Linksys WRT54GL v1.1 router review
The Linksys WRT54GL v1.1 (WRT54GLV11) router released in 2005. It is powered by Broadcom BCM5352E @ 200 MHz chipset, 16 MB of RAM and 4 MB of flash. The G54 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with WRT54GL v1.1 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 WRT54GL v1.1, 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 is a well-established brand and has a significant market presence globally.
Linksys WRT54GL v1.1 specifications
| Brand | Linksys |
|---|---|
| Name | WRT54GL v1.1 |
| Type | WRT54GLV11 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2005 |
Body
| Dimensions | 186 x 48 x 154 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 482 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. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM5352E @ 200 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16 MB |
| Flash | 4 MB |
| OS | Linksys |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT DD-WRT Gargoyle |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1 A |
The Broadcom BCM5352E @ 200 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the WRT54GL v1.1 router. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 4 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface.
Other router operating systems offer more customization options. They also have advanced features. Router makers compare this to the default firmware. OpenWrt offers many features and capabilities. They extend the functionality of networking hardware. The Linksys packages the WRT54GL v1.1 router with 12 V / 1 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 |
Like many modern routers, the WRT54GL v1.1 supports many network standards too. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The WRT54GL v1.1 features a Fast Ethernet WAN port that has a maximum speed of 100 Mbps.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 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 | 18 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | no |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. The 2.4 GHz band is widely supported by many devices. This includes older ones that may not work with the 5 GHz band. The 802.11g operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, like 802.11b. But, it offers faster speeds and better performance. Real-world WRT54GL v1.1 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. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security.
Connectivity
| USB ports | no |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The WRT54GL v1.1 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 WRT54GL v1.1 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
- OpenWrt compatible
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 WRT54GL v1.1 photos
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