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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."

7 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. 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.

  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. 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.

  4. 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. 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
  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.