Linksys WRT54GL - thinking of buying

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Linksys WRT54GL - thinking of buying

zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#15291 14-Aug-2007 13:06

Thinking of replacing my soon-to-be-returned (pile-of-junk) WGR614 v7 NetGear wireless router with the Linksys WRT54GL.

Friend of mine already has one, and since initial setup has experienced no issues with it at all - same cannot be said of the WGR614.

Anyone got one of these and keen to share their good or bad experiences?

Cheers.

EDIT: Added a more apt description of WGR614 v7.

MauriceWinn

141 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#82488 15-Aug-2007 13:06

We [ http://www.Zenbu.net.nz ] use the Linksys WRT 54GL and have done since 18 months ago. They are doing very well. We have had 1 fail [warranty job] and the Linksys people tell me that something like 7% of such devices fail but they expect the WRT 54GL to be more like 2%. They give good coverage and can be improved by replacing the standard antennas with high gain antennas [which we got from http://www.gowifi.co.nz/

zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#82499 15-Aug-2007 14:03

Thanks Maurice.

Considering the level of usage I imagine Zenbu gets that's a good recommendation.

Cheers.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#82512 15-Aug-2007 15:18

WRT54GL's (and V2-V4 WRT54G's) are one of the most solid routers available. I recommend replacing the Linksys firmware with the Sveasoft product. It's rock solid although it does cost US$20 which gives you a year of updates. DD-WRT is another option that's free and plenty of people love it however I've experienced plenty of dramas playing with it recently.

zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#82518 15-Aug-2007 15:40

sbiddle: WRT54GL's (and V2-V4 WRT54G's) are one of the most solid routers available. I recommend replacing the Linksys firmware with the Sveasoft product. It's rock solid although it does cost US$20 which gives you a year of updates. DD-WRT is another option that's free and plenty of people love it however I've experienced plenty of dramas playing with it recently.

Most interesting. I'm guessing that all WRT54GL firmware implementations are GPL'd, being based on a Linux kernel. In which case is the Sveasoft binary and source freely downloadable as per the GPL licensing?

I'll may just go looking for a mirror. I'm sure Sveasoft have probably annoyed someone enough that a mirror exists for free download.

Thanks sbiddle.

zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#82520 15-Aug-2007 15:58

Actually, I may go with DD-WRT. It seems to be where the community development is happening.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#82537 15-Aug-2007 17:56

zaptor:
sbiddle: WRT54GL's (and V2-V4 WRT54G's) are one of the most solid routers available. I recommend replacing the Linksys firmware with the Sveasoft product. It's rock solid although it does cost US$20 which gives you a year of updates. DD-WRT is another option that's free and plenty of people love it however I've experienced plenty of dramas playing with it recently.

Most interesting. I'm guessing that all WRT54GL firmware implementations are GPL'd, being based on a Linux kernel. In which case is the Sveasoft binary and source freely downloadable as per the GPL licensing?

I'll may just go looking for a mirror. I'm sure Sveasoft have probably annoyed someone enough that a mirror exists for free download.

Thanks sbiddle.

The whole issue of Sveasoft charging for updates got quite ugly about 18 months ago. Older versions of their firmware are available for free so in a sence you're paying for support and to receive the latest firmware.

The firmware is tied to the MAC address of the router so you won't find any recent copies anywhere, your licence allows you to link (from memory) 20 different MAC addresses to your account.

I've played with DD-WRT and initially used to think it was the better product but the Sveasoft Talisman firmware is very solid. I've been playing with DD-WRT again recently and have had dramas with that and my Nokia E65 not liking each other 100%

zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#82575 16-Aug-2007 08:40

Curious. Reading about this whole Sveasoft saga.

Sveasoft have so many friends in the community

. Ah well, he who liveth by the sword...

Apparently the Sveasoft kernel is a direct rip-off of OpenWRT (another one to checkout).