Linksys WRT54G
Wireless Router Review

 

The Linksys WRT54G wireless broadband router is one of the most popular wireless routers on the market today. This award-winning device has received rave reviews from almost all technology magazines out there. If there is one device you should consider buying when wiring up your home network, the Linksys WRT54G is it! Now let's take a look at its salient features and benefits so that you can see if it's the router for you.

The Linksys WRT54G wireless router

 

Design and Construction

The Linksys WRT54G is nicely built with a black and blue color scheme (typical of Linksys' products). It measures 7.3" X 1.89" X 6.89" (WHD) and is certainly looks good on any computer table. It is aesthetically pleasing and has a nice bunch of LED lights to indicate the status of your broadband connection.

You can connect Wireless-G or Wireless-B devices to the network. And with built-in four-port full-duplex 10/100 switch, you can connect up your wired-Ethernet devices. This means you can 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 capability means your whole network can share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection.


Setup and Ease of Use

Linksys products always come with nice, easy-to-use software. The WRT54G is no exception - there is a nice browser-based utility which gives you access to all the router's features/

For first time users trying to set up a wireless home network, this software is a great boon. There is a handy first-time setup guide that walks you through choosing basic SSID, IP address, and security settings. The nice little manual also provides a clear discussions of DHCP vs. fixed IP networks to help new users understand the difference.

If you need to have advanced control over the WRT54G, there are advanced options which allow you to configure DHCP, TCP and UDP ports, as well as security and WEP settings.
 

Performance

Studies have shown that when the Linksys WRT54G is run in Wireless-G mode, throughput averaged 15.6Mbps. This is just a tad faster then three times the speed of the fastest 802.11b router. In short, the Linksys WRT54G is fast - very fast for the average home user.
 

Shortcomings

Perhaps one problem with the Linksys WRT54G router is the fact that it is slowed down by 802.11b devices. Of course, this is a problem with all Wireless-G routers. What happens is that when you have 802.11b and 802.11g clients connect to the WRT54G simultaneously, throughput is reduced - but not down to an usable speed.
 

Conclusion

The Linksys WRT54G is a solid router that is selling like hotcakes on the market. Because it supports both 802.11b and 802.11g, your investment in well-protected. Don't hesitate - buy this device if you're setting up a wireless network. Happy shopping!