Linksys WRT54AG 2.4 GHz router review, is it worth it?

The Linksys WRT54AG (WRT54AG) router released in 2004. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4702 @ 125 MHz chipset, 32 MB of RAM and 4 MB of flash. The G54 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with WRT54AG is 54 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100 Mbps LAN ports.

The user-friendly interface of WRT54AG make it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. Linksys is often recognized for offering products that provide good value for the price.

Table of contents:

• Linksys WRT54AG specifications
• Linksys WRT54AG pictures

Linksys WRT54AG (WRT54AG) specifications

Body

If you plan to move or travel frequently and need to take your router with you, the dimensions become important for portability. Smaller and more compact routers are generally easier to transport, while larger routers with external antennas or multiple ports may be bulkier and less convenient to carry. The weight of router is not typically a critical factor for most home or office setups.

System

The Broadcom BCM4702 @ 125 MHz CPU provides processing power to handle various tasks and services within the WRT54AG router. The router's memory (32 MB) cannot be expanded. When choosing a router, it is important to consider both the flash memory and RAM specifications. The WRT54AG has 4 MB of flash. A larger flash memory allows for more space to store configuration backups. It enables you to save multiple versions of your router's configuration settings, which can be useful for restoring previous configurations or reverting changes if needed.

Within the WRT54AG router's interface, look for a section related to firmware or system settings. The exact location and wording may vary depending on the router's make and model. The Linksys packages the WRT54AG router with 5 V / 2.5 A PSU. A good PSU is an essential component of a computer or electronic device that converts electrical power from an outlet into the appropriate voltage and current required to power the internal components of the device.

Network

The WRT54AG router supports multiple networking standards to ensure compatibility with various devices and systems. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The LAN ports are physical connectors on a WRT54AG router that allow you to connect devices to your local network using Ethernet cables. WAN ports are the entry point to your local network, making them a potential target for unauthorized access or attacks. It's important to secure your WAN connection by using strong passwords, enabling encryption protocols, and keeping the router's firmware up to date to mitigate security risks. The WRT54AG is equipped with Fast Ethernet WAN port, which have a maximum speed of 100 Mbps.

Wireless

The 1 x 2.2 dBi, RP-SMA antennas of WRT54AG influence the quality and stability of the Wi-Fi signal. A properly positioned and well-designed antenna can minimize interference and signal degradation, leading to a more reliable and stable connection. This router is 2.4 GHz capable. The 2.4GHz band refers to the portion of the radio spectrum between 2.400 and 2.4835 gigahertz. This frequency range is unlicensed and globally available for various wireless applications, including Wi-Fi.

If you have a small network with older devices and basic internet needs, an 802.11g router may still be adequate. It is generally worth upgrading from an 802.11g router to a more recent Wi-Fi router. The G54 is a performance indicator that represents the router's theoretical maximum speed. The theoretical maximum speed (54 Mbps) represents the highest data transfer rate that the router is capable of achieving under ideal conditions.

The TX power of WRT54AG can be adjusted by the user or set automatically by the router firmware. Higher TX power values indicate stronger signal transmission, which can result in a larger coverage area. The WRT54AG router offers several security protocols: WEP, WPA. The WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) was the first security protocol for Wi-Fi networks but is now considered weak and easily compromised. It uses a static encryption key and has known vulnerabilities, so it is no longer recommended for securing Wi-Fi networks.

Connectivity

The WRT54AG router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.

Administration

The default IP address of this router is 192.168.1.1. Explore the router's configuration interface to access more advanced settings such as port forwarding, DHCP settings, parental controls, firewall settings, and QoS (Quality of Service) settings. Regularly changing the password is a good security practice to protect your network and devices from unauthorized access. It is also recommended to use strong, unique passwords for other devices and online accounts connected to your network for enhanced security. By changing the default password, you improve the security of your router and reduce the risk of unauthorized individuals gaining control over your network. It helps prevent unauthorized access to your router's settings, network configurations, and sensitive information.

The specifications above are based on the official data published by the manufacturer, but we also take user reviews into consideration. If you found an error or something lacking in the specifications above for the Linksys WRT54AG, then don’t hesite and signal the problem to us.

Linksys WRT54AG (WRT54AG) pictures

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