Netgear WGR614 Wireless-G Router

The NETGEAR WGR614 54 Mbps 802.11g Wireless Router offers: 802.11g wireless network router for home and office. Four RJ-45 Ethernet ports for wired networking. Configurable network security including double firewall for extra protection.

The WGR614 offers speeds up to 54 Mbps with the 802.11g wireless standard. View larger.

The WGR614 makes it easy for even a novice to set up a wireless network: just plug the included Ethernet cable from your internet connection into the router and insert the included CD into any computer on the network, which will provide step-by-step instructions. The WGR614 employs a web-based interface for configuration, and the router will automatically do the initial setup by getting your DNS settings and determining your IP address. The firmware is also upgradeable via the web interface so you can be sure your router will always be up-to-date.

Fast and Secure
Supporting the 802.11g standard, the NETGEAR WGR614 offers wireless data speeds of up to 54 Mbps, making it possible to share a broadband internet connection, stream music without hiccups, watch videos with less load time, and videoconference without problems. Downloading files is up to five times faster than it was with 802.11b. If you still have computers that use 802.11b, don't fret as the router is backwards compatible with the older wireless standard and can be set so all your computers can connect to the network and the WGR614 will automatically figure out the connection type and work accordingly.

In addition to wireless access, there are four 10/100 Mbps RJ-45 Ethernet ports in the back for connecting computers to the network via a faster, wired connection.

The WGR614 offers many security options to ensure your data is private. Double firewall protection keeps your network shielded from outside attacks. To ensure the security of your wireless data, both 40/64-bit, 128-bit, and 152-bit (802.11g only) WEP encryption is available, as well as WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). You can also use MAC address authentication to allow only authorized users onto the network.

Keep Tabs on Kids
This router is an especially good choice for parents as it allows settings to log all sites that are visited, lets you block specific sites based on whether it contains specific keywords, and lets you set time schedules for certain computers to work.

The NETGEAR WGR614 54 Mbps 802.11g Wireless Router is backed by a 1-year warranty.

What's in the Box
WGR614 54 Mbps 802.11g Wireless Router, power adapter, Ethernet cable, setup CD, vertical stand, warranty/support information card.

WORKS GREAT... As soon as my desktop PC booted into Windows XP, I was connected to the Internet through my Road Runner cable connection (my PC was connected to the router via cable; the router, of course, was connected to the cable modem). Laptop connection was almost as easy. I did download the most recent firmware (1102) from Netgear's web site to make the router 100% compatible with the 802.11g specs and to be able to block broadcast of SSID (the upgrade also fixed some minor problems): http://www.netgear.com/support/support_dnld.asp?prodNum=WGR614

LOOKS GREAT... The picture doesn't do it justice, nor will anything I can say. I have the router sitting vertically in its stand. The side LEDs face me. They are clearly marked, lit (or blinking) icons. Thin and elegant.

I was torn between Linksys and Netgear. I still respect Linksys, but I am glad that I bought Netgear.


Outstanding   June 27, 2003
nokia6230 (Jackson, NJ USA)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

I was torn between this and the Linksys WRT54G. I read some of the reviews and the Linksys seemed unstable and had a lot of complaints (having to download a patch wasn't in my agenda). Also, the linksys seemed too big and bulky. I was going to go for the Link because I thought bigger was better and since it was more expensive, would perform better.

I finally settled for this and the Netgear WG511 Wireless 54g PC Card because it was cheaper and had lesser complaints. Plus, it was a lot smaller.

Installation with WinME was a breeze and I couldn't be happier. (Took no more than 15 minutes) I thought it was going to be a hassle but it wasn't. I think having optimum online was part of it (no need to configure ISPs and domain names). The bulk of the 15 mins was the restart and plugging all the cables in.

The range for my laptop is excellent. 78% signal strength and the wireless router base is upstairs (I'm in the basement) and two rooms to the right.

Now I can surf anywhere in the house!

Oh, and here's the kicker... you know how big and bulky that linksys looks? This one has a stand so you can stand it up. If I had seen that, I would've bought this the first day that I had looked at it.

First electronic purchase that I didn't regret.


Works great with Mac OS X   February 11, 2004
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

I bought this router so that I could make use of my high-speed access (DSL) throughout the house. Set-up and configuration were a snap, although the default configuration is not very secure, and you will definitely want to do things like change the admin password, enable MAC authentication and WPA encryption, and so on. With my Ti Powerbook G4 I get great reception throughout my house (which is old and has thick walls). I also have a first-generation iMac and an old Laserwriter connected to the router by Ethernet, so both computers can reach the internet and I can print wirelessly from the Powerbook. Very nice, and much, much cheaper than Apple's Airport Extreme base station. Highly recommended.


One of the better Routers   April 9, 2005
AA (USA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I started my quest to set up a wireless network at home with my Dell laptop and a Belkin F5D7230-4 router. The experience was painful and time consuming and ended up with me throwing the Belkin router into trash (Belkin's tech support told me that their routers are incompatible with Intel Centrino chips! I wonder what they are doing in wireless market then).
This is when I talked to my friends and almost everybody suggested Linksys or Netgear. A local Fry's store was selling Netgear WGR614 at discounted prices during a sale. I jumped on it.
To rate any router, one has to comment on its 3 "S", setup, specs and security. I have done quite a bit of research and below is my report on these.

SETUP: Took me less than 5 minutes to complete the setup. Only thing I had to do was to connect all the cables and turn the power on. Then choose a SSID, password, provide your connection information (depending upon what type of internet connection you have) and voila! I had a wireless network up and running.

SPECIFICATIONS: It supports both 108.11b and g networking. Weighs about half a lb. and is small (7"x1"x4.5") Mine is silver and looks so cool that I don't mind putting it on my tv!

SECURITY: Netgear router not only provides wireless network for your home but also protects it. It has a strong firewall to insulate your home machines for malicious hacker attacks like Denial Of Service, or attempts to access your machine from internet. It can also help you manage the content being accessed (if you have kids, this is a great feature). It allows remote management too and you can get the logs emailed to you.

I had to do almost no other maintenance in last 6 months that I have owned this router. It has a decent range. I can go to a park across the street and still access my network.
For 95% of us, this is enough.
I cannot comment on Netgear's customer service since I have never used it and I hope I won't have too!

In conclusion, I believe most known brands like Linksys and D-Link may also have some good routers. But you still have to make sure that the one you buy works for your laptop and your home (for example, according to Belkin's customer service their wireless routers are incompatible with Centrino chips.)
Netgear has worked great for me and I am sure it will work well for you too.
It is being sold for a great price right now, so go and grab yours. You won't be disappointed.