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Linksys WRT54G drops Linux

Posted by CowboyNeal on

avorobiev writes "WiFi Planet is running a story on all the advantages of Linux-based firmware for the Linksys WRT54G router. Little do they know that as of v.5 of the router Linksys dropped Linux and switched to VxWorks. And yes, they crippled the hardware (halved the RAM) so that third-party firmware can not be installed anymore."

11 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. Understandable by Kawahee · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Although it might not be too popular an idea, it's logical considering that Linksys doesn't want their $60 dollar router to be a $600 dollar one (Article: "The story of the Linksys Wireless-G Router (model WRT54G) and how you can turn a $60 router into a $600 router is a little bit CSI and a little bit Freaks & Geeks.") so that people are forced to buy their more expensive products.

    If I'm right, I don't know where the article got "It's also the story of how the open source movement can produce a win-win scenario for both consumers and commercial vendors", because I haven't seen too many commercial vendors 'win' from allowing people with enough expertise to convert their routers to the next level and lose them money.

    Just my two cents.

    --
    I'll subscribe to Slashdot when I see a month without a dupe, a typo, or an article the "editors" didn't read.
    1. Re:Understandable by Eivind · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Depends -- Linksys could have gone the other direction and started delivering the more feature-rich OS-firmware by default (or as an option). This would allow them to sell what you call "a $600 router" for $60.

      They are not the only router-manufacturer. It is offcourse true that Linksys would rather you buy an expensive router from then than a cheap one. But on the other hand it's also true they would rather you buy a cheap router from then than an expensive one from their competition.

    2. Re:Understandable by benjamindees · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Of course Linux was a win for Linksys. It's just that they were bought out by Cisco.

      Linksys was in the hardware business, so Open Source was good for them. Cisco is in the "enterprise pixie dust" business, so Open Source is bad for them.

      Overall, though, Open Source is good for users, which is all that really matters.

      --
      "I assumed blithely that there were no elves out there in the darkness"
    3. Re:Understandable by DrSkwid · · Score: 4, Informative

      You do know that Cisco bought out Linksys?

      --
      There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  2. So what? There is still a Linux flavoured product. by Narkov · · Score: 4, Informative

    Great article research. Linksys will/have released a Linux version and labled the packaging "Open Source". Here's the FCC information on the Linux device.

  3. WRT54GL by spiralscratch · · Score: 3, Informative

    Linksys is also coming out with the WRT54GL, which appears to simply be the WRT54G v4 hardware relabeled.

    The Italian Linksys site shows it (bring babelfish), but the US site does not yet, except for their GPL Code Center.

    More in this forum thread.

  4. Competition by adderofaspyre · · Score: 3, Informative

    There are many manufacturers out there that sell linux enabled routers. Linksys might lose a lot of sales over this move.

    1. Re:Competition by adderofaspyre · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Most of the people I know do care. They are usually tech people, and others who have no clue about IT get their advice from rest of us who care.

  5. Crippled? by Urkki · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "And yes, they crippled the hardware (halved the RAM) so that third-party firmware can not be installed anymore."

    Uh... Saving on components after replacing the OS with something that doesn't need as much memory is hardly "crippling". Hinting that they should have more RAM than they need is a bit... detached from harsh business reality.

  6. Lots of alternatives! by PastaAnta · · Score: 4, Informative

    There are lots of alternatives to the Linksys routers. A detailed list of routers compatible with the OpenWrt firmware can be found here.

    I have just bought a cheap ASUS WL-500g Deluxe router with two USB 2.0 ports, which can be used with storage devices, printers, webcams etc. With USB ports the possibilities are endless! Linksys seem to have been a bit slow to realise this anyway.

    --
  7. Re:How do I tell on the retail box if it's v5? by michaelredux · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'm going out to buy either a 54G or a 54GS this week, specifically so I can install something that is capable of bandwidth shaping certain IPs in my network, and so obviously I need to make sure I have the right firmware and hardware spec.

    The first 4 digits in the serial number (look on the box or the underside of the router) represent the hardware revision:
    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

    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

    (Source: http://wrt-wiki.bsr-clan.de/index.php?title=DD-WRT _Docu_(EN))

    As far as I know, the GS version still runs Linux, although it is typically $20 more.

    I used the information above to find the last WRT54G v4.0 on the shelf, mixed in with the newer v.5's at my local Office Depot.