| Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster |
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Model: WRT54GS
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 433
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Internet-sharing Router, 4-port Switch, and Wireless-G (802.11g) Access Point
Protects all wireless transmissions with 128-bit encryption
New SpeedBooster technology increases wireless network performance by up to 35 percent
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and 802.1x
Shares Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet wired, 802.11g, 802.11b, and SpeedBooster devices |
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| Description: |
| LINKSYS WRT54GS -- The Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster is really three devices in one box. First, there's the Wireless Access Point, which lets you connect Wireless-G, Wireless-B, and other performance-enhanced SpeedBooster devices to the network. There's also a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices together. Finally, the Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection. Easy configuration with web browser based configuration utility Linksys Parental Control Service (free trial included) keeps your family safe on the Internet, setting profiles for time-of-day and day-of-week access restrictions, and controlling which of 16 content categories each family member is allowed to see Also includes email & instant messaging filters |
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| User Reviews (433 total): |
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EZ Set-up, but Use the Linksys Website, April 12, 2005
By New York Reader (New York, NY United States)
A CD is included with the Linksys router which guides you through
the physical set up (which is very easy). It also guides you
through the software set-up. However, I encountered a few
problems with the software set-up.
However, Linkysys has an *on-line* set up Wizard through their website. I found the software installation much easier using this on-line service. My computer and a laptop were up and running in a few minutes. I suggest people who are new to this technology might skip the enclosed installation CD and go straight to the website for set-up
Once I was up and running, everything worked well. My desk top (not wireless) works fine and my new laptop downloads at an incredibly fast rate. Aside from the software installation glitch, I am very pleased with the product.
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Great Router, April 9, 2005
By joako (Florida, USA)
Before I purchased this router, Linksys had a bad stigma in my mind -- I would try to avoid it at all costs, but this router was highly recommended and there is 3rd party firmware that allows you to add even more functions.
Setup was a snap, as is with pretty much every router. I was up and running in about 5 minutes with a great diversity of computers (Apple iBook and Compaq on the wireless and a Dell on the wired side)
I also use this with Packet8 VoIP service and have not had any problems, nor did I have to re-configure anything -- the both work seamlessly.
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OK product...good Speed, April 2, 2005
By B. Truong
Constant d/c is annoying...have to reset it everytime the signal "disappeared" from the computer, even if the broadband connection are in excellent condition.
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Fragile box and non-existant support, March 29, 2005
By Fabio de Oliveira (Rio, Brazil)
Mine has worked for less than 2 hours. When I moved it to another outlet to improve signal pick-up, it ceased working becoming an ordinary hub. Support was impossible to contact, had to call its parent company (Cisco) to get an answer.
The answer I got was that even though Cisco existed in Brazil, I would have to ship the thing to the US and they would only ship it back through UPS International Express (cost: $88 one way).
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Do Not Buy if you play WoW, March 26, 2005
By L. Jessen (Colorado)
If you play World of Warcraft, save yourself a lot of grief and get something else. But don't take my word for it, search the forums there for this model number.
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Wonderful wireless router, March 23, 2005
By Run Man (Phoenix, AZ)
I have had my router for several months now and I have had no problem with this unit. The unit was really simple to set up and start using. Now all I purchase is linksys products for my networking needs.
The parental control are great to if you have kids you need to control on the internet.
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Nice system, March 22, 2005
By SUNRAI Publishing (zetazen.com)
I am very pleased with this system. Installation was very easy and I receive a very good signal to my notebook even when I'm outside.
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Amazing wireless and fast, March 18, 2005
By J. Bosse (Coral springs,Florida)
This wireless is mad fast. When i bought it though i had a hard time setting it up and had to call for arristance but other then that its recommended.
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Great stuff!, March 18, 2005
By Valeska Villamediana
I bought this router two weeks ago and I have no complaints...I think is great!. I have two desktops connected and a wireless lapto and it works great!
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Excellent, March 14, 2005
By Mr. J. P. Hindley
The signal is great, it never drops, and is dead simple to configure. Great value for money!
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Tech Agent Retirement Act!, March 5, 2005
By ForeKast (Denver, CO USA)
Bought the unit (and the respective Linksys pci card and antenna)in November through Dell. First unit failed internally and had to be sent back for a new/refurbished unit. Then in mid-November began the conversations with LinkSys tech help. Setup went reasonably well, but signal strength and loss of network connection have been episodic ever since. Estimate I've spent ten to twelve hours on the phone with them, easily the most time I've ever spent with computer tech help for ANY reason! The router does not have the signal strength I expected (I only needed about thirty feet) and the unit is not functionally reliable. Performance has been marginal at best, and while the Tech Help from India has tried hard, I am resigned to periodic time spent with them as long as I use the system.
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Happy camper., March 3, 2005
By Gerben Rampaart (Roosendaal, Noord-Brabant Netherlands)
My router had to be 3 things; An internet connection sharing device, a switch and a wireless access point. Based upon these demands I decided to buy the WRT54GS.
(Although the WRT54G costs a few bucks less then this one, I never considered it, it's just a few bucks and I am going to use the device for years, so I advice you to spend a few bucks more for the small advantages, i.e. double memory for embedded software and higher network performance because of a bigger cache). But enough about that.
The thing works. It just does.
Installing was a dream, default configuration via the software, which checked my internet connection type and configured the router automatically.
Wireless range is excellent. Network speed is high. (I use cat 5e btw). computers plug into my network and are totally connected and have immideatly connection to the internet. wireless excryption is easy to set up. Configuration web interface is very clear and full of options.
I have nothing but good things about this device. I would recommend this to anyone.
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Good Router, Rebate Refused, February 27, 2005
By foganime
This is an excellent router, and you're gettting wireless service that doesn't randomly cut out like the Belkin "free after rebate" special I used to use.
On the other hand, Linksys refused to honor my mail-in rebate for $10 for no apparent reason. Get it on sale for at least 10% off and don't screw around with Linksys rebates you'll never get back.
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Good Performance, Decent Tech Service, February 10, 2005
By maddog6969 (TimbuckThree, Tennessee)
Contrary to what other reviewers have written, there are errors in the install how-to. I called tech service twice to rectify the problems - the first tech was difficult to understand so we broke it off and I called again and got good, efficient help. We're running one desktop wired, one wireless and three laptops wireless and are not having any dropouts anywhere in the house, even 50 feet from the transmitter. I had been on the verge of buying the Belkin pre-n rig and I'm glad we saved the bucks - the Linksys stuff cost us about half since we got in on a good rebate deal.
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Great performance for the price, February 9, 2005
By BBC Watcher (Farmington Hills, MI)
I was a bit hesitant to purchase this with Speedbooster -- wondering if I would be throwing the extra $20 away. I was very pleased to find that it is well worth every penny.
Setup is extremely simple. All documentation provided is sufficient to setup your home network. The software was quick to install and was not confusing at all. I have networked three PC's with the Speedbooster router and PCI cards.
Connection strength remains quite strong, with no issues with the router being on the 2nd floor and me using a laptop on the first floor.
I would highly recommend the Linksys.
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sveasoft alchemy, February 7, 2005
By thank God for GPL
Just add the free Sveasoft firmware and you're good to go. While the default firmware is "OK" it's not good enough. Sveasoft is bound by the GPL of the original firmware as another reviewer mentioned so you need not pay the $20 extortion fee to Sveasoft. Google for it; and read up on GPL while you're at it.
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Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router, February 4, 2005
By Shaun R. Jacobs
The Wireless- G router by Linksys is an ideal machine I have one myself. I also purchased a wireless-G PCI card from Motorola. I am a student at Michigan State University but I purchased these items the summer before my freshman year. The reason I decided to purchase this product was so I could have my computer anywhere in my dorm room and not be limited to ten feet around the internet jack and also so if later I had purchased a lab top computer I could be on the internet anywhere in my room. Since I had purchased this product I have not been able to get it to work here up at State but I was able to make it work at home. I have called Motorola and Linksys about this problem but they blame each other for the error. The product works awesome when it is operational but up at school it just collects dust on the shelve. But it is definitely a must buy for the owner of multiple computers.
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Nice!, February 3, 2005
By citan-uzuki (Georgia, USA)
This router is basically the WRT54G, with the addition of Linksys' Speedbooster technology. It can service all 802.11g, as well as the older 802.11b, based networks. Or it can serve a network consisting of a mixture of those two standards. In short, this is a very versatile router to have.
The Speedbooster technology provides an additional increase in network speed over the typical 54mbs of the 802.11g standard. This is very useful if you like to transfer large files between your computers. The extra speed should help things move along just a little quicker. But keep in mind that this will probably not give you any additional increase over the internet. Probably because the wireless connection between the router and your computer is not the bottleneck. The Speedbooster capability can only be fully utilized if your operating system is either Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
Setting up this router was easy. My PCI wireless desktop adapter is also made by linksys. The ethernet card on my older computer is a standard issue IBM.
I highly recommend this wireless router to anyone who frequently transfers large files from one computer to another. I have had the router in operation for over a week, and so far, it has not dropped my internet connection.
For your information, my current network consists of two desktop computers (Dell 8200 and an IBM 300PL). The Dell is connected wirelessly, using a Linksys wireless adapter with the Speedbooster capability. The IBM has the original IBM network card. Speedstream DSL modem. The Dell is running on Windows XP Pro and the IBM has Windows 2000 Server.
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Great product, February 2, 2005
By Harold Ogolo (St. Lucia, West Indies)
Got this router last week and instantly installed it with out any hassles. It was up and running in no time and was able to link to it with my wireless pci card WMP54GS(from linksys also). Had a big issue getting it to link with my wireless adapter for my laptop(WPC54GS), but the customer chat service guys at linksys where just terrific in assisting me to get it connected. Just needed to change the broadcast channel from the default channel 6 to channel 11. By the way, my systems where all running windows xp with sp2. Impressed with their customer care. Kudos to them.
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Better, stronger, faster than before..., January 22, 2005
By S. Forest King (Newport Beach, CA USA)
I have had Linksys routers off and on over the years. I changed frequently due to ferreting out bugs with my connection, which has slowly improved due to various reasons. Most recently I had a Netgear WGT624 (108Mbps) which seemed to have a fast connection with the accompanying wireless cards. However, I was frequently getting dropped off the network at which time I would have to do a router reboot - even with the latest firmware installed.
After reading the reviews here and on www.dslreports.com, it seems I am not the only one with this problem. Now, since this router has received rave reviews, I figured I would try out Linksys again. I did, and am very happy with it so far. I have not had a drop within the last 24 hours.
The only caveat I have had with Linksys is how unbelievibly ugly the hardware is. Why they keep using a dark blue Cisco box is beyond me. I spend quite a bit of money in order to keep things looking clean and consistant in my work area and this box sticks out like a blue flaming sore thumb in my sea of black/gray hardware. They need to take design lessons from Netgear, they would sell more routers.
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