Just a quick question about my router

[thecoolnessrune]

I didn't think this really needed a dedicated thread in Networking or General Hardware as it was just a quick question. I have the staple of all routers and its the 1.1 version. It says the firmware is 4.30.7 from June 20, 2006..

On the website it says its latest is 4.21.1 as of January 30, 2007

So the date is later but the firmware is earlier..

Am I supposed to upgrade?

EDIT: Found out it is a GL which dispels any confusion I had about that. The discussion now is about DD-WRT I think I'm ready to jump into it.. just kind of nervous. Wish me luck..

 

[montypythizzle]

There is a general hardware forum and a networking forum that this would look GREAT in.

 

[amish]

MALIBOOO!!!

 

[biggestmuff]

Are you sure you selected the correct piece of hardware?

If your router is capable, try using an open-source firmware:

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

I'm running two routers with DDWRT on them.

 

[SuperSix]

Thank you for your off-topic post.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Are you sure you selected the correct piece of hardware?

If your router is capable, try using an open-source firmware:

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

I'm running two routers with DDWRT on them.

I want to, but its so confusing, the forum is filled with people messing up their router because apparently they dont mention that on certain versions of the WRT54G, you can only use a certain type of the software.. I really really cant afford to brick this router

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: SuperSix
Thank you for your off-topic post.

I went to Walmart! There were like... fat people everywhere! Walkmart sux0rs!

More appropriate?

 

[Eli]

Who cares, the stock Linksys firmware is a joke compared to DD-WRT.

I have DD-WRT micro on my WRT54G v6, and regular DD-WRT on my Buffalo WHR-HP-54G. The linksys is outside in the shop, connected to the Buffalo wirelessly through WDS.

Next step is to make it self sufficient via small SLA and 10W solar panel. Then it's going up ontop of the utility pole in our yard... At least, once I find a suitable NEMA enclosure for the router PCB.

From there, a friend and I hope to gain enough height to beam a signal to his girlfriends.. And from his girlfriends to his house. The point? To say we did it.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: Eli
Who cares, the stock Linksys firmware is a joke compared to DD-WRT.

I have DD-WRT micro on my WRT54G v6, and regular DD-WRT on my Buffalo WHR-HP-54G. The linksys is outside in the shop, connected to the Buffalo wirelessly through WDS.

Next step is to make it self sufficient via small SLA and 10W solar panel. Then it's going up ontop of the utility pole in our yard... At least, once I find a suitable NEMA enclosure for the router PCB.

From there, a friend and I hope to gain enough height to beam a signal to his girlfriends.. And from his girlfriends to his house. The point? To say we did it.

Pretty darn cool idea If I may ask to those of you who have fiddled with DD-WRT, which version do I use with a v1.1 I see posts on their forums of people bricking their v. 5s or 6s because they needed to use Micro but they dont say that outside the forums.. I suppose v. 1.1 has no such stipulations?

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: Eli
Who cares, the stock Linksys firmware is a joke compared to DD-WRT.

I have DD-WRT micro on my WRT54G v6, and regular DD-WRT on my Buffalo WHR-HP-54G. The linksys is outside in the shop, connected to the Buffalo wirelessly through WDS.

Next step is to make it self sufficient via small SLA and 10W solar panel. Then it's going up ontop of the utility pole in our yard... At least, once I find a suitable NEMA enclosure for the router PCB.

From there, a friend and I hope to gain enough height to beam a signal to his girlfriends.. And from his girlfriends to his house. The point? To say we did it.

You are going to put a lightning arrestor and a good parabolic dish on it right

 

[biggestmuff]

Go to the DD-WRT Wiki and read the FAQ. D/L the most recent version and flash your router as usual.

 

[DarkThinker]

I use Thibor HyperWRT on my WRTSL54GS and it's just great.
This page will tell you all you need to know about the firmware that is available out there and to what it applies.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle

Originally posted by: Eli
Who cares, the stock Linksys firmware is a joke compared to DD-WRT.

I have DD-WRT micro on my WRT54G v6, and regular DD-WRT on my Buffalo WHR-HP-54G. The linksys is outside in the shop, connected to the Buffalo wirelessly through WDS.

Next step is to make it self sufficient via small SLA and 10W solar panel. Then it's going up ontop of the utility pole in our yard... At least, once I find a suitable NEMA enclosure for the router PCB.

From there, a friend and I hope to gain enough height to beam a signal to his girlfriends.. And from his girlfriends to his house. The point? To say we did it.

You are going to put a lightning arrestor and a good parabolic dish on it right

Eh, we don't really have to worry about thunderstorms here in Oregon. If I was lucky enough to have lightning strike the pole, I would probably be more amused examining the damage than I would be pissed. There are plenty of trees that are higher than the pole anyway.

But yes, parabolic dish.. Maybe even with a 500mW amp, but that roughly doubles the power requirements. The router only draws 225mA by itself.

With a nice 20+dBi parabolic and a 500mW amp, it shouldn't be hard at all to get into the 1+ Watt EIRP range.

I had it running off the 5W panel the last couple of sunny days just fine, although it doesen't provide enough power on cloudy days for it to boot.

The router requires about 5.4Ah/day to run. With a 10W panel, I can get about 720mAh on a fully overcast 12 hour day, and well over 4.0Ah on a sunny day.

For it to be self sufficient in the winter, though.. I'll need a considerably larger panel and battery... Probably just a summer project, unless we find a use for the link.. Assuming we can get it up in the first place. If not, I'll just aim the dish down I205 and see how far I can grab the signal. lol

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Go to the DD-WRT Wiki and read the FAQ. D/L the most recent version and flash your router as usual.

Questions answered Thank you so much! I'm jumping on the DD-WRT bandwagon now!

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Umm.. one more question, can i use the WRT54G version of DD-WRT on the WRT54GL or do I need to get the generic version?

 

[KK]

do you got the gl or g version?

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Umm.. one more question, can i use the WRT54G version of DD-WRT on the WRT54GL or do I need to get the generic version?

You don't need to use the WRT54G version of DD-WRT... You can just use the generic version.

I use a WRT54G V2.2

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: KK
do you got the gl or g version?

GL, but question seems to already have been answered. I apologize for the confusion, I'll edit my post, I got confused in my own mind.

 

[Reel]

I love the DD-WRT firmware. Good luck with it. It is so well done compared to my previous Dlink trash router.

 

[Staples]

I don't have one of these routers but I have looked into DD-WRT and I have determined that it does not really add much to the router. Someone please explain why I am wrong in thinking that it is way over rated around these parts?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: Staples
I don't have one of these routers but I have looked into DD-WRT and I have determined that it does not really add much to the router. Someone please explain why I am wrong in thinking that it is way over rated around these parts?

I'll let you know when I make the jump

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: Staples
I don't have one of these routers but I have looked into DD-WRT and I have determined that it does not really add much to the router. Someone please explain why I am wrong in thinking that it is way over rated around these parts?

I you have a router and one or two PCs and do minimal web surfing, then yes, you are correct.

I have 3 hardwired PCs, two wireless PCs, a VOIP adapter, and then an HD DVD player connected via a second router in bridge mode. DD-WRT is nice. It also allows more port-forwarding entries than the standard Linksys firmware.

 

[biggestmuff]

Lol! I guess he bricked his router.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Lol! I guess he bricked his router.

Nah guys, I'm still alive I got it flashed. It went fairly easily. At least I didn't run into any trouble. I'm really liking this firmware It is laid out so much more cleanly than the Linksys firmware. And, for me at least, the firmware system runs a bit smoother and quicker. Now I'll be getting into some scripts! Even if it doesn't add anything for you, I recommend the firmware simply because it makes things look so much clearer. Go for it!