| Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster |
 enlarge
|
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
|
|
|
| |
| 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 |
| |
| 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 |
| |
| User Reviews (433 total): |
|
Worked as advertised, February 19, 2007
By DK (Solon, OH)
This is the second Linksys wireless router I have installed. The install went reasonable well and the unit is working as advertised. These products seem to be a good workhorse with reasonable software/controls available for the average user. This would be a good unit for your first install. It appears that the software to control the wireless unit is only available via the wireless connection. This is not a problem -- just an observation.
|
serious issues with setup, February 18, 2007
By A. Midha (India)
The product cannot be setup following the steps shown in the setup CD. I do find it very frustrating as i am not located in US and even calling up the toll-free technical support is not an option for me. Still struggling to get the router setup!!!
|
Difficulty in setup, February 11, 2007
By Mr. Loren C. Mcclanathan
The router works fine but the setup instructions given in the enclosed CD-ROM did not work and I had to get Linksys support on the phone. After that things were set up fine.
|
Not impressed with router lifspan, February 10, 2007
By J. Rahn (Waukesha, WI USA)
This is my second run at this product and its predecessor. The one I bought less than a year ago just died, and the one before in about 18 months. Talked to tech support about it - they indicated that was pretty typical. Considering the irritations with setting up the new one, not to mention the cash, it's not making me too happy tonight. Looking for an alternative.
|
Not for novices, February 10, 2007
By blade2173 (Buskirk, NY USA)
BOTTOM LINE: IT REQUIRES SPECIAL PREPARATION AND SOFTWARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE BOX TO USE THE DEVICE. So I'm a pretty smart guy when it comes to technology, but I had quite a great deal of trouble with this little jewel. The instructions in the box are, well, not in the box. There is a CD and a quickstart guide, but no manual. Not a good start, but I played along. It says to run the CD before plugging it in, but I didn't believe it needed this, so I pulled out the router and all the cables and noticed that there was a sticker on all the holes on the back of the router that said "Run CD before plugging in any cables." I still thought that I was smarter and pulled out the cables, but there was card on top of the cables that said, well, you can guess. So I ran the CD and there was a Wizard that told me to plug in the router (but it says... nevermind) and then to plug in the ethernet cable to the router, then to connect the router to the computer via an ethernet cable (this is a wireless router, right?). So I did this and it said "Congratulations, you've installed your wireless router!" Um, but its not wireless if there are wires connecting it to my computer. What next? No advice in the box, none on the CD so I called tech support who told me that I needed to download new firmware and another program to use it as a wireless device. BOTTOM LINE: IT REQUIRES SPECIAL PREPARATION AND SOFTWARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE BOX TO USE THE DEVICE. I have not the words.
|
Didn't work behind my student firewall, February 7, 2007
By hamsterdancedoc (New York, NY)
I am a student and this router would not connect with the University Network. After several tries we gave up and sent it back. I am not very technologically savvy, though, so perhaps you will be able to make it work.
|
Not Ideal for Macs, January 30, 2007
By madgeomatic (Tampa, FL United States)
This router was a pain-in-the-neck to install. There is little to no tech support for Macs. I finally found a user group that indicated it is necessary to use Firefox rather than Safari to access the online setup page, which helped only minimally. I still have not been able to get it to work with any of the security features enabled. I see no speed enhancement in using it as compared to other routers, so the extra money paid for that feature is hardly worth it.
|
solid, fast router, January 27, 2007
By ebubman (harrisburg, pa)
We've owned a number of routers over the years; these have included products from Netgear & Motorola. None have been as easy to set up & maintenance free as the Linksys WRT54GS. I've used this in our home for probably 18 or more months. Additionally I've set up several of these for friends. The device easily support our desktop and laptop as well as vonage & nextalarm devices. Performance is rock solid. Support from Linksys (rarely needed) has been great. Connection with laptop several floors down is always stable & fast. If you need a router, Linksys is the one.
|
Easy set-up, works great..., January 27, 2007
By MWTpdx (Portland, OR United States)
This review's simple: The Linksys WRT54GS just plain works, which is all I ask for of high-tech stuff - just work, make my life easier, without hassles. I set it up myself in under 15 minutes, and it's fast and reliable anywhere in our small house. I'm looking forward to cruising the internet or writing email outside in the summer! This is our first laptop and first home network, so we've gone from completely immobile at a desktop to carrying this thing to the kitchen, the dining table, our kids' room, whereever with no problems - its very liberating, and I'm glad the wireless part came together so easily.
|
Linksys Router review, January 26, 2007
By Bruce M. Talley
Excellent product. Worked immediately with no gliches at all. The previous router we purchased, Netgear brand, was continuously reconfigured itself, causing so many problems. It was a piece of junk.
|
|
|
It Works, January 23, 2007
By The Critic
I have had this router for more than a month. Twice, so far, I needed to unplug/replug power cable to router, and establish a reconnection to the wireless network (simple). The range is decent, though, not the best. Setup instructions are good, but I could not use the WPA (stronger) encryption with the laptop. It will only accept WEP (weaker) encryption. Probably need to make a separate purchase of a wpa card that will work with my laptop. Otherwise, it is not a bad buy for the price.
|
Worth the money!, January 21, 2007
By NA (SC)
I bought a Belkin router because it was on sale and the Best Buy salesman said the routers were all the same. I had problems from day one in setting up and having to constantly reset the router. I finally took it back to the store and paid $30 more for this Linksys router. Literally as easy as it says on the box. On top of that, the customer service is awesome! We moved overseas and when we arrived I had to setup right away. I called to make sure everything was connected properly and they walked me through step by step. It will be one year in April!
|
Great piece of technology, January 19, 2007
By Justin Clevenger
This is my first wireless anything and I was a bit nervous about setting it up. That being said it was super easy. I just put in the CD and went through the set up step by step. Really easy, just follow the directions :)
|
Wireless, January 19, 2007
By Qwack (TN)
Wireless G works well. However, if you are going to need more than 50 ft of wireless range... I would go with the new wireless N set up. My home is 3600 sqft and I am getting low signal in some parts of the house.
|
excellent performer/support, January 17, 2007
By Ed (Boston, MA USA)
The router performs as advertised. What sets it apart is the excellent phone support. I spent 3 minutes on hold and they took me step by step through troubleshoot & setup.
|
Defective Unit, January 17, 2007
By Stephen Schulze
After a 1 hour phone call with Linksys, it was determined my WRT54GS was defective. That in itself dosen't really bother me. Any given piece of gear can be defective. I was given a case number (twice, so I know I have the right one) and told to call customer service for an RMA. After being on hold twice for over 30 minutes I took Lnksys up on their internet offer to get an RMA. But the internet form would not accept my case number indicating it was not valid. (I tried typing it in a couple of different ways just in case.) So, back to the phone line and this time a 45 minute hold time to no avail. (I know, I've got to be a block-head for waiting that long, but I could do work while i was waiting.) I haven't had the time to call back since. Maybe the Christmas rush will be over and the broken communications cable in the Far east will be fixed by the time I do.
|
Wireless Router works well, January 12, 2007
By Grad Student (Raleigh, NC USA)
This router is not as easy to set up as I thought that it would be. You must have a wired connection to your computer already to make this work. Once it is initially set up it works great.
|
LinkSys router with SpeedBoost, January 12, 2007
By kurdias
Great product. Easy to setup, works flawlessly. Took all about 5 minutes to setup and replace my old router.
|
good product, January 11, 2007
By exelente producto (dominican republic)
I recommend this product, because I help myself to solve many inconvenience in my wireless connection
|
Inexpensive and easy to install., January 11, 2007
By pojaman (Seymour, CT United States)
I first installed the router on Windows ME,the software would not install.So I dowloaded a newer version and it went smoothly from then on. I have upgraded to Xp since then and the router never flinched.My son's can access the signal all over the house.I have nothing but praises for this model. The price was right.
|
|
|
| Copyright 2001-2007 WiFiReview.com |
|