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Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Routerby Linksys
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Features
- Interoperates with 802.11b clients at 11 Mbps
- Advanced wireless security with 128-bit WEP encryption, MAC, or IP address filtering
- 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
Amazon.com Product Description
Early Adopters Pick: January 2003. The first high-speed wireless networking router to use the 802.11g standard, which is four times faster than the current standard (802.11b) and backwards compatible.The Linksys Wireless-G broadband router is really three devices in one box. First, it's a wireless access point, which lets you connect Wireless-G or Wireless-B devices to the network. There's also a built-in four-port full-duplex 10/100 switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices. Connect four PCs directly, or daisy-chain out to more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need. Finally, the router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection.
To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless-G broadband router can encrypt all wireless transmissions, and it supports the industrial-strength wireless security of 802.1x authentication and authorization. The router can serve as a DHCP server, has NAT technology to protect against Internet intruders, supports VPN pass-through, and can be configured to filter internal users' access to the Internet. Configuration is a snap with the Web browser-based configuration utility.
With the Linksys Wireless-G broadband router at the center of your home or office network, you can share a high-speed Internet connection, files, printers, and multiplayer games with the flexibility, speed, and security you need!
Wireless-G is the 54 Mbps wireless networking standard that's more than four times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the country. But since they share the same 2.4 GHz radio band, Wireless-G devices can also interoperate with existing 11 Mbps Wireless-B equipment.
Because both standards are built-in, you can protect your investment in existing 802.11b infrastructure, and migrate to the new screaming-fast Wireless-G standard as your needs grow.
For more information on the differences between an access point and a router with access point, see the following table:
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See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies. | Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere--without wires. Outside the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, and airports--great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed.
To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart. |
Reviews
After firmware update very nice routerIf you get the latest version 5, then be sure to update to the latest firmware 1.00.4 (previous versions were buggy and caused slow downs). This is my second Linksys router and I am very pleased with its performance for Wireless G and wired. While some here are complaining that the new version doesn't run on Linux, this isn't an issue unless you plan to run third party firmware. The router is very good, especially at this low price point.
After looking for hours and comparing...this one seems to be the best on the market with regard to pricing and what you get. An all in one deal w/ the new g. Easy to install and configure, although be careful if you have a 2.4 ghz cordless phone, as it may cause some interference, but all in all works great.
All in All Great product!I have been using this wireless router for a few months with no problems. I set up my dsl modem/router in bridged mode to use only the Linksys for routing. I run 3 XP computers and my own Linux Web Server. When I need to test another Linux machine such as an FTP server or and Email server I can even throw on a Linksys 8 port switch to add more wired connections. The only wireless connections I run on it are a XP based laptop and a robotic wireless network camera which has it's own webserver built it so that it can be viewed and controlled remotely. I run a third party firmware on it which allows me to pump up the power beyond the default 50%. Running at 100% power I have never had it run too hot to work flawlessly. No problems for me running windows machines, linux machines, linux webserver, netcam web server, P2P all at the same time!! This has been a workhorse for me and I demand more from it than was even intended. For the most part it is a very easy to setup and secure router, if you have problems or try to set up enough different combinations of hardware, servers etc., you may do well to visit dslreports.com and either read through the forums or ask for help in the appropriate forum. Although certainly not always, most problems will likely be operator error.
Amazing!!!!!Linksys has always been a great, reliable company to buy networking equipment from. Their owner, Cisco, has made industry networking equipment for years. This router does exactly what it's supposed to do, and an easy setup. The range worked great, too!
AMAZING...still doesnt do this thing justiceI purchased this router along with the WPC54G wireless card, and I am nothing but happy. These two items both work flawlessly, and the router has a ton of features and security measures. Anyone who says otherwise is crazy. I can go anywhere in my house and it works great. It even works outside, but i havent tried to find out how far yet. LINKSYS IS AMAZING. ooh yea, i have no heat problems, like some others mentioned. Everything runs smooth as silk.
An amazing router with tons of extra featuresI've had this Linksys router. For more than a year, and it is totally reliable. No down time, great signal strength. Worth every penny plus for those who are really into networking. There is an open-source firmware on the net which has tons of extra features. Setup is totally breeze and Linksys's web site is pretty easy to navigate.
Now this router is not the cheapest on the market. But if you want to get into networking and running wireless. The fact that has an open-source firmware makes it a great option in my opinion.
I can't really think of any negatives, but I'll try okay. Nothing came to mind. So the pretty solid router all around good for the money
here's the link to firmware updates
http://www.sveasoft.com/forum6.html
An Excellent choice for a RouterThis router is very good. As can be expected from all wireless routers, configuration takes a little bit, but this is a very powerful router. It has a 4 port switch, for used with wired devices, and it also features the latest in Wireless Technology, Wireless-G. This works great with the WPC54G. I have mine set up to not broadcast and I have 64 bit WEP Enabled. That is for security purposes, and I suggest you do the same. This is an excellent router, and if you are looking for the latest technology, from an Excellent company, the WRT54G is the one. Linksys makes the best networking products around, and this is thier best product that I have come across.
An expensive cheapoPros: this router has a significant advantage over the others - it has a mini-Linux running inside, and the firmware source code is available under GPL.
Cons: If you plan to use VPN, get a Netgear WGR614 instead.
ANYTHING BUT LINKSYS!!!Buy any brand BUT Linksys! I've had nothing but problems with Linksys from the start! Customer Service is non-existent! If you do finally get help with someone who works for Linksys inside the United States, and they let you return a defective product, kiss it good-bye! I'm STILL waiting for my warranty return to be replaced. UPS delivered it, but Linksys is so incompetent, they can't seem to find it! GET ANY BRAND BUT LINKSYS!!!!
AOL boradband and LInksys dont workI have never been more frustrated in trying to get AOL SE edition and Linkys routers to work smoothly...it is a disaster
