Linksys WRT54GX4 2.4 GHz router review, is it worth it?

The Linksys WRT54GX4 (WRT54GX4) router released in 2005. It is powered by Realtek RTL8651B @ 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 WRT54GX4 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 WRT54GX4 router offers decent wireless coverage and compatibility with a wide range of devices. Linksys provides good customer support services through their website, which includes product documentation, FAQs, and downloads.

Table of contents:

• Linksys WRT54GX4 specifications
• Linksys WRT54GX4 pictures

Linksys WRT54GX4 (WRT54GX4) 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. 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 Linksys WRT54GX4 router is equipped with Realtek RTL8651B @ 200 MHz processor. The 32 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 WRT54GX4 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 WRT54GX4 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. The Linksys WRT54GX4 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

Like many modern routers, the Linksys WRT54GX4 supports a variety of features and technologies to enhance your network connectivity and security. 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 WRT54GX4 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 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 WAN port on the WRT54GX4 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 3 x 3 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. 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.

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 (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 WRT54GX4 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 WRT54GX4 router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.

Administration

The default IP addresses of the Linksys WRT54GX4 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 WRT54GX4, then don’t hesite and signal the problem to us.

Linksys WRT54GX4 (WRT54GX4) pictures

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