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 $22.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
Customer Review: does not work well for internet gaming
Summary: 1 Stars
Other reviews have explained how Linksys has deceptively changed the entire router in this "v5" version while leaving the product name WRT54G. What they have said is true, the "old" wrt54g v1-4 are better hardware, and yes, if you had the old one you can install third-party firmware to fix problems. However, what does this mean to your average consumer?
The WRT54G is hard to configure for Internet games and consoles!!
These routers also act as firewalls. The firewalls interfere with certain types of gaming, especially games on Playstation or PC games which connect directly to competitors such as Starcraft. Peer-to-Peer transfers also have these challenges. Most routers have a feature called "default DMZ host" which essentially tells your router to pretend that one of your devices is connected directly to the Internet without the firewall interfering. Alternatively, you can setup "port forwarding" for specific ports. These features allow games to work properly. However, these features are difficult to use on the Linksys!
While the Linksys allows you to set an IP address on your network as the default DMZ host, the Linksys will randomly hand out that IP address to DIFFERENT devices! The only way to use the DMZ or port-forwarding features on the Linksys is to configure IP addresses manually for those machines. From the Linksys manual "DMZ: Any computer whose port is being forwarded must have its DHCP client function disabled and should have a new static IP address assigned to it because its IP address may change when using the DHCP function." This adds an additional level of configuration complexity, as you must decide on your own IP addresses, and make sure you don't create IP address conflicts.
Products from other vendors have a feature called "static DHCP mapping" which allows you to assure the same device gets the same IP address and thus is always the DMZ host. This "static DHCP mapping" feature is missing from Linksys routers like the WRT54G and WRT54GL.
If you must buy Linksys, get the WRT54GL, NOT the WRT54G, and immediately install the open-source Tomato firmware on it. Tomato does not have this shortcoming of Linksys firmware and has a bunch of other nice features. I use a WRT54GL with Tomato firmware installed, and I higly recommend it as the best and most stable wireless router option you can use. However, you need to be comfortable updating the firmware on the device.
If you are not comfortable installing your own firmware. I recommend you consider routers from other companies. Both Netgear and DLink routers have static DHCP reservations, DMZ host, and port-forwarding features. I've had some trouble with Netgear's hanging occasionally, and I've heard good things about DLink, but I've never owned one.
Customer Review: Overall, I recommend this to anyone that owns a second computer for nonessential matters
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this router from Circuit City (by the way, no one at Circuit City was helpful, but since I didn't want to wait for it to arrive, I decided to go to the store and purchase this) in March. I've have had fairly little trouble with it. Prior to purchasing this, I unknowingly thought that I already had a router. Because my second (wireless) computer was picking up a connection with a Netgear adapter. But (I have since learned) that must have been a neighbor's because I only had a Westell modem from Verizon that did not come with a router.
This router was a little tricky hooking up. Verizon walked me through it, though. Actually, I only purchased this brand because Verizon told me that they would not provide tech support if I purchased another manufacturer's brand. I suppose that doesn't matter too much because Linksys was the least expensive. I was on the phone with Verizon for over an hour until it was set up.
A couple of months ago, I completely lost a connection on my wireless computer. I called Netgear (the manufacturer of my adapter) and was told to call Linksys. Linksys was helpful, although it was difficult to understand them because they were located in India. The Linksys associate told me that my connection was erased because of a bad storm (does anyone else think this is an odd explanation?) and she did walk me through setting up a new wireless network from the adapter to the router.
Since my wireless computer has been set up I have had no difficulty keeping a connection. Every once in a while I will lose a connection (on my wireless computer) and usually if I turn my router on and off my wireless computer will regain a connection. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone that has a second computer like myself for nonessential matters.
It seems like none of these companies (Verizon, Linksys and Netgear) train their employees to "think outside the box." That is very frustering and disapointing. They all acted like it was unusual for someone to have 2 desktops in their home. They always automatically assumed that one of my computers was a laptop. And, when they found out that I had AOL they also found this to be odd. I was being looked down on because I had a second computer with AOL hooked up to it. It's like checking into a Marriott Hotel and paying cash; you know that look the hourly desk clerk gives? One gentleman even sarcastically said, "AOL is infested with bugs." But it isn't any of their business what software I choose to have on my computers. Because, they should be trained to welcome all customers no matter what situation their customer is in. Another thing I learned is that you should always speak up. Always ask questions, no matter how foolish you may think it is. That is what they are there for!
Customer Review: Tough setup if you have a Mac, but not impossible
Summary: 4 Stars
If you're buying this product and operate on a Mac platform, ditch the CD and go directly to live assistance on the Linksys website.
I recently bought the Linksys WRT54G router and have been very happy with the router itself. I run on Mac OSX, and though I considered getting the whole Apple airport setup, the cost difference between the Airport and the latest model Linksys pretty much left no comparison. (The Airport was more than twice the Linksys router.)
HOWEVER, configuration of my system and actual setup of the router for wireless use took me more than 3 hours, and briefly made me reconsider my choice to forego the airport and its notoriously easy setup. I am a generally computer-savvy person; not an IT expert by any means (which is what router configuration sometimes seems to require), but I can install and manage most computer stuff without too much support. But when I opened the box I found little more than a few advertisement flyers and instructions to run the enclosed CD before plugging in the router.
Too bad they don't mention anything about how the CD can't be used with a Mac. (Didn't find that out until I talked to someone in technical support an hour later.) After messing about a bit with the CD, I went online to the Linksys site to look for support tips. I even downloaded the product's user manual - useless. The Linksys technical support site has nothing about configuring the router for use with a Mac. It's like they want to pretend that Apple doesn't exist or something. But eventually I found my way to live assistance through their site (thank GOODNESS), where someone was able to give me adequate instructions to configure the router so that I could at least use it. I say adequate because it was enough to get wireless working, but nowhere near enough instruction to do the proper configuration job that I could have done if someone would just give me some instructions in plain English.
The router comes with a TON of options for setup, but sadly enough, I had no idea what most of it meant. What this product really needs is better documentation for how to set up the router for DIFFERENT OPERATING SYSTEMS!! and step by step explanations for all the different setup options and their relevance. I don't mind if the instructions are online instead of in the box, but please have some instructions *somewhere.* I'm giving it 4 stars because the setup process was so miserable. But the product iself is great.
If you have a Mac, I don't think you should totally discount this product. Once you set it up, it's great. And it is EXTREMELY well-priced for what you're getting. Just make sure to budget a couple of hours for setup, and invite some computer-savvy friends over first if you're prone to high blood pressure.
Customer Review: Easy set up, great range, fast speed
Summary: 5 Stars
Although I've done tech support for a certain large computer maker in America's third largest state and having been using PCs since 1985, I had zero experience with wireless before two weeks ago. After making the decision to buy a laptop, my wife and I decided to go wireless so we could surf the net with the laptop anywhere in the townhouse.
Set up couldn't have been easier. I followed the easily understood chart, popped the set-up CD into the dvd drive on my desktop and followed the directions. I had only to hook up the power cable and the two ethernet cables (one from the cable modem to the WRT54G and the second from the latter to the desktop). The wireless networking and security set up was a snap; I was surfing the net in less than ten minutes.
The range is excellent. My laptop's built-in wireless card picked up five networks near out townhome up and running. The 300 foot range touted on the box is, for once, not just marketing hype. After some initial trouble with signal strength on the first day, I've had only a two periods of time (each lasting about 30 minutes) where bandwidth varied widely. Other than those incidents (both of which coincided with a flurry of calls on my 2.4GHz cordless phone), it's been smooth sailing.
Taking the laptop on a visit to my parents house, the built-in wireless card picked up several networks within range of my parents' home. It picked up an open access point from the elementary school a quarter of a mile from their house! Since it was unsecured and listed as "open access" I connected the wireless network to it and was surfing the Net within seconds with a speed of 36Mpbs--excellent considering how far away the router was (in excess of 1,000 feet).
If you're new to wireless or even a computer newbie, the set-up couldn't be simpler or more user friendly. Even the technophobic shouldn't have much trouble with this. Although I had to write down the WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol key) because of its length and random letter/number sequence, once it was input, the network was secured.
I highly recommend this product for both the experienced user and the novice. I wholeheartedly recommend this product.
You'll be surfing from anywhere in your house that you wish with very little trouble. And if you leave the house and find an open access point, you should have little trouble connecting to it and surfing the net.
Easily installed, easily used this one is hard to beat. I've experienced none of the problems I've read in other reviews of competitor's wireless routers.
So if you only need to be able to connect another computer(s) to your cable modem, this is the product to pick.
A sold five stars.
Customer Review: This router isn't worth the plastic it's housed in.
Summary: 1 Stars
Where do I begin?I am currently college student and I consider myself to be extremely computer literate. I purchased this router less than a month ago and have been on the verge of wanting to strangle Linksys ever since.
The plan was for our apartment to be set up completely wirelessly. I have 3 roomates with laptops, and I myself am on a desktop. They all purchased Linksys wireless G network adaptors and I purchased a Linksys WET11 wireless B external ethernet adaptor (I was weary of the poor Linksys G adaptor reviews). Initially everything appeared to be working great. I literally just plugged my WET11 into my computer and it began receiving the signal from the router. After the adaptor installation on the laptops, my roomates were connected likewise.
Then I changed the SSID, and hid the broadcast. Immediately we ran into problems on the laptops. On 2 of them it took a good 10 minutes for them to connect up with the hidden SSID, and on the 3rd one it would simply connect for about 5 seconds and then disconnect. Extremely frustrating. A few days later I began have connection problems on all the systems.
To make a long, tedious story short, they all ended up returning their network adaptors, buying CAT5 cable, and plugging their laptops directly into the back of the router. Being as my computer and desk are a good 30-40 feet from the router with no forseeable way to run a wire to it, I have remained wireless. To maintain "better" connectivity I've had to broadcast the SSID and turn off WEP (so long protection). And to say the connectivity I get with this thing is pathetic would be a gross understatement.
For no apparent reason the router will stop broadcasting. Then it will start again for a minute. Then it will stop. Then it will start again for a minute. Then it will stop for 5. Then I will walk over to it with a hammer and it will start broadcasting again. Then it will work for 10 hours. Then it won't work for 5 hours. Then it will give me IP conflicts. Then I will set up static IPs. Then it will give me IP conflicts. Then it will stop. Then it will start again without IP conflicts. Then it will run fine for the rest of the day. Then maybe that night it will start going on and off again. Then I will begin to roll up into a ball and cry.
AND ALL THIS TIME IT GOES ABOUT 3-10x SLOWER THAN A HARDWIRE.
I have no cordless phone. I have no possible forms of interference. I have the router in an open area with line of site to my adaptor. Countless hours of tweaking, repositioning, reseting, and firware upgrades have yielded no permanent fix. Linksys tech support? hahahahahahahahahahahaha
This product is a disgrace. Please, anyone reading this... STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM LINKSYS WIRELESS PRODUCTS AS POSSIBLE. You have been warned.