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,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
Customer Review: Good product, excellent tweaks.... I'd buy it again!
Summary: 5 Stars
After utilizing D-Link products for a few years, I headed back to the Linksys. I will try not to rewrite what others have said so the following is my impression of this product and its capabilities...
Hands down this product can deliver performance. Now for the details.... Amazon sent me the latest version, as usual without any delay, and I used it for about an hour (without any problems, I just like to get the most out of what I buy) before locating good versions of flash upgrades to boost the performance of this router. I was able to update the standard Linksys flash, Version 3.0.... with both Hyper WRT and a hacked version of the latest Sveasoft build (Alchemy+). The first thing I did (after changing passwords, SSID, etc.) was to increase the range to a full 251mW ...yes that's what I said. My range is easily increased from approx. 300FT to 2000FT within my subdivision using the supplied antennas. Not too shabby. Next, of course WPA with AES to encrypt my WIFI and MAC filtering is a must. In addition, utilizing the available third-party free flash upgrades, the additional features offered are staggering including NAT and SPI firewall, VPN support and more (disabling ActiveX, Javascript, Cookies, IDENT stealthing and more...). Flashing the Bios couldn't have been easier. (NOTE:A terrific site for info is www.linksysinfo.org)
This item comes with a quick start CD that enables the router to automatically configure itself for the type of Internet connection (example, Cable, DSL, etc). The disc was easy however you really don't need it. In addition, it only works with Windows PC's.
Overall, I have used Linksys products in the past and though some users have had issues with the first versions, this one is solid. I have since switched my cable modem to a Linksys and now the two take up less space being stacked....If I can only find a really cheap Linksys 16 Port switch I could get rid of my Netgear and stack that too...
Customer Review: Very Impressed - No Issues Here!
Summary: 5 Stars
Hello,
Just wanted to say that I purchased the WRT54G v.5 device and installed it without any issues.
Admittedly, due to the poor reviews, I was somewhat leery about purchasing the v.5. In the end, I just couldn't justify investing the time to hunt down a v.4, especially since I had absolutely no need to install or run 3rd party firmware on the router. Solid wireless 54MB routing capability, including the built-in QOS feature for my Vonage hookup (Linksys PAP2) was all I really needed. That being said, I simply purchased the version 5 unit. Besides, if didn't work I could return it for a full refund.
I removed my old Microsoft MN-500 router, and installed the new Linksys. I followed the instructions on the setup CD, and configured the wireless options manually. I then updated the firmware to rev.1.00.4 (my router shipped with rev.1.00.1) and then rebooted the router - everything worked without issue.
The router is installed in my basement. I was receiving an excellent 54MB signal two floors up and through a couple walls. The signal remained strong throughout the house - no dead spots. The signal strength of the Linksys router is at least twice as strong as the MN-500.
I setup QOS for the Vonage/Linksys PAP2 device using the PAP2's MAC address. Not only does call quality remain constant while downloading, but the voice quality of the call itself has improved (verified by a few calls to family members who use a mix of corded and cordless landline phones).
All in all I'm very satisfied with the Linksys WRT54G v.5 router. If you're a Linux / 3rd party firmware aficionado, look for the version 4 device. For the regular guy who just wants a solid router with an awesome wireless range that will perform everyday computing tasks in a wireless VOIP environment, this router fits the bill perfectly (and then some).
Thanks for your time.
Customer Review: Excellent quality with some really cool features!
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on features and the price I decided to buy the LinkSys WRT54G AP/Broadband device.After I've ordered it, I surfed through the review list on Amazon and found a nasty surprise. There were a lot of negative comments about the device. However, I've also found about an equal number of positive comments about it. This left me wondering, but only for a short while.
My WRT54G was delivered the next day and as soon as the delivery person left, I jumped into the package like a kid.
As far as I can see it after two days of use, the device has these cons:
- Limit on number of port-forwarding rules for the WAN interface
- Darn ugly, and sometimes slow configuration system
And these pros:
- Simple and fast to install. I was up and running within 10 minutes, and had configured all the additional options in less than an hour.
- Enough details in the documentation to lead my existing knowledge of networks (I work as a software engineer) through the configuration
I've had two issues that were my snafus and not a fault of the device. First of all, it took me a long (relatively) time to configure my MAC address access list due to the fact that I mistyped my WiFi card's MAC address - this led to having to reset the router to the factory settings once. I also had problems geting the 128 bit WEP encryption running due to the fact that I never worked with it before.
What really surprised me was a nice interface to handle DynDNS.org accounts, so you don't have to run a separate program to do it for you. I upgraded to the newest version of the firmware, although I didn't have any problems with the existing one which was seriousely out of date. I suggest to upgrade your device as soon as possible after buying it, though.
All in all, this is a solid product which is just perfect for the SOHO environments. I would honestly reccomend it to anyone.
Customer Review: Flawless performance at a decent price
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had broadband for a little more than couple of years now and recently decided to add wireless capability also.
Before buying this, I read a lot of reviews about having setup problems and it needing a firmware upgrade, but I didn't need any of that. Maybe Linksys already has the latest firmware on the devices now.
I was using a cable modem -> netgear router which centrally links to every room in my house. This wireless router gave my enough wired ports to still have one wired desktop connection in most of the rooms and add wireless capabilities for my laptop. I have an apple powerbook, one HP laptop nc6000 with intel centrino and one sony vaio with Linksys WPC54G adapter. I have never had any problems with any of those devices. All in all, I connect 3 laptops wireless, 2 desktops wired, fileserver wired and a palm device with Linksys Wireless-G compact flash card.
My house is a 2 bedroom condo and I get full strength connection everywhere in the house as well as in the deck. I've also tried no encryption, WEP encryption, 128bit etc and they all work just flawlessly.
I got a better price from amazon along with the rebate ($58 -$10 rebate), so I guess it's a good deal.
Before buying this, I researched on 802.11b, g, with speedbooster, and D-Link Xtreme G(108Mbps).
- speedbooster wasn't an option since it needed a compatible wireless card (tight dependency)
- G(54Mbps) was a better choice than B(11Mbps)since it was quite polular and backwards compatible
- xtreme-G (108Mbps) was quite new and it seems like it was D-Link specific only.
Plus, since I also stream music over wireless from different computers and I needed something more that 11Mbps and G works just fine.
Overall, a great buy and the next upgrade will be when 108Mbps becomes more standard on wireless.
Customer Review: works perfect, MAC user must use manual setup
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this router to divide our cable connection's bandwith and go wireless in the same time. Currently I have a macbook and would like to warn everybody with a Mac, that the installation CD is NOT compatible with a MAC system! This means that installation should be done manually. First you should connect the cable from your DSL modem to the router, then connect your Mac to the router with another cable (don't bother to try wireless for the first time). Next use any browser to "enter the router", the address is 192.168.1.1 (you just type this into your browsers's address line) and use the clone MAC address utility to copy the address of your PC or MAC to the router. In theory this is basically all that one needs to do with any router. These and further instructions can be found starting on page 7. (chapter 3, Advanced configuration) of the user manual that can be downloaded from the internet if one was not supplied with the router (acrobat reader / or preview on Mac required).
The router has been working flawlesly for the last month and does not decrease the speed of our internet connection. Remember however, that the more computers you use on the same connection, the less bandwith there will be available for the individual computers - router only divides available bandwith and is not for increasing speed. Also lets not orget, that it provides wireless internet in a home, and is able to both low and high speed wireless (so you can use an old but still good laptop to hook onto your own system). Ours is a small flat so cannot really comment on what is the maximal distance this is working. It surely works in all adjacent rooms to the one the router was put. Also you should protect your wireless system with password and encryption - this model offers a range of possibilities on that point too, and all this for a nice price (it was undre $50.00 when I bought it).