| Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router |
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Model: WRT54G2
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 43
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
Shares a single Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet wired and Wireless-G and -B devices
Push button setup feature makes wireless configuration secure and simple
High security: Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), wireless MAC address filtering, powerful SPI firewall |
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| Description: |
| The Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router is three devices in one. The Wireless Access Point lets you connect both Wireless-G (802.11g at 54Mbps) and Wireless-B (802.11b at 11Mbps) devices to the network. There's also a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices together. Connect four PCs directly, or attach more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need. The Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection. All your computers can print on a shared printer connected anywhere in the house. Your computers can share all kinds of music, digital picture, and document files. The Wi-Fi Protected Setup feature makes it easy to configure your wireless devices. Just push the button on the Router and on your other Wi-Fi Protected Setup enabled wireless device to automatically create a WPA2 connection that protects your data and privacy with up to 256-bit industrial-strength encryption. The Router can serve as a DHCP Server, has a powerful SPI firewall to protect your PCs against intruders and most known Internet attacks, supports VPN pass-through, and can be configured to filter internal users' access to the Internet. Advanced configuration is a snap with the web-browser-based interface. Power, Wireless, LAN (1-4), Internet, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) LEDs Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), WEP, and Wireless MAC Filtering Security Key Bits FCC, UL, CE, Wi-Fi (802.11b, 802.11g), WPA2, and WMM Certification System Requirements - Internet Explorer 6.0 or Firefox 1.0 or higher for Web-based Configuration, CD-ROM Drive, Windows XP or Vista, and Network Adapter or Wireless Network Adapter Dimensions - 7.99 x 1.38 x 6.3 (203x35x160mm) Weight - 9.88 ounces (0.28 kg) |
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| User Reviews (43 total): |
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Did not like this router, June 14, 2008
By user (Apex, NC United States)
My old system never had issues. This was easy to install, but we pulled it out after two weeks because it kept losing it's internet connection to our cable box. Not fun to run downstairs to reset the system twice a day.
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a pain, but worth it, June 13, 2008
By user
I had a pretty difficult time setting up my linksys router, but after all of the configurations were done and I figured out what to do, the router works great. People that don't have someone around with computer knowledge should not try this alone. Thank God I have a friend who is a whiz with computers.
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Don't Buy It, June 12, 2008
By user
The router only works intermittently and interferes with the cable signal to the modem. I had to return it.
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unbelievably easy, June 10, 2008
By user
I am still just stunned. Here I was, all prepared for a painful afternoon of geekese and error messages and unexplained no-connectivity, like the last time I had to do this...ordering out for pizza and a late night and probably some booze to ease the pain...and twenty minutes later, I'm on my laptop. (Fifteen minutes of that was fighting with the laptop.) You insert a CD, it walks you through four easy steps, generates the needed keys, and you're done. So now I have to stay sober and cook dinner, but it's a small price to pay. The wifi signal is strong, the router design is sleek and unobtrusive (a minimum of horrible sleep-disturbing blinking green lights, my personal pet peeve), the price was absolutely right. We'll see how I feel a month from now, but at the moment I'm on a non-techie high....
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Decent router great design, June 9, 2008
By user
This is your basic 802.11g, 54mbps router. As far as usage goes it has been very stable and I've only needed to power cycle it once but not for loss of connectivity but more for a slight loss of performance (I could not stream video from one computer to another without the video skipping and in general lagging. However in total fairness this could have been an issue with the computers themselves rather than the router.) As a gaming router I hooked up my Xbox 360 to it and it works great no NAT restriction problems (Keep in mind that if your ISP restricts your NAT then there is little you can do to help that with this router.) What I really like about this router is its design no goofy looking antennas. Other than that it is a pretty standard router that does not do anything particularly outstanding and you could take that as a good thing hence the 4 stars.
Bottom line I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a decent 802.11g/b router however if you have the extra cash lying around maybe you should look in to buying an 802.11 n/g/b router if not just for the sake of being future proof.
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Works Great, June 8, 2008
By user (Washington, dc)
Bought this modem after looking at many reviews. Brought home and with minimal work had it working in ten minutes with both a PC and IMAC - I've been using it now for 2 months and never a problem with reception or speed. The only negative I can offer is it does not have a power on/off switch, which is crazy.
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Simple setup, great for Nintendo Wii, June 8, 2008
By user (Arlington, VA USA)
I had a Netgear WGR614V6 that worked fairly well for internet at home, but had some major bugs---mainly, it would always firewall torrents no matter what adjustments I'd make, and it would not connect to my Wii. Did some research on routers that would work well with the Wii and came across this one. I have to say, I'm very impressed. The router took all of a minute or two to set up, and it connected instantly with the Wii after entering in my WPA password. What's more, I have the router in the very spot that they tell you to avoid---in a corner in the basement on a middle shelf---and my laptop and Wii get excellent signals upstairs in the living room. One thing to note: The installation papers tell you that you may get an error during installation claiming that a connection to the internet isn't recognized, but to ignore it. I think this is what confuses some people (especially those who don't read the inserts). I got the error, clicked through it, and connected without a problem---and still do. All in all, this router is exactly what I was looking for and at a great price.
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Wonderful Product, June 5, 2008
By user (CA, USA)
I am not a computer expert.
I was little afraid of wireless set up since I know nothing about connecting!
Surprisingly, this was so easy that I think even my 73 year old father can do it!
Just follow the instruction and within 10 min. you are wireless!!!
And Oh, this is one sexy machine. I think this product is by far best looking router out there. I can't believe how simple this product looks without antenna.
One small issue that I faced was when I moved my notePC to other room (about 50 Feet away) and closed 2 doors, it had some interruption with less than stellar reception. Maybe the range is too much... You might need broader range machine or buy 2 if you live in big house.
But overall, it is excellent product and I think I will buy another one for my dad.
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Quality router, worth the price, June 5, 2008
By user
So far it's working quite well after 2 weeks.
I previously bought a Belkin F5D7230-4, but soon exchanged it for this one (see my review for it). This router is noticably faster loading uncached web pages, and I see less performance overhead in the Networking pane of Windows Task Manager. I suspect it's because of a newer, faster chipset.
So I definitely recommend this router but won't give it 5 stars unless it lasts at least 2 years.
One tip for those who know little or nothing about wi-fi: This router doesn't have auto-channel, so pay attention to which wireless channel you're using. There are 11 channels (1-11), but by default all Linksys use channel 6. If you live in a congested wireless environment, like my apartment complex where I can detect up to 10 signals simultaneously, then you'll want to use a software tool to detect all available wireless signals. The Dell Wireless Utility does a great job for me. If your environment is anything like mine you'll see most people use the default channel with a few using channels 1 and 11. I use channel 2 since there's only one other weak signal on channel 1 and I want to stay as far away from 6 as possible. Otherwise I get interference and performance loss.
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Great Router, June 4, 2008
By user (CA)
I recently bought this router for my brother in Iraq. He says it is working great and he is able to hook up to other guys' laptops to play games.
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Easy to setup and use, June 3, 2008
By user (Iowa)
I've never used a router, either wired or wireless, and I was a bit nervous about how successful I'd be at setting this one up to work with my computer and Wii. Turned out that there was nothing to it--step by step instructions made it easy and quick and it has worked flawlessly since I started using it about a month ago.
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Definitely Recommend!!, June 2, 2008
By user (New York, NY United States)
I absolutely love this router!! I heard that Linksys had great routers and now I agree. I was going to go with the WRT54G and then saw that they had a new model, this one, WRT54G2. This one is great--I've never had to reboot or had any problems with it. I also love how thin the router is and that it has no outside antennas. Set-up was easy and took 5-10 minutes, it depends on the scans. Wireless connection was fast and works great. I can walk around the whole house upstairs, downstairs and outside with full connection. A must-get for a great price!!
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Amazing, May 31, 2008
By user (Baldwin Place, NY USA)
In the dictionary under the word nightmare is a picture of me connecting a router to my computer? The simplest instruction seem impossible and I spend hours trying to figure out exactly what "connect the blue wire to the yellow plug" really means since when I did what it seems to say, it didn't work. I decided to try one more time (although I can't explain why, I really don't like pain).
First I disconnected my existing router. Then, I opened the box and loaded the CD. I did exactly what it said step by step, taking it as slow as possible. 10 minutes later the router was installed and it actually worked.
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Great device that works very easily with Apple computers, May 29, 2008
By user
I think this is a great device. I will agree with all the positive comments from previous reviewers (which helped me decide to purchase this product), but I wanted to make a specific note to let Mac users know this router will work with your computers. It is not specifically shown on the outside of the package, nor in the instructions, but it does work with a little help from the company. I have a Powerbook and you have to search for the specific instructions and walkthroughs on the company's website. It's a breeze to install once you download these instructions.
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Excellent!, May 29, 2008
By user (Caracas, Venezuela)
The Linksys WRT54G2 is a realiable, robust, easy to use and configure wireless router.
I just ran the configuration CD on the main PC (desktop) followed the on-screen instructions, and 15 minutes later my wireless network was up and running!
For those who have deeper knowledge on PCs and security, it comes with many different security levels and characteristics (Wi-Fi Protected Access WPA, AES and TKIP Algorithms, MAC Address filter and much more) that can be combined according to your equipment's configuration and personal needs, so your wirelees network will be virtually impossible to hack.
Although I was concerned about the internal antennas, the reception is excellent on every corner of the house. It's very small and thin, giving you more flexibility of where the router can be placed.
Summary: it's an excellent product for a fair price!
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very nice...at least so far! :-), May 29, 2008
By user (N.J., United States)
My previous router was a Netgear. Expensive, issues hooking it up, constant lost connections, less than understandable customer service people...not a great experience all together.
So when it appeared to have died, I admit I did not try too hard to revive it. A swift funeral will be in order.
This time, after giving up on reviews on all routers, that claim each is the best in the world or a piece of trash, I just decided to buy a cheaper one from a popular brand, the Linksys WRTG2.
And so far, I have nothing but great things to say. Installation was simple and problem free. Popped in the CD, followed a few simple steps on connections, create a name here, a password there and the wired connection to my desktop and the wireless connection to my laptop were all set in 5 minutes.
Literally 5 minutes.
And so far, the signal is very strong and problem free.
It may not be the fanciest router out there, but for me, and I suspect many people, this seems a fine router.
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installation may be harder for some, May 29, 2008
By user (Boulder, CO)
I felt like everyone who had an extremely easy time installing, didn't have my luck. For the first 3-4 times I tried to run the setup CD, it didn't realize that I already was connected to a router and was replacing the old router with this unit. That was frustrating. When it finally realized that was the case, the installation, setup, and securing were easy. It couldn't find my internet connection but once I unplugged and re-plugged the router and modem as the included FAQ sheet stated it worked great. Plugged in the new password and I was on. The signal appeared weak at the start but quickly updated to full strength. Working great so far, great value for the $. Happy to replace my old dying router with a new one.
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Perfect!, May 28, 2008
By user
Got this one today and was able to set it up and running in about 10 minutes. It worked flawlessly with my existing SpeedStream 5100 router from AT&T. I was able to successfully connect to the internet using this router from two laptops and 1 desktop. I highly recommend it.
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Router, May 25, 2008
By user
Router seems fine, but it was a pain to set up with the Linksys card in my notebook. You would think that since they are both the same brand it would have been simpler. Called technical support and it is in India and they don't really know what they're talking about. I wouldn't advize purchasing it unless you have experience with setting up networks because the instructions suck if the 1 button thing they talk about in the manual doesn't work.
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Nice router, but not that easy to configurate, May 24, 2008
By user (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
The router is awesome, frequency is high enough to reach every room in the house. But the manual leads you to think its installation is "piece of cake" when in fact there's a lot to do in background. After plugging-in the cables, a number of items in the router console must be set to make the router transmit a correct internet-wifi wave. It took me years to figure it all out. The manual should be more compreehensive about these facts and provide a thorough step-by-step description of how to configurate the equipment.
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