Linksys WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router - (Renewed)

Operation of unit was as expected. Quality packaging, except that the box was cardboard instead of the "glossy" original, packaging was as good (probably better) as the original. Everything that came with the original included (disk, power supply, short Ethernet cable).I have a number of WRT54G units I program with DD-WRT and use as access points. I have been buying WRT54G's because they are cheep and when loaded with the DD-WRT "micro" version code they work fine as access points. But recently I tried programming one to run as a router with some the the additional features enabled, like DNSMasq, and it would run out of memory and the WEB interface would lock up. The GL has twice the memory as the G and can be programmed with the standard code instead of the micro, which has a number of additional features. Have DNSMasq enabled for both DHCP and DNS and it is working great as a primary router. I now have many devices on the network identifiable by URL rather than IP address.I believe this to be a very reasonable price for a WRT54xx with the 4/16 MB memory configuration. You can find the WRT54G's (2/8 MB memory configuration) much cheaper, but you are limited to using just the DD-WRT microcode. So obviously the larger are both more desirable and more rare. And fetch a significantly higher price.

It functions well but is very user unfriendly. It took me way too long to set this thing up and I'm fairly computer literate. It works pretty well once set up, but set up is a pain. It wouldn't kill Linksys to just have an easy set up program vs. the over convoluted set up they have.

The phrase "they don't make them like they used to" is true. I have had a WRT54 for over a decade and it's the only router in my house (we have 5 - all Linksys) that doesn't need constant re-booting. My main frustration is with the various IOT devices we have around the house (cameras, thermostats etc) that are basically useless if the router they are connected to hangs. This is the only one that is stable all the time. At the refurbished price point, it's cheaper for me to replace all my routers with WRT54s than to buy a new modern router. There is no app set-up but if you have a computer and can type 192.168.1.1 into your browser, there is nothing to stop you using this effectively.

The Set Up CD screwed up my PC royally! Put it into my DVD player, clicked 'SetUp Wizard" and that was the last time anything good happened . Immediately my system became completely unstable. Wasted 6 hours trying to fix it and finally was able to use system restore to get it to a point a month ago. So that month's stuff is gone. I do not know why this happened, the router may be great but if I can't set it up it is worthless to me. Worse than worthless in fact, it caused me great distress and loss of productivity. I have been using Windows 10 with no problems at all before this. Geeesh! Almost like a virus grabbed my PC and shut it down as soon as it saw the set up disk. Probably an app clash of some kind. Anyway I will be returning this.

ATTENTION: If you have a high tier internet package from your Internet Service Provider or Internet Company. This is not for you!I might have gotten a bad router from the company but i had a maximum of 25 Mbps download speed on wired connection. On wireless i got 5 Mbps down and 7 up. I am a IT professional so i actually know how to properly set up the speeds. Edit: I updated the firmware to the latest version with no improvement.Read below for more information. Experience Level - Certified IT professionalThe Download speed was no where near my actual internet package. Maybe its just a old model so it might have been my fault. But if you have a smaller internet speed package from your internet service provider this might be useful for you. After installing because i had to replace my other router my download speed was 1/4 of the actual speed directly from the Gateway provided by the ISP. So basically it was a huge waste of money in my case.

The century cable modem next to this thing out powers it. The CL modem has no external antennae either, so was surprised. I installed Tomato firmware to boost signal and added larger antennae. It was easy to install the Tomato firmware, set power and select an appropriate channel, but the CL modem still out powered it at all distances. Checked power with app Wifi Analyzer.

Great wifi router for next to nothing. Its an older model but it's a total workhorse. You almost certainly do not need any of the so-called features new WiFi routers offer but they want you to think you so.This router has been rock solid running for a couple of months now.

It's hard to go wrong with this router and Tomato firmware for setting up a small LAN. It's not the most recent hardware, so you have to be somewhat selective with your choice of firmware (I use Shibby), but for the price, this is a great inexpensive choice for coverage.