Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
by Linksys
|
Our Price: $72.97 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $22.95 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
Customer Review: With high gain antenna, finally I got wireless
Summary: 5 Stars
I tried and failed using the D-Link 624 108M wireless router. Coverage in my 2-floor brick-walled house was poor and erratic. I would never get 108M rate unless I was half a meter from the box. Two walls apart from it, the signal would start failing.
When I saw a high gain (low price) antenna was available to the WRT54G router, I thought I'd happily give up some (practically unattainable anyway, since you've got to be in spitting distance from the router) speed in favour of wider coverage. Important to note that what I really needed was an access point as my DSL modem already does the router thing and I have a wired 100M network round the house.
Setting up the system was not too complicated. Firstly, I mounted the 7dbi antenna pair, replacing the original ones. Then, the hardest bit was to figure out how to disable the router and the DHCP services so that all computers would be in the same IP range and see each other. Basically, I set up the box to work as "router" (!) as opposed to "gateway", disabled DHCP and gave the router an IP number within the range served by the DHCP service from the modem.
Also, I set up a WPA-PSK security protocol, and created a corresponding profile in my notebook.
All this took a couple of hours fidling, as I did not go to Linksys website for support - so I wouldn't know if there is help there.
Having done all this, I was quite pleased to see that all corners I needed were decently covered by the signal. The box is upstairs, and in the farthest room I get connected at 11-18M speed - that is similar to the older 10M ethernet standard. For surfing the net it is more than one can hope for. If it is needed to make a multi-100 MB disk tranfer (such as back-up copies) it makes sense to connect through the wired network.
Apart from speed, the signal is consistent and works without interruptions, etc. In my oppinion, the WRT54G plus the HGA7T is a perfect solution if you need wireless coverage in a wider area or for a hard-walled house as was my case.
Customer Review: Set it up once, use it forever
Summary: 5 Stars
This device allows enhances your home network in a number of ways.1- It allow you to connect up to 256 wireless computer to the network
2- Allows you to connect up to 4 wired computers to the network
3- Allows communication among wired and wireless computers
4- Allows you to share a single internet connection (either DSL or Cable modem) among all the computers in the network (wired or wireless).
The Linksys router connects an external Cable or DSL modem by using a regular RJ-45 Ethernet connector. I recommend upgrading the firmware (relatively easy process) as soon as you take it out of the box. Then set it up using the recommended security settings (WEP encryption is very important). I did this when I bought it over 6 months ago, and it has been running uninterruptedly since. It really gives you a lot of freedom to be able to move from the desk, to the couch, to the kitchen, to the backyard, without any cables attached. Also, forget about putting cables through the walls to connect your kid's new computer into the network. This product really makes your life easier.
For the price difference between the B and G you should really consider buying this model. The speed difference between B and G is significant (B is only about 20% as fast as G). You will end up buying the G router down the road, thus wasting more money anyway. As an extra benefit, the G router is backward compatible, allowing you to connect to B devices.
As with any wireless router, the wireless speed (even for G) is good for nominal file sharing, web browsing, and email, but if you need to transfer large quantities of data I would rather connect to one of the 4 available ethernet ports in the back. The speed and reliability of the wireless connection decrease significantly with the distance from the router and the interference. Typically everything around a 25 feet radius works Ok, but deteriorates beyond that to the point of loosing the connection at about 80 feet.
Bottom line: Very good buy. It will make your life a lot easier.
Customer Review: Great router/switch for the home. Don't listen to the detractors.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had my Linksys WRT-54g version 5 for I can't remember how long, probably since the version 5 originally came out and I will say this, if you are having problems with it, you are going to have problems with just about every router/switch/hub you will ever get. I have flashed it to the latest firmware available and have had virtually no problems with it, ever. If anything, I very occassionaly have to unplug it and wait 6 seconds to plug it back in and everything is back up and running within second flawlessly. I have NEVER had any issues that ANY other reviewer has claimed to have. I setup my wireless network and wired network with little to no issue and I am NOT a network/IT person but I am very good with computers.
To all those having problems, I have to disagree whole-heartedly with you on how bad you all are saying version 5 is of this product. I love mine and while I would like to have wireless-n technology, this router gives me utmost confidence in Lynksis equipment. As far as my experience has been, this is a rock solid product and you can't go wrong with it. As long as it works, wireless-g will be fine for me. I have customized my setting and security and just plain had no trouble.
I did see one persons claiming to be an IT person and taking 3 hours to set this router up, I have to laugh at them because if they had that much trouble, they shouldn't be in IT. I set this up in less than a hour on no formal schooling and not working in the computer industry in any capacity. I also saw people talking about how this version is not modder friendly as a reason this version stinks and I say big deal unless you really want to waste your time doing that as the average user does not care about that, plus the fact that is your own fault and not a manufacturers problem or issue and hence is not a valid reason to bash this product. Don't let the bad reviewers who "claim" to know what they are doing fool you, this is a rock solid product that has worked from day one with minimal problems.
Customer Review: If only configuring husbands were as easy as this router.
Summary: 5 Stars
.My family had just moved to a new residence when my Linksys 11g router arrived. Everything was still packed with the exception of two computers. The Windows XP machine that I had setup first so the cable guy could connect the Internet cable because they said that they couldn't support an installation they didn't install (Internet didn't work when they left, btw, and I had to reconfigure it.) I also had unpacked my Linux box that I use for everyday work that I had to have up and running.
I made the mistake of applying SP1 to my XP box later that evening at my husbands behest who could not comprehend that it was unnecessary, which of course, crashed the machine; so I had only 1 working computer, the Linux box, when my router arrived. I had two choices. 1) Gleefully tear the router out of the packaging and attempt an install via Linux which Linksys does not support or 2)Rationally listening to my husband who told me to finish unpacking to find the proper Windows equipment. Or 3)Waiting until the XP box finished its reformat, install WIN2K this time, and then try to install the router. Being less than patient and typically female (I WANT IT NOW!!), and much to my husband's vocal disdain, I opted for option 1.
I hooked her up and connected to the router via the Web. Configuration was straightforward and any questions could be answered in the book that came with the router. I was connected to the Internet via Linux in less than ten minutes. I must admit to being somewhat disappointed the installation was so easy since I was hoping for a few glitches to help delay my unpacking of the house, but alas I had to be satisfied with using the SP1/XP fiasco as an excuse.
After I finally finished unpacking everything, installation of all the other Windows machines were just as easy. All are up and running with no trouble.
I could only be happier with my router if I could simply order a new husband from Amazon that helps with such things as unpacking and a mute button on the end of his nose. :)
Customer Review: WPA security support. Great range.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am using this AP/router with the Linksys WPC54G PC card on a Sony Vaio laptop running Windows XP. I did not use the set-up CD-ROM but used the web based application to configure it. Since my ISP uses PPoE I had to fill in my user name(with domain name) and password. Also my ISP gave me DNS numbers to fill in under the DHCP settings even though I have my TCP/IP settings for the connection set to "Obtain automatically". Basically that's all there is to configuring the router-ISP connection. The order that the modem, router and computers are turned on is VERY important. If you can't connect after configuration go through the power-on cycle again in that order. Configuring the security, however, is another matter.Linksys supports the newer more secure WPA security protocol. There is new firmware for the router and a new driver for the card from the Linksys site. Both installed easily. Nowhere in the instructions or on their web site will you find how to configure WPA, though they have supported it since May. Since WEP 128 is almost useless for protecting against specific attacks to your network I strongly recommend using WPA. On the router and the card you will need to use "WPA-PSK" (Pre-Shared Key) not just the "WPA" option which is also available. For encryption use TKIP. The key can be anything from 8-63 characters in length. A Group Renewal key can be set for 0-99,999 seconds. I set it to 0. WPA-PSK uses part of the IEEE 802.1x authentication and so this authentication will be enabled and greyed out by default. Under the IEEE 802.1x authentication use PEAP for the EAP type unless you have a smart card for authentication. Also uncheck both boxes for "authenticate as computer when ...." and "authenticate as guest when ....." As is often stated, change the SSID and don't broadcast it and use MAC filtering for added security.
For the price (including the Linksys rebate) this router with all it's features (though hidden) is hard to beat.