Versatile SOHO networking solution

Broadband internet is becoming more readily available every day. Offices and homes continue to add and upgrade computers. With the Linksys WRT54G wireless broadband router you can easily and securely share your broadband connection with your Ethernet or Wi-Fi enabled devices. In addition, you can share files and printers and play a variety of games across your network.

The Linksys WRT54G is not the latest-greatest; newer technology exists that claims nearly twice the connection speed. Of course the price is more as well.

Do you really need latest-greatest? Some points to ponder:
- The advertised max wireless connectivity speed of this router is 54 Mbps. This speed refers to the max rate at which you can wirelessly exchange data with the router.
- Wired Ethernet devices may connect with the router at 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps.
- Cable and DSL broadband internet connections will usually communicate with your router at much lower speeds, currently typically 3 Mbps or less.
- So, unless you plan to do a lot of data transfer between connected devices on your local network, the 54 Mbps speed should be more than plenty for a few years. So save some money, unless you truly need latest-greatest today.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The router comes with a power supply transformer, user manual / setup guide on CD, one Ethernet cable, and a registration card. Linksys offers a 3 year warranty on the product.

GETTING STARTED:
Before you get started, make sure you have an Ethernet-capable cable modem or dsl modem, and that you have enough Ethernet cables to connect your modem to the router and your PC(s) to the router. The router comes with ONE Ethernet cable only.

The supplied CD includes a comprehensive user guide to help make initial setup less daunting for the uninitiated. It is strongly recommended that the novice user read and follow the instructions to help make the experience a not-unpleasant one.

This router is designed to be configured and maintained via its built-in browser-based interface. The router includes a password function to help prevent unauthorized changes to your configuration. It is strongly recommended that you change the default password as soon as practical. It is also highly recommended that you change the default name of your router.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The router includes a range of LED indicators for connectivity, activity, Wireless, DMZ, etc. The external antennae are designed to be repositioned, turned or pointed as necessary. The unit weighs just over 1 pound, and measures 7.32" x 1.89" x 7.87" W x H x D (186 mm x 48 mm x 200 mm).

SECURITY / WIRELESS SECURITY:
The Linksys WRT54G supports various wireless security standards:
- 64-bit or 128-bit Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP)
- Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA2) "128-bit Industrial Strength Encryption"
- Ability to disable SSID Broadcast (highly recommended) - this "hides" your router-based network from your neighbors)
- MAC Address Based Connection Authorization - you can allow only specific devices to attach to your network, based on each device's unique MAC address
- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automatically assigns addresses to devices configured to accept them. For added security, you can turn off DHCP and manually assign addresses to only those devices you wish to have connected to your network (whether wired or wireless)
- As mentioned above: change the default router password and assign the router a unique name ASAP

FEATURES:
This router offers features suitable for Small Office or Home Office use. Basically, the unit has three main functions:

1) Internet Sharing Router to share your high-speed cable or DSL broadband connection
- The unit can be configured to allow a remote device to attach and configure the unit (not recommended and seldom needed)
- The built-in Stateful Packet inspection (SPI) firewall helps protect your network devices from unauthorized access
- The router can be configured to allow Virtual Private Network (VPN) passthrough connection
- The firewall can be configured to allow a machine to be in the "demilitarized zone" (DMZ), useful if you have a machine on your network that needs to be open to the internet for some reason. Of course, that machine is then vulnerable to predators from the internet (not recommended and seldom needed)
- Internet Access Policies with Time Schedules - this allows individual devices to be allowed or denied access to the internet, based on time schedules, etc. This is a great feature for parents who are concerned that their children may be surfing the internet unsupervised.

2) Network sharing 4-port full duplex auto-sensing 10/100 Ethernet switch with 4 RJ45 ports.
- Additional switches or hubs can be "daisy-chained" to expand your network easily.
- Automatic MDI/MDIX detection - no need for specialized cross-over cables

3) Wireless Access Point with 802.11g (54 Mbps) and 802.11b (11 Mbps) compatibility
- Wireless can be completely disabled if you don't have need for it. Then, when you need it, you can re-enable it.
- optional access point(s) and signal boosters can be added to expand the range of your wireless network.

REAL WORLD USAGE:
I have experience setting up numerous Linksys WRT54G routers for friends, family, clients, and for large and small businesses; and I have owned a Linksys WRT54G for over a year with no problems to report. The speed and performance of the WRT54G Wi-Fi are adequate for today's applications and usage. I have my router located at one end of my house near the outside wall, and the signal is strong and connection is fast at the far end of the house (over 70 feet), even through walls and closed doors, and outdoors too.

My wife and I recently purchased a new laptop (review: http://www.epinions.com/content_214412463748) with wireless capability. We can sit anywhere in our home and pick up 4 wireless networks using Linksys routers; one is ours, the other three are our neighbors. We live in an older neighborhood, and the houses are separated by 20 feet on one end and 35 feet on the other (accounting for 2 of the 3 other wireless networks we can see); the third must be either behind us (@ 50 feet) or in front of us (nearly 80 feet); of these other networks, only one is secured, the other two are wide open. I include this info to emphasize that the range of the router is more than sufficient for most normal homes, and also to emphasize the need to enable security when configuring your wireless network to prevent unwanted access to your network and possibly to your systems and data as well.

Additional real-life range examples: I have set up this same router for two of my brothers in other areas of town; one placed his router in his "finished" basement under a shelf, and the other placed his router in a family area; both experience complete coverage in and around their homes, in their yards, on their decks, etc.

SHARING DEVICES ON YOUR NETWORK:
In case you are wondering - yes, your wireless and wired devices (PCs, Laptops, File Servers, Ethernet Print Servers, etc.) can communicate with other devices on your network, regardless of connection method. Of course this will require that your devices be properly configured to communicate with each other and your router must be properly configured to allow it. The properly configured router really doesn't care which correctly configured compatible devices communicate through it, but the devices themselves are often configured by default to block access from other devices. This is often done to protect people from their own lack of knowledge and to reduce the resulting tech support calls. Therefore, some knowledge of networking and setting up file and printer shares may be required. If you don't know how to set up file or print sharing, please do not assume that the router is at fault. Instead, hire a pro, or do some reading: http://www.homenethelp.com/

I have an Ethernet-enabled external Western Digital NetCenter hard drive with built-in USB print server (review: http://www.epinions.com/content_197227744900) attached to my Linksys router. We often use our wired tower PCs and our wireless laptop PC simultaneously or individually to access files and to print whenever we want. And, since the NetCenter is connected directly to the router, we do not need to turn on a "master" pc in order to share files or print. Very convenient!

CONNECTIVITY INTERFERENCE:
Be aware that your wireless router is a two-way radio that communicates with other wireless devices that are also two-way radios. As with any radio, interference can be expected from magnetic fields, other devices on the same or adjacent frequencies, physical proximity to other electronics, ungrounded power source, improper house wiring, poor power supply (overloaded power strip or circuit breakers, large appliances on the same circuit, etc.), insufficient power quantity or quality, unshielded speakers, television or computer monitors, cell phones, wireless phones, etc. Before assuming that the unit is defective, try relocating the sending and receiving units away from sources of interference. Common sense often prevails.

SPECS:

Epinions makes the specs easy:
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Linksys_Wireless-G_Broadband_Router_WRT54G_Router/display_~full_specs

So does Linksys:
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US/Layout&packedargs=c=L_Product_C2&cid=1127782957298&site=US&pagename=Linksys/Common/VisitorWrapper