Cisco-Linksys WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router
by Linksys
|
List Price: Our Price: $54.95 You Save: $25.04 (31%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $39.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router
Customer Review: Linksys WRT54GL vs D-Link DIR-625
Summary: 5 Stars
After four years of service my old Linksys WRT54G started to intermittently drop its client connections, requiring me to reboot to recover. Four years isn't a really long time but I decided to replace it with a new wireless router. After some research I purchased a D-Link DIR-625 looking forward as an alternative to the Linksys. I currently have a D-Link wireless print server (DPR-1260) downstairs that is working just perfectly from which I print wirelessly from anywhere in the house.
The DIR-625 came with the standard router with 2 antennas, power adapter, and setup CD. Being in IT I was tempted to skip the setup CD but went ahead and fired it up. I followed the simple disconnect this, then this, now reconnect this instructions. The last step is for the DIR-625 to "configure itself" and then connect to the internet. Alas it was able to configure itself (I could connect to it) but it could never negotiate an internet connection with my DSL modem. My previous Linksys, or a PC plugged right into the modem, was fine so it wasn't the DSL modem. I spent a fair few hours troubleshooting, even logging directly into the DIR-625 (192.168.0.1) to check out settings. It just couldn't establish an internet connection.
Frustrated, I repacked it, got an RMA number for return, and ordered a Linksys WRT54GL. I received it tonight. It came with the standard router with 2 antennas, power adapter, and setup CD (sound familiar). Again I resisted the temptation to skip right to manual setup and instead followed the setup CD. Within 5 minutes of unboxing I was online, indeed writing and transmitting this review via WRT54GL wireless connection. Incidentally both devices have similar signal strengths (I was expecting the "Rangebooster" D-Link to be stronger but now suspect there's more marketing than range boosting).
My DSL-modem-wireless router setup is pretty basic. I may have received a defective DIR-625, and had I requested replacement it may have been fine. Regardless, I'm back to a Linksys wireless router (WRT54GL this time) and the D-Link wireless print server.
Customer Review: Fabulous router
Summary: 5 Stars
Went wireless in 2002 with a Linksys wireless "B" router/gateway/switch. With a Netgear USB-interface 802.11b wireless adapter that was adequate for my PC, but since purchasing an Apple iBook in January I've noticed that signal strength in my home has been inadequate in many areas.
Replaced the old router with this one last night, and I couldn't be more pleased. Signal strength problems now gone; great reception throughout the house. Web page loading speed is now greatly improved. The iBook Airport Extreme card seems to "get along" much better with this wireless G router.
Have not yet experimented with the mixed environment that will result when the PC (with the old 802.11b adapter) is running at the same time as the 802.11g Airport Express.
Two minor quibbles: something about the native Linksys web interface is not Apple/Safari-friendly. Many menu items in drop-down lists had code snippets present as part of their text when viewed from Safari. The router was configurable with some work to ignore the code and find the actual text of the settings. Replacement of the Linksys firmware with the current dd-wrt third-party firmware resolved that problem, and also resulted in a HUGE speed improvement in the web management interface. (Note: The signal strength improvements happened without needing to manually reset the antenna broadcast power in the dd-wrt firmware!)
Secondly, the "Run this CD first" installation walkthrough seems to be Windows-only. One would think that a device which is specifically marketed to be "Linux friendly" would come with setup and support tools for a variety of operating systems, no? As a former network admin I had no problem with the manual config, but "Uncle Joe" with his iMac would have a rough time figuring things out.
Taking everything into consideration, an excellent product that has already exceeded my expectations after only two hours of use - but may be difficult for unsophisticated non-Windows users to configure without help.
Customer Review: Fantastic Router
Summary: 5 Stars
Previously I've been using an old westell modem/router sent to me by our ISP. The Westell would drop connection very frequently and it was driving me mad, so I decided to invest a little research into a new router. I found this Linksys router had a popular positive rating and great reviews so I purchased it.
I am very happy with the router but was not aware prior to purchase that it is only a router, it is not a dsl modem/router in one, so I had to find a router less modem as well (luckily I had one laying around)
It supports many security features for wireless:
WPA Personal
WPA Enterprise
WPA2 Personal
WPA2 Enterprise
RADIUS
WEP
and one thing I enjoyed was the firewall.
The firewall is very simple, it is either on or off and you set the ports you would like allowed through the port forwarding settings. (my old westell firewall had to be programmed with specific rules) so I really enjoy not having to deal with that anymore.
There is also a built in feature to use keyword settings to block websites from passing through the router if you don't want any specific computer or all computers on your network to visit certain sites.
And of course as many have already stated, this router is compatible with third party firmware so you can flash it with hacked firmware upgrading the quality of the router. Although tempted, I have not tried this yet as I do not wish to brick it.
I am one who believes that technology is far over priced, from digital cameras, routers, computers. Look anywhere and the prices are ridiculous and unreasonable (and amazingly people feed that inflation by paying for it) but I found this particular investment to be worth it! It saves me many headaches and has not given me any troubles so far.
I give this product 5/5 for quality, features, versatility and ease of use.
Now let's just hope it doesn't betray me after this review ;)
Customer Review: Mac users beware!
Summary: 3 Stars
Things you should know before you purchase this router:
1. You're supposed to run the Setup Wizard prior to setting up the router, but if you're a Mac user, you'll be out of luck. The Easy Setup CD is NOT for Mac OS X. All the setup files are .exe. This means you will have to do all the configuring and setup yourself. *This device comes with no instruction manual.*
2. The online help from Linksys provides very little help for Mac users trying to configure things manually. I was left to look for assistance through online fora. I found *so many* people asking the same questions I had.
3. As far as making sure your wireless setup is secure, good luck with that. When you're on the router setup page (if you can even get to it), you'll be faced with several options. If you prefer to make an informed decision, you'll have to do some homework online to understand your options, because the little bit of additional information provided through links on the setup page does not really explain the differences between those options (e.g. WEP versus WPA encryption).
A few hours later (and I'm not a dunce), I managed to configure this thing myself. It performs well, my Internet connection is faster, and I have secure Wi-Fi setup. If you are a Mac user and the configuration / setup problem doesn't concern you, go ahead and buy this product. If you are intimidated by the poor support available to Mac users, find yourself a geek who can help you with the setup, or consider purchasing a different product.
I have submitted my complaints to Linksys about their poor support to Mac users. I hope my suggestion to come up with a setup guide for Mac users will be followed. With respect to support, I give Linksys zero stars. The WRT54GL itself, in terms of performance once it's set up, merits four. I subtracted a star from the product's overall rating for the grief I experienced doing the config myself.
Customer Review: Just a good, reliable wireless router
Summary: 5 Stars
One problem I have in my house is I'm a PC person and my wife is a Mac person. She works for a firm that is 98% Macs. But that's not important.
What IS important is that, as with many companies, once a computer reaches a certain age it is no longer capable of running the latest and greatest versions of the operating system and the software the company uses. At that point, the company gives away its computers and the old software to employees who want them for their own use at home.
The company Mac laptop she uses for work also enables her to work from home is wireless; as are the old machines she has for Internet access here for herself and our child. That's where the Linksys-Cisco WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router (Compatible with Linux) comes in.
We require a wireless router that can talk to my PCs AND to the family and business Macs, and it must be totally reliable. We had tried a Mac AirPort (too short range for her Mac laptop) and two different Belkin wireless routers (they worked fine with my PCs, but her Macs had a hard time linking up and staying connected to them no matter how much her and my computer gurus tweaked the routers). I'd had experience with Linksys equipment before, and Cisco Systems has a well deserved reputation for reliability; so when I had the chance to buy a Linksys-Cisco router I leaped at it.
Total setup time to get the router working with all the computers was half an hour, with minimal difficulty. An unexpected bonus was that the Linksys-Cisco router is also compatible with our iPhones. So far, we've had no problems at all with the Linksys-Cisco wireless router and are very happy with it.
Bottom line: if you are looking to set up a home wireless network for up to four machines, buy this router. You will be happy you did. It's money well spent.