Linksys WRT54G series

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Linksys WRT54G (and variants WRT54GS, WRT54GL, and WRTSL54GS) is a Wi-Fi capable residential gateway from Linksys. The device is capable of sharing internet connections among several computers via 802.3 Ethernet and 802.11b/g wireless data links.

The WRT54G is notable 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 programmers to modify the firmware to change or add functionality to the device. Several third-party firmware projects provide the public with enhanced firmware for the WRT54G. See Third party firmware projects.

Contents 1 WRT54G 2 Hardware and revisions 2.1 WRT54GS 2.2 WRT54GL 2.3 WRTSL54GS 2.4 WRT54GX 2.5 WRT54GP2 and WRTP54G 2.6 WRT54GX2 2.7 WRT54GX4 2.8 WRT51AB 2.9 WRT55AG 2.10 WTR54GS 2.11 WRT54G2 2.12 WRT54GS2 2.13 WRT54GC 2.14 WRT54G3G/WRT54G3GV2 Mobile Broadband router 2.15 WRT54G-TM 3 Third-party firmware projects 4 Hardware versions affect firmware compatibility 5 CPU 6 Default settings 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[edit] WRT54G

The original WRT54G was first released in December 2002. It comes with a 4+1 port network switch (the Internet/WAN port is also in the same internal network switch, but on a different VLAN). The devices have two removable antennas connected through Reverse Polarity TNC connectors. The WRT54GC router is an exception and has an internal antenna with optional external antenna. As a cost-cutting measure, the design of the latest version of the WRT54G no longer has detachable antennas or TNC connectors. Instead, version 8 routers simply route thin wires into antenna 'shells' eliminating the connector. As a result, Linksys HGA7T and similar external antennas are no longer compatible with this model.

[edit] Hardware and revisions

Linksys WRT54GS version 1.1	Linksys WRT54GL version 1.1
WRT54G version 2.0 with upgraded antennas	Linksys WRT54GX version 2

Version	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix[1]	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 (power:5Volts/2Ampere)
1.1	125 MHz	16 MB	4 MB	CDF2 CDF3	Front panel LEDs reduced to eight (one link/activity LED per port, plus one each for power, wireless, DMZ and WAN/Internet connectivity). Wireless chipset is integrated onto motherboard. (power:12Volts/1Ampere)
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). Some of these have 32 MB of RAM but are locked to 16 MB in the firmware (can be unlocked to use all RAM — see [1] (general info) and [2] (for an XB card) and [3] (for an XH card)). (power:12Volts/0.5Ampere)
2.1	216 MHz	16 MB	4 MB	CDF6	Same physical appearance as 1.1 and 2.0 models. Some of these models have 32 MB of RAM installed but have been locked to 16 MB by the manufacturer. Some models have two 16 MB MIRA P2V28S40BTP memory chips.
2.2	216 MHz	16 MB	4 MB	CDF7	Same physical appearance as 1.1 and 2.0 models. Switching chipset from ADMtek 6996L to Broadcom BCM5325EKQM. Some of these models have 32 MB of RAM installed but have been locked to 16 MB by the manufacturer. Some models have 16 MB Hynix HY5DU281622ET-J memory chips.
3.0	216 MHz	16 MB	4 MB	CDF8	Identical to 1.1 and later models, except for the CPU speed and an undocumented switch behind left front panel intended for use with a feature called "SecureEasySetup".
3.1	216 MHz	16 MB	4 MB	CDF9	The Version 3.1 hardware is essentially the same as the Version 3.0 hardware. Adds "SecureEasySetup" button.
4.0	200 MHz	16 MB	4 MB	CDFA	Broadcom BCM5352EKPB Chipset
5.0	200 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	CDFB	Broadcom BCM5352EKPB Chipset — Switched to VxWorks OS and reduced Flash Memory and RAM; not compatible with most 3rd party firmware. Then, Vxworkskiller (by bitsum.com) was created, which restores compatibility with some 3rd party firmware. Since less physical RAM is available in this and future models, the 3rd party firmware (popular opensource projects) were modified into special "micro" versions.
5.1	200 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	CDFC	Broadcom BCM5352EKPB Chipset
5.?	200 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	CDFB	Broadcom BCM5352EKBG Chipset
6.0	200 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	CDFD	Broadcom BCM5352EKBG Chipset
7.0	240 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	CDFE	Atheros AR2317 Chipset.
7.2	240 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	CDFK	Broadcom BCM5354KFBG Chipset; Samsung K4S641632K-UC75 (RAM); Samsung K801716UBC PI07 (Flash)
8.0	240 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	CDFF CDFG	Broadcom BCM5354KFBG Chipset with non-replaceable antennas. Some units come with 16 MB of RAM. VXWorksKiller works. This model is currently one of the most commonly available at US retail establishments, such as Best Buy and Target.
8.1	240 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	MDF0	FCC ID: Q87-WRT54GV81. OS is Linux, no need for Vxworkskiller.[2]
8.2	240 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	CDFJ	FCC ID: Q87-WRT54GV82. Vxworkskiller works.[3]

[edit] WRT54GS

The WRT54GS is nearly identical to WRT54G except for additional RAM, flash memory, and SpeedBooster software. Versions 1 to 3 of this router have 8MB of flash memory. Since most third parties' firmware only use up to 4MB flash, a JFFS2-based read/write filesystem can be created and used on the remaining 4MB free flash. This allows for greater flexibility of configurations and scripting, enabling this small router to both load balance multiple ADSL lines (multi homed) or to be run as a hardware layer 2 load balancer (with appropriate third party firmware).^[4]

Version	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix	Notes
1.0	200 MHz	32 MB	8 MB	CGN0 CGN1	Broadcom BCM4712KPB and ADMtek 6996L switch. Added SpeedBooster technology (Broadcom Afterburner technology), claims to boost the throughput of 802.11g by 30% (for maximum boost needs SpeedBooster technology on the other side, but will boost standard 802.11g as well). Has LEDs for Power, DMZ, WLAN, Internet, and 1-4 Ports.
1.1	200 MHz	32 MB	8 MB	CGN2	Chipset changed to Broadcom BCM4712LKFB and BCM5325EKQM switch.
2.0	216 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. Broadcom BCM4712 chip REV1 or REV 2. The flash chip on this unit is J3C120.
2.1	216 MHz	32 MB	8 MB	CGN4	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 (a very rare few have 32MB/8MB)
5.0	200 MHz	16 MB	2 MB	CGN7	Uses VxWorks OS and reduced Flash Memory; not compatible with most 3rd party firmware. Vxworkskiller (by bitsum.com) may restore ability to install 3rd party open source linux firmware for this and future versions.[5]
5.1	200 MHz	16 MB	2 MB	CGN8
6.0	200 MHz	16 MB	2 MB	CGN9	Broadcom BCM5352EKFBG Chipset
7.0	240 MHz	16 MB	2 MB	CGNA CGNB CGNC	Broadcom BCM5354KFBG Chipset. Newest Vxworkskiller works. Antennas cannot be removed. CGNB and CGNC antennas can be removed.
7.2	240 MHz	16 MB	2 MB	CGNE	FCC ID: Q87-WRT54GSV72. Antennas cannot be removed. BCM5354KFBG Chipset. Some refurbished one have EN29LV160A 16MB Flash and IS42S16800A or k4s281632IUC75 128MB Ram

[edit] WRT54GL

Linksys released the WRT54GL in 2005 to support third-party firmware based on Linux, after the original WRT54G line was switched from Linux to VxWorks, starting with version 5. The WRT54GL is technically a reissue of the version 4 WRT54G. Cisco was sued by the FSF for copyright infringement, but the case was settled.^[6]

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 OS as opposed to the VxWorks firmware. SpeedBooster is not enabled in stock firmware, however third-party firmware will enable the feature. The hardware is essentially the same as the WRT54G version 4.0. One alteration is that the internal numbering scheme of the 4-port switch changed in this model, from 1 2 3 4, to 3 2 1 0.
1.1	200 MHz	16 MB	4 MB	CL7B CL7C	As of August, 2009, this version was shipping with firmware revision 4.30.11. This pre-loaded firmware allows the user to upload a 4MB firmware image, whereas the pre-loaded firmware on version 1.0 limited the image to 3MB. Firmware version 4.30.13 is now available for both hardware versions. Fully supported by Tomato, Sveasoft, OpenWrt, and DD-WRT.

[edit] WRTSL54GS

WRTSL54GS is similar to the WRT54GS while adding additional firmware features and a USB 2.0 port (referred to as StorageLink) which can be used for a USB hard disk or flash drive.^[7]

Unlike other models, the WRTSL54GS only has one antenna.

Version	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix	Notes
1.0	264 MHz	32 MB	8 MB	CJK0	Released after the WRT54GS and WRT54GL. Uses Linux-based OS. Includes SpeedBooster support, additional firmware features, and an external USB 2.0 port (StorageLink) for network storage. Uses 8 MB of Intel TE28F640 flash with a Broadcom BCM4704KPB processor and Broadcom BCM5325FKQM Ethernet switch.
1.1	264 MHz	32 MB	8 MB	CJK11	Change from BCM4704 rev 8 to BCM4704 rev 9 unconfirmed

[edit] WRT54GX

WRT54GX comes with SRX (Speed and Range eXpansion), which uses "True MIMO" technology. It has 3 antennas and was once marketed as a 'Pre-N' router, with 8 times the speed and 3 times the range over standard 802.11g routers.^{[citation needed]}

Version	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix	Notes
1.0	266 MHz[8]	16 MB	4 MB	KBG5?	Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX. Uses the Broadcom 4704 Chipset
2.0	200 MHz	32 MB	8 MB	KIO1?	Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX. Uses the Realtek RTL8651B Chipset

[edit] WRT54GP2 and WRTP54G

WRT54GP2 has 1 or 2 antennas, and a built-in analog telephony adapter (ATA) with 2 phone lines, but only 3 network ports. "Vonage" WRTP54G has 1 antenna, 2 phone lines, 4 network ports — Same S/N Prefix

Version	Locked to	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix	Notes
EA	Engin	32 MB	8 MB	CJJ0	Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports. Uses the Sipura Chipset

[edit] WRT54GX2

WRT54GX2 has 2 antennas, and was advertised to have up to 6 times the speed and 2 times the range over standard 802.11g routers. Chipset Realtek. It is not compatible with DD-WRT [4].

[edit] WRT54GX4

WRT54GX4 has 3 moveable antennas, and is advertised to have 10 times the speed and 3 times the range of standard 802.11g routers. WRT54GX4-EU: chipset Realtek RTL8651B, radio chipset Airgo AGN303BB, flash S29GL064M90TFIR4. It does not appear to be compatible with DD-WRT [5].

[edit] WRT51AB

WRT series with 802.11a support. (First Generation)

Version	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix	Notes
1.0	125 MHz	32 MB	4 MB	MCH0	Broadcom Chipset 2 mini-PCI Slots one A one B, Switch BCM5325A2KQM, CPU BCM4702KPB

[edit] WRT55AG

WRT54G series with 802.11a support.

Version	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix	Notes
1.0	125 MHz	32 MB	4 MB	MDJ0	Broadcom BCM4710 Chipset 2 mini-PCI Slots
2.0	200 MHz	16 MB	4 MB	MDJ1	Atheros AR5001AP chipset

[edit] WTR54GS

A compact wireless travel router with SpeedBooster support, it only has 1 LAN + 1 WAN RJ-45 outputs, but has 2 wireless interfaces. It has the ability to make an unencrypted wireless connection on one interface, and share it out on the other wireless interface, or the LAN port. The default IP is 192.168.16.1.

Version	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix	Notes
1.0	200 MHz	16 MB (IC42S32400)	4 MB (29LV320ABTC)	SJH0	Broadcom BCM5350KPB2 Chipset. Supported in DD-WRT v24 RC5 builds. Has JTAG port.
2.0	200 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	SJH1	Broadcom BCM5350KPB2 Chipset. Supported in DD-WRT v24 RC5 Micro builds. Some rare models have a JTAG port, but most do not.
2.1	200 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	SJH2	Broadcom BCM5350KPB2 Chipset. Supported in DD-WRT v24 RC5 Micro builds. No JTAG port.

[edit] WRT54G2

The WRT54G2 is the newest iteration of the WRT54G in a smaller, curved black case with no external antenna. This unit has a four port 10/100 switch and one WAN port.

Version[9]	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix[1]	Notes
1.0	240 MHz	16 MB	2 MB	CSV	Hardware: BCM5354KFBG chipset with two non-replaceable internal antennas. 3rd-party firmware: Fully compatible with DD-WRT (micro, micro-plus,[10][11] and micro-plus with SSH [12] editions). Not compatible with Tomato[13] and other 3rd party firmware solutions at this time. Firmware: VxWorks FCC ID: Q87-WRT54G2V1
1.3	240 MHz	8 MB	2 MB	CSV	Hardware: Reduced system memory to 8 MB.[14] 3rd-party firmware: Currently unsupported, although DD-WRT is being actively worked on as of November 2009. Firmware: VxWorks 5.5 FCC ID: Q87-WRT54G2V13
1.5	400 MHz	16 MB (W9412G6IH)	2 MB	CSV	Hardware: Reduced to one internal antenna; switched from Broadcom to Atheros chipset (AR7240-AH1E + AR9285-AL1E http://atheros.com/pt/bulletins/AR9002AP-1SBulletin.pdf) 3rd-party firmware: Currently unsupported, although DD-WRT is being actively worked on as of November 2009.[15] FCC ID: Q87-WRT54G2V15

[edit] WRT54GS2

The WRT54GS2 is the WRT54G2 hardware with the VxWorks 5.5 Firmware including SpeedBooster. It has a sleek black design with 2 internal antennas. It includes a 4-port 10/100 switch and one 10/100 WAN port on the rear.

Version	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix	Notes
1.0	240 MHz	16 MB	2 MB	CUQ	FCC ID:Q87-WRT54G2V1 3rd-party firmware: Fully compatible with DD-WRT (micro).[16] Broadcom BCM5354KFBG

[edit] WRT54GC

WRT54GC series with 802.11b/g support. This unit has a four port 10/100 switch and one WAN port. The "C" in the router number stands for compact, as the unit measures 4" by 4" by 1" with an internal antenna. The unit can be expanded with addition of HGA7S external antenna to boost range. Hardware Version 1.0 is the only option available in the United States since introduction in 2005.

Version 2.0 is shipping in, amongst other countries, the United Kingdom. This unit has 1MB flash, 4MB RAM and a non-detachable external antenna.

The internal hardware is based on a Marvell ARM914 ("Libertas") reference design which is probably identical to the SerComm IP806SM, Xterasys XR-2407G, Abocom ARM914, Hawking HWGR54 Revision M, and the Airlink 101 AR315W. By appropriately changing the value of the firmware byte 0x26, the WRT54GC can be cross-flashed with firmware based on the same reference platform.^[17]

There are reports that a sister platform of the WRT54GC (the AR315W) has been hacked to run Linux.^[18]

[edit] WRT54G3G/WRT54G3GV2 Mobile Broadband router

A variant which has 4 Ethernet ports, 1 Internet Wired port (For DSL/Cable connections) plus a PCMCIA slot for use with a Cellular Based PC Card "aircard". The V2 model has an additional 2 USB ports for 3G modem use and 1 other USB port which has yet to be put to use.

Model	Description	Alternative Firmware
WRT54G3G	A Vodafone branded unit locked to the Vodafone network supporting GPRS, UMTS and HSDPA but can be unlocked by flashing EM/EU version firmware.	Fully Supported by OpenWRT
WRT54G3G-ST	A Sprint Wireless (USA) unit which supports CDMA 1X and EVDO rev 0,A wireless Internet.	Fully Supported by OpenWRT
WRT54G3G-AT	AT&T (USA) version of the router which supports GPRS and HSDPA(UMTS Maybe?)	Fully Supported by OpenWRT
WRT54G3G-EU	European Union version supporting GPRS, UMTS and HSDPA.	Fully Supported by OpenWRT
WRT54G3GV2-VF	A Vodafone branded unit which supports full HSDPA up to 7.2mbps and seams not to be locked to the Vodafone network (Via setting APN, User and Password manually) but does not work with all USB dongles (e.g. T-Mobile).	Partial Supported by customization of Linksys GPL code but currently unsupported by OpenWRT.

Other Cellular Providers
To use this router with other Cellular providers, you MUST use an Alternative Firmware provider. The Stock Firmware does not support Cellular Providers even though you do have the exact supported aircard. eg: Telus Mobility (CANADA) uses the Sierra Wireless Aircard 595 which is supported by this router but because it is from Telus Mobility and not from Sprint (USA), it will never load the card into the router to make it operational. This is only true for the Sprint and AT&T branded models.

[edit] WRT54G-TM

The WRT54G-TM (TM stands for T-Mobile) is also called the T-Mobile "Hotspot@Home" service. It allows calls to be made via T-Mobile's GSM network or via WiFi Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), using the same telephone and phone number (a special dual-mode phone designed for the service is required e.g. Blackberry Pearl 8120). Additionally, once a call is in progress, one may transition from WiFi to GSM (and vice versa) seamlessly, as WiFi signal comes and goes, such as when entering or exiting a home or business. A special router is not needed to use the service, but the T-Mobile branded routers are supposed to enhance the telephone's battery life. This is the only known tweak to the TM version of the firmware. The hardware appears to be like WRT54GL however has 32MB ram and 8MB flash. Upgrading to third party firmware via software is now available!. View the DD-WRT website for instructions.

The WRT54G-TM having a serial number that starts with C061 has these specifications:

• Broadcom BCM5352EKPBG CPU
• 32 MB RAM (Hynix HY5DU561622ETP-D43)
• 8 MB Flash (JS28f640)
• Uses the same BINs that the WRT54GS v3.0 does

Version	CPU speed	RAM	Flash memory	S/N Prefix	Notes
1.0 WRT54G-TM	200 MHz	32 MB	8 MB	CO61	T-Mobile Edition WRT54GS V3.0 (Renamed WRT54G-TM). Upgrading to third party firmware can be done either with a JTAG (and flashing a WRT54GL v1.1 CFE to the router) or by flashing Tornado's CFE Updater (made for the TM) through the web interface. The JTAG method is then followed by flashing the latest Linksys WRT54GL firmware to the router via TFTP then finally using the webgui to flash the third-party firmware onto the router. The CFE Updater method is followed by a simple TFTP transfer of the new third-party firmware. Putting OpenWRT onto the router is easiest by first installing DD-WRT. Then, after DD-WRT is running, use the update firmware page to place the OpenWRT image onto the router.
2.0 WRTU54G-TM	200 MHz [19]	64 MB	8 MB	QMF00H	T-Mobile Edition Model: WRTU54G-TM. This version has two RJ-11 telephone ports and two SIM card slots. The WRTU54G-TM is not supported by DD-WRT. It cannot be flashed [6].

[edit] Third-party firmware projects

After Linksys was required to release the WRT54G's firmware source code under terms of the GNU General Public License, there have been many third party projects enhancing that code as well as some entirely new projects using the hardware in these devices. Three of the most widely used are DD-WRT, Tomato and OpenWRT.

[edit] 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 2 MB, 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.)

Some users have succeeded in flashing and running a stripped down but fully functional version of DD-WRT called 'micro' on a version 5 WRT54G.^[20][21] An easier method not requiring any disassembly of the device has since been devised for flashing v5-v8 to DD-WRT.^[22][23]

To support third-party firmware, Linksys has re-released the WRT54G v4, under the new model name WRT54GL (the 'L' in this name allegedly stands for 'Linux'). It is also possible to replace the 2MB flash chip in the WRT54G with a 4MB flash chip. The Macronix International 29LV320BTC-90 is a suitable part although others may work as well. The user must first install a JTAG header and use a JTAG cable to backup the firmware,then replace the chip and restore the firmware with the JTAG cable. After testing for proper functionality of the modified unit,3rd party firmware can be flashed using the JTAG cable and a suitable image file.

[edit] CPU

According to OpenWrt,^[24] the Linksys WRT54G series use several different processors, all of them 32-bit MIPS architecture processors manufactured by Broadcom.^{[clarification needed]}

[edit] Default settings

• IP address 192.168.1.1
• Username
• Password:

[edit] See also

• Linksys Routers:
  • WRT150N/WRT300N
  • WRTP54G

• Hardware Links:
  • Asus Routers
  • Buffalo AirStation
  • USB modem

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Linksys by Cisco Website
• WRT54G Disassembly Photos
• high resolution photos of the WRT54GX V.2 chips and board
• WRT54GL Dual Wan Guide

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