Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
by Linksys
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Our Price: $72.97 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $22.95 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
Customer Review: Overall, I recommend this to anyone that owns a second computer for nonessential matters
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this router from Circuit City (by the way, no one at Circuit City was helpful, but since I didn't want to wait for it to arrive, I decided to go to the store and purchase this) in March. I've have had fairly little trouble with it. Prior to purchasing this, I unknowingly thought that I already had a router. Because my second (wireless) computer was picking up a connection with a Netgear adapter. But (I have since learned) that must have been a neighbor's because I only had a Westell modem from Verizon that did not come with a router.
This router was a little tricky hooking up. Verizon walked me through it, though. Actually, I only purchased this brand because Verizon told me that they would not provide tech support if I purchased another manufacturer's brand. I suppose that doesn't matter too much because Linksys was the least expensive. I was on the phone with Verizon for over an hour until it was set up.
A couple of months ago, I completely lost a connection on my wireless computer. I called Netgear (the manufacturer of my adapter) and was told to call Linksys. Linksys was helpful, although it was difficult to understand them because they were located in India. The Linksys associate told me that my connection was erased because of a bad storm (does anyone else think this is an odd explanation?) and she did walk me through setting up a new wireless network from the adapter to the router.
Since my wireless computer has been set up I have had no difficulty keeping a connection. Every once in a while I will lose a connection (on my wireless computer) and usually if I turn my router on and off my wireless computer will regain a connection. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone that has a second computer like myself for nonessential matters.
It seems like none of these companies (Verizon, Linksys and Netgear) train their employees to "think outside the box." That is very frustering and disapointing. They all acted like it was unusual for someone to have 2 desktops in their home. They always automatically assumed that one of my computers was a laptop. And, when they found out that I had AOL they also found this to be odd. I was being looked down on because I had a second computer with AOL hooked up to it. It's like checking into a Marriott Hotel and paying cash; you know that look the hourly desk clerk gives? One gentleman even sarcastically said, "AOL is infested with bugs." But it isn't any of their business what software I choose to have on my computers. Because, they should be trained to welcome all customers no matter what situation their customer is in. Another thing I learned is that you should always speak up. Always ask questions, no matter how foolish you may think it is. That is what they are there for!
Customer Review: Easy set up, great range, fast speed
Summary: 5 Stars
Although I've done tech support for a certain large computer maker in America's third largest state and having been using PCs since 1985, I had zero experience with wireless before two weeks ago. After making the decision to buy a laptop, my wife and I decided to go wireless so we could surf the net with the laptop anywhere in the townhouse.
Set up couldn't have been easier. I followed the easily understood chart, popped the set-up CD into the dvd drive on my desktop and followed the directions. I had only to hook up the power cable and the two ethernet cables (one from the cable modem to the WRT54G and the second from the latter to the desktop). The wireless networking and security set up was a snap; I was surfing the net in less than ten minutes.
The range is excellent. My laptop's built-in wireless card picked up five networks near out townhome up and running. The 300 foot range touted on the box is, for once, not just marketing hype. After some initial trouble with signal strength on the first day, I've had only a two periods of time (each lasting about 30 minutes) where bandwidth varied widely. Other than those incidents (both of which coincided with a flurry of calls on my 2.4GHz cordless phone), it's been smooth sailing.
Taking the laptop on a visit to my parents house, the built-in wireless card picked up several networks within range of my parents' home. It picked up an open access point from the elementary school a quarter of a mile from their house! Since it was unsecured and listed as "open access" I connected the wireless network to it and was surfing the Net within seconds with a speed of 36Mpbs--excellent considering how far away the router was (in excess of 1,000 feet).
If you're new to wireless or even a computer newbie, the set-up couldn't be simpler or more user friendly. Even the technophobic shouldn't have much trouble with this. Although I had to write down the WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol key) because of its length and random letter/number sequence, once it was input, the network was secured.
I highly recommend this product for both the experienced user and the novice. I wholeheartedly recommend this product.
You'll be surfing from anywhere in your house that you wish with very little trouble. And if you leave the house and find an open access point, you should have little trouble connecting to it and surfing the net.
Easily installed, easily used this one is hard to beat. I've experienced none of the problems I've read in other reviews of competitor's wireless routers.
So if you only need to be able to connect another computer(s) to your cable modem, this is the product to pick.
A sold five stars.
Customer Review: Works Even with WIN 98 First Edition (and XP)
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased an all-Linksys G set - a router, PCI card, and card for my laptop.
Here is my hardware setup:
Machine 1: WIN 98 First Edition; 400 MHz PII, plenty of RAM; Desktop
Machine 2: WIN 98 First Edition; 233 MHz, moderate RAM; Desktop
Machine 3: WIN 2000; plenty of speed and RAM; Laptop
Router:
It is a great product. I hooked it up to Machine 1 and had it running in under 5 minutes and that includes the hardware. I did NOT use the software included - instead I configured the router through the web interface. This is key. The router doesn't even support WIN 98 First Edition according to the min. req. Linksys states. Nevertheless, my setup works flawlessly. In fact, somehow it seems to have increased my Internet speed - something I can't understand, but am more than willing to go with. For those having problems, I suggest skipping the software CD. By the way I also have Comcast broadband cable Internet and had no problems with setup - I don't know why someone commenting on this product did have problems, but certainly it isn't common.
PCI Adapter:
I am giving this an average 3 star rating because frankly I didn't get it to work but then again it really wasn't supposed to work with WIN 98 First Edition as is running on Machine 2. Now, here's why I feel I should comment on this item at all - even if unsupported, loading software and giving it a try should not crash your system and cause errors. In fact, I had high hopes considering the software seemed to load, but in fact it just gummed up the system. So, after quite a while of trying, my poor old system is worse off than before. I just don't understand why Linksys didn't include a way to work on WIN 98 First Edition. At heart this thing is just a bit of hardware and I would think ultimately not much different to the computer than an Ethernet card. I may be wrong, but why can't they design an interface for the older operating system? Anyway, don't bother if you aren't running a newer system.
Card for laptop:
Worked like a charm. I popped in the software on Machine 3 running WIN 2000 and in a couple of minutes had a great signal. The laptop was at least 50 feet away from the router and in the basement (router on 1st level). So, through walls and over distance I still had very sufficient signal strength and quality. No dropping was noticed, and the settings were all set for a high level of security.
So, overall I'm happy with Linksys.
UPDATE: I have moved to all XP units and this router works just fine. No problems at all, easy transition. Also works well with a handheld Axim x50v from Dell. Everything is playing quite nicely with each other.
Customer Review: A Great Wireless Router - BUY IT
Summary: 5 Stars
I just upgraded to the Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G router last month and I am very happy with the quality of the product. This router acts as a wireless access point, 100 MB switch and a router making it a nice multipurpose device. For the wireless connectivity, this router supports that latest 802.1lg standard which offers 54Mbps speeds but in the 2.4 GHz range. Since it uses the 2.4 GHz range, this router is also backwards compatible with 802.11b. This is a nice feature, as it will allow you to use your older 802.11b hardware while taking advantage of the newer standard. I also have a 2.4 GHz cordless phone and I don't get any interference with the wireless router.
If you do decide to buy this router, I would highly recommend that the first thing you do after installing this router is upgrade its firmware from the Linksys website. Linksys has been shipping these 802.11g compliant routers for a while now and the specification is still in flux. Linksys also offers security fixes and new/updated features via. these firmware upgrades and so that is a good idea.
This router has the ability to encrypt all wireless transmissions using 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption. While WEP is not a perfect solution, some security is better than no security and I would recommend anyone using the wireless feature enable WEP. In addition to WEP, this router also supports the new security specification called Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA).
WPA is an extra-strong encryption where encryption keys are automatically changed and authenticated between devices after a specified period. WPA also involves the use of a pass phrase and auto-generated keys that need to be entered on the client side. This is a little tedious but the security it provides is worth it.
In addition to WEP and WPA, the Linksys router also offers wireless MAC address filtering. Wireless MAC Filters feature allows you to control which wireless-equipped PCs may or may not communicate with the router depending on their MAC addresses. Another great security feature of this router.
Ok. I've rambled on enough about security. This router also allows you to connect wired devices, acts as a DHCP server and offers an easy to use browser interface. I get amazing throughput using my NetGear 802.11g wireless network card and the range is incredible. I can take my laptop in any part of the house, the yard or garage and I never lose the signals. I read some reviews where people found that this router didn't work well with non-Linksys wireless cards. I had to disagree with that as my router works great with my NetGear card along with an older Cisco 802.11b card. If you are in the market for a great wireless router, this is it. Buy it.
Customer Review: DESCRIBED IN ONE WORD: AWESOME!
Summary: 5 Stars
I received my Linksys WRT54G Wireless 54g Router and Linksys WPC54G Wireless 54g PC Card and I all I can say is WOW! After an upgrade to 802.11B several months ago (BELKIN wireless router and card) I was very happy with the wireless world in the home/home office environment. However, after receiving my LINKSYS 802.11G setup (thanks Amazon for superfast shipping!) of both their .11g router and PC card I can say that it is worth the upgrade to the new standard!
While I was able do everything I need to do (Internet, Network printing, and file access, Games, etc) with little delay on my network with the 11B, The linksys is a noticeable improvement. That slight hesitation with .11B I often encountered is now a distant memory. Range and signal is far superior to what I had before. In a 2 story townhouse with God knows how many old coats of lead paint and numerous potential interference issues, I have yet to not maintain a connection signal of 54. After a walk around my yard and surrounding area with my laptop, I suffered no serious drop of signal until hitting the far edge of the router's range
As always with Linksys, setup is quick and painless. Within 5 minutes of opening the box, I was plugged in, rebooted and surfing the web. In a worst case scenario, Linksys has always given me super tech support for any questions or minor issues I have run into in the past (I have owned several Linksys Wire Routers) so I have no fears if something pops up in the future. Backwards compatability with 11B cards helps ease the pain of those folks out there hesitant to leave behind a high dollar investment in their old cards to upgrade to this router. I have a Belkin .11B card that is performing with no problems (albeit at the .11B speed) as well as my new Linksys .11G card in another laptop.
Though Linksys may have leapt out of the gate before the 802.11g standard is completely agreed upon, I have no doubts based on what I have heard and read that any changes to the standard will be handled via easy firmware upgrades to the router (how many times have we already had to update firmware on wire and 11B hardware?) with little to no pain.
Bottom line, I am by no means a rocket scientist or computer super genius, but I do know what I like: quick,reliable performance with minimal impact to my wallet or daily schedule. As in the past, Linksys delivers all that and more as is their norm.
In an age where nanoseconds are often the difference between 2 items, this sets the standard bar a notch higher for the rest of the wireless community.