Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router

To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless-G broadband router can encrypt all wireless transmissions, and it supports the industrial-strength wireless security of 802.1x authentication and authorization. The router can serve as a DHCP server, has NAT technology to protect against Internet intruders, supports VPN pass-through, and can be configured to filter internal users' access to the Internet. Configuration is a snap with the Web browser-based configuration utility.

With the Linksys Wireless-G broadband router at the center of your home or office network, you can share a high-speed Internet connection, files, printers, and multiplayer games with the flexibility, speed, and security you need!

Wireless-G is the 54 Mbps wireless networking standard that's more than four times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the country. But since they share the same 2.4 GHz radio band, Wireless-G devices can also interoperate with existing 11 Mbps Wireless-B equipment.

Because both standards are built-in, you can protect your investment in existing 802.11b infrastructure, and migrate to the new screaming-fast Wireless-G standard as your needs grow.

For more information on the differences between an access point and a router with access point, see the following table:

Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router Features:

• All-in-one Internet-sharing router, 4-port switch, and Wireless-G (802.11g) access point
• Wireless data rates up to 54 Mbps--5 times faster than 802.11b
• Shares a single Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet wired and Wireless-G clients
• Interoperates with 802.11b clients at 11 Mbps
• Advanced wireless security with 128-bit WEP encryption, MAC, or IP address filtering

Customer Reviews:

• So-so: I bought this router as a replacement for a Netgear that died after 18 months or so. In reading the reviews, it sounded like the Netgear routers had heating issues and eventually would crap out. The Linksys was highly rated so I got it. I should have just gotten another Netgear. My old router was rock steady until about a month or two before it died. Then it needed frequent rebooting. This thing has to be restarted at least once a week. My old one probably got reset twice in the entire first year. I'm only a few months into the Linksys router but I'm not impressed. Range is good and speed is good too but this constant need to reboot is annoying, especially since I didn't have to reset my previous router. I'll keep this one and buy another brand when it dies.
• Everyone Has A Different Setup & Need: I purchased the LINKSYS Wireless-G Router about two years ago for twice what it is being sold for now. Its simple to psychically set-up, but I found the software to be very difficult. Since I did not have a phone jack in my spare bedroom/office and could not get anyone to install one, I was advised to get a wireless router. I placed this router in my kitchen, which had the closest phone jack to my office (direct sight line). That way it only had to go through one wall (do not place any metal objects between the router and your desktop, like washing/drying machines, bookcases, etc.).
  
  I was on the support line in the Philippines for hours and then I had to deal with my phone company to get the right info (POP, STMP, etc.) Once it was up and running, it did fine. The connectivity ranged from fair to good most of the time, but was never at 54 Mbps at any time. After about a year, it simply burned out. I replaced it with a NETGEAR router, which was about the same, only a little more `even' with the connectivity. To increase it, I added the NETGEAR adapter (antennae), but that really didn't add much. In the end, I ripped up my carpet and ran the phone line around the edge of the room. If you have multiple (up to four) computers, the router might be your choice way to go, but I had lots of problems with mine. Every home set-up varies.
  
• Great Deal!: Great Product, I just had a problem configuring it the first time, the cd that configures the router is a little confusing. But apart of that it's an excellent product. I really recommend this router for Home users or in my case a small business....
• Easiest to set up of all: Linksys products have always been the easiest to set up and the most reliable I've used.
• A very difficult company to deal with: This is a bad company. I purchased a wireless router from them and, truth be told, it never really worked right. The speed was ok, but it was impossible to set up without tech support and every so often it would simply stop working. When that happened I would be forced to call tech support and spend 30-60 minutes on the phone fighting with them about resetting the router. I recently purchased a new computer and decided to save a little money by moving this router to it. When I called tech support I was told that the router was out of its warranty period and they could not help me... unless I would pay them to. That's right, I would have to pay for the assistance on their product - a working product because it was not under warranty.
  
  So be warned that you are only buying the option to use Linksys' products for a limited time - that is if you have any problems whatsoever that require tech support. I am now trying a Trendnet. Let's see if they are any better.