settings for Linskys wrt54gl

Hi everyone,

I just bought the linksys wrt54gl router and I wanted to know what the optimal settings are for this router. I want to have my notebook computer and my exbox 360 connected to it. the notebook will be connected wirelessly and the xbox 360 will have a wired connection. i am using comast cable internet at home. obviously i would like it set up so preference is given to gaming. i play WoW often on my notebook and Halo 2 multiplayer on my xbox 360.

i would graetly appreciate any help you can give me because i have very limited experience with setting up a home network

 

My suggestions are IMHO. Others will offer other ideas.

If you want optimal speed/range, then firstly update your firmware to the most recent version.

If you don't need any security, don't use it, but I'd suggest MAC filtering. I don't use any other form of security (WEP/WPA) other than the MAC blocking...

 

Thanks for the info. i'll do that

 

Always setup Security WPA for wireless. Any sniffer pickups the MAC address of all hardware. This is included in the header packet. So mac filter is the same as NO security in my book. Run a copy of NetStumbler and see for your self. Now if you live in area that has 5 ac lots you probably don't need it if you have a private drive and set back away from public access. But is someone is looking to get in, and see a unsecured network you are high on the list. If your using it at that time you just gave them the MAC address to get in.

I would load the rr-wrt firmware, This firmware is more suited to heavy use. You can try firmware that came with the router. To give priority to your gaming you will need to activate QoS.

 

Well that would make me the "others" than.
I strongly recommend you use MAC filtering, SSID broadcast disabled and WPA2 Personal with AES.

You may have some problems with online gaming as Linksys WRT54GL and old Linux types used to track lost connections for 3600s if I remember correctly.
That can make your P2P, Skype and online gaming lag.

If that happens use DD-WRT firmware where, among others, there is a setting that allows you to set for how long the router will track TCP and UDP connections. Reasonable time is 20/30s.

 

If you are just going to use it mainly for gaming, there should be no need for hardcore security settings. Just use some type of encryption to prevent other people from "borrowing" your connection & causing lag. GL

 

AES encryption is hardware based in radio chip so it doesn't put any extra load on the router and doesn't affect performance when gaming.
Don't make it sound like choosing WPA2 over WEP is some hardcore tweak.

 

I want to flash the firmware using DD-WRT. Do i use the micro, mini or standard file with the Linksys wrt54GL

 

WRT54G/GS (old ones) that are identical to WRT54GL should be initially flashed with mini version so it's safe to assume that so should WRT54GL.

As for firmware versions- remember that the bigger the firmware the more features it contains and less RAM remains free. With 16MB RAM on WRT54GL you don't have too much to waste, so do not install "standard" or "VoIP" versions if you don't really need them. I found "mini" version to be suitable and I ain't just a casual user. My router had custom cooling and was overclocked

 

I will do that. Thanks for the info