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Revision as of 20:30, 1 October 2005 by 24.115.43.115 (talk) (→Third party firmware projects)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The WRT54G is a popular wireless router product from Linksys. The device is capable of sharing Internet connections among several computers via 802.3 Ethernet and 802.11g wireless data links. The WRT54GS is nearly identical except the addition of more RAM and SpeedBoost Technology.
The WRT54G is unique among consumer-level network devices in that Linksys developers have released the source code for the router's firmware under the GPL. This allows programming enthusiasts to modify the firmware to change or add functionality to the device. Several development projects have been started to provide the public with enhanced firmware for the WRT54G. See Third party firmware projects.
The original WRT54G featured a 125 MHz MIPS CPU with 16 megabytes of RAM and 4 megabytes of flash memory for storing the firmware. Later revisions increased the CPU speed to 200 MHz and doubled both the RAM and flash memory to 32 MB and 8 MB, respectively. All models come standard with a five-port network switch (Internet port is also in the same switch just in different VLAN) and a wireless chipset by Broadcom which provides Wi-Fi connectivity.
The WRT54G is supplied with two external aerials connected to the device through Reverse Polarity TNC connectors.
Hardware revisions
| WRT54G version | CPU speed | RAM | Flash memory | Miscellaneous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 125 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | 20 front panel LEDs (including link/activity, collision detection and speed rating indicators for each RJ-45 port). Wireless capability was provided by a Mini PCI card attached to the router motherboard. |
| 1.1 | 125 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | Front panel LEDs reduced to 8 (1 link/activity LED per port, plus one each for power, wireless, DMZ and WAN/Internet connectivity). Wireless chipset integrated onto motherboard. |
| 2.0 | 200 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | Same as 1.1 with a CPU upgrade and more wireless transmitter integration (fewer transmitter parts). |
| 2.2 | 200 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | Same physical appearance as 1.1 and 2.0 models. |
| 3.0 | 200 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | Identical to 1.1 and later models. Undocumented switch behind left front panel intended for use with a feature called "Secure EZ Setup" for setting up wireless security. |
| 3.1 | 216 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | The Version 3.1 hardware adds a new illuminated button with a Cisco logo on it, to the left side of the router. This button is used for Linksys and Broadcom's new Secure EZ Setup for setting up wireless security.
There is new (EU?) firmware version 4.01.1 |
| WRT54GS version | CPU speed | RAM | Flash memory | Miscellaneous |
| 1.0 | 200 MHz | 32 MB | 8 MB | Added SpeedBooster technology (Broadcom Afterburner technology) boosting the throughput of 802.11g by 30% (need adaptor with Speed Booster technology) |
| 1.1 | 200 MHz | 32 MB | 8 MB | Switching chip change from ADMtek 6996L to Broadcom BCM5325. |
Third party firmware projects
- DD-WRT: Main Site and Wiki
- Earthlink's IPv6 Firmware
- WiFi Dog by Il Sans Fil and nycwireless
- Freifunk
- HyperWRT
- OpenWRT
- Sveasoft
- TinyPEAP
- WiFi-Box
- Neighbornode
Relevant links
- WRT54G.net Many firmware downloads and WRT54G information.
- SeattleWireless wrt54g page
- Linksys WRT54G/GS Hardware Versions