Why does the Linksys WRT54G router REQUIRE a hostname when it's never used?

Question

Why does the Linksys WRT54G REQUIRE a hostname when it's never used?
I can't find a single use for the router hostname, yet the Linksys WRT54G version 5 firmware v1.00.6 wireless router REQUIRES a hostname, even though nothing actually uses that hostname.
Why does the router require a hostname (why can't we just leave that field blank)?

Answer 1

Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2007
To: [email protected]
From: "Debbie Hurley"
Subject: "Unnecessary Router Name Requirement" bug in WRT54G V5
This is to report a bug in the "Setup", "Basic Setup"
tab, "Router Name" field
(https://10.2.18.20/basic.htm) in the otherwise
wonderful Linksys WRT54G V5 wireless router (firmware
revision 1.02.0).
As you are aware, a router is a security and privacy
device; as such, it should not require identifying
information if that identifying information is not
needed nor used by the user or their ISP.
Such is the case with the "router name" field.
In the case of the "Unnecessary Router Name
Requirement" bug, I am reporting to you (and to the
associated Linksys forums at forums.linksys.com) the
Router Name field should NOT be required. It should be
an option to leave the Router Name field blank.
The fact that the router name field MUST exist
(whether or not it is actually used or desired), is an
obvious security and privacy flaw in the otherwise
wonderful Linksys WRT54G router. Please fix this bug.
Thank you very much,
D. Hurley
(Mod note: Post has been edited for non-compliance of forum guidelines.)
Message Edited by primus on 07-08-2007 11:13 PM
Message Edited by primus on 07-08-2007 11:14 PM