Flashing Linksys WRT54G router

Nikesh · 31-01-2007, 16:48

I have a Linksys WRT54G v5 router and I would like to flash it, but don't know where to start. I have been looking at different firmware and I quite like the look of DD-WRT. Has anyone used this? Is it any good? Is there any better firmware than that? Or is it just better to stick with the original Linksys firmware?

Yesterday I was having a look at wrtrouters.com which looked really helpful but now I can't get onto the site. Can someone try to see if they can get onto it? Thanks.

I've also had a look at the DD-WRT website but don't have a clue which version to download and what to do. Please can someone help me?

Thank you.

morrk · 31-01-2007, 19:59

I have used the DD-WRT firmware quite a lot over the last year or so and must admit it has many more featues than the Linksys standard firmware, but I have to say I have encountered problems with my wireless connection stability when using it.
I tend to try it when a new version is released but always end up back on stock firmware.

If you are intending to use it though, the lite version should more than suffice for the vast majority od users. If you don't like it then just go back to what you using previously.

This is a good place for you to start with that v5 mate.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...rsion_5_WRT54G

Nikesh · 31-01-2007, 20:12

Thanks for that link mate. I was just on that website when you posted it lol

Are using a v5 router?

I've finally managed to get onto the wrtrouters website and I'm slightly worried because it says:

"If you have a WRT54GS version 4 or higher or a WRT54G version 5 or higher you cannot upgrade beyond Linksys."

Here's the link from where I found that quote. Is this true or can you put DD-WRT on a WRT45Gv5 router?

Morrk, what type of problems did you have with the wireless? I don't want it to bugger it up because I use wireless all the time.

Edit: Will this work?

morrk · 31-01-2007, 20:23

Linksys WRT54G 5.0 is reported as being supported within the hwsupport.txt file found here.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads.php

Is the router still under warranty ?

Nikesh · 31-01-2007, 20:31

Thanks again Morrk.

No, the router isn't in warranty anymore so I don't want to break it lol

I think I will have a go at flashing it at the weekend.

morrk · 31-01-2007, 20:39

Is there any reason as to why you want it flashed?

Wicked_and_Crazy · 31-01-2007, 20:44

I also use the DD-WRT, however i only use it as i want my router to act as a VPN server.

My advice would be if your router currently does all you need it to do then LEAVE IT ALONE!!

Nikesh · 31-01-2007, 21:20

Morrk: No, there isn't really a reason why I want it flashed. I have just been hearing lots about DD-WRT, so I thought I would try it out and see what it's like.

Wicked_and_Crazy: Yeah, after reading the instructions on how to flash it I'm thinking it would be better to just leave it alone now lol.

What extra features do you get with DD-WRT apart from it looking better?

EssDee · 31-01-2007, 21:27

Nikesh

I have flashed my WRT54G with DD-WRT v23 SP2 micro. I had reliability issues prior to this (dropouts, etc) that have disappeared since I took the plunge. DD-WRT also adds heaps more configuration options, the most useful for me being the ability to change the signal power ouput of the router. My network clients now have a better consistent signal available to them.

I used the guide at

http://www.wrtrouters.com/guides/upgradetolinux/

and found it easy to follow. It also has direct links to all of the downloads you need.

Other useful info available at

http://www.bitsum.com/openwiking/owb...?WRT54G5%5FCFE

http://www.scorpiontek.org/portal/content/view/27/36/

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...er_Information

HTH

Cheers

Nikesh · 31-01-2007, 21:33

Thanks, that guide looks a lot easier to follow.

How much can you change the signal power? Does this mean I will get a better signal from further away?

Wicked_and_Crazy · 31-01-2007, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikesh

What extra features do you get with DD-WRT apart from it looking better?

Far too many to even think about.

I used it because i have a NAS drive that i wanted to be able to access remotely and therefore i needed to be able to setup a VPN connection to my LAN. The WRT54GS only supports VPN passthough out of the box and as my NAS doesnt support VPN termination and i dont want to have to have a PC switched on it seemed like a good idea to get the router to do it for me. This way i can VPN onto my LAN, connect to the drive and it bursts into life. When i discoonect fron the LAN the drive hibernates again.

---------- Post added at 21:37 ---------- Previous post was at 21:37 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikesh

Thanks, that guide looks a lot easier to follow.

How much can you change the signal power? Does this mean I will get a better signal from further away?

yes it does and your range will be increased. However your router will get hotter too

EssDee · 31-01-2007, 21:41

From the built in help file of the firmware

'Xmit Power - This value ranges from 1 - 251 mw, default value is 28mw. A safe increase of up to 70 would be suitable for most users. Higher power settings are not recommended for users due to excess heat generated by the radio chipset, which can affect the life of the router.'

You are right, it helps improve distance constraints. On a previous Linksys (v1) I owned, I turned up the power and noticed I could pick up my router at the top of the street (using the 'tools of the trade' as my job entails network security)! It's trial and error until you find a level that does the job. As long as the security is configured appropriately then the extra 'reach' should not be an issue. Unless I'm one of your neighbours.......

Nikesh · 01-02-2007, 13:01

Woah, that's good. I hardly get wireless from my garden let alone from the end of my street! Before I put DD-WRT on my router, is it legal to increase the wireless power?

Gareth · 01-02-2007, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikesh

Woah, that's good. I hardly get wireless from my garden let alone from the end of my street! Before I put DD-WRT on my router, is it legal to increase the wireless power?

Absolutely

I'm another dd-wrt user, although I have it installed on the WRT54GL version of the router, as I couldn't find anywhere that still stocked the early versions of the WRT54G, and Linksys have been reducing the amount of flash memory on the more recent models, which impacts what you can install on them (as you seem to have discovered).

DD-WRT is much better, imo. One of the changes that affects me is the fix to the bug for bit torrent users (legal stuff only, of course!), whereby the number of valid connections wasn't properly maintained. This could bring my router down quite easily, when I was running the Linksys firmware.

The ability to change power settings is also a nice-to-have, but luckily I've not had to really use it yet (I've only got a small house

) The firewall is great too!

I want to start playing around with some of the VoIP and the RADIUS stuff too, when I've got time... just cause they're there

Also, there's talk of future versions of dd-wrt enabling you to have multiple SSIDs... imagine the fun you can have with that

Nikesh · 01-02-2007, 20:13

Thanks Gareth your post was very helpful. The power signal boost is going to be the most useful thing for me and I have started to use torrents.

Multiple SSIDs never even thought that would be possible!

Thanks again everyone that replied. I will probably flash it with DD-WRT on Saturday. If you don't see me on here after Saturday, my router isn't working.

---------- Post added at 20:13 ---------- Previous post was at 18:16 ----------

Hey guys, guess what? I couldn't wait till Saturday so I took the plunge and flashed it. I have to say, it was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

Had a quick look at DD-WRT firmware and I have to say I'm really impressed with it. I can't ever imagine going back to the default Linksys firmware.

I turned the power signal to 50, will have to test it out tomorrow.

I want to thank everyone again for helping me. Couldn't of done it without you guys.