Linksys WRT54GC WiFi router: Pros and Cons

54 Mbps

IEEE 802.11b/g

Marvell 88W8510

4 MB / 1 MB

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.

If you require more advanced features, faster speeds, or support for the latest wireless standards, you may want to consider higher-end routers in the Linksys product lineup or other routers available on the market. Linksys is another well-known manufacturer in the networking industry.

Linksys WRT54GC (WRT54GC) pictures

The specifications below 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 WRT54GC, then don’t hesite and signal the problem to us.

Linksys WRT54GC (WRT54GC) specifications

Brand	Linksys
Name	WRT54GC
Type	WRT54GC
Rating	★★★★★ Rated 3/5 based on 1308 user votes.
Launch	2005

Body

Dimensions	98 x 98 x 25 mm
Weight	140 g

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. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost. Heavier routers can result in higher shipping charges, especially for international deliveries.

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 to handle various tasks and services within the WRT54GC router. The WRT54GC has 4 MB of RAM. Some advanced router features and software functionalities require a certain amount of RAM to operate properly. For example, routers with more RAM can support advanced security features, VPN services, or QoS (Quality of Service) prioritization more effectively.

The WRT54GC has 1 MB of flash memory. A larger flash memory allows for more storage space to accommodate future firmware upgrades. The process of upgrading the firmware on routers has become relatively simple and user-friendly over the years. The Linksys provides easy-to-use interfaces and instructions to guide users through the firmware upgrade process. The Linksys packages the WRT54GC router with 3.3 V / 2 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

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 offers built-in security features to protect your network and connected devices. 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 WRT54GC router that allow you to connect devices to your local network using Ethernet cables. WAN ports often require specific configuration settings based on the type of internet connection provided by your ISP. The WRT54GC is equipped with Fast Ethernet WAN port, which have 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

The 1 x 2.2 dBi, RP-SMA antennas of WRT54GC 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. The WRT54GC is compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Many IoT (Internet of Things) devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi-enabled devices primarily operate on the 2.4 GHz band.

802.11g routers have a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps, which is significantly slower compared to more modern Wi-Fi standards. The G54 refers to the maximum combined data transfer rate supported by the router across all Wi-Fi bands. The WRT54GC is capable of a maximum throughput speed of 54 Mbps. The real-world speed of a WRT54GC router is typically lower than its theoretical maximum speed. The TX power of WRT54GC 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 WRT54GC router offers several security protocols: WEP. 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

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

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. If you are unable to log in to the setup panel of your Linksys router, performing a reset can be a helpful troubleshooting step. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your WRT54GC router after the initial setup. If you forget the new password in the future, you may need to perform a factory reset on the router to revert to the default settings.