Search:  

 
 
   News
newer
story category More on WRT54GS Success (Now with 70% more failure!)
Users note new version not open-source, less powerful, and buggy
(old news - 10:37AM Tuesday Nov 15 2005)
tags: wireless · hardware
When we mentioned yesterday the success that Linksys has seen with the WRT54GS, largely thanks to third-party firmware, several users noted that the v5 edition of this router is, for lack of a more poetic word, crap. Not only not open source, our users complain it's laggy, and has also been "neutered", featuring half the physical memory of the originally successful model. Essentially Linksys veered away from everything that made the original WRT54G a success, possibly due to pressure from Cisco, who likely feared hobbyists were cannibalizing the sale of more expensive gear.

Related:
  1. AT&T's Bill From Apple Comes Due: $900 Million
  2. Verizon To Offer Femtocells in 2009
  3. AT&T Confirms iPhone Tethering 'Soon'
  4. Study: iPhones Twice As Reliable As BlackBerries
  5. Qualcomm's 3G-Enabled 'PC Alternative'
  6. HTC G1 Costs $143.89 To Make
  7. Storm Reviews Come Rolling In
  8. Dell Mini Comes With AT&T HSDPA
Forums » More on WRT54GS Success (Now with 70% more failure!)
view: topics flat text 
Post a:
page: 1 · 2

exocet_cm
Signal 26's Rock
Premium
join:2003-03-23
New Orleans, LA
clubs:

Yep

I have had multiple problems with users and the v5 of the router. So far I've found v4 on some of our shelves at best buy.

Camelot One
Premium,MVM
join:2001-11-21
Sarasota, FL
clubs:
·VoicePulse

Re: Yep

Radio shacks are still carrying V2 and V3, right along side the V5. Fortunately you don't even have to look at the serial to figure out if it's one of the older, and thus better models. Just avoid anything with the "Setup" button in place of the normal Linksys logo.
--
AMD X2 4400+/ MSI K8N Neo 4 Platinum SLI/ 2x 512Mb Kingston HyperX PC4000/ WD 74Gb Raptor/ PNY 7800GTs SLI/ Antec 550 True Control/Custom water cooler

trparky
Bite My Shiny Metal Ass
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-24
Cleveland, OH
clubs:

Re: Yep

There is any easier way! On every box, the version of the device is printed in plain English stating V1, V2, V3, and so on.
--
WedgeAntilles250

Tom's Rant

LinuxJunkie

join:2005-01-19
Cyberspace

Re: Yep

Actually, no they are not. I have a v3 (the best from what I've gathered, with the faster processor and more memory) along with its box and nowhere on the box does it reference a version number. The only way to tell is with the first few characters of the serial number (in my case, CGN5 corresponds to a version 3 of the WRT54GS). Somebody already posted the serial number list below.

n8_ball

join:2003-04-25
Mystic, CT
clubs:


edit:
November 15th, @11:47AM

Had a v5 for a day and I can verify it was utter crap. Found a v3 at Walmart for a decent price and couldn't be happier.

FYI - The box I picked up had the Intel Smart Wireless Solutions on the front. It was a V3. The V5 I took back to Best Buy did not have this on the front.

Therefore, if you don't want a V5 look for Intel Smart Wireless Solutions on the left hand side of the box front.

edit - Actually the setup button is an even better clue.
phazah

join:2004-05-02
Findlay, OH
a friend of mine purchased one, and it wouldnt stay connected to his linksys cable modem.
he ended up replacing it with a d-link.

typicalLinsys

@71.241.x.x

Typical in the computer biz not just telcom.

This is typical business sense, Just I hope other companies take advantage of this and come out with the dvd recorder versions of the supermulti drive: all wireless standards including wimax in their router, and thensome. Hell, you could even make these things become superpowerful repeaters that blanket your town if you wanted to. (20mile range) Provided you have enough power/antenna equip in the right places.

TK Junk Mail
Go ahead, make my day
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Margate City, NJ
clubs:
·Comcast

I'm vindicated for statements on Cisco intentions

I took a lot of flack yesterday for these posts:
»Won't happen again
»Re: Won't happen again but I guess I am vindicated now for my evaluation of what Cisco would do concerning open source.
--
--
Join Red Room Forum
My Web Page

Defcon888
Premium
join:2003-07-22
San Bruno, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Pacific Bell - SBC

Phew...

When I sent in my WRT54Gv1 for warranty, they sent me a new v4. I still miss the extra LEDs, but I'm glad they didn't send me a v5, which was due for retail sale one week after I got the v4.
--
defcon888@gmail.com
.send me spam! i love spam!

cpayne5

join:2004-01-06
Amissville, VA

~

Why no mention of the WRT54GL, here?
--
Hail To The Redskins
B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28


edit:
November 15th, @11:22AM

Re: ~

Because as far as the US is concerned it's vaporware?

Whoops; I wuz wrong:

»www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?s···id=15890

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function

cableties
Premium
join:2005-01-27
Levittown, PA

Cool...

The shadow of the router is of a fighter jet. Too bad the router sux.
hwstar0

join:2003-11-29
La Mesa, CA

An open source mark like UL/CSA/Energy Star etc.

We need a open source mark of approval on consumer goods with embedded processors to ensure the buyer is properly informed.

This will allow more of the public to steer clear of non-upgradable closed source electronics.
hwstar0

join:2003-11-29
La Mesa, CA

Re: An open source mark like UL/CSA/Energy Star et

Looks like there might already be one.

»opensource.org/trademarks/openso···0x95.png
Primis1

join:2005-06-13
Coldwater, MI

Cisco....

...is the worst thing to ever happen to Linksys.

Back nefore they acquired them I swore by Linksys. Then after acquisition their firmware began to turn to crap, and nowadays I not only don't recommend Linksys to people, I explicitly tell them to NOT go with Linksys.

Cisco needs to wake up to this. They took a once-respected name and screwed it up big-time by tinkering where no tinkering needed to be done.

Mospaw
What time is it again?
Premium,Mod
join:2001-01-08
Las Vegas, NV
·Cox HSI
·Embarq

Host:
Road Warriors, Not..
All things Macintosh
Automotive

Re: Cisco....

said by Primis1 See Profile :

Cisco needs to wake up to this. They took a once-respected name and screwed it up big-time by tinkering where no tinkering needed to be done.
Yeah, and they did that to Linksys too!
--
Mospaw.com
--

blueeyesm

join:2003-09-05
Waterloo, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed

said by Primis1 See Profile :

... tinkering where no tinkering needed to be done.
This is quite humourous considering the thread is lossely based open source firmware - tinkering.

Seriously tho - it's a shame these companies do not open up to allow a user-developed, open firmware area within the product, so that users can customize a product. Or better yet - why not make that a feature on mid-range to higher priced networking equipment? It's obvious one of the successes in this project was the open-source community's response to the idea of opening up the firmware. It improved, corrected, and added to, the product - for free.
So the box might have to cost more money - at least they would make a bit extra on a 'feature'.
AquaBlaze
Premium
join:2004-02-02
Encino, CA

Re: Cisco....

said by blueeyesm See Profile :

Seriously tho - it's a shame these companies do not open up to allow a user-developed, open firmware area within the product, so that users can customize a product.
True...but I think I might get upset if I start seeing "Pimp My Router" on the TV Guide in the near future.
stridr69

join:2003-05-19
San Luis Obispo, CA

Re: Cisco....

ROTFLOL!!!!
I can see it now...w/a 56" Plasma screen showing the current "online" status.
Nice take there, Aquablaze..

jsimmons
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-24
Falls Church, VA
·Cox HSI

said by Primis1 See Profile :

Back before they [Cisco] acquired them I swore by Linksys. Then after acquisition their firmware began to turn to crap, and nowadays I not only don't recommend Linksys to people, I explicitly tell them to NOT go with Linksys.

Cisco needs to wake up to this. They took a once-respected name and screwed it up big-time by tinkering where no tinkering needed to be done.
I've experienced problems with Linksys, Belkin, D-Link, Netgear, ZyXELL, and more. Believe me... When it comes to getting updates to firmware out, and responding to user pressure when serious flaws are found, Linksys is far better (and quicker) than most.
--
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler."- Albert Einstein
Deathsadvoca

join:2003-08-20
South Lyon, MI
clubs:
If cisco put half the amount of time into developing there linksys brand as they do with there commercial routers they would actually be decent.
The2ndclory

join:2004-07-13
Bridgeport, CT
·Optimum Online

I fall within the 30%

I bought it with the intention of putting 3rd party firmware on it and was a little upset when I found out the news AFTER it had arrived at my door. But all in all its been pretty stable to me. I stream all my movies that I watch wirelessly and I can say its hiccuped once or twice and my laptop couldn't find the AP but when I turn my wireless off and then back on everything is ok so I suspect something to do with the client.

I've been through 3 Wireless APs to get to this one and I'm pretty satisfied now so its all good.
--
Haik who??

Towerguy

@clallampud.net

The New Wrt is a WART

I own an ISP and due to flooding problems I have banned them from our network.
It sucks but had to be done because of disruptions they where causing.

JoeOnSunset
Doublethink Is Doubleplus Ungood.
Premium
join:2002-11-25
Ormond Beach, FL

Re: The New Wrt is a WART

phantom6294

join:2002-02-27
Abingdon, MD
·RoadRunner Cable
·Comcast

WRT54GS v4 Neutered as well...

The GSv4 was neutered as well; also getting a memory reduction. From 8MB Flash / 32MB RAM to 4MB Flash / 16MB RAM. Basically, this brings it to pre-Gv5 memory levels... luckily though, this is still enough memory to run the 3rd-party firmwars.

From my WRT54GSv4, running dd-wrt.v23-beta2:
~ # cat /proc/meminfo
total: used: free: shared: buffers: cached:
Mem: 14581760 10215424 4366336 0 1409024 4370432
Swap: 0 0 0
MemTotal: 14240 kB
MemFree: 4264 kB
MemShared: 0 kB
Buffers: 1376 kB
Cached: 4268 kB
SwapCached: 0 kB
Active: 3344 kB
Inactive: 2320 kB
HighTotal: 0 kB
HighFree: 0 kB
LowTotal: 14240 kB
LowFree: 4264 kB
SwapTotal: 0 kB
SwapFree: 0 kB
~ #

This is from my main router, a GSv2 running Talisman v1.1
main:~#cat /proc/meminfo
total: used: free: shared: buffers: cached:
Mem: 30945280 12582912 18362368 0 1351680 5185536
Swap: 0 0 0
MemTotal: 30220 kB
MemFree: 17932 kB
MemShared: 0 kB
Buffers: 1320 kB
Cached: 5064 kB
SwapCached: 0 kB
Active: 4452 kB
Inactive: 4196 kB
HighTotal: 0 kB
HighFree: 0 kB
LowTotal: 30220 kB
LowFree: 17932 kB
SwapTotal: 0 kB
SwapFree: 0 kB
main:~#

As I understand it... the "Speedboost" capability is a firmware implementation... NOT a hardware one. Which means buying a GSv4 means you spend and extra $30 for some code in firmware most people won't even use.... huh.

In short, the Gv4 has the same amount of memory as the GSv4, and yet is $30 cheaper. If you can find a Gv4, buy it long before you buy a GSv4. If you want the previous 8MB/32MB models... look for a GS prior to v4.

Cheese
Premium
join:2003-10-26
Naples, FL
clubs:

Re: WRT54GS v4 Neutered as well...

said by phantom6294 See Profile :

The GSv4 was neutered as well; also getting a memory reduction. From 8MB Flash / 32MB RAM to 4MB Flash / 16MB RAM. Basically, this brings it to pre-Gv5 memory levels... luckily though, this is still enough memory to run the 3rd-party firmwars.

From my WRT54GSv4, running dd-wrt.v23-beta2:
~ # cat /proc/meminfo
total: used: free: shared: buffers: cached:
Mem: 14581760 10215424 4366336 0 1409024 4370432
Swap: 0 0 0
MemTotal: 14240 kB
MemFree: 4264 kB
MemShared: 0 kB
Buffers: 1376 kB
Cached: 4268 kB
SwapCached: 0 kB
Active: 3344 kB
Inactive: 2320 kB
HighTotal: 0 kB
HighFree: 0 kB
LowTotal: 14240 kB
LowFree: 4264 kB
SwapTotal: 0 kB
SwapFree: 0 kB
~ #

This is from my main router, a GSv2 running Talisman v1.1
main:~#cat /proc/meminfo
total: used: free: shared: buffers: cached:
Mem: 30945280 12582912 18362368 0 1351680 5185536
Swap: 0 0 0
MemTotal: 30220 kB
MemFree: 17932 kB
MemShared: 0 kB
Buffers: 1320 kB
Cached: 5064 kB
SwapCached: 0 kB
Active: 4452 kB
Inactive: 4196 kB
HighTotal: 0 kB
HighFree: 0 kB
LowTotal: 30220 kB
LowFree: 17932 kB
SwapTotal: 0 kB
SwapFree: 0 kB
main:~#

As I understand it... the "Speedboost" capability is a firmware implementation... NOT a hardware one. Which means buying a GSv4 means you spend and extra $30 for some code in firmware most people won't even use.... huh.

In short, the Gv4 has the same amount of memory as the GSv4, and yet is $30 cheaper. If you can find a Gv4, buy it long before you buy a GSv4. If you want the previous 8MB/32MB models... look for a GS prior to v4.
How to get this info? I have a WRT54G V2 and just would like to see what it says too.
phantom6294

join:2002-02-27
Abingdon, MD
·RoadRunner Cable
·Comcast

Re: WRT54GS v4 Neutered as well...

Well, since the Linksys firmware doesn't provide telnet services into the router (AFAIK), you'll need a 3rd-party firmware.

If you have a 3rd-party firmware, log in via telnet/SSH and simply run the command: cat /proc/meminfo

Or... pull it apart, get the part number for the memory chip and look it up. But... that physcially and noticably voids your warranty.

sahirs

join:2002-02-14
Singapore
How to get this info? I have a WRT54G V2 and just would like to see what it says too.
Use wrtbwlog. Go do a google search.
--
its sahir, in singapore.
jeffs471

join:2005-09-16
Camarillo, CA


edit:
November 15th, @01:32PM

I read about this last week, I went out and bought a GSv3 even though I didn't really need a router. I figure I will in the future. V3 has the updated chip handling the lan traffic, supposedly it can handle 50mbps connections through the wan while the pre v3 would top out at 30mbps. This probably isn't an issue for most people but I figured in the future it may be for me with fios. And it has the full 32mb memory chips. I found it for 50 bucks AR at bestbuy.

envoid

join:2002-12-21
Duluth, GA

said by phantom6294 See Profile :

As I understand it... the "Speedboost" capability is a firmware implementation... NOT a hardware one. Which means buying a GSv4 means you spend and extra $30 for some code in firmware most people won't even use.... huh.
It is hardware. The firmware tho does need to be there to take advantage of it.
phantom6294

join:2002-02-27
Abingdon, MD
·RoadRunner Cable
·Comcast

Re: WRT54GS v4 Neutered as well...

I don't know the details of how Speedboost works... but I do know this. The G and GS models have shared the same chipset (for the most part)... thus, the extra $30 is for just a different firmware; and probably just some extra code. That is some damn expensive code. Bascially, it's a selling point only... the GS bascially only had more memory than the G models.

One could surmise that since the GSv4 has half the memory of previous models... then the extra memory was unnecssary for Speedboost to work. Furthermore, if the GSv4 is capable of Speedboost with half the memory... than a G model with the same chipset and the 4/16 Memory configuration (the same as the GSv4) is quite capable of Speedboost as well. Which begs the question... why did previous models have the 8/32 config?

See a matrix of hardware specs of G & GS by models here Note, some of the memory figures are wrong in this matrix.

BA
I built an HTPC for Diana Krall
Premium,MVM
join:2001-05-24
Vancouver, BC
clubs:
SpeedBoost is hardware, but the Gv4 has the exact same hardware as GSv4.

rawgerz
In Debt we trust
Premium
join:2004-10-03
Grove City, PA
·Sprint Mobile Broa..

hmm

I think I will pick one up just for the heck of it, the advanced $600 dollar router features aren't what appeals to me.. it's using a firmware thats probably more stable than Linksys I don't care for theirs.
--
"Hows your French toast?" "Smelly and ungrateful, but this AMERICAN toast is great!"

damonlab
Premium
join:2001-05-02
Detroit, MI
clubs:

WRT55AG

WRT55AG is a worthless as well. I returned two of them.

stevennb
Ok, But, Thats The Last Straw.
Premium
join:2001-05-08
Wayne, NJ

edit:
November 15th, @12:41PM

WRT54GS

I have a WRT54GS as well.
How does one go about finding out what version they have?

Edit - I have Version 2.

Thanks cpayne5

cpayne5

join:2004-01-06
Amissville, VA

Re: WRT54GS

It's written on the bottom.
--
Hail To The Redskins
phantom6294

join:2002-02-27
Abingdon, MD
·RoadRunner Cable
·Comcast


edit:
November 15th, @12:46PM

Should be printed on the bottom...

Also, compare the serial number (on the bottom) to this list:

Known serial numbers (first few characters) vs versions:
CDF0 = WRT54G v1.0
CDF1 = WRT54G v1.0
CDF2 = WRT54G v1.1
CDF3 = WRT54G v1.1
CDF5 = WRT54G v2.0
CDF7 = WRT54G v2.2
CDF8 = WRT54G v3.0
CDF9 = WRT54G v3.1
CDFA = WRT54G v4.0
CDFB = WRT54G v5.0 (runs VxWorks, not Linux)

CGN0 = WRT54GS v1.0
CGN1 = WRT54GS v1.0
CGN2 = WRT54GS v1.1
CGN3 = WRT54GS v2.0
CGN4 = WRT54GS v2.1
CGN5 = WRT54GS v3.0
CGN6 = WRT54GS v4.0

Random Linksys User

@151.143.x.x

Re: WRT54GS

Thanks for posting these serial numbers.

My WRT54GS has NO version number listed anywhere on the case and tech support advised that the lack of version number indicates it is a version 1. Somehow that didn't give a lot of confidence but I accepted it and updated the firmware using the version 1 package. It worked but doubts linger.

I will check the serial number on my router when I get home.

*** Friends don't let friends buy Sony CDs ***

ReinP

@216.191.x.x

WRT54GL avail. in Europe and coming to N.America

»www.nokytech.net/linksys_devient···a-c.html

The link is french but you can jam it through babel.altavista.com if you don't speak(read) it.

I recall the router has been up'ed to 64MB as well but I could be mistaken.

Rein
britincanada

join:2002-12-16

Re: WRT54GL avail. in Europe and coming to N.Ameri

how can i get firmware 4 v4 of this router

i tryed a few i found but would not flash

thanks

MxxCon

join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY
clubs:


edit:
November 15th, @01:34PM

Reason why it's not opensource

the reason why few routers will have open source firmware is because of »Countdown Begins for Broadband Wiretaps
and since Cisco is a huge supporter of this...
--
[Sig removed by Administrator: Signature can not exceed 20GB]

See 8 replies to this post

griminal
Finally.

join:2001-06-25
Bangor, MI

I don't believe it....

Boardroom Conversation:

"Consumers really like this open firmware stuff. Let's do away with it."

Way to ruin a good thing. You Go Linksys!!! (er.. Cisco)

I better go buy a V3 or V4 before its too late. DD-WRT is just too good.
phantom6294

join:2002-02-27
Abingdon, MD

Re: I don't believe it....

Just remember... if possible, avoid the GSv4 (since it is, hardware-wise, identical to the Gv4) and $30 cheaper. There isn't anything wrong with the GSv4... but why pay $30 more for some extra code you probably won't utilize???

pog
Premium
join:2004-06-03
Kihei, HI
·Hawaiian Telcom

Much ado...

...about nothing?

Maybe I'm just not getting it but I thought there was a lot more vendors than Linksys producing similar equipment. eg, from openwrt.org: »wiki.openwrt.org/TableOfHardware
phantom6294

join:2002-02-27
Abingdon, MD
·RoadRunner Cable
·Comcast

Re: Much ado...

I can't say for sure... but I *THINK* Linksys started this open-source firmware movement. If I am wrong, by all means correct me.

Also, I *THINK* some of those models listed in the link for OpenWRT didn't originally run linux based/open source firmware; merely, they had the same hardware design (radio chips, etc) as the Linksys...

Someone correct me if I am wrong.
macmouse
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Saratoga, CA

Re: Much ado...

If I recall correctly, linksys used Open-source components inside of their product secretly, and released the product without providing the source code. One day, someone was fiddling with it and discovered that it had GPL code in it (copyright notice??) and GNU(?) and made a big lawsuit over it.

Then, linksys reluctantly released their (modified) source code, which then allows people to make their own firmware. They didn't intentionally make it so people could modify their firmware but it just ended up that way. If nobody noticed then there would be no third-party firmwares.

pog
Premium
join:2004-06-03
Kihei, HI

Re: Much ado...

Yeah, that's right. I guess what I mean is that, while it may be a shame that Linksys is closing things up in their shop, it certainly doesn't seem to be an end for hobbyists/enthusiasts.
severach

join:2002-09-12
Jackson, MI

Open was a life saver

What Linksys doesn't understand is that their product line was total crap until "open" happened. I constantly remove Linksys routers and put D-Link in their place because Linksys is a non stop source of problems. D-Link is a nonstop source of reliability.

Thanks to "open" I almost bought one. Cisco is ensuring that no good deed goes unpunished.

epsilon9090
Lost Is Amazing
Premium
join:2002-07-29
Rochester, MI

Sveasoft is gone

Sveasoft's assistance developer just left, so we can probably count on their future Belkin firmwares to fail.

The belkin f5d7230-4 is actually a pretty decent router if only it had wireless client capabilities.
--
»funnydump.blogspot.com - Funny and cool media from around the internet.
vincentfox

join:2003-03-18
Davis, CA

Re: Sveasoft is gone

THis thread seems to mix up G and GS units in places.

The latest model of G is the v5 and it does suck.

The latest model of GS is the v4 and it works great.

I have always bought the GS units anyways, double the flash and RAM space for an extra $10 is well worth it. I have a dozen WRT54GS units in a community WiFi network. You have no worries if you stick with GS units.

There has already been much talk about this on »www.linksysinfo.org/

NotGS

@shawcable.net

Re: Sveasoft is gone

yes infact it is not the more expensive wrt54(GS) being effected its the wrt54(G) v5 thats total crap

Sveasoft_

@telia.com

quote:
Sveasoft's assistance developer just left, so we can probably count on their future Belkin firmwares to fail.
The reason for the split had nothing to do with firmware development. Wolf has had much else to do the last few months and very little time left for development efforts.

He wasn't invloved in any of the Belkin development. The Belkin development is receiving more focus due to Linksys/Cisco dropping Linux support in several new product lines. The main issue is that Belkin changes the internal hardware much more often than Linksys and there are many, many variations to support.

If you want to help out and have subscribed apply to our test group. We are collecting the internal chipset data, RAM, flash, and nvram parameters from Belkin owners so we can support as many Belkin variations as possible.

sveasoft-



Re: Sveasoft is gone

Sveasoft_
If you want to help out and have subscribed apply to our test group. We are collecting the internal chipset data, RAM, flash, and nvram parameters from Belkin owners so we can support as many Belkin variations as possible.
;
;
;

So one has to pay $20 to be a beta tester.. awesome!
Forums » More on WRT54GS Success (Now with 70% more failure!)page: 1 · 2


Tuesday, 02-Dec 22:31:32 Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Hosting by www.nac.net - DSL,Hosting & Co-lo | feedback | contact
over 9 years online! © 1999-2008 dslreports.com.republican-creole