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User Reviews for
Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54G
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Graded on the "Curve" System...
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Reviewed
October 3 2003 6:27:30 PM
56
out of
61
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
5
out of 5
Pros:
I've Used several brands over the past three years. Linksys has out performed other brands consistantly. There is a duplex where I live and it keeps connected all the time. Where as the other brands I've tried drop the connection Daily. For the price you are getting a superb product which in fact has the best technical support options. |
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| Cons:
I wished I could get the same price in a 10 mile model. It out performs in it's market, but I wished I could get it in a 10 mile range for the same price. Most of the wireless access points have similiar security. There is really only one that keeps out intruders with the highest success rate. Linksys has MAC address filtering. The MAC address is the "Media Access Control" address. All network cards, routers etc have one. Linksys allows you to create a list of allowed MAC addresses. This in turn keeps out MAC addresses (pc's, laptops, desktops, pda's) that aren't in the list. You still want encryption though, because if someone is wanting to spy on your passwords etc. They could "capture" the data stream. So creating your own encryption key is still important. I've used several access points and several network interface devices. I have found that Linksys stays connected. Whereas the three other top models that I've tried and one recent cheaper model constantly lost the connection in the same configuration. I now choose linksys because I need consistant connectivity with security.
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A Great Firewall/Router/WAP for under $100
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Reviewed
November 2 2004 7:21:19 PM
37
out of
37
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
5
out of 5
Pros:
Web Interface, MAC Clone, Ability to allow specific applications thru the Firewall |
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Cons:
Web Interface is dificult to navigate for a non-techie. If you are even thinking about going wireless in your home, this is a device that should at least be on your short list. I work in Information Technology and I have set up more than my share of Wireless Home networks. I have had people go out and buy the cheapest item they could find and then have to call me for an additional $50/hour to fix thier Wireless network. You can set this up at home yourself. It is that easy. The one thing bad thing about the device is that the Web Interface is very hard to navigate. If you are setting up your home, here are the order of things you want to do with ANY device.
1). If you have DSL, Call your provider and ask if you have PPPOE. If so, then get the settings from them before you disconnect your computer.
2). Plug in the device according to the instructions (yes guys, you HAVE to read the instructions.. but only the small insert)
3). The instructions will walk you thru connecting to the device via the web interface. Once you are logged in, you can either set up your PPPOE settings if you have DSL or "Clone" your MAC address if you have Cable Modem(Like I said, you may have to look around for the settings, but they are there).
4). DO NOT SET UP SECURITY YET... Instead, try to connect your wireless device and see if everything works.
5). Once you are connected, the you can go back into the Web Interface and lock down your Wireless network.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE lockdown your wireless network. You have no idea the things that can happen (and that I have seen) when your wireless connection is left to default. This order goes from the most minimal and easiest to do to the most difficult.
1). CHANGE THE PASSWORD... All Linksys devices come with the password "admin"... now everyoone knows your password.
2). Turn on WPA or at least WEP encryption.
3). Shut off "Broadcasting" your wireless connection. This will stop people from being able to connect to your network using normal Windows XP Built-in tools.
4). Use MAC filtering... each and every Wireless device has a encoded Machine Access Code built into it. When you set up MAC filtering, you are only allowing the Network Cards that are allowed in your system in and denying everything else.
Good luck to all.
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It does what it is suppossed to do
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Reviewed
November 25 2003 9:04:01 PM
11
out of
11
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
4
out of 5
Pros:
Easy to install and configure |
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| Cons:
Security setup needs better explanning for novices Just purchased this equipment over the weekend...had it up and running in 30 minutes...my laptop hooked into it with no problems...only complaint is when setting up security, need more detail as to what to do..other than that, pretty satisfied..would recommend the product...
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WRT54 G Not accessible
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Reviewed
May 27 2004 6:37:03 PM
15
out of
21
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
1
out of 5
Pros:
Didn't get far enough in the install to have an pro comment |
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Cons:
Offshored Support is useless My review has more to do with Linksys support personnel than with the product.
Upon doing installing the firmware update, the router was no longer accessible. Called tech support and after about 30-40 minutes, and countless Resets of the router, I guess the guy gave up. Phone went dead. I couldn't beleive the tech hung up. At my company we have other Linksys items, so they make decent equipment. Their offshoring of tech support (and based off the heavy accents with those I spoke to, it was offshored) leaves a lot to be desired.
BIG NEGATIVE TO LINKSYS
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Good - Not Great
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Reviewed
November 11 2003 6:11:00 PM
12
out of
15
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
4
out of 5
Pros:
Strong Connection - Efficient Operation |
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| Cons:
Drops Link - Confusing Instructions It's interesting that I encountered two problems that were mentioned by other user/reviewers. The set-up was somewhat difficult, and I didn't think the instructions were clear. I called customer service, waited an eternity and they promised to e-mail me some additional info. I'm still waiting two weeks later. The system now works well - but it regularly drops the connection. It was very frustrating until I found that unplugging/replugging it would re-establish the link to my laptop. Now I just leave it unplugged when I don't use it - probably safer from a snoopers point of view too! All in all, a very good system -with a couple of frustrations.
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Nightmare setup
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Reviewed
March 1 2007 8:36:58 PM
4
out of
4
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
4
out of 5
Pros:
Great once setup |
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| Cons:
Had problems setting up Throw away the setup disk.Go to Linksys site and download EasyLink Connect.In 5 min.I had 2 desktops and 2 laptops up and running.
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Totally dissatisfied
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Reviewed
July 22 2004 5:41:36 PM
4
out of
5
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
1
out of 5
Pros:
None |
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| Cons:
Could not get a wireless connection I was able to establish a wireless connection between my notebook and desktop computer for 2 days. After that, I lost count of how many support technicians I spoke to at Linksys. One finally told me that the PCMCIA adapter on my notebook did not support this router. I changed it for a Netgear router and was able to set it up in 10 minutes. There is no comparison.
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A complete waste
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Reviewed
November 4 2003 3:01:03 AM
4
out of
5
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
1
out of 5
Pros:
None |
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| Cons:
Unreliable If I could do it all over, I would have returned this garbage immediately after buying it. I've been disconnected countless times while web surfing. Now I can no longer return it. A total loss.
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WORST SERVICE AND DIED IN 6 MONTHS
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Reviewed
July 18 2004 2:26:49 AM
6
out of
10
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
1
out of 5
Pros:
WIRELESS |
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| Cons:
NO HORIZONTAL FREQUENCY, SUBCONTRACTOR THERE IT TO INDIA TALKED ON THE PHONE TO 7 DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN INDIA FOR 6 HOURS. TERRIBLE COMPANY AND CRAP PRODUCT!!!
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Mixed Mode B and G
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Reviewed
November 4 2004 8:40:42 AM
2
out of
3
users found this recommendation helpful.
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Ratings:
4
out of 5
Pros:
Excellent signal and security options |
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| Cons:
mixed mode not working properly The Linksys 54g router has an excellent signal and security options, But has one problem that I have noticed it is the mixed mode using 11b and 11g together are not so compatible, If set to 11b only it works great if set to 11g only it works great as well but when set to mixed mode the g devices connect but the b devices can't connect to the router..... I have tried everything to make them work together but nothing has worked so far including upgrading the router bios from linksys website. If anyone has any ideas let me know. I have 10 computers and 1 pocket pc. 5 computers are 11b including the pocket pc the others are 11g I had to settle with setting it to 11b mode only so that both devices would work together.
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