| 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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good product, not so easy to set up and hack, July 25, 2007
By user (San Rafael, CA USA)
I searched long and hard to find an inexpensive wireless ethernet bridge (after I learned THAT was the term) for my aged Mac G3/OS9. Was referred to this model of the WRT54 by a an out-of-state tech wizard buddy, who had loaded hacked s/w into just such a router. The reason the "GL" is offered by Linksys is precisely because hackers love to use this router for just such a purpose.
The product works (after a week of frustration), and the price was decent. On the downside, the set up, even with my buddy's help (and my own technical savvy), wasn't easy. The "hack" help offered on websites was not easy for me, a non-wizard using an old computer. (There were also problems getting good support from Comcast about configuration to work with what turned out to be a secure wireless network.)
Not all the problems were with the device: I was using something other that most current Windoze (the included set up disc only works with current Windoze), I was programming it to do something different than the Mfr. programmed it to do, my technical knowledge is outdated and limited (so I couldn't tell where problems with the router/bridge stopped and problems with other things began). The bridge has worked perfectly for the last 2 weeks. Your mileage may vary, of course, but be warned that if you plan to alter this device, you need a truckload of technical expertise, PATIENCE and resources.
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HORRIBLE TECHNICAL SUPPORT, July 21, 2007
By user (Chicago, IL USA)
I just got the router today installed by following the instruction -- using the CD but could not install. I called for technical support as it turned out that the CD provided by Linksys should not be used for installation. I had to re-hook the computer to the internet and download the program to help guide me to install. After that everything seemed to be working OK (2 computers with XP and 1 with Vista OS) including the wireless connection (XP laptop). When I tried to do file-sharing among Vista and XP, guess what! The computer with Vista OS cannot connect with the 2 XPs. I called tech support, the guy who answered the call told me TO CALL MICROSOFT, WE CANNOT HELP YOU ON THIS!
I think that type of problem at least Linksys should have encounter and have solutions ready. I don't think my case is not and isolated case. SIMPLY HORRIBLE TECHNICAL SUPPORT!
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Yeah Linux, July 15, 2007
By user
The best thing about this is that being Linux based there is an awesome custom firmware that makes this baby rock. Long Live Linux!
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No problem w/product but encountered a minor issue during set-up, July 12, 2007
By user (New York, NY USA)
No problems with this product. Hooked it up to a laptop & a PS3 and everything works fine. The only trouble I had setting up the network (desktop) was my lousy firewall system provided to me by Time Warner cable (Computer Assoc: EZ Firewall/True Vector). In order for the laptop to access the network, I had to access the Firewall control center and entered the ip address of the laptop as a 'trusted zone'. Admittedly, this took a couple hrs to figure out but overall, I am pleased with the way things worked out.
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infant mortality, July 4, 2007
By user (Hawaii)
Worked great for a month. Then I couldn't send e-mail from Outlook. Internet worked fine, as did incoming e-mail. A real time consuming troubleshoot as the router itself was low on the list of likely suspects. Changing to an old Buffalo router cured the problem. Have yet to try collecting on the warranty but not looking forward to it.
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Solid Router, July 3, 2007
By user (VT)
One of the better Linksys routers. Has the ability to give priority to one or two Ethernet ports could be very useful if you are using VoIP service like Vonage or Sun Rocket. Feature actually works, fixed the problem I had with Vonage. Lots of alternate applications available from http://www.dd-wrt.com/ if you need more flexibility but not for the faint of heart! Costs a couple of bucks more but has been worth it.
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Bought this based on its reviews., June 27, 2007
By user (La Mirada, CA United States)
Installation was easy, but had to call Linksys help line to get it connected to the dsl, which was frustrating. Stayed on the phone for good 4 hours and tried everything written on their script manual. Finally, I tried different things since I learned the basics from the call and got connected. Don't know how or why, but since then the product works fine without any problems. Now, I have to work on setting up the Firewall and security...not looking forward to calling overseas again.
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Already failed...less than a month., June 27, 2007
By user
First wireless router that I've ever had that just doesn't work. Constant errors, and disconnects....very unstable. In the business environment I use this in, it is totally unacceptable. Went back to my old router which doesn't have the range I'd like, but it's stable.
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Excellent, June 20, 2007
By user
I'm really satisfied with this product. I recommend it.
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Great functions & features, but the product title is wrong, June 15, 2007
By user (United States)
It's misleading to say "Compatible with Linux" - it should say "upgradeable firmware" to let people know this is the one you can enhance the firmware with linux-based code.
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Beware of fake/glowing reviews by shills, June 12, 2007
By user (Boston, Ma)
Yes, this is a fabulous product! I selected this model because reviews seemed to indicate that Linux compatibility could serve to expand the coverage/range; fortunately that was unnecessary because I get "excellent" signal strength in every room of the house and the outside area. (Frame construction, not brick or concrete.)
Why not 5 Stars? Because in my experience claims of "easy setup" are plain BS! Linksys deserves A+ for migrating to instructions in plain English (far better than D-Link), but the hardware has yet to behave like the wonderful instructions indicate. My installation wizard got stuck around step 7 (or 9?)... into a loop of veryfing/accepting my chosen password... but without proceeding to the next step. Upon re-booting I found the router installed... BUT, with default/open/insecure settings.
Point of this story is that in preparation for installing this gadget it would be helpful to read a good primer on wireless setup... to become familiar with desirable settings for things like WPA, PSK, NAT, SSID broadcasting, ISP cloning, etc. All of this is stuff is not very difficult... and worth learning to make it easy to optimize the benefits of this great gadget.
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Set up was easier than I thought it would be., June 11, 2007
By user (Los Angeles)
This was much easier to set up than I thought it would be. I chose the L version of this router after reading a lot of commentary on the web about it being more reliable than the non L. It has functioned without a problem ever since I installed it several months ago. I have one desktop that is hardwired to it and a laptop using a laptop adapter made by TwoWire, and a second desktop using a USB adapter made by DLink. They all work well together. I found the manual very helpful in installing and setting up this router and am very satisfied with its performance.
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Great box, June 8, 2007
By user (Orlando, FL)
Works well. Lots of features. Don't use DD-WRT on it (v23 I think). That caused me a lot of voip quality and instability issues. Reverted back to the Linksys code and have had no further problems.
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Works GREAT, June 7, 2007
By user
This gateway router works GREAT! Add dd-wrt community developed firmware for even more functionality.
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Hard to set up; keeps dropping connection, June 3, 2007
By user (Chicago, IL)
One would have thought that by time, most wireless routers would be plug and play for the simplest configuration.
All we have is two laptops that need to have a wireless connection. Yet, the set-up took several hours. The instructions are incomplete and confusing. And then, it asks for information that was not required when I had set up my previous router (e.g. type of DSL connection, userid with ISP, password, etc...info I hadn't used in years). Even after all this, and upgrading the firmware, the wireless connnectivity still keeps dropping frequently.
All in all, I would say for those of you who are not interested in the Linux compatability and are looking for a simple wireless router with good range and stability of connection - STAY AWAY from this one. If I had bought this from a store, I would have taken it back in a day.
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Great device, lousy documentation, June 2, 2007
By user (Los Angeles, CA USA)
It worked better than I expected once I got it set up. But there was so much I didn't know that it took hours to set up. For example, I didn't know you need to set up your network on Windows before running Linksys's configuration CD. The software makes it seem like Linksys will set it up for you; but in reality, you need to set it up on Windows and input the data into the Linksys configuration. Or maybe you don't -- either way, the set-up instructions don't guide you around this issue.
Of course, if you're an old hand at home networking, then you're probably just laughing at me now, but for a networking newbie like me, there was a lot of frustrating trial and error going on.
Now that I've got it set up, though, the wireless speed is great.
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excellent low-dollar router, May 31, 2007
By user (Texas)
I threw OpenWRT on the box and had it running in about 5 mins. In another 5mins I had the qos-scripts running. This QOS (Quality of Service) stuff is excellent, and lets you prioritize certain types of traffic (VOIP, games, VPN, whatever). In my case VPN stuff is Express, web browsing is normal, and stuff like p2p is Bulk. It works so well it feels like getting free bandwidth. I run the El Cheapo Verizon $14.95 DSL and it just sings with the QOS running.
The unit is very stable. It only goes out when I lose power, and comes back up just fine. I don't use the wireless on it so I just turned that part off.
If you are linux savvy at all, you will love this box.
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Awesome router, May 27, 2007
By user
Superior performance and features -- installation and setup were intuitive, consistent signal strength, excellent security capability.
Antenna power (along with other features) tunable with dd-wrt.
On another note, package size was quite surprising :)
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WRT54GL Router Review, May 13, 2007
By user
I have used this product in my home for about 2 months. Setup was easy and it works great. I will definitely purchase Linksys products in the future.
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Great Router for DD-WRT Firmware, May 13, 2007
By user (TN)
The router works great. I purchased the WRT54GL with the specific intent on flashing it with the Open Source DD-WRT firmware. The firmware flash works great and I now have a very powerful router for the low cost of a standard router. This router seems to be well constructed. I like the dual antennas and available 4-port switch on the back.
Bottom-line, combine the Linksys-Cisco WRT54GL with the DD-WRT firmware for a powerful and customizable router. Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
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