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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
WRT54G Version 5 does NOT Allow Custom FirmwareI just got this router in hopes of flashing it to DD-WRT firmware and found out this is a version 5 revision running VXworks and not linux. I would suggest not buying this product and getting another that uses opensource firmware. Some Belkin and Asus routers still use linux firmware that will work with DD-WRT. You could buy a WRT54GS or WRT54GL instead (all versions use linux AFAIK) but after Linksys burned me I will return mine to exchange for a competitors product. Goodbye Linksys.
WRT54GSJunk! Matching speedbooster wireless card connects to the internet only when it feels like it, even in the same room as the router and with 100% signal strength. Tech support says to download new firmware - can't find firmware for v5 on their site.
Have spent way too many hours with this piece of crap!
you get what you pay forNot impressed. How many hours is it worth to get a decent unit for $50 more? 2? 10? I've got about 15 in this now... burned on all my semi-compatible WiFi b, g, WDS - it's getting ridiculous - and now I have to compete with 10 other signals in the area - the network is unstable. Never had much luck with Linksys beyond the basics. Better to spend your time up front researching a solution (technology changes quickly so I won't bother suggesting anything here) than afterward trying to piece it all together.
