Linksys WRT54G routers

Broadband Hamnet WRT54G Router Model Shopping Guide

Broadband Hamnet Router Shopping Guide

WRT54G information courtesy Wikipedia.org 11/2012, Versions in shaded area are not usable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G

Consider printing this and keeping a copy handy to evaluate used equipment

Warning: There are a number of router models made by linksys with confusingly similar names.
Check the model name carefully. If it has a suffix or added letters in the middle, check the broadband-
hamnet.org web site to see if it's compatible.

Keep on the lookout for Rogers WRT54G-RG or T-Mobile WRT54G-TM routers as they are the same as the WRT54GS. The vtun tunneling needs the extra flash/memory of the GS to work. More info about the RG and TM can be found at

http://www.broadband-hamnet.org/hsmm-mesh-forums/view-postlist/forum-21-ontario-canada/topic-1477-wrt54g-rg-and-wrt54g-tm-linksys-routers.html

Simplified shopping list:

WRT54G Series

Higher numbered versions of each model are not compatible with Broadband-Hamnet™ firmware.

Detailed model information:

WRT54G

Linksys Default Passwords (Updated October 2015)

Linksys Model	Default Username	Default Password	Default IP Address
BEFCMUH4	[none]	admin	192.168.0.1
BEFDSR41W	admin	admin	192.168.1.1
BEFN2PS4	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
BEFSR11	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
BEFSR41	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
BEFSR41W	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
BEFSR81	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
BEFSRU31	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
BEFSX41	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
BEFVP41	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
BEFW11P1	[none]	[none]	192.168.1.1
BEFW11S4	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
E1000	[none]	admin	192.168.1.1
E1200	admin	admin	192.168.1.1

Linksys WRT54G Firmware & Manual Links

The latest firmware available for the WRT54G is available on the Linksys WRT54G Downloads page.

Important: Be sure to download the firmware that matches the hardware version of your WRT54G router! The hardware version number can be found on the bottom of your router.

Here's a direct link to the Linksys WRT54G Manual, which is PDF format.

Everything else you could possibly want to know about your router can be found on its support page on Linksys' website: Linksys WRT54G Support.

Can't Access the WRT54G Router

If 192.168.1.1 isn't the IP address that's configured for the router, it's less of an issue than if the default password isn't correct.
Assuming the Linksys WRT54G you have has been working as your router, you probably have several devices that have been connecting to it.

Find one of those devices and check the IP address configured as the default gateway.

Not sure how to do that? See How to Find the Default Gateway IP Address for instructions in Windows.

Linksys default password

Most Linksys brand routers have a default password of admin and a default IP address of 192.168.1.1 but some differ, as you can see in the table below.

Important: Once in, don't forget to change the default router password from admin to something more secure.

Linksys Default Data Above Doesn't Work

You really only have one choice when your Linksys device's default password or default username has been changed and you don't know what they are: reset the device to factory defaults.

For most Linksys devices, a factory reset is as easy as pressing and holding the tiny Reset button for at least 10 seconds (30 seconds on older models) and then unplugging and plugging back in the device.

If that doesn't work, check your router or other device's manual where you'll find specific advice for that Linksys model. You can find your device's manual in PDF format from Linksys Support.

A factory reset will also return the IP address that's configured for your Linksys device back to 192.168.1.1, or whatever the default may be, but doing so could cause problems.

If your Linksys router's IP address is all you're after, please know that it's also almost always the same as the default gateway that's configured for your computers and other devices that connect to it.

What to Do If the WRT54G Default Password Won't Work

If the default password on your Linksys WRT54G has ever been changed then the default password won't work. It doesn't stick around as a "backup" password or anything like that.

Your best bet in this case is to reset your WRT54G router to its factory default settings.

Here's how:

Turn around the WRT54G so you have access to the back of the router.
Hold down the Reset button. You may need to use a pen or other small, pointy object.
Release the reset button after holding it for at least 30 seconds.
Unplug the WRT54G for a few seconds and then plug it back in.
Wait 60 seconds, giving the router time to boot up.
Connect the WRT54G router to your computer via a network cable.
Connect to the router via http://192.168.1.1/ and enter the default password of admin.
Change the default router password from admin to something more secure. Be sure to take note of the password this time!

You'll need to setup the wireless network again, plus reconfigure any other settings you had set before.