Newr versions-Lower specs-Why is that?

Hi All

I'm looking to buy a used Linksys router (WRT54GS) but looking at the table
below from wiki,
the newer the version, the less impressive the specs look. Am I missing
something here!
Usually in the pc market the later hardware versions usually up the specs!

*As I'm new to wireless could someone please inform me of why that is?...(is
it a case of flash and ram memory overkill, and unnecessary!)
*Also important, what in your opinion is the version to go with for my use.
It would be a great help for my limited knowledge as this info
has thrown a spanner int the works for me. I usually would have got the
latest version but now I'm unsure of what Ver to go for.

T.I.A.

(Intended network)...4 bed semi.
2X Desktop PC's upstairs
1X Desktop PC downstairs (Kids...optional)
1X Laptop roaming
File sharing/Printer/music & video streaming.

(Pasted from) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G#WRT54GS

Version CPU speed RAM Flash memory S/N Prefix Notes
1.0 200 MHz 32 MB 8 MB CGN0
CGN1 Added SpeedBooster technology (Broadcom Afterburner technology),
claims to boost the throughput of 802.11g by 30% (for maximum boost needs
SpeedBooster technology on the other side, but will boost standard 802.11g
as well)
1.1 200 MHz 32 MB 8 MB CGN2 Chipset changed from ADMtek 6996L to
Broadcom BCM5325EKQM.
2.0 216 MHz 32 MB 8 MB CGN3 10 LED Front Panel (two new ones behind
Cisco logo button). Also capable of SecureEasySetup, but use of the logo
button and lighting of the new LEDs behind it requires firmware upgrade.
2.1 216 MHz 32 MB 8 MB CGN4 Radio chip is changed from BCM2050 to
BCM2050KML.
3.0 200 MHz 32 MB 8 MB CGN5 Use System-on-Chip: processor, MAC, and
switching are handled by Broadcom BCM5352EKBP.
4.0 200 MHz 16 MB 4 MB CGN6 Reduced RAM & Flash
5.0 200 MHz 16 MB 2 MB CGN7 Uses VxWorks OS and reduced Flash Memory;
not compatible with most 3rd party firmware.
5.1 200 MHz 16 MB 2 MB CGN8
6.0 200 MHz 16 MB 2 MB CGN9
7.0 240 MHz 16 MB 2 MB CGNA
CGNB Broadcom BCM5354KFBG Chipset


--
Regards
p.mc

WinXp Pro Sp2
P5N32-E SLI+
2GB RAM
Pentium C2Duo
Nvidia GeForce GTX8800
Creative GIGAWorks G550 Wireless
SoundBlaster X-Fi

"p.mc" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>I'm looking to buy a used Linksys router (WRT54GS) but looking at the table
>below from wiki,
>the newer the version, the less impressive the specs look. Am I missing
>something here!

Yep. If they can provide the same functions with a smaller memory
footprint, it will save a few pennies on the product price, and
enhance the bottom line. Give the choice of more "impressive"
internals, versus a lower priced product, which would you choose?



--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "p.mc" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>
>>I'm looking to buy a used Linksys router (WRT54GS) but looking at the
>>table
>>below from wiki,
>>the newer the version, the less impressive the specs look. Am I missing
>>something here!
>
> Yep. If they can provide the same functions with a smaller memory
> footprint, it will save a few pennies on the product price, and
> enhance the bottom line. Give the choice of more "impressive"
> internals, versus a lower priced product, which would you choose?
>
>
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Hi Jeff

I suppose I was asking if the extra memory enhanced the network. If so I
would gladly pay extra.
I was comparing it to a PC, where more memory does enhance perfomance.
But as you said more ram 'n' flash memory is not required, then I'm ok to go
with,

V.07...16MB RAM...2MB FLASH Memory
(Rather than)
V.01...32MB RAM...8MB FLASH Memory

--
Regards
p.mc

WinXp Pro Sp2
P5N32-E SLI+
2GB RAM
Pentium C2Duo
Nvidia GeForce GTX8800
Creative GIGAWorks G550 Wireless
SoundBlaster X-Fi

"p.mc" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
>> "p.mc" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>>
>>>I'm looking to buy a used Linksys router (WRT54GS) but looking at the
>>>table
>>>below from wiki,
>>>the newer the version, the less impressive the specs look. Am I missing
>>>something here!
>>
>> Yep. If they can provide the same functions with a smaller memory
>> footprint, it will save a few pennies on the product price, and
>> enhance the bottom line. Give the choice of more "impressive"
>> internals, versus a lower priced product, which would you choose?

>I suppose I was asking if the extra memory enhanced the network. If so I
>would gladly pay extra.
>I was comparing it to a PC, where more memory does enhance perfomance.
>But as you said more ram 'n' flash memory is not required, then I'm ok to go
>with,
>
>V.07...16MB RAM...2MB FLASH Memory
>(Rather than)
>V.01...32MB RAM...8MB FLASH Memory

There are various terms for the later units having less RAM, none of
them complimentary. I wasn't joking about the pennies. The cheapest
addition to modern electronics is RAM. Once you have sufficient RAM,
features get added in software, instead of hardware. For example,
instead of saving a few pennies, Linksys could have added an internal
RADIUS server, or larger MAC address table space so it could handle a
larger number of simultaneous wireless client. It's also much easier
to write firmware code if one does not need to cram everything into an
artificially insufficient memory footprint. One thing for sure...
Linksys marketing does not understand how their wireless products are
being used. At the least, all the alternative firmware development
projects should have given Linksys a clue as to what direction their
product should be going. It's apparently done the opposite.

I have no inside information on what Linksys was thinking when they
turned the very popular and versatile WRT54G into an insipid piece of
memory limited commodity junk. In marketing, we call it "pissing in
the soup". The customer will never know the difference. Maybe Cisco
considers the Linksys WRT54G competition for some yet un-announced
Cisco product. Dunno.



--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "p.mc" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
>> "p.mc" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>>
>>>I'm looking to buy a used Linksys router (WRT54GS) but looking at the
>>>table
>>>below from wiki,
>>>the newer the version, the less impressive the specs look. Am I missing
>>>something here!
>>
>> Yep. If they can provide the same functions with a smaller memory
>> footprint, it will save a few pennies on the product price, and
>> enhance the bottom line. Give the choice of more "impressive"
>> internals, versus a lower priced product, which would you choose?
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
>> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
>> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
>> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
>
>Hi Jeff
>
>I suppose I was asking if the extra memory enhanced the network. If so I
>would gladly pay extra.
>I was comparing it to a PC, where more memory does enhance perfomance.
>But as you said more ram 'n' flash memory is not required, then I'm ok to go
>with,
>
>V.07...16MB RAM...2MB FLASH Memory
>(Rather than)
>V.01...32MB RAM...8MB FLASH Memory
>

You are a very small minority in today's market place. Most customers
prefer to save on the purchase price.

fundamentalism, fundamentally wrong.

(E-Mail Removed) (Rico) wrote in
news:HhF6j.22646$(E-Mail Removed):

> You are a very small minority in today's market place. Most customers
> prefer to save on the purchase price.
>

While this is generally true, it all depends on the product.

I'll spend the extra $$ for Michelob over Budweiser anyday.

But, a local drug store chain has recently dropped the price of 12 packs of
OV in bottles to $4.99, so that's what I usually go for.

(That reminds me of a story from way back. A couple of us were partying at
another friends house and we ran out of beer at like 1AM. Being poor as
teenagers are, we were only able to scrape together about $5.00. There was
a supermarket that was still open almost directly across the street. Being
underage, we sent our friends mother to the store for us to get the beer.
She came back with a 12 pack of Schaeffer...........and change !!!!!)

(Jeff wrote)
> I have no inside information on what Linksys was thinking when they
> turned the very popular and versatile WRT54G into an insipid piece of
> memory limited commodity junk.
> --
> Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Hi Jeff

You seem to know a fair bit on the subject. I know there's pros and cons to
different set ups, but could in your opinion give us a maker and model etc
for my requirements, money no issue. I'm not bothered about the latest this
'n' that if it's all hype, rather something stable and reliable to suit. Or
just a push in the right direction.

(Intended network)...4 bed semi. (ADSL Broadband)
2X Desktop PC's upstairs win xp's
1X Desktop PC downstairs (Kids...optional) win xp
1X Laptop roaming win xp
File sharing/Printer/music & video streaming.

Other subcribers please feel free to comment, apologies for sounding a bit
biased, your comments have been extremely helpfull also.

--
Regards
p.mc

"p.mc" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>You seem to know a fair bit on the subject. I know there's pros and cons to
>different set ups, but could in your opinion give us a maker and model etc
>for my requirements, money no issue. I'm not bothered about the latest this
>'n' that if it's all hype, rather something stable and reliable to suit. Or
>just a push in the right direction.

Can I pass? Several excuses, err... reasons.
1. It takes quite a bit of time to scribble out my favorite system of
the month. Yes, it changes roughly monthly.
2. If money really isn't an issue, you would not believe how
expensive I can make a wireless system. For example, one of the
wireless switches should set you back about $4,000 to start plus about
$300-$500 per access point.
3. Nobody takes my advice anyway.
4. I have some conflicts of interest with clients. I therefore avoid
making specific hardware recommendations.
5. I only fix wireless systems. I don't sell them. There are
probably users that buy, plug, play, and never have a problem, but I
don't see those.
6. I have no real clue as to your application, usage patterns,
bandwidth requirements, and expectations. Just listing the connected
hardware is unsufficient to size the system. Same with topology and
building construction.

>(Intended network)...4 bed semi. (ADSL Broadband)
>2X Desktop PC's upstairs win xp's
>1X Desktop PC downstairs (Kids...optional) win xp
>1X Laptop roaming win xp
>File sharing/Printer/music & video streaming.
>
>Other subcribers please feel free to comment, apologies for sounding a bit
>biased, your comments have been extremely helpfull also.

Thanks, but I'm trying to answer the questions that the sales and
support people normally don't (or can't) answer. I really don't want
to get into system sales and configuration.

In general, just get something that does 802.11g to 54Mbits/sec. You
won't get stability or reliability from the commodity vendors
(Linksys, Netgear, Belkin, Dlink, etc). Look at hardware from Cisco,
3com, Sonicwall, and the various wireless switch vendors.

If possible, buy seperate boxes for the DSL modem, for the ethernet
router, and for the wireless access point(s). This will be useful as
the wireless technology changes rapidly and anything you buy today is
sure to be obsolete in a year or two.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> If possible, buy seperate boxes for the DSL modem, for the ethernet
> router, and for the wireless access point(s). This will be useful as
> the wireless technology changes rapidly and anything you buy today is
> sure to be obsolete in a year or two.

And to minimize a single point failure turning into a
multiple point FUBAR.

Thats why I buy four separate radio cards in four separate weatherproof
boxes for my access point, when I could save money and get four radios
in one box. Better to take one failed segment down instead of the whole
tower site.

DTC <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>> If possible, buy seperate boxes for the DSL modem, for the ethernet
>> router, and for the wireless access point(s). This will be useful as
>> the wireless technology changes rapidly and anything you buy today is
>> sure to be obsolete in a year or two.

>And to minimize a single point failure turning into a
>multiple point FUBAR.

Well, there's "reliability" and there is "$RELIABILITY$". The latter
costs more. I tend to look at such things as MMTR (mean time to
repair). It's often easier to have a spare handy, than to purchase
the ultimate in quality and protection. A spare (live) radio is often
cheaper than a pull and replace service call.

Of couse, there's a distinction between mission critical and consumer
grade. The unit of measure is the number of phone calls a failure
generates. A consumer grade failure will generate exactly one irate
phone call. A mission critical WISP failure, can easily generate 100
irate phone calls. Think of the selection of hardware, software,
topology, spares, backup, and theft proofing as an exercise in keeping
the phone from ringing. When the phone stops ringing, you've
succeeded.

>Thats why I buy four separate radio cards in four separate weatherproof
>boxes for my access point, when I could save money and get four radios
>in one box. Better to take one failed segment down instead of the whole
>tower site.

That's also why I don't do towers any more. Somehow, even the
smallest failure seems to ocurr a the most inconvenient time, and in
incliment weather. I like the idea of seperate boxes, but most of the
tower companies charge by the box making plastering the tower with
boxes somewhat expensive. They also charge by the antenna, which
inspired one local WISP to invest in a 3 port BPF/diplexer so he could
run 3 radios on one antenna (on different channels).

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558