Cisco-Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router by Linksys
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Digital camera reviews of Cisco-Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router
Digital camera Review: Awesome product!
Summary: 4 Stars
Awesome product, I've had it for a few years now and it never failed on me. All my wireless devices pick up the signal very easily.
Even though this isn't the top of the line wireless router, it sure is a great and reliable device for all your basic needs.
Digital camera Review: Awesome replacement for Netgear
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this router to replace my Netgear wgr614 v6 that just suddenly stopped working after a few years. I figured it was a problem with my wireless settings; i couldnt imagine a router going bad. I hooked up my linksys router and it worked on the first try, no problems whatsoever. I am just sad I waited as long as I did to try buying another wireless router. Now I have only been using it for about an hour but so far so good. Also, the setup was so easy a 5 year old could do it. the cd-rom you insert at the beginning gives you step by step directions on how to hook it up with animations.Digital camera Review: Awesome with dd-wrt firmware installed; not so much with stock firmware
Summary: 5 Stars
I would only give this router three stars with the stock firmware it ships with (VxWorks), but with the GPL dd-wrt firmware installed, it is a vastly superior product sporting features found on routers costing hundreds more. I was unimpressed with the stock VxWorks firmware. While adequate for many home users, its feature-set was underwhelming... and reliability was lacking in many respects (particularly in syncing with broadband devices like cable/DSL modems).
After installing the Linux-based dd-wrt firmware on this router, i noticed two things: Firstly, the device became more stable and robust. For example, resetting the router no longer required power-cycling the cable modem, etc. Secondly, even though this router only supports the "micro" version of the dd-wrt firmware (due to its small flash RAM footprint), this firmware still offers *many* more features (and more polish) than the stock VxWorks-based Linksys firmware.
For example, DHCP is vastly improved (both the client and server), and includes MAC address based static leases (i.e. computers on your LAN can be assigned static IP's via the router's DHCP server). More advanced Quality of Service (QoS) settings. Supports Wake-On-LAN, WDS (Wireless Distribution System, i.e. wireless bridging of multiple routers), automatic router reboots (or not). You can control many parameters of the wireless -- including transmitter power output -- and configure the button on the front panel to toggle the wireless on/off. It supports a variety of status screens, including graphical bandwidth usage stats. The web admin interface even offers a choice of several color skins. There's also a telnet admin interface. The firmware even supports cron jobs!
The dd-wrt firmware far outclasses the stock firmware, making the latter appear to be the work of Mrs. Pauli's fourth grade class. The only down-side is the somewhat cumbersome geeky triple-flash install procedure, and all the dire warnings that you could "brick" your router. I did the install from an iMac, which was harder because the install procedures are written for Windoze. [Tip for Mac users: Use the shareware program MacTFTP (available from Version Tracker or MacUpdate) where the directions call for Linksys' tftp.exe utility, and be sure your built-in Mac OS X firewall (System Preferences) is turned off during the firmware installs.] You can find install instructions and a download link on this page:
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Update (Nov-2009): Looks like the triple-flash procedure has been simplified; one can now download a combined prep/killer file and install it via the stock firmware, then TFTP the dd-wrt firmware into place (i.e. just a double-flash now). That should make things *much* easier (as they eliminated the step which caused the most problems).
I have version 1 of this router; it supports the "micro-plus" version of the firmware. Also, there's now a micro+ version which supports SSH for router configuration (in addition to the GUI).
Note: LinkSys has changed internal chipsets of this router a number of times already, and might change the internal RAM specs too. When chipsets are changed, router characteristics can change too. Wireless performance and reliability could change, power draw and heat output, or the ability to install dd-wrt on this router. Unfortunately, these changes could either improve the router, or make it worse. YMMV, as the reviewer's router may be different from what you'll get, so consider that when reading user reviews here. One way to identify different revisions is by FCC ID number. (For rev 1, it's: Q87-WRT54G2V1.)
As regards the ability to install the dd-wrt firmware, your best bet is to check the comments below, and also check the Supported Devices list (which includes FCC ID numbers):
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This router seems to be favored by the dd-wrt development team, probably because it is so affordable, so chances are good it will continue to be supported (unless LinkSys, in a cost-cutting measure, ever trims the specs too much.) But you may have to wait for it to be supported, and extra features in special builds (like SSH) may not come along for the ride, so YMMV. Checkout the dd-wrt website first if these features are important to you, so you know what to expect.
Digital camera Review: Awesome, simplest router I ever installed........real easy and awesome
Summary: 5 Stars
Right from the box........Looks are awesome....super easy to install...and works like a charm....What else to say ...its one of the easiest routers to install I have used. Till now, works like charm..Totally and highly recommendedDigital camera Review: Awful product!
Summary: 1 Stars
I've been purchasing with Amazon.com for nine years and this product is so awful I feel compelled to write my first review. The packaging implies you'll be connected within minutes. The product offers no manual whatsoever and only an installation disk. The disk prompts you on which cords to unhook from your current router and where to plug them in on your new router, and then prompts you to turn on the router. The prompt icon spins for over ten minutes only to tell you there is no connection to the Internet. There isn't a word of technical support provided other than "make sure everything is plugged in."
If I didn't want my money back, I'd use this piece of junk as a paperweight.
Please note that I wasn't able to leave no stars. One star is far too good a rating and I apologize for any miscommunication. Worst. Purchase. Ever.