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.
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!
Build
A Cheap Gaming Computer
Do
you want to build a cheap but high performance gaming
computer? Then you might want to check out
How To Build A
Gaming Computer For Under $1000. This eBook package will show you how to
a gaming
computer for under $1000 - without compromising the quality of hardware and
gaming performance. Get step-by-step instructions and full picture
illustrations on how to install and configure every component in your new gaming
rig.
Related Articles
You may also wish to read the following related
articles: