In need of new router supporting Tomato or DD-WRT

[jimbob200521]

Ok, long story short I got the upgrade bug. I installed a new server in a back room of our house and ran a CAT6 cable to it so I could enjoy gigabit speeds; however, my existing router (WRT54G) obviously does not support gigabit. So I saw a router on woot (I know I should know better) for a good price of $35 shipped. Well, this didn't work out at all and I'm now back on my WRT54G.

So I need a new router, again. I have 4 requirements, and three are easy ones:

1) Supports gigabit
2) Supports 802.11N at least (AC is a plus but not needed)
3) Supports either Tomato firmware (preferred) or DD-WRT
4) Costs less than $100, less than $50-$60 preferred

So what can you guys throw my way that would fit the bill?

 

[Elixer]

Asus RT-n66u fits what you listed. Saw these on sale for $75 the other week or so.

 

[EXCellR8]

I like the RT-N66U, but I've owned a few and I've had some issues with them. Including one that just died for no reason.

I would shoot for the Linksys E2500 (cheaper) or TP LINK Archer C7 as alternatives.

 

[smitbret]

I like the RT-N66U, but I've owned a few and I've had some issues with them. Including one that just died for no reason.

I would shoot for the Linksys E2500 (cheaper) or TP LINK Archer C7 as alternatives.

If you use DD-WRT on an Archer C7 you will lose the 5GHz band. If you don't need AC wireless the TP-Link WDR3600 and WDR4300 are very good with D-WRT.

 

[razel]

Was the $35 one off woot one of the Linksys'? I bought the EA6200 and EA6400 about a year ago. They both fit your needs. DD-WRT, gigabit. In fact, the EA6200 for <$30 is a bargain since installing DD-WRT re-enables 866 AC. It's stock firmware limits it to 533.

Only bad thing is you must redo the heatsink mounting since they run relatively hot and they don't have power amplifiers for the antennas. That's only an issue if you have wireless range problems.

You may also want to checkout routers from Groupon and flash newegg. Groupon sometimes has the Linksys WRT AC1200 for $90. Sometimes woot has it cheaper. The best deal I saw was the ASUS RT-AC56 from flash newegg which was $50. Also for DD-WRT, the online router database NEEDS updating for newer routers. For newer routers you can check ftp buids of DD-WRT to see if you currently have support. ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2016

 

[jimbob200521]

Was the $35 one off woot one of the Linksys'? I bought the EA6200 and EA6400 about a year ago. They both fit your needs. DD-WRT, gigabit. In fact, the EA6200 for <$30 is a bargain since installing DD-WRT re-enables 866 AC. It's stock firmware limits it to 533.

Only bad thing is you must redo the heatsink mounting since they run relatively hot and they don't have power amplifiers for the antennas. That's only an issue if you have wireless range problems.

You may also want to checkout routers from Groupon and flash newegg. Groupon sometimes has the Linksys WRT AC1200 for $90. Sometimes woot has it cheaper. The best deal I saw was the ASUS RT-AC56 from flash newegg which was $50. Also for DD-WRT, the online router database NEEDS updating for newer routers. For newer routers you can check ftp buids of DD-WRT to see if you currently have support. ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2016

The router I snagged actually was the Linksys EA6200. I didn't, however, successfully get DD-WRT installed. The EA6200 isn't "offically" listed as a supported router but I found a thread that seemed to have a working firmware for it. I got as far as flashing the firmware that enables SSH. I could get logged in with SSH via Putty but it gave me some error message about directories (not at home right now, don't remember what exactly) then when I'd try to flash a firmware it'd tell me access denied. After that, even if I re-flashed the stock firmware from Linksys' site I couldn't get it to pick up my internet again. It's currently sitting on the table next to my desk as my WRT-54G has picked up duties again, the wife can't be without her Netflix. I was hoping DD-WRT could make the wireless performance a bit better than stock firmware (among other things). Seems as though my WRT-54G could get a solid 54mbps signal anywhere in my house but this EA6200 struggled to get a consistent 802.11N signal in my back room (which is why I ran a CAT6 cable there but that's besides the point).

All that being said, if you have successfully been able to get DD-WRT on your EA6200 I wouldn't mind a few pointers. What firmware did you use, could you flash it via the web interface or did you have to SSH it in there, that kinda stuff.

 

[razel]

That might be the same thread I'm in. If so you'll find my post there. Same username as here. One of the DD-WRT users minified a Linksys firmware for the EA6200 that fogos checks on firmware file sizes. Flash that, then flash the kongac build. Remember, ALWAYS reset to defaults. Do not NVRAM erase the router, you'll end up in a world of hurt. I remember posting near step by step instructions on the thread there.

Some notes too. Linksys EA6200/6400/6500 automatically revert to previous firmware if it fails to bootup. It can take up to 4 mins so give it time when it does so.

In the end, once you get the EA6200 running. Best thing it provides over your current router is gigabit and two radios (2.4 and 5ghz). Separate your devices accordingly. I suggest 2.4 for slower devices (like printers) or devices with fringe signals. 5ghz for everything else.

 

[jimbob200521]

That might be the same thread I'm in. If so you'll find my post there. Same username as here. One of the DD-WRT users minified a Linksys firmware for the EA6200 that fogos checks on firmware file sizes. Flash that, then flash the kongac build. Remember, ALWAYS reset to defaults. Do not NVRAM erase the router, you'll end up in a world of hurt. I remember posting near step by step instructions on the thread there.

Some notes too. Linksys EA6200/6400/6500 automatically revert to previous firmware if it fails to bootup. It can take up to 4 mins so give it time when it does so.

In the end, once you get the EA6200 running. Best thing it provides over your current router is gigabit and two radios (2.4 and 5ghz). Separate your devices accordingly. I suggest 2.4 for slower devices (like printers) or devices with fringe signals. 5ghz for everything else.

Thanks for the reply, I will check it out more in depth later once I get home. So, based off my understanding I should:

1) Reset to default via the web interface
2) Flash the firmware that enables SSH listed on page one of the thread:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=177498&sid=397c554db5993089850c0f0e79e65970

3) Let it reboot then flash the firmware you linked to above
4) Set DD-WRT with the startup script:

$(nvram show | grep "=$" | awk -F= '{print "nvram unset " $1}')

nvram set partialboots=0
nvram commit

gpio disable 8; gpio enable 6;

5)...
6) Profit

Does that sound about right?

 

[razel]

I actually have modified instructions. You may need to reset to defaults for both firmwares stored in your Linksys. Chances are when you bought it, it had an old one, then you updated. If so:

- Reset to defaults, make note of your current firmware revision
- Revert to previous firmware, ensure it's on the 'old' one
- Reset to defaults
- Flash that SSH, mini-fied firmware
- Flash kongac build
- save the startup script, you don't need that gpio line, that just turns off certain lights
- reset to defaults again with DD-WRT (just to be safe)
- save the startup script again since you reset.

Reset to defaults is the mantra when moving to and from DD-WRT. Once you are in DD-WRT you are free to upgrade without it.... unless you went from v24 to v3.

 

[jimbob200521]

I actually have modified instructions. You may need to reset to defaults for both firmwares stored in your Linksys. Chances are when you bought it, it had an old one, then you updated. If so:

- Reset to defaults, make note of your current firmware revision
- Revert to previous firmware, ensure it's on the 'old' one
- Reset to defaults
- Flash that SSH, mini-fied firmware
- Flash kongac build
- save the startup script, you don't need that gpio line, that just turns off certain lights
- reset to defaults again with DD-WRT (just to be safe)
- save the startup script again since you reset.

Reset to defaults is the mantra when moving to and from DD-WRT. Once you are in DD-WRT you are free to upgrade without it.... unless you went from v24 to v3.

Awesome, thanks again. I guess I have one more confused point. I get this router stores 2 firmware's within and you have to reset to defaults for both. But my question is after I boot the router and reset to defaults, how do I revert to the old firmware to reset that one to defaults? Or am I just overthinking this...

 

[razel]

Your current newer firmware gets reset in the 1st step. Step 2 you revert to your old firmware using the Linksys web interface. Step 3 now resets that firmware.

I suppose your question is you want to go back to the new firmware? You just flash it. I haven't tried to see what happens at that point if you revert using the old firmware. Maybe you can tell us?

 

[jimbob200521]

Your current newer firmware gets reset in the 1st step. Step 2 you revert to your old firmware using the Linksys web interface. Step 3 now resets that firmware.

I suppose your question is you want to go back to the new firmware? You just flash it. I haven't tried to see what happens at that point if you revert using the old firmware. Maybe you can tell us?

I have no desire to find out what happens! I just want to make sure I don't unwittingly create a paper weight.

I'm home now and off work so let's see if I can get this thing back up and running. I'll have to report back shortly if I can get it going.

 

[jimbob200521]

Your current newer firmware gets reset in the 1st step. Step 2 you revert to your old firmware using the Linksys web interface. Step 3 now resets that firmware.

I suppose your question is you want to go back to the new firmware? You just flash it. I haven't tried to see what happens at that point if you revert using the old firmware. Maybe you can tell us?

Getting frustrated with this. Went through with the resets and got the DDWRT firmware flashed but when I try to SSH it asks for a password. I've tried default, admin, password, and whatever else I could think of to no avail. I've got to be missing something!

Edit: Scratch that, when I can get SSH to let me connect and I try to run the script, it continously tells me access denied even though I'm logged in with the Admin account. Any ideas?

 

[razel]

You run the script via the DD-WRT web interface. Actually you don't run it, you save it as a startup script using the 'command' screen. I believe the tab is 'commands', buried maybe under 'system'. You'll find it I'm sure and you'll know when you see it. Toward the bottom you'll see buttons for 'run', 'save startup script', 'save shutdown script'

To answer your question about SSH login. The password is the same one you use to login as admin to the DD-WRT web interface. Defaults to 'password'. If you SSH or telnet, your login name is root. password by default is 'password', but as you know the 1st thing you do when you login to the web iface is it forces you to change the password.

And most importantly... follow the instructions carefully. I did say 'SAVE' and not 'RUN'. If you brick your router, you know who to blame.

 

[jimbob200521]

You run the script via the DD-WRT web interface. Actually you don't run it, you save it as a startup script using the 'command' screen. I believe the tab is 'commands', buried maybe under 'system'. You'll find it I'm sure and you'll know when you see it. Toward the bottom you'll see buttons for 'run', 'save startup script', 'save shutdown script'

To answer your question about SSH login. The password is the same one you use to login as admin to the DD-WRT web interface. Defaults to 'password'. If you SSH or telnet, your login name is root. password by default is 'password', but as you know the 1st thing you do when you login to the web iface is it forces you to change the password.

And most importantly... follow the instructions carefully. I did say 'SAVE' and not 'RUN'. If you brick your router, you know who to blame.

I'm thinking my router is not accepting the DD-WRT firmware or something goofy is going on. I've tried the one you linked to as well as the Asus RT-54U (or whichever one it is) and every time I flash that my router light doesn't do its normal reboot flashes. It'll upload the firmware, flash it, then upon reboot the LED flashes several times in rapid succession, then it reboots several times and finally I end up back at the Linksys page. I hate having trouble with this thing, I've never had trouble getting Tomato or DD-WRT on any other router.

I'm also only seeing one Firmware every released for this router and it's size from the Linksys page is about 14mb if memory servers. The the mini-fied version I've downloaded from the DD-WRT thread is about 30mb, again, if memory serves. I know there is some big size difference between the two which seems odd to me but maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. I'll give it another go tonight and hope it pans out.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I'm also only seeing one Firmware every released for this router and it's size from the Linksys page is about 14mb if memory servers.

According to their docs, Linksys have released 4 fimwares total for the EA6200. The trick is finding a safe download location for the other firmwares. The best I can find is Sourceforge, but it says the firmware [1.1.40 (Build 151564)] is 477MB?! Apparently these are the source tarballs, so they'd need to be compiled.

 

[razel]

Wait... I thought you said you got the DD-WRT firmware flashed. Did you mean DD-WRT itself or the mini-fied Linksys version? Either way, it sounds like you may have one that cannot be flashed. It happens. Luckily you didn't pay too much and the Linksys firmware isn't bad. It obviously has no useful interface for telling you connected speeds of each device but oh well. Hopefully you didn't pay too much. They do have the Linksys Android app that also manages the router, but it doesn't have speed summaries yet either. Yet...

 

[jimbob200521]

According to their docs, Linksys have released 4 fimwares total for the EA6200. The trick is finding a safe download location for the other firmwares. The best I can find is Sourceforge, but it says the firmware [1.1.40 (Build 151564)] is 477MB?! Apparently these are the source tarballs, so they'd need to be compiled.

The link below is the page on Linksys' site that I've been using. It shows only one hardware revision of my router as well as one firmware download for it. If you have something different, feel free to share!

http://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=148429

Wait... I thought you said you got the DD-WRT firmware flashed. Did you mean DD-WRT itself or the mini-fied Linksys version? Either way, it sounds like you may have one that cannot be flashed. It happens. Luckily you didn't pay too much and the Linksys firmware isn't bad. It obviously has no useful interface for telling you connected speeds of each device but oh well. Hopefully you didn't pay too much. They do have the Linksys Android app that also manages the router, but it doesn't have speed summaries yet either. Yet...

I can get the Linksys firmware I linked to above flashed, I can get the mini-fied (not sure why it's called that) firmware flashed, and it will let me flash the DD-WRT firmware but once it flashes the DD-WRT firmware (either the one you linked me to or one from an Asus router that is supposed to work) and restarts, I'm back at square one with in the Linksys firmware. This is where I hit a brick wall.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

The link below is the page on Linksys' site that I've been using. It shows only one hardware revision of my router as well as one firmware download for it. If you have something different, feel free to share! http://www.linksys.com/us/support-ar...icleNum=148429

The link I posted is directly from that page. There were a total of 4 firmwares available at some point in time, though only one is available for download at present from Linksys. In many cases those older firmwares get uploaded and shared on other websites, sometimes even on the DD-WRT forums, but my Google-fu hasn't been able to find any of those downloads (except for the source tarball).

Update: Here is the second firmware for that router: http://www.userdrivers.com/LAN-Netw...irmware-Upgrade-1-1-41-build-153743/download/ Use at your own risk.

 

[jimbob200521]

According to their docs, Linksys have released 4 fimwares total for the EA6200. The trick is finding a safe download location for the other firmwares. The best I can find is Sourceforge, but it says the firmware [1.1.40 (Build 151564)] is 477MB?! Apparently these are the source tarballs, so they'd need to be compiled.

Well that may be my problem then, I'm starting off with too new of a firmware. Starting to wonder if just getting a new router and being done with it would be worth it, I just hate to spend a good chunk of money basically just for gigabit (my wireless devices don't require more than 802.11g, really).

 

[AnonymouseUser]

In case you missed my update:

Here is the second firmware for that router: http://www.userdrivers.com/LAN-Netw...irmware-Upgrade-1-1-41-build-153743/download/ Use at your own risk.

 

[jimbob200521]

In case you missed my update:

Here is the second firmware for that router: http://www.userdrivers.com/LAN-Netw...irmware-Upgrade-1-1-41-build-153743/download/ Use at your own risk.

Another swing and a miss for me, that link is dead when you try to download the actual file.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Another swing and a miss for me, that link is dead when you try to download the actual file.

Ah bummer, didn't notice that.