| 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: 556
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Warranty - 3 years
Standards - IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b
Ports - One 10/100 RJ-45 Port, Four 10/100 RJ-45 Switched Ports
Button - Power Port, Reset Button
Cabling Type - UTP CAT 5 |
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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 (556 total): |
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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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Great product, February 2, 2005
By HIFO (Anguilla, 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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Nice!, February 2, 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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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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Great for Mac Powerbook, January 18, 2005
By Wireless
This product simply works great on my Powerbook. If you want it working on your Mac, follow these instructions. If you have a Airport card on your Mac, you need to remove it before preceding (refer to your Apple owners manual). Install your new Linksys network card into the external card slot and power up your Mac. OS X will configure the new network card as Airport card (how easy is that!). Varify by clicking on the wireless icon at the top of the apple menu bar (Apple should have check mark and not Linksys). Turn off your modem and connect the ethernet cable from the modem to the Linksys router. Power up the modem and router. Open configuration page using the web browser per Linksys instructions. Leave it on auto configuration DHCP with no changes except your password. Save and exit. Power off both the modem and the router. Power on the modem first and than the router, it may take the router few minutes to configure itself. Happy surfing!
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very dependable, easy to set up, January 14, 2005
By David Fenton (Norwood, NY United States)
This router has served me well for nearly a year now. It is easy to set up and has pretty good wireless security. This is my second Linksys router, and I really can't see myself ever buying another brand. I've used their KVM switch, and an 8 port switch and they all have worked very well.
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It worked right out of the box, January 13, 2005
By daniel (Greensboro, NC)
When my wired router went out i decided to upgrade to wireless, with the aniticipation of getting a laptop. I first bought a D-link wireless router (my wired one was a D-link and was happy with it). After setting it up i did a internet speed test and was shocked. i was getting about 300kbs. I was normally over 2000kps. I called d-link and they told me that was the nature wireless. I did not believe them. I then bought the Linksys. I installed the router, then installed the ethernet card. I then turned on the computer to install the software. Running on windows XP i did not get that far. It recognized the card and routher and i was on the surfing internet in about one minute withoug loading the software. I called tech support to make sure i still did not need to load the software and they told me that it would not be necessary. Then on the speed test i was back up to 2000kps. I now have a laptop and tested the reception by walking down my street. after about 200 feet from my house and my neighbors wondering what i was doing, i was still getting a signal. I highly recommend this router.
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Linksys WRT54GS Parental Controls Disappointed, January 12, 2005
By Tech Guy (Ohio USA)
I bought this router for the Parental Controls capabilities that they partnered with Netopia on. I specifically was interested in the ability to create an "approved buddies" list for each user profile.
The major issue is that it only allows you to enter 15 approved buddies per person. My daughter has close to 100 that we approve of and I can only enter 15. This has made the whole point of buying this router worthless (considering I already owned a Linksys wireless G router but it didn't have the parental controls).
Maybe Netopia or Linksys could fix this issue but my hope is dwendling since I contacted Linksys and was routed to 8 different people over an hour and a half. Most of them had no clue what the parental control features were in their product.
The router hardware and interface is very good and is terrific for networking. I highly recommend Linksys as a wireless router. Just don't buy this router for only the Parental Controls as of right now. I'm using firmware 3.37.2.
Very disappointed!
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Excellent Choice, January 6, 2005
By James Igoe (NY, NY)
I purchased what seemed like a good wireless router, which will remain nameless, but eventually the performance dropped, pages timed-out, etc. I scoured the internet, but found that my particular model had persistent problems, and neither the company nor anyone else had a fix for it. Eventually, I replaced it with a Linksys WRT54GS. Not a problem since.
As for nice touches, the ports are fully stealthed, and the encryption algorithm is a bit more apple friendly - I have an iMac - since the WPA security has options for AES and TKIP, and the Apple only uses TKIP; other devices don't allow a choice. Also, the router has 4-wired ports, in addition to its wireless capabilities.
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Good for nerds and novices alike, January 5, 2005
By D. Forester
So far, so good, with little issue. Set-up was a breeze - plugged it all up, restarted my computer's networking, and hit the administration site. WEP + MAC filtering are made pretty well idiot-proof, so there's no excuse not to use these security measures with this product. For the non-nerdly: That will help keep strangers off your wireless network - Make sure and use them. If you haven't realized this with most standard-hardware networking products - you don't need the included CD; just toss it. Waste of time.
Caveat the following with the facts that my house is not the largest around (3 bed/2 bath; 2 story; 1,600 sq ft), and that the router is very centrally positioned, but wireless speeds have been outstanding thus far, all over the house - haven't seen it drop below 54 Mbps yet (note that I'm using a random Dell-factory-installed 802.11g card, not the companion Linksys card).
Port forwarding seems to have worked ALMOST flawlessly - the one hitch (nerdery follows) is that I run a mailserver behind the router, which upon receipt of mail, retains a copy and forwards a copy to an external account. The mailserver receives mail fine, and sends locally-initiated mail fine, but for some reason, the forwarded copy never makes it. The mailserver does send it (according to the logs), and the router's (limited, but still a nice feature) log shows corresponding SMTP activity through port 25, but it never gets delivered to an external account. I'm not sure of the reason, all I can say is that "it worked before I put the router in". Still digging into it.
I may eventually look into using another firmware for the router (OpenWRT, etc), but it's stock firmware is fine, intuitive enough (with decent documentation/help) for the non-nerdly, and enough native features to keep most nerds happy (things like DynDNS support, the aforementioned port forwarding, additional routing tables, etc).
Overall, a great product.
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Hard to set-up with a westell modem, January 4, 2005
By S. Odom (Rome, Ga)
This was my first time setting up a router so I had some difficulty with my westell modem. I had to change the IP address of the router and then hard code the gateway IP address. Once installed it worked as advertised.
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