Price : Too low to display
Freedom of Wireless Wireless-G technology creates a fast wireless connection for several computers at once. This easy-to-set-up wireless network lets you access your broadband Internet connection to surf the Web and send email - or connect between computers to share music, photos and other files, or print to your printer. All without wires, from all around your home. No trading cables, no waiting for someone else to finish what they're doing, no being stuck in one place.
This review is from : Cisco-Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54G2
Easy setup near trouble-free operation happy overall. DNS issues update . I ordered the WRT54G2 'refurbished' because I wanted a replacement for my 801.11b Linksys and the refurbished could be had for a significantly lower price and the product was Linksys certified and came with a 90-day warranty. To my surprise - I expected some glitches - I had close to zero problem installing and operating it. Here is my experience.
- I followed the advice to first run the installation off the provided CD.
- Even though all of my computers are wireless, I followed the advice and connected one of my computer to the router via Ethernet to perform the initial installation.
- After disconnecting the old 801.11b router I used the exact same name for the new network. This allowed for all devices to connect immediately, as soon as the setup completed.
- I made sure that the DHCP server was on.
- The end of setup. All devices, including the wireless printer and the VOIP box connected without a problem.
To my surprise, LELA is not on the CD. It took me longer to find, download and install LELA (Linksys EasyLink Advisor) than to complete the initial setup. I strongly recommend that you do install LELA because, besides the nice graphic of your home network it allows you to restore broken connections without having to turn off the router.
As far as performance is concerned, I believe that I notice a slight but not significant improvement over my old 801.11b router. We have about one dozen connected devices: desktops, laptops, a PS3, a PSP, VOIP, printer and, with all on, everything worked just fine. With the router in the basement, I had '3-bars' on a computer 15-20 feet from the router. Surprisingly, I had 3 bars on the first and on the second floor as well and I had the same 3 bars outside, about 90 feet from the router, by the pool. The old router gave me 4 bars in the basement but only 3 bars in the rest of the house and only 1 or 2 bars with intermittent disconnections outside the house.
With LELA running, I was able to quickly fix the the few disconnections that occurred over a several-days period without having to power off the router. This was better than my old 801.11b that had me power off the cable modem and the router whenever the connection to the Internet stopped working. Disconnections do occur after computers are set to 'sleep' but recovery is usually quick when the computer wakes up. I never had issues with non-computer devices such as printer, PS3 or the VOIP box.
Overall, I am very happy with my new router so far. It's probably as good as any 801.11g device can get.
___________________________________________
DNS issues update:
With DHCP, strangely, after a few months of operation, the router began to 'forget' about passing DNS queries to the outside server. It KNOWS about the 3 DNS servers the ISP has but, out of the blue I get 'resolving host' errors and LELA claims that I'm no longer connected to the Internet. This while VoIP, connected to the same router works without a problem and so do the PS3 and my kids computers.
The initial 'solution' was to power off the router and then power it back on.
I have no idea why this was happening yet but, this is my quick solution: on the 'Network and Sharing Center' click on your connection 'View status' then 'Properties', highlight 'Internet Protocol Version 4...', 'Properties', 'Advanced', from the DNS tab click on 'Add...' and enter all the DNS servers that your router has listed under 'Status'.
This eliminated all problems.
Easy setup near trouble-free operation happy overall. DNS issues update . I ordered the WRT54G2 'refurbished' because I wanted a replacement for my 801.11b Linksys and the refurbished could be had for a significantly lower price and the product was Linksys certified and came with a 90-day warranty. To my surprise - I expected some glitches - I had close to zero problem installing and operating it. Here is my experience.
- I followed the advice to first run the installation off the provided CD.
- Even though all of my computers are wireless, I followed the advice and connected one of my computer to the router via Ethernet to perform the initial installation.
- After disconnecting the old 801.11b router I used the exact same name for the new network. This allowed for all devices to connect immediately, as soon as the setup completed.
- I made sure that the DHCP server was on.
- The end of setup. All devices, including the wireless printer and the VOIP box connected without a problem.
To my surprise, LELA is not on the CD. It took me longer to find, download and install LELA (Linksys EasyLink Advisor) than to complete the initial setup. I strongly recommend that you do install LELA because, besides the nice graphic of your home network it allows you to restore broken connections without having to turn off the router.
As far as performance is concerned, I believe that I notice a slight but not significant improvement over my old 801.11b router. We have about one dozen connected devices: desktops, laptops, a PS3, a PSP, VOIP, printer and, with all on, everything worked just fine. With the router in the basement, I had '3-bars' on a computer 15-20 feet from the router. Surprisingly, I had 3 bars on the first and on the second floor as well and I had the same 3 bars outside, about 90 feet from the router, by the pool. The old router gave me 4 bars in the basement but only 3 bars in the rest of the house and only 1 or 2 bars with intermittent disconnections outside the house.
With LELA running, I was able to quickly fix the the few disconnections that occurred over a several-days period without having to power off the router. This was better than my old 801.11b that had me power off the cable modem and the router whenever the connection to the Internet stopped working. Disconnections do occur after computers are set to 'sleep' but recovery is usually quick when the computer wakes up. I never had issues with non-computer devices such as printer, PS3 or the VOIP box.
Overall, I am very happy with my new router so far. It's probably as good as any 801.11g device can get.
___________________________________________
DNS issues update:
With DHCP, strangely, after a few months of operation, the router began to 'forget' about passing DNS queries to the outside server. It KNOWS about the 3 DNS servers the ISP has but, out of the blue I get 'resolving host' errors and LELA claims that I'm no longer connected to the Internet. This while VoIP, connected to the same router works without a problem and so do the PS3 and my kids computers.
The initial 'solution' was to power off the router and then power it back on.
I have no idea why this was happening yet but, this is my quick solution: on the 'Network and Sharing Center' click on your connection 'View status' then 'Properties', highlight 'Internet Protocol Version 4...', 'Properties', 'Advanced', from the DNS tab click on 'Add...' and enter all the DNS servers that your router has listed under 'Status'.
This eliminated all problems.
Cisco-Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54G2 Reviews
Had To Lower Security . I've used Linksys for years - this is my first Cisco/Linksys. For whatever reason my signal was unstable using WPA2. It was affecting not only my wireless devices, but also my desktop cabled from router. Had to change back to WEP - all is well. Really understanding Wifi and routers is an art that not many can pull off. LOL
Had To Lower Security . I've used Linksys for years - this is my first Cisco/Linksys. For whatever reason my signal was unstable using WPA2. It was affecting not only my wireless devices, but also my desktop cabled from router. Had to change back to WEP - all is well. Really understanding Wifi and routers is an art that not many can pull off. LOL
works great . I have only had the Lyksis router for a month but no drops so far. It was relatively easy to set up, I am no wizard and set it up myself.
Cons Review
Not as good as advertised . If you buy this product it is no longer in warranty so you are SOL when it comes to setup issues. That said - if you are looking strictly for something to connect to a desktop and not wireless this is ok. My desktop with Vista Business had a few issues but I got through setup. If you want to set up the wireless for a laptop (also Vista) be prepared to hunt around on the internet or hire someone. It means installing a bunch of crap on your laptop, if it's a business laptop and you work for someone else, be prepared for a few nasty-grams from your IT department.
Short-lived . I am shopping for another wireless router because this Linksys router died after 9 months. I have had the same experience as another reviewer....it worked great out of box.....but recently it would suffer multiple drop-outs, stop, and re-start. It is protected with a UPS, on a shelf all by itself with plenty of cool free air circulation, but it is hot to the touch. It has slowed down considerably. It is going to the e-waste pile.
Fried after 9 months . This router worked great out of the box but it's about nine months since I bought it and it's fried. It drops connection constantly now and is pretty unuseable. I have just had to bypass it entirely and connect my cable directly to my computer I now see exactally just how much speed I have been missing. My internet is blindly fast now that this router is disconnected.
You would think that these things would last a little longer than a year or so. I have it plugged in with a surge protector and it is in a safe spot with good ventilation so I don't see why it should be bricked.
You would think that these things would last a little longer than a year or so. I have it plugged in with a surge protector and it is in a safe spot with good ventilation so I don't see why it should be bricked.
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Product Details
EAN : 0745883584093UPC : 745883584093
MPN : WRT54G2-CA
Brand : Cisco
Weight : 2 pounds
Height : 3 inches
Length : 12 inches
Width : 10 inches
Binding : Electronics
Manufacturer : Linksys
Model : WRT54G2-CA
Publisher : Linksys
SKU : 96-ZI2O-3XTG
Studio : Linksys
Where To Buy
You can buy Cisco-Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54G2 on Amazon . Click here to Read More
