| Linksys-Cisco WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router (Compatible with Linux) |
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Model: WRT54GL
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 321
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Firewall - SPI
VPN Support - Yes
VPN Passthrough - Yes |
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| Description: |
| The Linksys WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router combines the functionalities of three devices into a single device, a wireless access point, a four-port full-duplex 10/100 Mbps switch and a router. The wireless access point lets you connect Wireless-G or Wireless-B devices to the network while the switch connects your wired-Ethernet devices together. The router function ties it all together by letting your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection. The push button setup feature makes it easy to configure your wireless devices. The router serves as a DHCP server, includes an SPI firewall to protect against Internet intruders and also supports VPN pass-through. The WRT54GL even features TKIP and AES to protect your data and privacy with up to 128-bit encryption. 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 multi-player games with flexibility, speed, security and simplicity. Status Indicators - Port status, link activity Compliant Standards - FCC IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3U, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g Data Link Protocol - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g Interfaces - 1x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45 ( WAN / DMZ ), 4 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45, 1 x network - Radio-Ethernet Dimensions - Height 4.8 cm x Depth 20 cm x Width 18.6 cm Weight - 0.5 kg |
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| User Reviews (321 total): |
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Linksys WRT54GL, February 29, 2008
By user (Franklin, TN)
I received this router for the specific purpose of using third party party software i.e., DD-WRT or Tomato. As far as the hardware on the router goes, I couldn't be happier. I initially put DD-WRT on the router and wasn't impressed with having the router re-boot every time a change was made. Suffice it to say, I took DD-WRT off and flashed the router with Tomato. All I can say is that Tomato is the real deal if you like to have more control over your router and network. If this describes you, then what are you waiting for.
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Great router !!!, February 29, 2008
By user (Michigan)
I had a D link previous to this router that kept going out ... I had to reset it it daily it seemed .. Since I have received this Linksys I have had zero problems.. It has been about 3 weeks and no resets !! Great router !!
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Functional, February 28, 2008
By user (San Jose, CA)
Installation would appear to be a cinch. Insert the CD and follow the instructions. The unit didn't work per the screen instructions, but it did manage to get itself working. It works fine. I use it to drive my desk top PC directly as well as provide a wireless interface to my laptop PC. If my laptop goes into the "sleep" mode, I need to re-start it to establish a LAN connection. Otherwise it works OK.
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Got the job done, February 28, 2008
By user (Milwaukee)
Routers are tricky on their own with set up and security measures needed these days. But set up was a breeze. Came with an obvious step by step installation guide. And I've had it for about a month and I've had a great signal for speedy use. Just ask a friend if you want to get it security enabled... don't pay (Best Buy) for a preprogrammed router if you can help it and handle it. Thanks!
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Great basic router/WAP, February 25, 2008
By user
Easy setup and flawless performance. My old router had to be reset every week or so. This router has not had a single problem so far.
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Wireless Router, February 25, 2008
By user (VA, USA)
At the begining was afraid of the performance of this router, specially for the comments of the people; even hear some people had difficulties installing it, but now that I have it.......I'm Completly satisfied with it, the broadband is great, it has a huge range I have 2 computers and my PS3 conected to it and the performance is awesome; I had a little trouble when first trying to install it but the Technical support was really helpful and easy after that.
This is a great product!
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Excellent Wireless Router -- Good Tech Support, February 24, 2008
By user (Paradise, CA USA)
I'm just using the router with the Linksys firmware at this time and it works quite well. My laptop computer is in a RV about 130 feet from the house computer with the router. Eventhough my signal is rated at "low", I have never been disconnected from the internet. The speed from the cable hookup is quite good.
If I have problems, I plan on installing the third party firmware, but right now I am very happy with the original firmware.
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Local wireless, February 23, 2008
By user (Yellowstone National Park, USA)
I have this router installed in my morothome, tied into a Starband satellite internet system. It was easy to set up, andallows both my wife and I to use our computers at the same time without a hitch.
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Great router, February 19, 2008
By user
I've been owning this router for three months and it's been great. Stable and good signal. Nothing like cheap ones directly from Verizon.
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good item; bad directions, February 13, 2008
By user
A good item, but who in the heck wrote the directions for installing this thing? I couldn't find a correct version online, in the box, or in the setup wizard. I had to call an IT friend of mine to help me make sense of what it was asking for - and he laughed at what I was reading to him from the screen. Once it's up, though, it seems all good. I really like having a virtual network in my home. It has really changed the way I do work on my laptop--mostly that I can do it from anywhere I want now. Oh, and the container this came in seemed to be quite recyclable, too.
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GL = Great Little router, February 9, 2008
By user (SW Suburban Chicago, IL (USA))
I love my Linksys-Cisco WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router (Compatible with Linux)router. I've had Netgear and DLink wireless routers, but neither really satisfied me or my needs, in terms of range, speed and general reliability. The Linksys WRT54GL is a consistent performer. The router arrived, I set it up according to the instructions, set the WPA/TKIP encryption (Avoid WEP encryption, it's weak and easily cracked) and haven't had to reset it or fiddle with it once, in almost a year now. [NOTE: I change my randomly-generated encryption key every 2-3 months, and you should too]
It puts out a good signal. Though the signal has to travel through multiple pipe-filled walls and a large refrigerator to get to the back of our house, the signal arrives there with 81% signal strength. Mind you, this is an unmodified 54GL router, I haven't re-flashed with with OpenWRT or any of the other linux-based firmwares to gain increased signal strength. Stock performance is good enough that I just don't need to do that, though I may do it anyway, just because I'm a geek.
Short version: It's Linksys, so it's reliable, dependable, and worth the money. I recommend it highly.
.Steven L. Hildebrand.
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Easily customizable, February 8, 2008
By user
Had some trouble getting by the regular firmware to update it, but that's not really what the router was intended to do although most people will buy this to use ddwrt or tomato firmwares. Afterwards, this thing has been very reliable, no dropped connections or etc. I've only been using it as a wireless bridge, so I can't comment on all the functionality. Signal strength has been decent, I wish it didn't so obviously look like a router though.
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Works great, functions perfectly cross-platform, but watch out for the utility installer, February 5, 2008
By user (Milwaukee, WI United States)
I would give this product five stars had their Vista installer not crashed repeatedly. But you don't really need the utility program. Once you plug it in and connect your internet modem, search for the default SSID "linksys" in your network connection panel and log on with the password "admin" (blank user name). Load the device webpage 192.168.1.1 in your web browser and adjust your settings accordingly. Machine allows for wireless device management, so you don't need to physically plug it in to adjust settings. Works great with Windows and Mac machines. Stable connection allows for virtually uninterrupted data streaming, for those of you wanting something to link up with a music server. Device has an option for SSID broadcast blocking, adding to its security, something that some previous Linksys models have lacked. I've had it running for two weeks without it locking up. Good buy.
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labyrinth bureaucracy in place of warranty service, February 3, 2008
By user (San Jose, CA)
Warning.... Linksys will require you to spend an hour on the phone if your unit fails and they will be VERY reluctant to issue an RMA number .... this is evidently a cost saving measure (they only earn about 75 cents an hour in India) . My WRT54G's firmware became corrupted after a power failure. I printed out some 13 pages from the Linksys website and spent more than an hour dutifully following the instructions. I was able to erase the old firmware, but the new firmware would not install...... .they have steadfastly refused to issue an RMA number....
I don't pretend to be a technical expert at router repair....but I shouldn't need to be to have my router repaired under warranty....
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Does not support IPv6, January 30, 2008
By user (Boston, MA)
I bought this unit as a spare sometime ago. I decided to use it for a test lab running IPv6. I contacted Linksys yesterday afternoon via their online support and found out to my disappointment that the device does not support IPv6.
On my production WLAN at home, I'm running DD-WRT as my firmware. I'm going to do that with this Linux based router to see how that goes.
Oh, Linksys told me they do not have ANY units which will support IPv6.
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Pretty good, January 25, 2008
By user (NY USA)
I use it with Tomato firmware as wireless access point. It works well as such but has to be rebooted from time to time, not too often though. I can't comment on it as a router. Range is pretty good, works from one room of my apartment to another with several walls in between.
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Best Router Ever!, January 25, 2008
By user
This product is absolutely brilliant, only if you have the courage and know-how to flash it with 3rd party firmware. I currently have DD-WRT running on it and i havnt encountered a single problem with it in the past year and a half that it has been in use. The router is currently being used as a bridge to connect my XBox to my home network (which has also been modded with xbox media center software). I now have a home-network-entertainment system that would cost me hundreds of dollars more, and works hundreds of times better than anything else out on the market right now. My only complaint is that it doesnt have a USB port for external harddrive networking, if you're looking for this functionality, take a look at WRTSL54GS and http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRTSL54GS
It takes a bit more effort, but you get usb network drive support!
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Best Router I've Ever Owned, January 23, 2008
By user (TX, USA)
There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said. I flashed the DD-WRT firmware as soon as I got it, so no comments on the default firmware. It's worked flawlessly since I got it out of the package. Great range, and great hardware.
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Producted purchased but not used., January 22, 2008
By user (Ontario, Canada)
I can not completely review this product since it was purchased for someone else to use and have not heard whether or not they are happy with it. I can say that ordering and having it shipped was good and went really well and quickly. So with that I was quite pleased.
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excellent!!!!!!!!!, January 19, 2008
By user
I've had it for no more than 72 hours now, but this is what I think about this.
This is a review from a customer who read A LOT of comments on this product before buying it, and basically, I did what almost everyone recommended to do with this:
WRT54GL + DD-WRT.
I didn't even try the stock firmware, I just upgraded to DD-WRT rite when I got the thing. I made sure I had downloaded the right version, which should be, the mini_generic. I installed it, and, it basically SUCKED. The connection kept dropping every half an hour or so. I had to go back to the router, and reset some cables, for it to work again.
For that reason, I decided to go back to the stock firmware (v4.30.2). All I can say, is that it's AMAZING! The connection hasn't dropped ever since, and the signal is strong, everywhere I go in my house, which is exactly what I need.
Now, this is the thing. I'm a total noob in configuring routers and wireless devices, and maybe I needed to do something else with the firmware for it to work fine, but this was my experience.
All I'm using the router for, is to go on the internet, and check my email n stuff, obviously download large files and everything, and also my bro uses his NDS to play online, but that's it. And so, this router works perfect for me, I even put a password to the network using the WEP encryption setting, and it's been great. No complaints.
So, my advice? Buy this thing, and install the stock firmware v4.30.2, and you're good. 3rd party firmware didn't work for me. Plus, if you're not an advanced user, and if you're not gonna use the features that DD-WRT (or any other third party firmware) has to offer that the stock firmware doesn't have, then you don't need it.
Excellent product! HIGHLY recommended.
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