Linksys WRT54GX Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX

Now you can enjoy wireless home-network access in those hard-to-reach rooms and--simultaneously--get faster networking and Internet performance, too. The WRT54GX Wireless-G broadband router from Linksys uses the company's advanced SRX (Speed and Range eXpansion) technology to enhance the speed and the reach of a Wireless-G (802.11g) network. The WRT54GX can provide faster wireless network throughput, reduce dead spots, and increase wireless range over standard Wireless-G networks.

The handy WRT54GX serves as an Internet-sharing router, a four-port 10/100 switch, and an SRX-enhanced Wireless-G access point all at once. Relative to standard 80 2.11g technology, a network using all SRX products can extend network reach up to three times as far and boost wireless network speed by up to eight times. (Actual throughput, speed, and range depend on a host of factors, from building materials to network traffic and distance from the router.)

The device is Wi-Fi-certified and backward compatible with 802.11b (Wireless-B), 802.11g (Wireless-G) and, of course, other Linksys SRX products. Mixed wireless environments such as networks containing SRX, Wireless-B, and Wireless-G products can operate each client at its own maximum data rate. SRX products maintain their higher speed and range, providing the throughput and quality of service to deliver applications such as VoIP (Internet telephony) and video streaming.

SRX is based on MIMO (multiple-in, multiple-out) technology, a key component in the upcoming Wireless-N (802.11n) standard. To improve range and speed, MIMO uses two radios and three antennas on a wireless router or client adapter.

To enhance data protection and privacy, the router can encode all wireless trans missions with WPA (Wireless Protection Access). Its powerful Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall enhances protection to all the wired and wireless PCs against intruders and most known Internet attacks while also supporting VPN passthrough. Configuration is easy using a Web-browser-based configuration utility.