Linksys WRT54G (and variants WRT54GS , WRT54GL , and WRTSL54GS ) is a Wi-Fi capable residential gateway from Linksys. The device is capable of sharing internet connections among several computers via 802.3 Ethernet and 802.11b/g wireless data links.
The WRT54G is notable for being the first consumer-level network device that had its firmware source code released to satisfy the obligations of the GNU GPL. This allows programmers to modify the firmware to change or add functionality to the device. Several third-party firmware projects provide the public with enhanced firmware for the WRT54G. See Third party firmware projects.
WRT54G
The original WRT54G was first released in December 2002. It comes with a 4+1 port network switch (the Internet/WAN port is also in the same internal network switch, but on a different VLAN). The devices have two removable antennas connected through Reverse Polarity TNC connectors. The WRT54GC router is an exception and has an internal antenna with optional external antenna. As a cost-cutting measure, the design of the latest version of the WRT54G no longer has detachable antennas or TNC connectors. Instead, version 8 routers simply route thin wires into antenna 'shells' eliminating the connector. As a result, Linksys HGA7T and similar external antennas are no longer compatible with this model.
Hardware and revisions
WRT54GS
The WRT54GS is nearly identical to WRT54G except for additional RAM, flash memory, and SpeedBooster software. Versions 1 to 3 of this router have 8MB of flash memory. Since most third parties' firmware only use up to 4MB flash, a JFFS2-based read/write filesystem can be created and used on the remaining 4MB free flash. This allows for greater flexibility of configurations and scripting, enabling this small router to both load balance multiple ADSL lines (multi homed) or to be run as a hardware layer 2 load balancer (with appropriate third party firmware).
WRT54GL
Linksys released the WRT54GL in 2005 to support third-party firmware based on Linux, after the original WRT54G line was switched from Linux to VxWorks, starting with version 5. The WRT54GL is technically a reissue of the version 4 WRT54G. Cisco was sued by the FSF for copyright infringement, but the case was settled.
WRTSL54GS
WRTSL54GS is similar to the WRT54GS while adding additional firmware features and a USB 2.0 port (referred to as StorageLink) which can be used for a USB hard disk or flash drive.
Unlike other models, the WRTSL54GS only has one antenna.
WRT54GX
WRT54GX comes with SRX (Speed and Range eXpansion), which uses "True MIMO" technology. It has 3 antennas and was once marketed as a 'Pre-N' router, with 8 times the speed and 3 times the range over standard 802.11g routers.
WRT54GP2 and WRTP54G
WRT54GP2 has 1 or 2 antennas, and a built-in analog telephony adapter (ATA) with 2 phone lines, but only 3 network ports. "Vonage" WRTP54G has 1 antenna, 2 phone lines, 4 network ports — Same S/N Prefix
WRT54GX2
WRT54GX2 has 2 antennas, and was advertised to have up to 6 times the speed and 2 times the range over standard 802.11g routers. Chipset Realtek. It is not compatible with DD-WRT .
WRT54GX4
WRT54GX4 has 3 moveable antennas, and is advertised to have 10 times the speed and 3 times the range of standard 802.11g routers. WRT54GX4-EU: chipset Realtek RTL8651B, radio chipset Airgo AGN303BB, flash S29GL064M90TFIR4. It does not appear to be compatible with DD-WRT .
WRT51AB
WRT series with 802.11a support. (First Generation)
WRT55AG
WRT54G series with 802.11a support.
WTR54GS
A compact wireless travel router with SpeedBooster support, it only has 1 LAN + 1 WAN RJ-45 outputs, but has 2 wireless interfaces. It has the ability to make an unencrypted wireless connection on one interface, and share it out on the other wireless interface, or the LAN port. The default IP is 192.168.16.1.
WRT54G2
The WRT54G2 is the newest iteration of the WRT54G in a smaller, curved black case with no external antenna. This unit has a four port 10/100 switch and one WAN port.
WRT54GS2
The WRT54GS2 is the WRT54G2 hardware with the VxWorks 5.5 Firmware including SpeedBooster. It has a sleek black design with 2 internal antennas. It includes a 4-port 10/100 switch and one 10/100 WAN port on the rear.
WRT54GC
WRT54GC series with 802.11b/g support. This unit has a four port 10/100 switch and one WAN port. The "C" in the router number stands for compact, as the unit measures 4" by 4" by 1" with an internal antenna. The unit can be expanded with addition of HGA7S external antenna to boost range. Hardware Version 1.0 is the only option available in the United States since introduction in 2005.
Version 2.0 is shipping in, amongst other countries, the United Kingdom. This unit has 1MB flash, 4MB RAM and a non-detachable external antenna.
The internal hardware is based on a Marvell ARM914 ("Libertas") reference design which is probably identical to the SerComm IP806SM, Xterasys XR-2407G, Abocom ARM914, Hawking HWGR54 Revision M, and the Airlink 101 AR315W. By appropriately changing the value of the firmware byte 0x26, the WRT54GC can be cross-flashed with firmware based on the same reference platform.
There are reports that a sister platform of the WRT54GC (the AR315W) has been hacked to run Linux.
WRT54G3G/WRT54G3GV2 Mobile Broadband router
A variant which has 4 Ethernet ports, 1 Internet Wired port (For DSL/Cable connections) plus a PCMCIA slot for use with a Cellular Based PC Card "aircard". The V2 model has an additional 2 USB ports for 3G modem use and 1 other USB port which has yet to be put to use.
Other Cellular Providers
To use this router with other Cellular providers, you MUST use an Alternative Firmware provider. The Stock Firmware does not support Cellular Providers even though you do have the exact supported aircard. eg: Telus Mobility (CANADA) uses the Sierra Wireless Aircard 595 which is supported by this router but because it is from Telus Mobility and not from Sprint (USA), it will never load the card into the router to make it operational. This is only true for the Sprint and AT&T branded models.WRT54G-TM
The WRT54G-TM (TM stands for T-Mobile) is also called the T-Mobile "Hotspot@Home" service. It allows calls to be made via T-Mobile's GSM network or via WiFi Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), using the same telephone and phone number (a special dual-mode phone designed for the service is required e.g. Blackberry Pearl 8120). Additionally, once a call is in progress, one may transition from WiFi to GSM (and vice versa) seamlessly, as WiFi signal comes and goes, such as when entering or exiting a home or business. A special router is not needed to use the service, but the T-Mobile branded routers are supposed to enhance the telephone's battery life. This is the only known tweak to the TM version of the firmware. The hardware appears to be like WRT54GL however has 32MB ram and 8MB flash. Upgrading to third party firmware via software is now available!. View the DD-WRT website for instructions.
The WRT54G-TM having a serial number that starts with C061 has these specifications:
- Broadcom BCM5352EKPBG CPU
- 32 MB RAM (Hynix HY5DU561622ETP-D43)
- 8 MB Flash (JS28f640)
- Uses the same BINs that the WRT54GS v3.0 does
Third-party firmware projects
After Linksys was required to release the WRT54G's firmware source code under terms of the GNU General Public License, there have been many third party projects enhancing that code as well as some entirely new projects using the hardware in these devices. Three of the most widely used are DD-WRT, Tomato and OpenWRT.
Further information: List of wireless router firmware projectsHardware versions affect firmware compatibility
As of January 2006, most third-party firmware is no longer compatible with version 5 of both the WRT54G and the WRT54GS. The amount of flash memory in the version 5 devices has been reduced to 2 MB, too small for current Linux-based third-party firmware. (See table above for information on identifying the version based on the serial number printed on the bottom of the unit, and on the outside of the shrink-wrapped retail box.)
Some users have succeeded in flashing and running a stripped down but fully functional version of DD-WRT called 'micro' on a version 5 WRT54G. An easier method not requiring any disassembly of the device has since been devised for flashing v5-v8 to DD-WRT.
To support third-party firmware, Linksys has re-released the WRT54G v4, under the new model name WRT54GL (the 'L' in this name allegedly stands for 'Linux'). It is also possible to replace the 2MB flash chip in the WRT54G with a 4MB flash ch
Linksys by Cisco EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 8-Port Switch BEFSR81
Just connect your DSL or Cable Modem to the EtherFast® Cable/DSL Router with 8-Port Switch and all the computers in your household can share a wired connetion to the Internet, at ...
Linksys.com - Products/Wired/Basic Networking/Routers, Modems ...
EtherFast® Cable/DSL Router with 8-Port Switch Share Your High-Speed Internet Connection Throughout Your Home or Office: Share your high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection with ...
Micro Center - EtherFast 8-Port Cable/DSL Router
Micro Center stores and Online - Thousands of computer products including hardware, software, upgrades, accessories and books, plus store hours, maps, directions, employment ...
EtherFast Cable/DSL Router [8 port] - PracticallyNetworked.com
• Microsoft Vista Home Networking Setup and Options The most daunting part of upgrading to Windows Vista may be trying to figure out where in the layers of menus the networking ...
Linksys BEFSR81 EtherFast 8-Port Cable/DSL Router in Wired Network ...
Online shopping for Wired Network Hubs and Routers Linksys BEFSR81 EtherFast 8-Port Cable/DSL Router A network router that let's you connect your network to your high-speed Cable ...
Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 8-Port Switch BEFSR81 - router ...
Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 8-Port Switch BEFSR81 - router starting at £79.35 (21.11.09) at Ciao.co.uk. Make a good deal.
Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router 8-Port Switch VIP SNMP Management ...
Read Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router 8-Port Switch VIP SNMP Management and Linksys Computers user reviews, product details and find lowest prices on Linksys Routers from ...
EtherFast Cable/DSL Router 8-Port Switch VIP SNMP Management - PC ...
shop and compare prices on EtherFast Cable/DSL Router 8-Port Switch VIP SNMP Management
Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL - Router + 8-port switch - EN, Fast EN
Do you find Internet sharing software to be nothing but a hassle? Can't find a simple and inexpensive way to share your one Internet IP address over your entire network?
Linksys EtherFast Cable DSL Router 8 Port Switch BEFSR81 Ver. 2
Built-In 10/100 8-Port Switch! Supports up to 253 Users! Do you find Internet sharing software to be nothing but a hassle? Can’t find a simple and inexpensive way to share your ...