Linksys WRT54GL v1 WiFi router: Pros and Cons

Linksys WRT54GL v1 (WRT54GLV1) 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 WRT54GL v1, then don’t hesite and signal the problem to us.

Linksys WRT54GL v1 (WRT54GLV1) 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. If you plan to mount your router on a wall or ceiling, the weight can influence the mounting process and the type of mounting hardware required. Heavier routers might require more robust mounting solutions to ensure stability and prevent damage or accidents.

System

The Broadcom BCM5352 @ 200 MHz CPU provides processing power to handle various tasks and services within the WRT54GL v1 router. The 16 MB of RAM enables the router to handle multiple tasks and processes concurrently. It allows for the efficient switching and allocation of resources among different processes running on the router, facilitating multitasking and ensuring smooth operation. The flash memory in a Linksys router is different from the volatile memory (RAM) that is used for temporary storage of data while the router is powered on. Flash memory of the WRT54GL v1 retains its data even when the router is powered off, allowing the router to maintain its firmware and configuration settings across reboots.

To upgrade the firmware of the WRT54GL v1 router, you typically need to visit the manufacturer's website, locate the specific model of your router, and download the latest firmware version provided. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model, but it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface and uploading the downloaded firmware file. Alternative router operating systems often provide more customization options and advanced features compared to the default firmware provided by router manufacturers.

The Linksys Linux based open-source firmware of the WRT54GL v1 can be replaced with OpenWRT. OpenWrt is an open-source operating system that provides a customizable and feature-rich firmware solution for embedded devices, particularly routers and access points. The Linksys packages the WRT54GL v1 router with 12 V / 1 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

Like many modern routers, the Linksys WRT54GL v1 supports a variety of features and technologies to enhance your network connectivity and security. 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 WRT54GL v1 router that allow you to connect devices to your local network using Ethernet cables. WAN ports are used to connect the router to your internet service provider (ISP). They typically use Ethernet cables or fiber optic connections to establish a high-speed link between your local network and the wider internet. The WRT54GL v1 is equipped with Fast Ethernet WAN port, which have a maximum speed of 100 Mbps.

Wireless

The 2 x 2 dBi, RP-SMA antennas of WRT54GL v1 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 WRT54GL v1 is compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. 2.4 GHz is the most widely used frequency and in some cases may be overcrowded. The 802.11g or Wireless-G, was introduced in 2003 and offered significant improvements over the earlier 802.11b standard. It operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and provides faster data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbps compared to the 11 Mbps of 802.11b.

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 WRT54GL v1 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 WRT54GL v1 router offers several security protocols: WEP, WPA2. 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. The WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) was introduced as an improvement over WEP and provides stronger security. If WPA3 is not available, WPA2-Personal with AES encryption is still considered secure.

Connectivity

The WRT54GL v1 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.

Linksys WRT54GL v1 (WRT54GLV1) comparisons

According to our statistics, the Linksys WRT54GL v1 router was most often compared on our site with the following routers.

Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 Linksys EA8100 Max-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 5 Linksys EA3500 Smart Wi-Fi N750 Linksys E7350 Dual-Band AX1800 Linksys WRT54GC Linksys EA7200 Max-Stream WiFi 5 AC1750 Linksys WRT54G2 Linksys E5600 Dual-Band AC1200 WiFi 5

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