How's this Linksys router?

97tbird · Dec 3, 2006

The finals are finally over and next big project for the holidays: getting Broadband and giving up dial up.
so, I'm hoping to get the Bband wired to the PC, and wireless router for the 2 laptops (which already have wireless adapters built-in).

I've been recommended this router:

Linksys WRT54G

seems to be veru popular, and have won a bunch of awards.

The use will be normal internet surfing/browsing; not much video transfer and demanding things like that...maybe swapping a few files between the computers, but that's about it.

What do you guys think?

ConfederateTyrant · Dec 3, 2006

Sounds like a good one dude. I had a problem with Linksys products in the past, but could not determine if it was the router or notebook card that could not handle a connection, or perhaps my brother's room. That was with ancient 802.11b, 3.5-year-old technology, and is not comparable to today's technology.

Since you're just going for browsing, and little file swapping, any of the routers you choose should be fine.

Volvohead · Dec 4, 2006

Why don't you ask these guys:

http://www.wrt54g.net/

I'm on my second of this now classic router, and on the whole, it is a good choice for most setups.

sxg6 · Dec 4, 2006

It's what i use, and has never given me any trouble.

klaymon · Dec 4, 2006

Try to find the WRT54GL. It's a more reliable router.

Reg# 43897 · Dec 4, 2006

Using it now...

John.

CivicFan · Dec 4, 2006

It's a nice device: the signal is good, the connection doesn't drop, and the admin menu is well designed.

However, the newegg offer seems expensive. Check the buy.com offering - it's $30 with Google checkout.
WRT54G at buy.com

Greggy_D · Dec 4, 2006

GREAT router!!

Be sure to use the DD WRT firmware found here:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/index.php

wwillson · Dec 4, 2006

I've owned a couple and yes they are good routers. Why would you use a non approved non OEM firmware unless you really really know what you're doing? I'd hate to see a newbie brick his new router...

Virtuoso · Dec 4, 2006

I'm using that same router too; my third Linksys unit. It won't even break a sweat with your mild usage.

Use the best encryption you can; and MAC addy filtering.

97f150 · Dec 4, 2006

I have one like that I used for about a year than I bought a Belkin and brought the Linksys to work and it is still op. at work. Great router.

Pablo · Dec 7, 2006

I have a Linksys wirED router w/hard firewall. Totally solid, secure unit. It's like what the heck was I doing without this thing in the first place????

Mike_dup1 · Dec 7, 2006

Walmart has these....

I have the WRT54GS which is a faster model + extender and optional 9dBA antenna to push signal several hundred feet to my store/shop.

I was talked into some other mismatched brands for 2x as much and it was nothing but problems and a PITA to set up. Then nephew told me to get Linksys and it would be simple to set up, it was. The jerk who sold me the other junk badmouthed the Linksys but Cisco Systems Linksys is a better product IMO.

97tbird · Dec 7, 2006

Thanks, guys. you all seem to like it; I'll get the same. should be more than enough for my rather simple needs/2 laptops only in the house.
...Now the hunt for the best deal.

Matt_S · Dec 8, 2006

I should point out that the people who criticize the Linksys mostly do so because of some recent changes that can cause problems with peer-to-peer networking applications like BitTorrent and such. The newer routers apparently have a limited connection cache and can freeze up under heavy P2P traffic. If you're not into BitTorrent and the like, though, this isn't a concern. If you are into P2P, I'd recommend a brand like Buffalo, which I currently use. The setup was just as easy as Linksys and the peformance is just as good. The Linksys WRT54GL, mentioned above, also solves the P2P problem and is essentially just the older version of the router before they made the changes that caused the P2P problems.

sxg6 · Dec 8, 2006

Hmm.. That's good to know Matt. I was wondering why i haven't been getting the best bit torrent speeds since going with linksys routers.. I always thought it was just a lack of seeders. Do you know of any tweaks to fix this?

eljefino · Dec 8, 2006

I would go for the Linksys WRT54GL as it appears this open platform will be the "small block chevy" of the wifi router world. If you wind up hating it you could get most of your money back on ebay, considering their popularity.

And if you ever have problems with it, there'll be tons of nerdy support forums online.

97tbird · Dec 8, 2006

QUOTE: "
However, the newegg offer seems expensive. Check the buy.com offering - it's $30 with Google checkout..."

i checked it out, I wonder what strings are attached to this google checkout? have you used it before? I mean, what's their gain?

Virtuoso · Dec 9, 2006

I believe the new firmware from Linky adressed the P2P issues.

Volvohead · Dec 9, 2006

Quote:

The newer routers apparently have a limited connection cache and can freeze up under heavy P2P traffic.

True. The newest revisions of these Linksys routers have dumbed down hardware and reduced flash capability. While this won't affect operation using native firmware, it can pose some issues with third-party code and tweaking. I believe for the GS variant, anything R4 and later will have these limitations. The trend has been towards simplified single chip solutions. The original revision of this particular router actually used a PCMCIA transmitter, the same as you would slide into a laptop.

How's this Linksys router?

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