{mosgoogle}Setup & Wireless Performance

Setting up the Linksys WRT54GC was a piece of cake. Anyone who has ever setup a wireless router will feel right at home with this router. Just plug the broadband input the blue internet port, plug in your computer or laptop into any of the four Ethernet ports and power up. Right off the bat, you should be able to go on the net if your broadband internet is working. However, if this is the first time using the Linksys WRT54GC, you will want to log into the router to change the default password and set security settings. You will need to connect directly to the router using a NIC cable to do this. Once everything is set, you're free to remove the cable and use the wireless.

When connected directly to the router using the Ethernet ports, both LAN to WAN and WAN to LAN speed were measured at about 47Mbits per second. Not quite the 100Mbit/sec but a good performance neither the less. Wireless performance without the optional high gain antenna was superb for such a small router. I measured wireless speed at 24.5Mbits/sec with my notebook right next to the router, dropping to 23.5Mbit/sec when I moved 15 feet away. Speed dropped to 20.5Mbit/sec when I went into the next room and there was a wall for the signal to go though. Basically this means you'll be able to enjoy very fast wireless speed in your hotel room and your friends in the next room will enjoy very good performance as well.

Overall, I am very impressed with the Linksys WRT54GC. What Linksys did was nothing short of amazing - they took their full blown wireless router and shrunk it into something that will fits the palm of your hand. If you're looking for a really small full feature wireless router, the Linksys WRT54GC is a very good choice. I'll be taking it with me for my next trip.

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