Cisco-Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster
by Linksys
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List Price: Our Price: $12.50 You Save: $87.49 (87%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster
Customer Review: Installed Flawlessly in less than 30 minutes!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had an existing Router and Wireless access point from Linksys, the router started acting up so I decided to replace both of them with this wireless router.
The key is to get an Internet connection from your DSL modem directly to your computer, once you can get online the rest is cake.
I unplugged my main computer from the old router and plugged it directly into the Verizon DSL modem. Turned on my computer and was able to get online immediately. Once you can, insert the CD that comes with this router and follow the instructions. It checks for the Internet connection, and instructs you to then plug in the router. It took few seconds for it to recognize and configure the new router, it then installed some basic security setting for me.
It automatically let my computers that are hardwired to the router access the Internet also. The wireless devices that I have had to be changed to the new security settings, unless you use your old security settings again.
The thing that bugs me is that it doesn't tell you how to log into your router from the web browser. I know from experience so I did it automatically. This is important because you should always change the default password, or anyone could log into your router and change it. Becuase the default is widely known. To change it, go to your web browser, type in 192.168.1.1 in the address field (without the http://), when a box pops up the log in is: admin and the password is admin. CHANGE THE PASSWORD. Even if you do not set up wireless security, you should, but if you don't at the very least change the password and write it down so you don't forget it.
When you are logged in it is a good idea to set up the security settings for wirelss access. You can find some good intructions on the Linksys website. If you don't do this anyone in your neighborhood may be able to log in and use your Internet connection. A friend of mine had this problem and someone had also changed the default password.
Customer Review: URL blocking does not work!
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought a WRT54GS v4 wireless router on 10/30/2005. It does not work by just following CD setup instructions. After talking to Linksys technique support, I manually configured the router in router configuration pages. The problem was both Verizon DSL modem router and Linksys router use the same default IP address.
After got DSL working, I found that my PC is always talking to buydomains.com which slows down every command I entered for at least 20 seconds. I need block this URL in Linksys router. I did configuration, but the blocking URL does not work. The router can't block any URL by its name, nor by any keyword. Even disable HTTP service do not stop internet access. I spent three hours with the first level and his senior supports, updated the latest firmware and reconfigured Wireless router. But it still does not work. Then I was told that the hardware is defected and needs be replaced.
I exchanged a new one from CircurtCity. But blocking URL does not work. After talking to three technicians and reached the 2nd level support, he admitted it was the problem of the the firmware because he experienced the some problem. I can either wait a newer firmware to fix this problem, or exchange to a old version of the hardware v3. All WRT54GS routers at Circurtcity are v4 hardware.
Two days later, I found the Secure Easy Setup does not work on this new router. After few hours talking to three technicians, reload the latest firmware, and did reconfigurations, I was told that it is hardware defect.
I got the third router, but it is same as the first one. None of the Blocking URLs, nor disable HTTP service work. I can't do nothing, but waiting another updated firmware to fix those problems.
I don't think Linksys QA missed testing. It is whole page of settings, and none of them works. Linksys technique supports also have many problems. The first level and their senior supports have no hardware to test. I was very disappointed by this product.
Customer Review: Good for nerds and novices alike
Summary: 4 Stars
So far, so good, with little issue. Set-up was a breeze - plugged it all up, restarted my computer's networking, and hit the administration site. WEP + MAC filtering are made pretty well idiot-proof, so there's no excuse not to use these security measures with this product. For the non-nerdly: That will help keep strangers off your wireless network - Make sure and use them. If you haven't realized this with most standard-hardware networking products - you don't need the included CD; just toss it. Waste of time.
Caveat the following with the facts that my house is not the largest around (3 bed/2 bath; 2 story; 1,600 sq ft), and that the router is very centrally positioned, but wireless speeds have been outstanding thus far, all over the house - haven't seen it drop below 54 Mbps yet (note that I'm using a random Dell-factory-installed 802.11g card, not the companion Linksys card).
Port forwarding seems to have worked ALMOST flawlessly - the one hitch (nerdery follows) is that I run a mailserver behind the router, which upon receipt of mail, retains a copy and forwards a copy to an external account. The mailserver receives mail fine, and sends locally-initiated mail fine, but for some reason, the forwarded copy never makes it. The mailserver does send it (according to the logs), and the router's (limited, but still a nice feature) log shows corresponding SMTP activity through port 25, but it never gets delivered to an external account. I'm not sure of the reason, all I can say is that "it worked before I put the router in". Still digging into it.
I may eventually look into using another firmware for the router (OpenWRT, etc), but it's stock firmware is fine, intuitive enough (with decent documentation/help) for the non-nerdly, and enough native features to keep most nerds happy (things like DynDNS support, the aforementioned port forwarding, additional routing tables, etc).
Overall, a great product.
Customer Review: Being Wireless Can Be So Beautiful
Summary: 5 Stars
I have nothing but good things to say about this item. I can't believe that there is not one review on this item yet. After struggling with the D-Link DI-624 & all of its included problems for about 3 weeks I decided to return it. Those were the worst 3 weeks of my life. The router would reboot every few minutes, & would disconnect every time the phone rang. The very worst part of all was that the D-Link PC Card would freeze my notebook with no way to properly shutting down. I even tried the new Netgear card with the same results. At this point I had given up on wireless, & switched back to using cables. About a week ago, my girl showed up at my doorstep with an Amazon box. When I opened it & saw what was inside. I said to myself, oh boy here we go again, & to my surprise it was nothing like that. Everything went smooth as silk, from beginning to end. The best experience I have had in a long time. The router it self is very well built & sturdy, unlike the D-Link. I guess it's true what people say, you get what you pay for. For anybody in the market for a wireless router, I would highly recommend you spending a few dollars more & getting a quality product from a well known company like Linksys / Cisco. The installation was a no-brainer, & the configuration process was just as easy. The configuration wizard walks you step by step & explains what each setting does. Till this day, I haven't had any problems with reboots or disconnects when the phone rings. The best part is my Linksys PC Card doesn't freeze my notebook, & does have slightly better range than the D-Link. Another thing I love about the router is that it has all the bells & whistles for those who like playing with the advance settings. The transfer speeds are slightly faster than the D-Link's, but I really doubt they even come near of what they claim. All in all I'm very satisfied with this Linksys combo, & the 3 year warranty is a big plus.Customer Review: Linksys WRT54GS
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased the WRT54GS to upgrade an outdated router that I'd had for about 4 years. Ultimately I was hoping this router would allow me to use my laptop anywhere in my town home (~1300 sqft) AND work with Xbox Live despite it's absence from the list of approved routers; I figured "how much different could it be from the WRT54G", which IS approved for Xbox Live.
With some minor difficulties I was able to get it to work with Xbox Live. You'll need to toy around with the security settings (SPI, Anonymous Internet Requests, and DMZ) a little bit, but it WILL work. Once Xbox Live is connected you can re-secure everything until you turn off the Xbox... at which point you'll need to go through the routine again when you want to reconnect. This has something to do with the way Xbox initiates communications... hopefully Linksys releases a firmware patch to correct this simple, but annoying issue.
The laptop network connection works anywhere in my town home, but if I take it outside onto my deck the signal is eventually dropped. To be fair the router is on the complete opposite side of the town home when I'm on the deck. I'm betting that I could improve my coverage area if I could move the router to a central room and elevate it a little bit. The WLAN coverage is about what I'd expected.
The browser interface is a breeze so adjusting your settings to work with Xbox and secure your WLAN is not hard at all. Initial setup was incredibly easy. I literally plugged the router into my cable modem, plugged my desktop PC into the router and I had internet. The router automatically spoofed the MAC address required to get through the cable modem.
I haven't had to use Linksys technical support, but their knowledge base is decent enough to solve the most common problems. This product is fairly new however, so knowledge base articles for out of the ordinary problems are somewhat sparse as of right now.