Linksys WRT54GC WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The Linksys WRT54GC (WRT54GC) router released in 2005. It is powered by Marvell 88W8510 chipset, 4 MB of RAM and 1 MB of flash. The G54 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with WRT54GC is 54 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100 Mbps LAN ports.
Table of Contents
Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. The specs below rely on official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Linksys WRT54GC, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
If you need more features, you may want to consider better Linksys routers. Or, you can look at other routers on the market. Linksys routers are generally known for their user-friendly design and easy setup process.
Linksys WRT54GC specifications
| Brand | Linksys |
|---|---|
| Name | WRT54GC |
| Type | WRT54GC |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2005 |
Body
| Dimensions | 98 x 98 x 25 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 140 g |
If you plan to move or travel a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. It needs to be small to be easy to carry. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | Marvell 88W8510 |
|---|---|
| RAM | 4 MB |
| Flash | 1 MB |
| OS | Linksys |
| Power supply | 3.3 V / 2 A |
The Marvell 88W8510 CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the WRT54GC router. Some router features and software need a certain amount of RAM. They need it to work well. More storage space comes from a larger flash memory. It can accommodate future firmware upgrades. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The Linksys packages the WRT54GC router with 3.3 V / 2 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The WRT54GC router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The WRT54GC features a Fast Ethernet WAN port that has a maximum speed of 100 Mbps.
Wireless
| Antennas | 1 x 2.2 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g |
| Class | G54 |
| Speed | 54 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 16.5 dBm |
| Security | WEP |
| Guest network | no |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11g routers have a 54 Mbps max data rate. This is much slower than newer Wi-Fi standards. Real-world WRT54GC router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed. WEP was the first Wi-Fi security protocol. But it is now seen as weak and easy to hack.
Connectivity
| USB ports | no |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The WRT54GC router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | [blank] |
| Default password | admin |
If you can't log in to your Linksys router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your WRT54GC router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Linksys one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- lightweight
Cons
- insufficient memory
- insufficient flash
- lack of Gigabit LAN
- Non-gigabit WAN port
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- lacks Wi-Fi 5 compatibility
- reduced Wi-Fi bandwidth
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
- no USB connectivity
Linksys WRT54GC photos
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