is completed. Security proceedures tend to make the intial set-up tedious. Use the default settings to gain access to the router. Use the website for set-up as opposed to the included cd rom and you should have no problems.
|
Wireless gets easier., September 8, 2005
By Tampa Tech (Tampa, FL USA)
Easier to set up and use than the comparable product from several years ago. Performance is very good. Nevertheless, documentation/advice is difficult to follow unless you already know what you are looking for. System "studied' my computer to determine configuration and come up with the wrong answer - thought it was a static IP when it is actually dynamic. Need to look at other sources for help with encyrption or limiting access. Linksys has free 800 line help, but the folks who answer the phone are not always experts.
|
Cannot count on for a reliable data transfer, September 8, 2005
By Jesse Dearing (Arlington, TX USA)
The connection would drop for less than half a second, but just long enough to cause the webpage I would be trying to view to not appear. I also didn't like that in the firewall settings I could only allow ports to connect to certain IP addresses. Most routers I have used let you forward the ports to all the computers behind it.
Aside from those two things it was a good router. I got good WIFI range and the interface for configuration was very intuitive. The manuals outlined everything a user would need to do. I just couldn't stand having to reload a page when the router would timeout.
|
|
|
Works seamlessly, September 8, 2005
By Bennet Oberholzer (Cleveland, OH)
I recently went from a Linksys wired router to this one after purchasing a laptop and I must say it was a quick and painless process. Setup was a breeze and it has worked flawlessly ever since, even stuffed between my router, printer, and wireless mouse base. It's like it doesn't know the meaning of interference.
I did have a little trouble with my 128 WAP key, but I may have been punching it in wrong. I backed off to a 10 hex key and it worked immediately.
I definately recommend it to ANYONE, novice or otherwise skilled.
|
One of the best brands for Wireless Networking, September 2, 2005
By Screwy Hippy (San Jose, CA United States)
I got this for my aunt who pretty much knows nothing about computers. It took me about an hour to set up a wireless environment in her townhouse and she hasn't called me yet with any problems. Make sure you read the documentation CLEARLY if you dont know what you're doing. there are instructions to encrypt your personal wirless network so no one else can end up hogging/stealing your bandwidth. And the tech writers have made the installation process SO EASY for people lik my aunt to follow. A very well made product that has worked very well for me over the years. I'd also recommend wireless products made by Belkin. i've had their wireless card for my laptop since 2000 and it has rarely given me problems.
|
Linksys wireless router, September 2, 2005
By L. Falk
Bought this along with the linksys cable modem and happy with
both products. The wireless router just worked right
out of the box (following the instructions). Very
reliable and can get a signal several feet from my
home. Recommend to anyone.
|
Cool, Full Featured, And it Just Works!, August 31, 2005
By M. Chamberlain (San Francisco, CA USA)
I bought the WRT54G and a BEFW11S4 802.11b Linksys router at the same time. My previous 802.11b device (which was an SMC, not a Linksys), had finally failed after 4 years of constant use. I'm planning some new construction on my home and I wanted to put up two access points to ensure good coverage at both ends of my house. I primarily bought the WRT54G to ensure I'd be happy in the future - more than the present, since all of my client devices are (b). I use the WRT54G as the edge router connected to my DSL modem, and then ran a Cat5 cable to one of the LAN ports on the BEFW11S4.
I only run the DHCP server on the WRT54G, and after updating the firmware there I'm very happy with the performance, features and user interface on the WRT54G.
Performance on the WRT54G is excellent though with all (b) clients I'm not really getting the full use out of the WRT54G yet.
|
Wireless networking takes some work, but once it's set up this router won't let you down, August 30, 2005
By Daniel J. Klotz (Lancaster, PA USA)
Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a plug-and-play wireless router. You can't just connect a couple wires and sit back. You gotta configure this and that, and it's usually a slightly different experience for everyone.
With the Linksys Wireless-G router you can rest assured that once you get everything set up right (which may be a piece of cake, lucky you, or require a call or two to technical assistance) it will continue to work well for a long time. I have used this router, and previous versions of it, for 5 years now, in a variety of locations with a variety of roomates. In one place we were running a Mac, two Windows PCs, a Linux box, and an XBox off the router. We didn't encounter many problems, but when we did we knew the source was something other than the router. In another place the router was on the second story of the house and I was in the basement. My wireless card was crappy, but the reception was still good because the router's signal is strong.
The CD that comes with this router takes you step-by-step through the installation process and contains complete product information. For a simple home network, the setup is easy. (It's even designed with a simple two-prong plug, so it won't hog up space on your power strip.) Even when setting it up is a bit of a headache, it's comforting to know that once you've got it going it isn't going to stop.
|
A lemon, August 30, 2005
By Matthew Bernard Paul (West Deptford, NJ, USA)
Its exactly that! It's one of those crummy used cars that seems okay just long enough to go beyond the return warranty. Now, I'm stuck with over $100 worth of junk (the router + the card). It seemed fine, despite the ridiculous customer service helpline, but then problems emerged daily. Just like many other users, my connection would break, it would act like it never seen my computer before to the point that I would have to repeatedly take it apart and reconnect the wire setup. I went from Verizon DSL to Comcast Internet and it just got worse. If you have dialup, Linksys will somehow always "forget" your username, password, settings, etc. and if you have broadband, it will pretend that a network is a figment of your imagination! Wireless is nice but its not worth the aggrivation and that's only if it works. Again, the first time I tried to connect to my campus network, everything clicked and I even could access the lab printers. Then every time after that, I kept getting cut off from the net...AND THEY USE THE EXACT SAME LINKSYS ROUTERS!!! Don't buy this, please. Its just not worth it!
|
Great products for one year..., August 30, 2005
By Talpaman (Charleston, South Carolina, USA)
While I have not owned this particular router, I did own the previous generation a/b wireless router and the Linksys cable modem. I have been so unhappy with my treatment at the hands of this company that I have made it my mission to warn other consumers. The products work very well for one year, but within one month of each product's expired warranty they crashed severely and continued to do so for the next year and a half. Technical support and customer service at Linksys are the worst I've ever experienced, in fact, the first technician I encountered each time I would call frequently caused a secondary problem that required transfer to a different operator for repair. I would often spend over an hour (one time over three hours) on the phone with their technicians going through the same process each time of worthless repairs like pressing the reset button and unplugging the products. Because the product was no longer under warranty I was told, frequently, that couldn't help me. This company DOES NOT stand behind its product and expects you will simply buy new in a short amount of time. If you do choose a Linksys product, get whatever extended warranty you can or do what I'm doing and buy Motorola.
|
Easy to set up and works GREAT!, August 29, 2005
By Sailor Guy (Buffalo, NY)
Simple set up made for a quick install. I highly recommend this product.
|
very nice review, especially with third party firmware, August 29, 2005
By beldar (Bellevue, WA USA)
I'm using sveasoft's firmware, but search the web for more information about it--you may find you don't approve of the author's tactics, which I only learned about after I'd paid my $20 subscription.
|
Good Product, August 25, 2005
By Woody (Columbus, OH)
This router is a great purchase, however, it's not as fast when you have a roommate playing games on the internet at the same time. It seems to take up too much bandwidth. I'm happy with my purchase, but maybe the speedbooster version might work better with a gamer involved.
|
|
|
| Copyright 2001-2007 WiFiReview.com |
|