| Linksys Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54GC |
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Model: WRT54GC
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 186
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
All-in-one Internet-sharing Router, 4-port Switch, and Wireless-G (802.11g) Access Point
Shares a single Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet wired and Wireless-G and B devices
Compact form factor fits in anywhere
High security: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2 Personal), wireless MAC address filtering, powerful SPI firewall
Compatible with Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP |
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| Description: |
| The WRT54G Wireless-G Broadband Router puts you onboard for the newest wireless networking standard. Wireless-G is 54Mbps wireless networking that's almost five times as fast as the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes & businesses. They can interoperate with existing 802.11b equipment, making them more flexible thanother networks. The built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 connects 4 PCs directly and lets you daisy-chain out to more hubs and switches for as big a network as you need. To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless-G Broadband Router can encode all wireless transmissions using 128-bit WEP encryption. The powerful Stateful Packet Inspection firewall will defend against most Internet attacks. |
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| User Reviews (186 total): |
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Needs refining, August 29, 2005
By user (San Francisco)
Out of the box, this router looks impressive. Slim, compact, and aesthetic.
However, after setting up the device and connecting, I have noticed the device frequently drops connections. This happens at least twice every half hour. So often that I am going to return this item.
Bottom line- it is unstable, unreliable, and needs refinement.
There is a reason why it is on sale and has a rebate available on it. Sale execs know that the only way to move this item off the shelf is to entice buyers w/ a special. Knowing that most of the sold units won't be returned (due to the hassle of it), they are willing to gamble that they buyer will give up on it.
Buy the regular WRT G router. It is a bit more expensive, but it is tested and proven.
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Excellent router both functionally and aesthetically, August 14, 2005
By user (Milwaukee)
While it's really nothing more than an ordinary 11g (54Mbps) router with 4-port 100Mbps switch, its lack of any whiz-bang features doesn't detract from its sexiness. It doesn't claim to be a "travel" router although at less than four inches square and less than an inch thick it certainly could be used as such--even its power adapter is fairly small and light. With all the features of a typical home network router you can conveniently unplug it when you leave home and essentially never have to switch access points, plus you can network with non-wireless PCs which travel routers typically don't accommodate.
Linksys has set the bar high on industrial design with this unit, in my opinion, having included a few nice touches. First is the little swinging door over the reset button that acts as a foot for standing the router on its side--which actually gives me better signal coverage in my two-story home (I've found the internal antenna to be entirely adequate but I'm happy about the external antenna accommodation, should I want to buy one separately). Second is the inclusion of four little pads on the bottom to keep from marring delicate surfaces like finished wood and also to keep heat from transferring (although I've had it running 24x7 for a couple weeks now and if not for the LEDs you wouldn't know it was plugged in). Third is the inclusion of eyelets for the unit to be hung on screws in a wall.
I found the user interface for setup and configuration to be clean and easy to navigate, but being used to Netgear and Belkin it did take a minute to get used to. I used the included CD for the initial configuration with my cable modem, which went very smoothly, but was not necessary to use. All the typical options are there like WEP, WPA, DHCP, MAC filtering, firewall, etc.; as well as some more advanced wireless and networking settings if you want them. The only thing I wasn't really happy with was how MAC filtering is done: using a list of MACs without any other identifier to remember which is which, plus you have to manually copy and paste MACs from the wireless client list to the filter list instead of simply checking a box or button to add it. There's also no way to log out of the management interface.
All in all this product is very attractive--perhaps the most attractive piece of home networking gear I've ever seen--and very compact, significantly smaller than Netgear's current b/g routers' form factor of about 5x7. The web interface is also very polished. If you don't care what your router looks like or how big it is, there's probably no reason for you to buy this one. As for me, it suits my purposes functionally and aesthetically it has no equal. I love it.
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Super Portable and Very Capable, August 10, 2005
By user (Newport Beach, CA USA)
This thing works better than most my other large size routers and I can put it in my briefcase and carry it around.
Setup was super simple and it has all the features of bigger routers.
Its a little larger than a gameboy advance to give you an idea.
Too bad the external antenna is real expensive, I'd like to see how much I would gain with that.
T
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Great for Mac users too!, July 26, 2005
By user (San Diego, CA United States)
I was thinking of purchasing an Airport Express module, but purchased this instead. It has a lower price, similar size, and a built-in 4-port switch which won me over. It was easy to configure using Safari and it's built-in setup wizard (no software needs to be installed). I got a strong signal on my Powerbook (4 bars on the Airport signal).
It offers WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security. Plus you can define specific times of day the WiFi is active as well as specific computers which can access your network (handy when you are at work and want to make sure no one is piggybacking your WiFi signal). I also connected my PS2 and Vonage VoIP module and everything works flawlessly. I'm a typical Mac user who is used to easy setup and good looking equipment and I'm pleasantly surprised at this Linysys product!
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Excelent Product, Best Around, compatible with WRE54G, July 21, 2005
By user (PR, USA)
Ok, simple and to the point.
1. The size of this thing is incredible. Freed up almoust an entire shelf from my room (vs the old blue routers)
2. I had the WRT54G V2 with the high gain antenas, and the RANGE is practically identical if not a little better.
3. My house is big and has big old concrete walls, so signal has always been a problem. This baby takes good care of it and since it is compatible with the WRE54G (Range Extender) Its doing a great job for me.
Bottom line, Its a well priced router, if you have other wireless G linksys router the only improvements are the looks and size. I upgraded because im those kind of gadget geeks, but im very happy. Sold my old router for 40 bucks in ebay, so only paid 30 for this one.
If you want something 1/5 the size of the older ones, buy it. Just dont expect miracles. It does the same only in a diferent wrapping.
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Something is wrong with its wi-fi, July 10, 2005
By user (Santiago Chile)
For some reason sometimes this router gets into a loop when I try to connect my pocket PC. I have to unplug and plug the router again in order to fix the problem. I have had no similar problems with other wireless-G Broadband Routers.
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Absolutely flawless . . ., June 30, 2005
By user
Setup was remarkably simple. Some other wireless routers get far too tightly integrated with your DSL or cable modem, resulting in overly complicated setup. This, however, was a simple 12 step process that walked you through each step along the way.
The only criticism I'd offer is that there's nothing on paper about the setup (except "insert the CD and click setup"). As such, when you have a question about something in the setup, it's not immediately obvious how to figure out where to find the answer.
The manual, of course, is on the CD, but it shows up in small font stuck between Norton Internet Security and Exit, so it doesn't leap out at you. And, of course, you've already disconnected from the Internet by the time you start the process, so hitting Linksys' site to find the manual is no good.
But those are small criticisms - overall, the experience was extremely painless. I had my wireless and wired networks on the air, with improved security (I used WPA, but not MAC filtering), and successfully running to a VPN at my employer within 20 minutes.
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Easy to setup, works PERFECTLY, looks Sleek, Can't go Wrong!, March 11, 2005
By user (CA United States)
I cannot believe how easy and quickly I got this unit up and running. The included software was never needed! Just plug in your cable modem to the router, power up the router, turn on your PC and CONNECT! The setup interface is also very simple. The range is also good, considering the antenna is integrated! You can also purchase the SMA antenna to expand the range even further. It's also compact enough to take with you when you travel -- what a versatile little thing. You cannot go wrong with this router. It's compact, sleek, and it just works. Linksys really stepped up this time with the WRT54GC. Highly recommended! I'm going to buy these for friends and family too.
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Sound piece of equipment, March 8, 2005
By user (FPO, AE United States)
This works and setup was easy, but to be honest I was expecting more. I upgraded from an older linksys in attempts to increase the range a little. It did, but not by much. You can expect a little increase to the effective range and a touch faster connectivity but beyond that it's the same old. I don't think it warrented the hefty price tag attached to it and the adapter devices, but that's what I get for buying something new on the market. I guess the only major difference between it and my older linksys is the cisco label smack dab on the front of it. Is there anything that company won't buy???
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Early Review of WRT54GC - Nothing Notable to Say, March 1, 2005
By user (CHI PAR PHX SYD PDX CLD NKC)
I simply can't think of anything notable to say. The WRT54GC looks and works as advertised. I had no problem installing. There is nothing noteworthy about its performance. Haven't found any bugs. Internal antenna seems to have same wireless range as my full-size SMC Barricade router which has an external antenna. Power adapter is external, smallish and does 110-240v.
I recommend it for road warriors who need a wireless router with a builtin 4 port hub. Linksys will soon release a travel router with an internal power adapter and 1 LAN port. Apple has the similar Apple Express router which has a builtin USB print server port but zero LAN ports. It's great for wireless only purposes. I have the Apple, I can highly recommend it too.
I hope Linksys releases source code as they have done with the rest of their WRT54 product line. That way the geniuses can hack more features into it. (...)
Update: 22 August 2005 - There are no hacker projects that enhance this unit. Source code has never been released. I continue to be satisfied with this unit but would prefer an open source router. Be sure to check out the Linksys WTR54GS which is a wireless router with one ethernet port and no wall wart. Perfect for travelers with VoIP boxes.
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