LINKSYS Wireless-G Broadband Router Model WRT54G v.3

Circa 2004

Use Case:

Designed to connect multiple computers to a single cable or DSL broadband internet connection. Key uses included:

• Internet Sharing: It acts as a residential gateway, sharing one internet connection via both wireless (802.11b/g) and wired connections.

• Networking: It features a built-in 4-port 10/100 Ethernet switch for creating a local wired network and sharing resources like printers or files.

• Security: It provides basic firewall protection using Network Address Translation (NAT) and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), along with WEP and WPA/WPA2 wireless security encryption options.

Historical Significance:

Considered a landmark device in networking history. Its historical significance stems from an accidental, yet crucial, detail:

• Open-Source Revolution: LINKSY used a Linux-based firmware in early versions (including v3), which, due to the GNU General Public License (GPL), forced them to release the source code in July 2003.

• Community Development: This open-sourcing sparked a massive community of developers who created popular custom firmwares like DD-WRT, OpenWrt, and Tomato. These firmwares unlocked advanced features (e.g., VPN servers, increased range) not available in the stock software, effectively turning a $60 consumer router into a device with $600 professional capabilities, and creating an enduring legacy.

• Accessibility: Its reliability, low price, and ease of use, combined with the open-source potential, made home networking accessible to the mass market and influenced the design of future consumer routers.

(H-5cm x W-18.5cm x D-20cm)