Just as any other networking product designed by Linksys lately, the WRT54GR represents a 3-in-1 device packing all the technology needed to emulate an AP, network switch and router with NAT and DHCP support. Besides that, it comes with RangeBooster technology, which is a compatible add-on to standard Wireless-G designed to increase your wireless network's range up to two times.



The effective throughput will also be upped to 135% in most cases. Unlike ordinary wireless technologies that are confused by signal reflections, RangeBooster uses two smart receivers at each end to detect and decode reflected signals at distances where standard technologies give up. You'll find that "dead spots" in the wireless coverage area are reduced, too and because of that, the effective range of the AP becomes wider.



Unlike other range-enhancing technologies, RangeBooster is fully 802.11 compliant, and a "good neighbor" to other wireless devices and technologies, using a single 2.4GHz channel as specified by the official wireless standard. The WRT54GR is also capable of working in a mixed mode and because of that you will be able to pair regular and "Range Booster ready" networking modules on a single AP.



The router uses both WEP and WPA modules, which protect your data and privacy with up to 128-bit encryption. The Router can serve as a DHCP Server, has a powerful SPI firewall to protect your PCs against intruders and most known Internet attacks, and supports VPN pass-through. As always, configuring the device is really easy since it uses the same web-page menu. Price-wise, the WRT54GR is relatively inexpensive, with a MSRP of only $80.