Linksys WRT54GS 2.4 GHz router review, is it worth it?

The Linksys WRT54GS (WRT54GS) router released in 2003. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4712 @ 200 MHz chipset, 32 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash. The G54 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11b/g standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with WRT54GS is 54 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100 Mbps LAN ports.

Operating on the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the WRT54GS router offers decent wireless coverage and compatibility with a wide range of devices. Linksys is a reputable manufacturer in the networking industry known for providing a wide range of networking devices.

Table of contents:

• Linksys WRT54GS specifications
• Linksys WRT54GS pictures

Linksys WRT54GS (WRT54GS) specifications

Body

The dimensions and design of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Routers with larger dimensions may have more space for internal cooling mechanisms, such as larger fans or heat sinks, which can help dissipate heat more effectively. The weight of router is not typically a critical factor for most home or office setups.

System

The Linksys WRT54GS router is equipped with Broadcom BCM4712 @ 200 MHz processor. 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 WRT54GS has 8 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 WRT54GS 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. Using a custom OS on a router can offer certain benefits and advantages, but it also comes with potential risks and considerations. Installing custom firmware on theLinksys router voids the manufacturer's warranty and may impact your ability to receive official support.

This router is OpenWRT compatible. OpenWrt has an active development community that continuously works on improving the security of the firmware. The Linksys WRT54GS router comes with 12 V / 1 A PSU. This unit is responsible for providing electrical power to the router, and if it becomes faulty, it can be replaced with a new, compatible one.

Network

The WRT54GS router supports multiple networking standards to ensure compatibility with various devices and systems. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP) and is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. The Linksys WRT54GS has 4 x 10/100 Mbps LAN and 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN ports. LAN or Ethernet ports (RJ-45) are used to connect devices to the local area network (LAN).

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 WAN port on the WRT54GS router is a Fast Ethernet port, not a Gigabit Ethernet. The Fast Ethernet ports are capable of supporting speeds up to 100 Mbps, which is still suitable for most internet connections.

Wireless

This router has 2 x 2 dBi, RP-SMA antennas. Antennas play a significant role in Wi-Fi performance and coverage. They are essential components of wireless routers that transmit and receive radio signals to establish wireless connections with devices. The WRT54GS supports the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. It is one of the most common frequency bands used for Wi-Fi networks. 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 (20 dBm) of a router refers to the transmission power or signal strength at which the router broadcasts its Wi-Fi signal. It determines the range and coverage area of the wireless network.

The WRT54GS 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 WRT54GS router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.

Administration

The default IP addresses of the Linksys WRT54GS device is 192.168.1.1. These address allows you to access the router's console login page. 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 WRT54GS, then don’t hesite and signal the problem to us.

Linksys WRT54GS (WRT54GS) pictures

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