70
Linksys WRT54G
$65.00
Released December, 2002
The Pros:External antennas provide greater range. Firmware can be upgraded to third-party open-source software like DD-WRT, Tomato Firmware, or OpenWRT. Upgradeable antennas.
The Cons:Factory firmware does not allow for user bandwidth customization aka QoS (Quality of Service). Some versions use VxWorks stock firmware that cannot be upgraded to third-party. Slower than the latest Gigabit / 802.11N options.
The Linksys WRT54G series of wireless routers, that includes variants: WRT54GS, WRT54GL, and WRTSL54GS, is an extremely popular among computer enthusiasts because of it's ability to run third-party open-source firmware such as DD-WRT and Tomato Firmware as it's firmware source code was released publicly under the GNU GPL.
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The first version was released in December 2002, but many different versions with hardware/firmware variations have subsequently been released. All feature two external antennas, 4 LAN ports, 1 WAN ports, and 802.11b/g support. The most recent version in the series is the WRT54GL, which returns to a Linux-based firmware, allowing for upgrades from third-party firmwares. It retails for around $65.
Upgraded Third-party firmware
The popularity of this router is largely due to the ability to unlock advanced features, tweak power settings, and view advanced QoS statistics by running third-party firmware. By flashing the firmware, you void all warranties, and likely cannot return the router for any store refund if you inadvertently damage it.
Note: Most WRT54G and WRT54GS models (not WRT54GL) sold in stores right now are the v5.0+ variety running the VxWorks firmware instead of the Linux-based version and cannot be flashed.
User Reviews (28)
Pros & Cons
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18
External antennas provide greater range
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16
Firmware can be upgraded to third-party open-source software like DD-WRT, Tomato Firmware, or OpenWRT
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12
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8
Device includes 4-port switch and Wireless-G (802.11g) access point
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7
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7
Device is downward (or backwards) compatible to 802.11b clients at 11 Mbps
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5
Backlit SES-button on the front that can be programmed to run scripts using 3rd party firmware
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1
GUI is relatively easy to work through.
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6
Factory firmware does not allow for user bandwidth customization aka QoS (Quality of Service)
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4
Some versions use VxWorks stock firmware that cannot be upgraded to third-party
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3
slower than the latest Gigabit / 802.11N options
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1
can be bricked easily while upgrading firmware
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1
after 2 years it just stops working. (at least for me, it's either wlan, or lan. both don't work simultaneously)
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0
More expensive because it can be modded
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0
Not as "pretty" as newer routers
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0
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0
Device has trouble provisioning new IP address under heavy use
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-1
"Low or limited connectivity"
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-2
After 6 years router started dropping connectons.
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Comments (8)
Dan (Shrek):
#linksys_wrt54g Just a note, I have the older version of the router, don't get me wrong, I still love the router contrary to what I used to think about Linksys :)
Jun 28, 09
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Yale:
#linksys_wrt54g This thing with Tomato is unbelievable. Rock solid and highly configurable. Makes my life so much easier with automatic DDNS updates. Had a similar looking wireless B router from Linksys (with the default firmware) which always required reboots after wireless would stop working or my connection would die and not automatically reconnect - would drive me up the wall, and couldn't be trusted when I needed to remotely connect for time sensitive work.
Jun 27, 09
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Howlsthunder:
#linksys_wrt54g I have this router and use it for two Macintoshes (one wired in, the other wireless) and our Nintendo Wii, plus the occasional visiting MacBook. Its a solid router and I never have problems with it. Good range, good reception all throughout the house.
My only complaint is that there is NO Apple support for it via Linksys themselves so it takes a bit of router know-how to get it set up on a Mac. However, we did find Linksys support to be helpful even when they couldn't help ;).
Aug 26, 08
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Erik:
#linksys_wrt54g Ok, bonehead manoeuver on my part. I had mobth the WAN and LAN side of the Vonage router setup on the 192.168.0.x subnet. I changed the router LAN subnet to 192.168.100.x and bingobango, dialtone.
I love this router!
Aug 20, 08
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Erik:
#linksys_wrt54g I won't get a dialtone. I've connected the Vonage router's WAN port to a LAN port of the WRT54GL, and then forwarded ports according to Vonage support:
http://www.vonage.com/help.php?article=1098&category=44&nav=
Anybody have any good links on how to setup QoS in Tomato/DD-WRT?
Aug 20, 08
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Manzabar:
#linksys_wrt54g @Erik: What kinds of problems do you have with the Vonage router when put behind the WRT54GL? Is the Vonage routher wireless/wired?
Aug 18, 08
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dialupinternetuser:
#linksys_wrt54g Try using DD-WRT, it actually uses the same code as the defualt firmware because Linksys based their stuff on some open source stuff so after some litigation they were forced to release it because of GPL. It's what I use.
Aug 18, 08
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Erik:
#linksys_wrt54g I just bought the WRT54GL version of this router and flashed it with Tomato over the weekend after coming across it on Newegg. So far it's lived up to it's almost legendary reputation as a rock solid performer with the upgraded Tomato Firmware. I boosted by Tx power to 70 mW (up from 42 mW) and I doubled my bandwidth when connecting wirelessly through a single floor.
I originally bought this router to function as merely an access point, but since it's QoS and bandwidth monitoring is so sweet I want to make it my main router. However, I have a problem. I also run a Vonage router that doesn't seem to work properly when setup behind the WRT54GL (even after forwarding ports according to their support). I would still like to run this topology. Any ideas?
Aug 18, 08
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helpful
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