From ProductWiki, free unbiased product reports for the consumer.

The Linksys WRT54G series of wireless routers, that includes variants: WRT54GS, WRT54GL, and WRTSL54GS, is an extremely popular among computer enthusiasts because of it's ability to run third-party open-source firmware such as DD-WRT and Tomato Firmware as it's firmware source code was released publicly under the GNU GPL. The first version was released in December 2002, but many different versions with hardware/firmware variations have subsequently been released. All feature two external antennas, 4 LAN ports, 1 WAN ports, and 802.11b/g support. The most recent version in the series is the WRT54GL, which returns to a Linux-based firmware, allowing for upgrades from third-party firmwares. It retails for around $65.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
8 people have already voted. Do you agree?

•
Firmware can be upgraded to third-party open-source software like DD-WRT, Tomato Firmware, or OpenWRT
+7agreedisagree

•
External antennas provide greater range
+7agreedisagree

•
Upgradeable antennas
+4agreedisagree

•
Rock-solid operation
+4agreedisagree

•
Backlit SES-button on the front that can be programmed to run scripts using 3rd party firmware
+2agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

•
More expensive because it can be modded
+3agreedisagree

•
Not as "pretty" as newer routers
+3agreedisagree

•
Some versions use VxWorks stock firmware that cannot be upgraded to third-party
+2agreedisagree

•
No tech support for Mac
+1agreedisagree

Competing products

Linksys WRT54G is ranked 1st.  See the top picks in Routers

Add a competitor to the list

More information

Upgraded Third-party firmware

The popularity of this router is largely due to the ability to unlock advanced features, tweak power settings, and view advanced QoS statistics by running third-party firmware. By flashing the firmware, you void all warranties, and likely cannot return the router for any store refund if you inadvertently damage it.

Note: Most WRT54G and WRT54GS models (not WRT54GL) sold in stores right now are the v5.0+ variety running the VxWorks firmware instead of the Linux-based version and cannot be flashed.

Submit a link

Related products

Add a related product to this list

6 comments about Linksys WRT 54 G

1.  avatar Erik  Aug 18, 2008 10:29am

I just bought the WRT54GL version of this router and flashed it with Tomato over the weekend after coming across it on Newegg. So far it's lived up to it's almost legendary reputation as a rock solid performer with the upgraded Tomato Firmware. I boosted by Tx power to 70 mW (up from 42 mW) and I doubled my bandwidth when connecting wirelessly through a single floor.

I originally bought this router to function as merely an access point, but since it's QoS and bandwidth monitoring is so sweet I want to make it my main router. However, I have a problem. I also run a Vonage router that doesn't seem to work properly when setup behind the WRT54GL (even after forwarding ports according to their support). I would still like to run this topology. Any ideas?

2.  avatar dialupinternetuser  Aug 18, 2008 10:46am

Try using DD-WRT, it actually uses the same code as the defualt firmware because Linksys based their stuff on some open source stuff so after some litigation they were forced to release it because of GPL. It's what I use.
3.  avatar Manzabar  Aug 18, 2008 3:10pm

@Erik: What kinds of problems do you have with the Vonage router when put behind the WRT54GL? Is the Vonage routher wireless/wired?
4.  avatar Erik  Aug 20, 2008 10:46am

I won't get a dialtone. I've connected the Vonage router's WAN port to a LAN port of the WRT54GL, and then forwarded ports according to Vonage support:

http://www.vonage.com/help.php?article=1098&category=44&nav=

Anybody have any good links on how to setup QoS in Tomato/DD-WRT?
5.  avatar Erik  Aug 20, 2008 11:54am

Ok, bonehead manoeuver on my part. I had mobth the WAN and LAN side of the Vonage router setup on the 192.168.0.x subnet. I changed the router LAN subnet to 192.168.100.x and bingobango, dialtone.

I love this router!
6.  avatar Howlsthunder  Aug 26, 2008 9:32pm

I have this router and use it for two Macintoshes (one wired in, the other wireless) and our Nintendo Wii, plus the occasional visiting MacBook. Its a solid router and I never have problems with it. Good range, good reception all throughout the house.

My only complaint is that there is NO Apple support for it via Linksys themselves so it takes a bit of router know-how to get it set up on a Mac. However, we did find Linksys support to be helpful even when they couldn't help ;).
Some HTML is allowed. Your comments remain editable after you post..
Linksys WRT54G

    Who else tapped it

    Erik

    love, have


     
    Manzabar

    love, have


     
    dialupinternetuser

    have


     
    Howlsthunder

    have


     
    show more (10)

    Key Features:

    Connectivity Wireless
    Manufacturer Linksys
    MSRP $65.00
    Product Line WRT54G
    Release Date Dec. 1, 2002
    Router Features Open-source
    Standards IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g

    Sponsors

    Product page stats

    778 views and 53 edits (see all)
    Created: 08/17/2008 - 13:11
    Modified: 11/19/2008 - 15:36
    Model # variations:

    WRT, 54, G, WRT54, 54G, WRT54G