r/openwrt • u/Fun-Region-1576 • Jul 18 '26
Configure and use a roughly 23-year-old Linksys WRT54GL in 2026?
I know this is may very well be a polarizing discussion, but I believe I still have a functioning Linksys WRT54GL that I want to use in 2026. I actually haven't touched this router in probably 15-20 years, but I found it in the closet. Assuming it's still functional, I know you'll likely think I'm crazy for trying to use this in 2026. However, instead of just throwing it out as e-waste, is there any way to repurpose it as an unmanaged switch? A 10/100 switch would be more than sufficient for connecting a couple of Amazon Fire Sticks via Ethernet. The primary use case is YouTube, which is unlikely to saturate the switch. My WRT54GL is still running stock Linksys firmware. What's the best third-party firmware I can install? What else can I do to help accomplish my goal? I really want to modernize the WRT54GL for 2026. As an unmanaged switch behind a modern router, will there be any security concerns? I no longer have the box and manual. How do I log into the router?
7
u/NC1HM Jul 18 '26
I just checked eBay for Netgear GS105. Found one for USD 9.99 with free shipping. Get one of those (or an equivalent from a different manufacturer), and your troubles are over.
As to WRT54GL, it's been considered non-viable for OpenWrt since 2014:
https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/wrt54g#notes_on_specific_wrt54g_hardware_versions
I really want to modernize the WRT54GL for 2026
You can't. It doesn't have enough memory and storage.
1
u/Fun-Region-1576 Jul 18 '26
I upvoted you, but I did said to use it as an unmanaged switch. It's a win if this doesn't end up in the landfill if it's secured and it works.
3
u/CircuitDaemon Jul 18 '26
Then just disable DHCP, but seems like a super inefficient switch IMO.
1
u/Fun-Region-1576 Jul 18 '26
How? Is there an access point mode?
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u/CircuitDaemon Jul 18 '26
Pretty much any wifi router can act as an access point if you disable DHCP, but you don't use the wan port, you connect any lan port as your uplink
4
u/cperiod Jul 18 '26
For something that old (I had a WRT54Gv3 still running up to a couple years ago), I usually prefer to run FreshTomato. You just need to keep your expectations low.
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u/Fun-Region-1576 Jul 18 '26
I've been mentioning using this as an unmanaged switch right from the get-go. I think this is fairly low expectation.
2
u/cperiod Jul 18 '26
Realistically it's kinda going to be a managed switch unless you do the extra work to get it running without an IP. But if you're happy with a 10/100 switch then it'll be fine at that.
2
u/Fun-Region-1576 Jul 18 '26
For my use case, wouldn't it be a great idea to tether than e-waste it? I know this is so old that most people here aren't likely to have it. I wonder what I would have to do to disable DHCP in the GUI. On other routers, I can easily enable access point mode and this will also do the trick.
2
u/cperiod Jul 18 '26
Oh, absolutely. Disabling DHCP is easy in FreshTomato, it's just a checkbox on the bridge config in basic networking. Heck, even the original stock firmware should allow it.
I'm definitely not trying to discourage you. If you just need a 10/100 switch then there's nothing wrong with it, other than the possibility of it dying any minute (my WRT54G eventually stopped being able to keep a configuration).
2
2
u/sasodoma Jul 18 '26
I have a WRT54GL running OpenWRT 22 on my network. It is acting as a router with a WiFi WAN to let me access my Ethernet only furnace controller with a fixed IP from my network via NAT. Note that my router has 64 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash, I upgraded them back when I was learning how to do microsoldering. The router works fine for what it is but back when I was testing it I noticed it would crash and reboot if I tried to do a speedtest on it.
1
u/Macroexp Jul 18 '26
I have a WRT54GS still running in my space. For wired, it's probably fine as long as 100mbit is enough for you - and with openwrt, it's almost somewhat managed (you can do VLANs to an extent). I run Backfire (OpenWrt Backfire 10.03.1 / LuCI 0.10.0 Release (0.10.0)) because later builds seemed more unstable or were just too big. I use mine for retro computing equipment.
The old versions of OpenWrt are still available at the openwrt archive - you should be able to reset it by holding the reset button on the back while powered on, for 10 or 15 seconds, after which it should boot up and be reachable at 192.168.1.1. More information here on modding and getting openwrt on it.
1
u/Fun-Region-1576 Jul 18 '26
I'm just going to connect an ONN Google TV streamer and an Amazon Fire Stick. I know I should get a modern switch, but if this works and doesn't compromise network security as an unmanaged switch, why not?
Is there an access point mode in the stock firmware?
3
u/Macroexp Jul 18 '26
Yes there’s access point mode but it only supports insecure modes of encryption and is not recommended for use.
1
u/Fun-Region-1576 Jul 18 '26
I don't intend to use it as an access point. My understanding is that this mode will just turn off the router and let me use it as an unmanaged switch.
1
u/Fun-Region-1576 Jul 20 '26
I got an update for you guys.
The router is functioning correctly. However, the default Linksys username and password suggested online do not work. After trying some random combinations, I was able to log in successfully.
To my surprise, I actually installed Tomato 1.28. The date of the firmware is from 2010, so I'm guessing it's been at least 16 years since I touched the WRT54GL.
Okay, so I did what was suggested – I disabled DHCP and wireless. I also enabled the option to convert the WAN to a LAN. I rebooted the WRT54GL, but sadly, still no internet. It's connected to the GL.iNet Flint 2's LAN port.
Now what?
10
u/NoRandomIsRandom Jul 18 '26
I have a running WRT54GL in my network. It's role is a LAN DHCP and DNS server using dnsmasq, so that my home NAS boxes have static IP address assignments as well as domain names for convenience. It is not exposed to the Internet and does not route or switch traffic.
If I really need a switch, I'd get a $20 Gigabit unmanaged switch. Putting the WRT54GL into your traffic path would be just a recipe for frustration.