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The WRT54G, first released in 2003, 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 famous 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 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 (216 MHz on version 3.1). Both the RAM and flash memory were doubled to 32 MB and 8 MB, respectively, in the WRT54GS. All models come standard with a four-port network switch (the Internet/WAN port is also in the same switch, but on a different VLAN) and a wireless chipset by Broadcom which provides Wi-Fi connectivity.
The WRT54G is supplied with two removable antennae connected to the device through Reverse Polarity TNC connectors.
Hardware revisions
| WRT54G version | CPU speed | RAM | Flash memory | S/N Prefix | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 125 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | CDF0/CDF1 | 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 | CDF2/CDF3 | 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 | CDF5 | Same as 1.1 with a CPU upgrade and greater wireless transmitter integration (fewer transmitter parts). |
| 2.2 | 200 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | CDF7 | Same physical appearance as 1.1 and 2.0 models. Switching chipset from ADMtek 6996L to Broadcom BCM5325EKQM. |
| 3.0 | 200 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | CDF8 | Identical to 1.1 and later models, except for the CPU speed. Undocumented switch behind left front panel intended for use with a feature called "SecureEasySetup" for setting up wireless security. This button is illuminated with a Cisco logo on it, to the left side of the router. To activate this feature, upgrade the firmware to the latest Linksys one. |
| 3.1 | 216 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | CDF9 | The Version 3.1 hardware is essentially the same as the Version 3.0 hardware. The SecureEasySetup button has been activated by the original firmware included in this model, even though the switch existed in Version 3.0.
There is new (EU?) firmware version 4.01.1 |
| 4.0 | 200 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | CDFA | BCM5352E Chipset |
| 5.0 | 200 MHz | 8 MB | 2 MB | CDFB | BCM5352EKPB Chipset - Switched to VxWorks OS and reduced Flash Memory and RAM; not compatible with most 3rd party firmware |
| WRT54GL version | CPU speed | RAM | Flash memory | S/N Prefix | Notes |
| 1.0 | 200 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | CL7A | New model line, released after the version 5 WRT54G, which returns to a Linux-based internal OS as opposed to the v5's VxWorks firmware. NOT SpeedBooster enabled in stock state. Essentially the same as the WRT54G version 4.0, but with a new model number. |
| WRT54GS version | CPU speed | RAM | Flash memory | S/N Prefix | Notes |
| 1.0 | 200 MHz | 32 MB | 8 MB | CGN0/CGN1 | Added SpeedBooster technology (Broadcom Afterburner technology) boosting the throughput of 802.11g by 30% (needs adaptor with Speed Booster technology) |
| 1.1 | 200 MHz | 32 MB | 8 MB | CGN2 | Chipset changed from ADMtek 6996L to Broadcom BCM5325EKQM. |
| 2.0 | 200 MHz | 32 MB | 8 MB | CGN3 | 10 LED Front Panel (two new ones behind Cisco logo button). Also capable of SecureEasySetup, but use of the logo button and lighting of the new LEDs behind it requires firmware upgrade. Use Hynix RAM. |
| 2.1 | 200 MHz | 32 MB | 8 MB | CGN4 | Add SecureEasySetup. Radio chip is changed from BCM2050 to BCM2050KML. |
| 3.0 | 200 MHz | 32 MB | 8 MB | CGN5 | Use System-on-Chip: processor, MAC, and switching are handled by Broadcom BCM5352EKBP. |
| 4.0 | 200 MHz | 16 MB | 4 MB | CGN6 | Reduced RAM & Flash |
| 5.0 | 200 MHz | 16 MB | 2 MB | CGN7 | Switched to VxWorks OS and reduced Flash Memory; not compatible with most 3rd party firmware ( Confirmed 18th January 2006 By Chris Chapman @ Linksys. Still awaiting further information) |
Third-party firmware projects
- Major Projects
- DD-WRT Main Site and Wiki Many enhanced features (bridge or client mode, voip, traffic-shaping, transmit power, WDS, Linux/GPL)
- HyperWRT - Limited set of enhanced features (transmit power, port triggers, scripts, telnet)
- HyperWRT+Tofu - HyperWRT mod by Tofu, now discontinued
- HyperWRT+Thibor - HyperWRT mod by Thibor - for WRT54GS, WRT54GL and now WRT54G with Thibor 14 or newer
- OpenWrt - Easy custom package installation, Now with GUI (Linux/GPL)
- Sveasoft - Available by subscription only (amid license controversy)
- Freeman Basic - Free software similar to Sveasoft "Talisman" version, with no MAC limit
- Minor projects
- BatBox - RAM based distribution for experimenting, does not change firmware
- Earthlink's IPv6 Firmware - IPv6 feature added to original Linksys firmware (beta-test version)
- Freifunk - German software supports wireless mesh networks with OLSR
- OpennetFirmware Wiki in German - (no English documentation as of January 2006)
- TinyPEAP - Secure wireless authentication feature added to Linksys firmware
- WiFi-Box - (no documentation available as of January 2006)
- Neighbornode
- WiFiDog Captive Portal - WiFi Dog by Île Sans Fil, a Captive Portal software that runs on the OpenWRT platform
Hardware 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 2mb, 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.)
To support third-party firmware, Linksys has re-released the WRT54G v4, under the new model name WRT54GL.
External links
- WRT54G.net Many firmware downloads and WRT54G information.
- SeattleWireless.net WRT54G Page
- Linksysinfo.org Firmware Comparison
- Linksysinfo.org Latest Firmware Downloads
- Linksysinfo.org WRT54G/GS Hardware Versions
- WRT54G.thermoman.de Sveasoft GPL Firmware for WRT54G
- Ile Sans Fil A Community Wireless Network project using WiFiDog and the OpenWRT software on the WRT54G/S/L and compatible firmwares
- FON A company that promotes sharing of internet using their firmware which runs on the WRT54G/S/L
Portable Buyers Guide (Text only for iPod Notes)
Model: WRT54G Version: 1.0 CPU: 125 MHz RAM: 16 MB Flash: 4 MB S/N Prefix: CDF0/CDF1 3rd Party Firware: YES 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.
Model: WRT54G Version: 1.1 CPU: 125 MHz RAM: 16 MB Flash: 4 MB S/N Prefix: CDF2/CDF3 3rd Party Firware: YES 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.
Model: WRT54G Version: 2.0 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 16 MB Flash: 4 MB S/N Prefix: CDF5 3rd Party Firware: YES Same as 1.1 with a CPU upgrade and greater wireless transmitter integration (fewer transmitter parts).
Model: WRT54G Version: 2.2 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 16 MB Flash: 4 MB S/N Prefix: CDF7 3rd Party Firware: YES Same physical appearance as 1.1 and 2.0 models. Switching chipset from ADMtek 6996L to Broadcom BCM5325EKQM.
Model: WRT54G Version: 3.0 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 16 MB Flash: 4 MB S/N Prefix: CDF8 3rd Party Firware: YES Identical to 1.1 and later models, except for the CPU speed. Undocumented switch behind left front panel intended for use with a feature called "SecureEasySetup" for setting up wireless security. This button is illuminated with a Cisco logo on it, to the left side of the router. To activate this feature, upgrade the firmware to the latest Linksys one.
Model: WRT54G Version: 3.1 CPU: 216 MHz RAM: 16 MB Flash: 4 MB S/N Prefix: CDF9 3rd Party Firware: YES The Version 3.1 hardware is essentially the same as the Version 3.0 hardware. The SecureEasySetup button has been activated by the original firmware included in this model, even though the switch existed in Version 3.0. There is new (EU?) firmware version 4.01.1
Model: WRT54G Version: 4.0 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 16 MB Flash: 4 MB S/N Prefix: CDFA 3rd Party Firware: YES BCM5352E Chipset
Model: WRT54G Version: 5.0 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 8 MB Flash: 2 MB S/N Prefix: CDFB 3rd Party Firware: NO BCM5352EKPB Chipset - Switched to VxWorks OS and reduced Flash Memory and RAM; not compatible with most 3rd party firmware
Model: WRT54GL Version: 1.0 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 8 MB Flash: 4 MB S/N Prefix: MBCL7A 3rd Party Firware: YES New model line, released after the version 5 WRT54G, which returns to a Linux-based internal OS as opposed to the v5's VxWorks firmware. NOT SpeedBooster enabled in stock state. Essentially the same as the WRT54G version 4.0, but with a new model number.
Model: WRT54GS Version: 1.0 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 32 MB Flash: 8 MB S/N Prefix: MBCGN0/CGN1 3rd Party Firware: YES Added SpeedBooster technology (Broadcom Afterburner technology) boosting the throughput of 802.11g by 30% (needs adaptor with Speed Booster technology)
Model: WRT54GS Version: 1.1 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 32 MB Flash: 8 MB S/N Prefix: MBCGN2 3rd Party Firware: YES Chipset changed from ADMtek 6996L to Broadcom BCM5325EKQM.
Model: WRT54GS Version: 2.0 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 32 MB Flash: 8 MB S/N Prefix: MBCGN3 3rd Party Firware: YES 10 LED Front Panel (two new ones behind Cisco logo button). Also capable of SecureEasySetup, but use of the logo button and lighting of the new LEDs behind it requires firmware upgrade. Use Hynix RAM.
Model: WRT54GS Version: 2.1 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 32 MB Flash: 8 MB S/N Prefix: MBCGN4 3rd Party Firware: YES Add SecureEasySetup. Radio chip is changed from BCM2050 to BCM2050KML.
Model: WRT54GS Version: 3.0 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 32 MB Flash: 8 MB S/N Prefix: MBCGN5 3rd Party Firware: YES Use System-on-Chip: processor, MAC, and switching are handled by Broadcom BCM5352EKBP.
Model: WRT54GS Version: 4.0 CPU: 200 MHz RAM: 16 MB Flash: 4 MB S/N Prefix: MBCGN6 3rd Party Firware: YES Reduced RAM & FlashCategories: