Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router

Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
by Linksys

Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
Our Price: $75.97
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $19.95 (click here)
Category: CE
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Digital product summary information

Manufacturer: Linksys
Audio: English (Original Language)
Platform: Windows, Windows 2000, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, Windows XP
Model: WRT54G
Product features:
  • All-in-one Internet-sharing router, 4-port switch, and Wireless-G (802.11g) access point
  • Wireless data rates up to 54 Mbps--5 times faster than 802.11b
  • Shares a single Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet wired and Wireless-G clients
  • Interoperates with 802.11b clients at 11 Mbps
  • Advanced wireless security with 128-bit WEP encryption, MAC, or IP address filtering
  • Wireless data rates up to 54 Mbps - 5 times faster than 802.11b
Accessories:

Digital camera reviews of Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router

Digital camera Review: "Easy Setup" Not!!
Summary: 3 Stars

***Find the newer version of this router on amazon for around [...]: Cisco-Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router. This older version is sold by third parties at grossly inflated prices.

It's a fine router, but I found the install wizard to be of poor quality.

If you have good networking knowledge, you'll abandon the wizard, use the 100-page online manual, and be fine.

I know more about networking than the average consumer, so I was able to puzzle my way through it, but only by second guessing the documentation at various stages.

The Wizard is particularly sinister. It just tells you to start disconnecting and attaching cables without any input as to whether your current setup includes a pre-existing router (mine does), without any clarity as to whether you should be running the wizard on a hard-wired PC or a wireless equipped PC. After asking for a password (Is it asking me to set a password or am I supposed to know from page 20 of the manual that the factory set password is "admin"?) it refused to go past step 8. These are just some of the pathetic examples.

They provide no printed manual. I had downloaded the 112 page manual from the Linksys Website. Stupid me. It turns out to be copyright 2002 and much inferior to the 2005 manual included on the CD. But can you decide to access the CD manual once you have started the Wizard? No, of course not. You have to completely exit the Wizard and re-start the CD in order to find the "User Guide" tab which loads the manual.

The box proudly displays "SecureEasySetup (TM)" "Wireless Made Simple" "One Touch Setup Button" "Easy Start" "Easy Security" "Easy Everyday"

Apparently Linksys/Cisco knows that ease of setup is crucial. It just doesn't follow through in any consumer-tested way.

I don't know if Netgear, D-Link, etc are any better.

Summary of Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router

Wireless-G is the emerging 54 Mbps wireless networking standard that's almost five times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B ( 802.11b ) products found in homes, businesses and public wireless hotspots around the country. The best part is, since they share the same 2.4GHz radio band, Wireless-G devices talk to existing 11 Mbps Wireless-B equipment. Operates as a DHCP Server NAT technology to protect against Internet intruders Supports VPN pass-through Easy configuration with web browser based configuration utility
Amazon.com Product Description The Linksys Wireless-G broadband router is really three devices in one box. First, it's a wireless access point, which lets you connect Wireless-G or Wireless-B devices to the network. There's also a built-in four-port full-duplex 10/100 switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices. Connect four PCs directly, or daisy-chain out to more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need. Finally, the router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection.

To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless-G broadband router can encrypt all wireless transmissions, and it supports the industrial-strength wireless security of 802.1x authentication and authorization. The router can serve as a DHCP server, has NAT technology to protect against Internet intruders, supports VPN pass-through, and can be configured to filter internal users' access to the Internet. Configuration is a snap with the Web browser-based configuration utility.

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 multiplayer games with the flexibility, speed, and security you need!

Wireless-G is the 54 Mbps wireless networking standard that's more than four times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the country. But since they share the same 2.4 GHz radio band, Wireless-G devices can also interoperate with existing 11 Mbps Wireless-B equipment.

Because both standards are built-in, you can protect your investment in existing 802.11b infrastructure, and migrate to the new screaming-fast Wireless-G standard as your needs grow.

For more information on the differences between an access point and a router with access point, see the following table:

access point vs. router

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere--without wires. Outside the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, and airports--great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer.

Which Wireless Standard Is Right for Me?
Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use.

Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed.

For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time:

  • 802.11b
  • 802.11a
  • 802.11g

To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

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