Introduction
The router that started it all, the WRT54G. In 2003, Columbia Law School Professor Eben Moglen sued Linksys to get them to release their Linux source code. They released it without a fight and continue release their source code to the public. It didn't take long to realize what could be done with the source. The OpenWRT group and Sveasoft were among the first to release updates for the WRT54G. The popularity of the WRT54G boomed. Linux and Router gurus soon took notice of the WRT54G. Today, WRT54Gs are used worldwide, many running third-party firmware. Shortly after Linksys released the first version of the WRT54G, they were bought by Cisco. Since then, many versions of the WRT54G have followed. In late 2005, Linksys switched the WRT54G to a non-Linux based operating system. This upset many in the community. Luckily, Linksys released the WRT54GL just for those who like to upgrade their routers.
Hardware Revisions
| Version | Serial | CPU Speed | RAM | Flash | Notes |
| 1.0 | CDF0 CDF1 |
125Mhz | 16MB | 4MB | The only version with a mini-PCI wireless card and only version released when Linksys was not owned by Cisco. Also, the only to have 20 LEDs and to have a 5V DC power supply. |
| 1.1 | CDF2 CDF3 |
125Mhz | 16MB | 4MB | Same as 1.0, except now the wireless card is integrated and front LEDs were reduced to only 8. |
| 2.0 | CDF5 | 200Mhz | 16MB | 4MB | Same as 1.1, except for an updated motherboard and faster CPU. |
| 2.2 | CDF7 | 200Mhz | 16MB | 4MB | Switched chipset from ADMtek 6996L to Broadcom BCM5325EKQM. |
| 3.0 | CDF8 | 200Mhz | 16MB | 4MB | Same as 2.2, except a Cisco switch was added. Linksys later used this for "SecureEasySetup" |
| 4.0 | CDFA | 200Mhz | 16MB | 4MB | - |
| 5.0 | CDFB CDFC |
200Mhz | 8MB | 2MB | Switched from Linux OS to VxWorks OS. Cut RAM and Flash in half. |
| 6.0 | CDFD | 200Mhz | 8MB | 2MB | - |
Firmware
Download firmware for the WRT54G
Third-Party Firmware Compatibility:
Version 1-4: Yes
Version 5+: DD-WRT Micro Only
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