Linksys routers explained

Linksys manufactures a series of network routers. Many models are shipped with Linux-based firmware and can run third-party firmware. The first model to support third-party firmware was the very popular Linksys WRT54G series.

The Linksys WRT160N/WRT310N series is the successor to the WRT54G series of routers from Linksys. The main difference is the draft 802.11n wireless interface, providing a maximum speed of 270 Mbit/s over the wireless network when used with other 802.11n devices.

Specifications and versions

BEFW11S4

Linksys' first series of wireless routers.

The Linksys BEFW11S4 is a Wi-Fi capable residential gateway from Linksys. The device is capable of sharing Internet connections among several computers via 802.3 Ethernet and 802.11b wireless data links. With only 1 MB of flash storage and 4 MB of RAM, no third party replacement firmware is compatible with it.

WRT54G series

See main article: Linksys WRT54G series.

The Linksys WRT54G and variants WRT54GS, WRT54GL, and WRTSL54GS are Wi-Fi capable residential gateways from Linksys. The device is capable of sharing Internet connections among several computers via 802.3 Ethernet and 802.11b/g wireless data links.

The WRT54GL as well as most (but not all) of the other variants in this series, are capable of running Linux-based third-party firmware for added features. Supported software includes Tomato, OpenWrt, and DD-WRT

WRT100

802.11g MIMO router with 100 Mbit/s switches

WRT110

802.11g MIMO router with 100 Mbit/s switches

WRT120N

150 Mbit/s N router, but not as fast as real N speeds, with 100 Mbit/s switches

WRT150N

802.11n "draft" MIMO router with 100 Mbit/s switches.[2]

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4704 chip rev. 9 @ 266 MHz16 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCQ60Sveasoft firmware supports the WRT150N. DD-WRT flashable
1.1Broadcom BCM4704 chip rev. 9 @ 266 MHz[3] 16 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCQ61Sveasoft firmware supports the WRT150N. DD-WRT flashable

WRT160N

802.11n "draft" MIMO router with 100 Mbit/s switches.[4] The E1000 and Cisco Valet M10 replaced this model.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4704 @ 266 MHz32 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCSE0DD-WRT Flashable. OpenWRT has legacy support for this router.
1.1Broadcom BCM4704 rev 9 @ 266 MHz16 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCSE0DD-WRT supports with v24 RC-7 (2008-04-24). OpenWRT has legacy support for this router.[5]
2.0Ralink RT2880F @ 266 MHz16 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCSE1DD-WRT currently does not support with this model. Linux also drivers for Ralink chips are still in development due to licensing issues.
Firmware 2.0.02 build 11 for these routers is reported to have problems with resolving DNS for wired and wireless clients. Either revert to 2.0.02 build 8 or up to 2.0.03 build 7[6] This may be a result of the reduced RAM.
3.0Broadcom BCM4716 @ 300 MHz32 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCSE2-CSE5DD-WRT supports this version with v24 sp2 – build 13253
Firmware 3.0.02 Build 4 for these routers is reported to have problems with resolving DNS for wired and wireless clients.
Firmware 3.0.03 Build 3 was released to resolve DNS issues.

WRT160NL

802.11n "draft" MIMO router with 100 Mbit/s switches. Has a Linux-based OS, external antenna, and USB port for network storage.[7] The E2100L replaced this model.

WRT300N

802.11n "draft" MIMO router with 100 Mbit/s switches. Base model for all the others listed below.[8]

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4704 r9 @ 264 MHz32  MB4 MB2.4 GHzCNP0Wireless NIC is a Broadcom Cardbus card with Broadcom BCM4321 Chipset (look Like Linksys WPC300n). The switch is a Broadcom BCM5325 FKQMG. Sveasoft firmware supports the WRT300N. Supports DD-WRT v24 RC-6 (12/29/2007) Standard and newer. Maintained IP Address[9] and many other settings on flash.
1.1Broadcom BCM4785 rev 2 at 300 MHz32 MB8 MB2.4 GHzCNP1Has an integrated radio (Broadcom BCM4321) instead of the CardBus card. DD-WRT custom firmware supports this router [10]
2.0Intel IXP420 @ 266 MHz16 MB4 MB2.4 GHzSNP0It has a Marvell 88E6060 switch chip. The wireless is a mini-PCI card with ar5416 MAC. Runs Linux out of the box. Supported by OpenWrt.

WRT310N

Similar to WRT350N with a Gigabit Ethernet switch, hardware crypto acceleration for IPSec, SSL, and WPA/WPA2. The WRT310N has an integrated wireless chipset rather than the external PC Card adapter found on the WRT350N.[11] The Cisco Valet Plus M20 replaced this model.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4785 @ 300 MHz32 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCSF0Uses a Broadcom BCM4705 High-Performance 802.11n/MIMO Intensi-fi GbE Processor, Broadcom BCM4321 Draft 11n Baseband/MAC, Broadcom BCM2055 2.4 GHz Intensi-fi draft 11n radio and Broadcom BCM5397 5 port gigabit switch.

Supported by DD-WRT starting with v24 build 9526. Can be upgraded to DD-WRT.[12] [13]

2.0Broadcom BCM4716 @ 300 MHz32 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCSF1Supported by DD-WRT starting with K26 build 13594. Can be upgraded to DD-WRT.[14]

WRT320N

802.11n "draft" MIMO router with a gigabit switch and non-simultaneous dual-band. The E2000 replaced this model. Due to the hardware being very similar, it is possible to upgrade the WRT320N to an E2000 by replacing the CFE.[15]

WRT330N

Based on a different platform, but also has a Gigabit Ethernet switch according to the product specifications listed on the manufacturers website.[16]

WRT350N

Similar to WRT300N, but with a Gigabit Ethernet switch, hardware crypto acceleration for IPSec, SSL, and WPA/WPA2, and a USB 2.0 port for connecting a hard drive or flash-based USB storage devices directly to your network to share music, video, or data files.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4785 r2/Broadcom BCM4705 @ 300 MHz32 MB8 MB2.4 GHzCNQ0The router is compatible with DD-WRT (First compatible in V24) and OpenWrt (First compatible in 8.09RC1). Sveasoft firmware supports this hardware. Wireless Chipset Broadcom BCM4321 and Broadcom BCM2055 Switch 4 Port LAN Network 10/100/1000 Mbit/s with Broadcom BCM5397KFBG. Supported by DD-WRT.
2.0Marvell 88F5181 @ 500 MHz32 MB8 MB2.4 GHzSNQ0This version has the fastest speed among low-end Linksys routers. However, Linksys has released only small portions of GPL code for developers.Not supported by DD-WRT.[17]
Supported (unofficially) by OpenWrt Support for Marvell 88F5xx81 based routers
2.1Marvell 88F5181 @ 500 MHz32 MB8 MB2.4 GHzSNQ1

WRT400N

A simultaneous dual-band non-gigabit model.

WRT600N

A simultaneous dual-band gigabit model. It looks like WRT350N including USB 2.0 storage link except that the WRT600N is black.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4705 @ 300 MHz32 MB8 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHzANR0Sveasoft firmware supports the WRT600N. Works with DD-WRT. FCC ID: Q87-WRT600NV1
1.1Broadcom BCM4785r2 @ 300 MHz32 MB8 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHzMNR0Sveasoft firmware supports the WRT600N. Works with DD-WRT, version v1.1 has a new switch. OpenWRT version 14.07 and later support this hardware version. FCC ID: Q87-WRT600NV11

WRT610N

A simultaneous dual-band gigabit model. The hardware is more integrated than the WRT600N and has no external antennas. The E3000 replaced this model.A special system menu can be accessed by browsing to http://ip_address_of_wrt610n/System.asp.″Vista Premium" (ability to turn off 6to4) and EGHN (Entertainment Grade Home Network = Linksys/Cisco UPnP QoS solution) can be configured in this page.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4705 @ 300 MHz64 MB8 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHzCTG0Sveasoft firmware supports the WRT610N. Supported by DD-WRT, check router database.
2.0Broadcom BCM4718 @ 480 MHz64 MB8 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHzCTG1FCC ID: Q87-WRT610NV2

Firmware download [ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/others/eko/V24-K26/svn13364/ here:|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Version 2.0's second radio works in N's 5 GHz band only, not the 2.4 GHz band. Supported by DD-WRT, check [http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database router database].|}

WRT1200AC

The WRT1200AC is a dual band router inspired by its big brother the WRT1900AC.

WRT1900AC

The WRT1900AC is a dual band router inspired by the original WRT54G iconic blue/black stackable form factor.[20]

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixExternal portsNotes
1.0Marvell Armada XP MV78230 1.2 GHz256 MB128 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz600 Mbit/s, 1,300 Mbit/s13J1
  • 1× USB 3.0 port
  • 1× eSATA/USB 2.0 port
  • Advertised as Open Source Support*
  • 4 External Antennas
  • 3 Spatial Streams
2.0Marvell Armada 385 88F6820 1.33 GHz512 MB[21] 128 MB13J2 – unreliable
  • 1× USB 3.0 port
  • 1× eSATA/USB 2.0 port
  • Advertised as Open Source Support*
  • Same hardware as WRT1200AC except WiFi
  • 4 External Antennas
  • 3 Spatial Streams
  • The WRT1900AC router is advertised as "Open Source ready", and "Developed for use with OpenWRT."[22] However, there did not exist any open source firmware for the WRT1900AC at the time the product was launched, although Linksys/Marvell recently released updated Wi-Fi drivers in 2015....[23] which has allowed OpenWRT to release new open source firmware images.[24]

WRT1900ACS

The WRT1900ACS was released 8. October 2015. It looks identical to the WRT1900AC, but has a 1.6 GHz dual core CPU (Same CPU as WRT1200AC/WRT1900AC v2, but overclocked to 1.6 GHz). Like the WRT1900AC v2, it has 512 MB of RAM.In January 2016, DD-WRT became available for the WRT1900ACS, as well as both versions of the WRT1900AC.

WRT3200ACM

This is a faster replacement of the WRT1900AC, but the 1900AC model can still be found. It has Tri-Stream 160 technology doubles bandwidth and the fastest dual-band of any router. MU-MIMO technology to multiple devices all at the same time, same speed. It is open-source ready with OpenWrt and DD-WRT®. Compatible with Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app to manage Wi-Fi from a mobile device. Specs refresh include a 256 MB Flash and 512 MB of RAM Memory.

WRT32X 3200ACM Gaming Router

The WRT32X 3200ACM has identical hardware to the WRT3200ACM but includes the Rivet Networks Killer Prioritization Engine which identifies systems equipped with Killer Network LAN hardware. Powered by a dual-core 1.8 GHz CPU with 256 MB of flash memory and 512 MB of DDR3 memory it is capable of speeds of up to 600 Mbit/s on 2.4 GHz band and 2600 Mbit/s on the 5 GHz band.

E800

A single-band non-gigabit model.

E900

A single-band non-gigabit model.

E1000

A single-band non-gigabit model that replaced the WRT160N. The E1000 v1 shares the same hardware as the Cisco Valet M10 v1.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4716 @ 300 MHz32 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCVN0FCC ID: Q87-E1000Supported by DD-WRT starting at build 15279

Tomato supported by all mods/forks based on Tomato.

2.0Broadcom BCM5357 @ 300 MHz32 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCVN1FCC ID: Q87-E1000V2Supported by DD-WRT starting at build 16758
2.1Broadcom BCM5357 @ 300 MHz32 MB4 MB2.4 GHzCVN2FCC ID: Q87-E1000V21Supported by DD-WRT starting at build 16968

E1200

A single-band non-gigabit model.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM5357 @ 300 MHz32 MB4 MB2.4 GHz 2×21081FCC ID: Q87-E1200
2.0Broadcom BCM5357 @ 300 MHz32 MB8 MB2.4 GHz 2×21082FCC ID: Q87-E1200V2

E1500

A single-band non-gigabit model.

E1550

A single-band non-gigabit model with USB storage link.

E1700

A single-band 4 port gigabit model.

E2000

A non-simultaneous dual-band gigabit model that replaced the WRT320N.

E2100L

A single-band non-gigabit model (with 2 external antennas and USB storage link) that replaced the WRT160NL.

E2500

A simultaneous dual-band non-gigabit model.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM5358U @ 300 MHz64 MB8 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz10A1FCC ID: Q87-E2500

Supported by Tomato RAF, Toastman and Shibby

2.0Broadcom BCM5358U @ 300 MHz64 MB8 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz10A2Supported by Tomato RAF, Toastman, and Shibby
3.0Broadcom BCM5358U64 MB16 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz10A3Includes USB port

E3000

A simultaneous dual-band gigabit model that replaced the WRT610N. Similar to its predecessor, a special system menu can be accessed by browsing to http://ip_address_of_e3000/System.asp which displays a detailed system status page and allows administrators to disable/enable "Vista Premium" and the "Parental Control Status".

E3200

A simultaneous dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link.

E4200

A three-stream simultaneous dual-band gigabit model targeted for "high performance wireless entertainment",[25] with a rated maximum throughput of 450 Mbit/s. This model also includes a USB port for storage, UPnP media streaming or a print server.

The E4200 also marks the first radical change in the design of the Linksys series since Cisco launched the winged "spaceship" design first seen on the WRT400N. The E4200 features a minimalistic, streamlined design with only a white status LED visible on the top. All traffic activity LEDs and buttons have been relocated to the rear of the device.

A special system menu can be accessed by browsing to http://ip_address_of_e4200/System.asp. This menu shows all kinds of system statistics and settings. No settings can be changed from this menu. This is only found in the original version, and not available in the v2 model.

The E4200V2 has a Marvell 88W8366/88W8063 wireless chipset.

In previous Tomato builds (a popular 3rd-party firmware for Linksys routers), only the 2.4 GHz radio was properly supported. However, simultaneous dual-band radio can now be achieved using Tomato RAF, Tomato Shibby and Tomato Toastman's builds.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4718 @ 480 MHz64 MB16 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz300 Mbit/s, 450 Mbit/s01C10CFCC ID: Q87-E4200

Supported by DD-WRT as of build 16785

Tomato supported. TomatoUSB Tomato RAF Toastman Shibby

2.0Marvell F6101AW @ 1.2 GHz128 MB128 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz450 Mbit/s, 450 Mbit/s01C106, 01C116, 01C136, 01C156Fully supported by OpenWRT

EA2700

A dual-band gigabit model. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

EA3500

A dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

EA4500

A dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixNotes
1.0Marvell F6W01A1E @ 1.2 GHz128 MB128 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz450 Mbit/s, 450 Mbit/s12A1Identical hardware to the E4200v2. Supported by OpenWrt, can run Debian natively.
3.0QCA9558 @ 720 MHz128 MB128 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz450 Mbit/s, 450 Mbit/s12A1Cisco logo on cover was changed to Linksys logo

EA6100

An 802.11ac dual-band model with USB storage link

EA6200

An 802.11ac (advertised as AC900, actually AC1200) dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

EA6300

An 802.11ac (AC1200) dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

EA6350

An 802.11ac (AC1200) dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

EA6400

An 802.11ac (AC1600) dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

EA6500

An 802.11ac (AC1750) dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixUSB portsNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4706 @ 600 MHz128 MB128 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz450 Mbit/s, 1,300 Mbit/s12N12× USB 2.0DD-WRT can be flashed with an experimental build.
2.0Broadcom BCM4708@ 800 MHz dual-core256 MB128 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz450 Mbit/s, 1,300 Mbit/s12N21× USB 3.0, 1× USB 2.0DD-WRT can be flashed with build r23598, Supported by Tomato starting at Tomato-ARM v129 from Shibby

EA6700

An 802.11ac (AC1750) dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

EA6900

An 802.11ac (AC1900) dual-band gigabit model with USB storage link. App enabled with Linksys Smart WiFi.

VersionCPU speedRAMFlash memoryRadioS/N prefixUSB portsNotes
1.0Broadcom BCM4708@ 800 MHz dual-core256 MB128 MB2.4 GHz, 5 GHz600 Mbit/s, 1,300 Mbit/s13H101× USB 3.0, 1× USB 2.0DDWRT (beta) installable since December 2013(to first flash use older rev due to size limitation), Supported by Tomato starting at Tomato-ARM v129 from Shibby
1.113H111× USB 3.0, 1× USB 2.0

EA8300

An 802.11ac (AC2200) MU-MIMO, tri-band, 'Max-Stream' gigabit model with USB 3.0 storage link. Browser-based setup or Linksys App.

E8350

An 802.11ac (AC2400) dual-band MU-MIMO gigabit router.

EA8500

An 802.11ac (AC2600) dual-band MU-MIMO gigabit router.

EA9200

An 802.11ac (AC3200) tri-band MU-MIMO gigabit router.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DD-WRT Forum :: View topic - LINKSYS WRT100. www.dd-wrt.com.
  2. Web site: Linksys . www.linksys.com . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070503005823/http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1166859512401&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=1240139789B01 . 3 May 2007 . dead.
  3. Web site: SmallNetBuilder - Small Network Help - Slideshow: Linksys WRT150N Wireless-N Home Router. https://web.archive.org/web/20090201122628/http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30352/187/1/4/. dead. 1 February 2009. 1 February 2009.
  4. Web site: Linksys . www.linksys.com . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080105142603/http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1175239516849&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=1684939789B01 . 5 January 2008 . dead.
  5. Web site: wrt160n-notes - snipes4202. sites.google.com.
  6. Web site: WRT160N DNS Issues. 1 December 2008.
  7. Web site: Linksys Site USA - Linksys - Wireless Routers, Range Extenders and IP Cameras. Linksys.
  8. Web site: Linksys WRT300N [OpenWrt Wiki]]. wiki.openwrt.org. 29 March 2018.
  9. Web site: Tech Foogle. What is an IP Address? In-Depth. 2019.
  10. Web site: DD-WRT Forum :: View topic - WRT300N v1.1 - Now supported! - See page 15. www.dd-wrt.com.
  11. Web site: Linksys . www.linksys.com . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080105142605/http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1175239525280&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=2528039789B02 . 5 January 2008 . dead.
  12. Web site: Linksys WRT310N v1.0 - DD-WRT Wiki. www.dd-wrt.com.
  13. Web site: DD-WRT and the WRT310N: A how-to « GregLedet.net. https://web.archive.org/web/20110723141606/http://www.gregledet.net/?p=341. dead. 23 July 2011. 23 July 2011.
  14. Web site: Linksys WRT310N v2.0 - DD-WRT Wiki. www.dd-wrt.com.
  15. http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=76924 Converting a WRT320N into E2000
  16. Web site: Linksys . www.linksys.com . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070115052901/http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1166859632665&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper . 15 January 2007 . dead.
  17. Web site: Linksys WRT350N - DD-WRT Wiki . Dd-wrt.com . 2018-01-08 . 2018-06-19.
  18. Web site: Inside Story: Linksys by Cisco WRT400N, WRT320N, WET610N - SmallNetBuilder. Tim. Higgins. www.smallnetbuilder.com. 5 March 2009 .
  19. Web site: DD-WRT Forum :: View topic - Linksys WRT400N Support. www.dd-wrt.com.
  20. Web site: Linksys WRT revolutionizes wireless networking with next generation router.
  21. Web site: Re: WRT1900AC V2. 22 May 2015.
  22. Web site: Linksys Site USA - Linksys - Wireless Routers, Range Extenders and IP Cameras. Linksys.
  23. Web site: CES 2015: Linksys 1200AC, an inexpensive, open-source 802.11ac Wi-Fi router - ZDNet. Steven J.. Vaughan-Nichols. ZDNet.
  24. Web site: Linksys WRT AC Series [OpenWrt Wiki]]. wiki.openwrt.org.
  25. Web site: Linksys E4200 - Maximum Performance Wireless N Router - Cisco Home Products Store . homestore.cisco.com . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110123020750/http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Routers/Linksys-E4200-MaximumPerformance-Wirelessn-router_stcVVproductId122703236VVcatId551966VVviewprod.htm . 23 January 2011 . dead.
  26. Web site: Linksys Cisco EA2700 Serial Dump/CFE ect ect. . 13 November 2013.