What firmware should I use for a WRT54G router?

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BugsBMD

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Jul 19, 2003
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I am going get a linksys WRT54G router and want qos to work well. And for it to have a web filter. So my question is what firm ware shoud I use and where can I get it? I also have read that there are different versions of this router is there a way to tell what I am getting like if bout it at a store would there be something on the box that would tell me. And is there serten version that I want? I will some day want to run a server behind it to.

Thanks
 
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InlineFive

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Sep 20, 2003
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If you can find a V2 they offer the best combination of VLAN and QoS abilities. The 2.2 and 3 have a less potent chip, although faster.

v2 = 35Mbps capacity
>v2 = 100Mbps capacity

I should have put this in before. There are tradeoffs, depending on what you want to do.
 
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BugsBMD

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Jul 19, 2003
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Okay I will try to find that version. Does any one know what firmware I can run on it and were I can get it?
Thanks for the version number PorBleemo
 
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SleepWalkerX

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Jun 29, 2004
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i think they're pretty much all the same QoS. i mean it works great on dd-wrt and worked great on any alchemy before that.
 
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BugsBMD

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Jul 19, 2003
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Okay I got one at the store today but it is version 2.2 . Will it work okay or do I need to look for a different version. How do I tell what the version the router is from the out side of the box. I there something with the serial number that will tell me? If it does not matter what firmware work what is the most stable and has the most options? Where can I get what ever the good firmware is?
 
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SleepWalkerX

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Jun 29, 2004
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2.2 should be fine. even v3 works with the firmware from what i heard. i can't remember how to check the version from the serial, but i know you can find out by going to http://192.168.1.1/SysInfo.htm.

i think dd-wrt is aiming to be the most stable and has a lot of features. its based off of alchemy firmware.

http://wrt54g.thermoman.de/ this site has a collection of sveasoft's firmware. i haven't tried pre7, but i know 6rc5 is stable.

http://dd-wrt.gruftie.com/ has dd-wrt firmware. seems to be very slow atm.

http://forum.bsr-clan.de/index.php?c=5 is a good forum to go to, but seems to be down atm as well lol.
 
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BugsBMD

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Jul 19, 2003
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Thanks for the info about the firmware

I just want to know what is the best version of this router? And does any one know how to tell the router version from the serial number?
 
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BugsBMD

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Jul 19, 2003
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I was doing some more reading and found that version 2.2 is not good. I returned it and have one that is verion 2 resurved at staples so I can get the rebate. I am going to get that monday. I need to know which firmware I should use. Should I use sveasoft or something else? if so what version and whare can I get it. I want it to be fast, stable, to be able to run a server behind it and for it to do QOS very well. Thanks for all the help so far every one.
 
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InlineFive

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Originally posted by: BugsBMD
I was doing some more reading and found that version 2.2 is not good. I returned it and have one that is verion 2 resurved at staples so I can get the rebate. I am going to get that monday. I need to know which firmware I should use. Should I use sveasoft or something else? if so what version and whare can I get it. I want it to be fast, stable, to be able to run a server behind it and for it to do QOS very well. Thanks for all the help so far every one.
Click to expand...

I would look at either Sveasoft or HyperWRT for this purpose. I used both and have been happy with both.
 
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BugsBMD

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Jul 19, 2003
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I have tryed Sveasoft and dd-wrt. Sveasoft made the router lock up about every 5 minutes and dd-wrt has locked up twice in the past 24 hours. I will try HyperWRT and see how that works. Will post update later. Thanks everyone for all the info and help sofarr.
 
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xfarmer

Member
Dec 28, 2002
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I have a version 2.2 wrt54g. The Linksys firmware sucks. It would drop my desktop, (which is hard wired into the built in 4 port switch), constantly. I had called Linksys and complained about it three times. They finally told me to bring it back and exchange it. Their tech support sucks!!, could barely understand thier broken English!!, the support person didn't know what telnet meant!! When I exchanged it, I got another version 2.2 wrt54g, same problems. I have since loaded the "sveasoft alchemy pre7a by the individual", things seem to be much more stabile now. Linksys has really got to get their firmware straightened out. My advice is to stay away from the ver. 2.2 models. I have heard good things about the other models and most of the problems were with the ver.2.2.

 
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BugsBMD

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Jul 19, 2003
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I did not even plug in the v2.2 I got. When I got it home and realized that what it was I returned it for a version 2. I am still testing the HyperWRT firmware it seems to be stable. I am now working on the qos. Does any one else know witch firmware the does qos the best? Will post up date in another day or so.
 
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BugsBMD

Senior member
Jul 19, 2003
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Okay I have HyperWRT runing stable but it does not have the qos seting that I want. Is there one that would run real well with qos?
Thanks

Edit : trying new Alchemy firmware......
 
jamesbond007

jamesbond007

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
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I run Alchemy 1.0 final here on a WRT54G 1.1. Seems really solid, lots of options, and very stable. I bricked my router for a few hours once, but I managed to recover. :p I had pre7a on there, had to downgrade to a Linksys 2.x because I was getting error messages trying to go from pre7a directly to 1.0 final. In this process, the firmware upgrade failed, but I was able to telnet in to put the Linksys 2.x firmware on. From there, I was able to put Alchemy 1.0 on.

After that experience, I don't think I'm going to change firmwares anymore. :p
 
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jbaggins

Senior member
Oct 19, 2004
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i have linksys version 3.03.6. is this good? i don't have any problems with it and generally don't like to fix something that isn't broke. i do need to extend my range somehow though, will changing the firmware increase the range by any chance?
 
jamesbond007

jamesbond007

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Originally posted by: jbaggins
i have linksys version 3.03.6. is this good? i don't have any problems with it and generally don't like to fix something that isn't broke. i do need to extend my range somehow though, will changing the firmware increase the range by any chance?
Click to expand...

If you want to extend it, yes, the Alchemy firmware can allow you to increase your range at no cost. Additionally, you can get Linksys antennas that are much larger in size, though, at a cost. The default power range is 28mW and you can boost it up to 251mW. Needless to say, it's very nice at times during installs where the range just can't quite reach and give you optimal speeds. A quick change of some numbers and bam, problem solved!
 
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jbaggins

Senior member
Oct 19, 2004
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Jamesbond007:

In another post, someone suggested the use of a firmware with WDS, as I had initially thought of trying to use a second wrt54g as an access point to extend the range.

1) Does the alchemy firmware have wds?
2) If the range is extended dramatically, could it be done to the point where I wont even need to use a second router/access point altogether, thus maximizing savings? I'm sure the answer to this second question varies almost entirely on my particular application, as no two applications will be the same, but, in theory does it double the range, or can we quantify to what extent it has an increase?

tia

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
Originally posted by: jbaggins
i have linksys version 3.03.6. is this good? i don't have any problems with it and generally don't like to fix something that isn't broke. i do need to extend my range somehow though, will changing the firmware increase the range by any chance?
Click to expand...

If you want to extend it, yes, the Alchemy firmware can allow you to increase your range at no cost. Additionally, you can get Linksys antennas that are much larger in size, though, at a cost. The default power range is 28mW and you can boost it up to 251mW. Needless to say, it's very nice at times during installs where the range just can't quite reach and give you optimal speeds. A quick change of some numbers and bam, problem solved!
Click to expand...

 
jamesbond007

jamesbond007

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
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Hm, tough call. It really depends on the housing materials that will enclose the equipment, not to mention the range, too. Yes, the Alchemy 1.0 has WDS. However, some people have had some problems, though, after some troubleshooting, they are usually able to get it working. It might be a user error or some kind of configuration, but I couldn't really tell you because I don't use it. Don't expect to get 110% signal at any range with max 251mW output, but it will definitely broaden the coverage area.

My suggestion would be to flash the Alchemy 1.0 firmware on your current WRT54G and boost the signal to see if it reaches OK in all areas of your planned usage areas. If it doesn't, then get a second router and setup WDS or perhaps even enhanced antennas. Bigger antennas will give you an incredible boost compared to the little dinky things that home setups ship with.

If you're worried about bricking your router, check out this site:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/linksysinfo/revival/

I'd get you a link to look at replacement Linksys antennas, but I can't find it right now...maybe tomorrow? :p

Hope this helps!
 
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jbaggins

Senior member
Oct 19, 2004
261
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Don't worry, i know which antennas you're talking about - i've seen them in the store.

However, if I am to go ahead and purchase something else, i've decided to just use the second router as a wireless ap, OR, get the range extender.

But the alchemy firmware - is it reliable?



Originally posted by: jamesbond007
Hm, tough call. It really depends on the housing materials that will enclose the equipment, not to mention the range, too. Yes, the Alchemy 1.0 has WDS. However, some people have had some problems, though, after some troubleshooting, they are usually able to get it working. It might be a user error or some kind of configuration, but I couldn't really tell you because I don't use it. Don't expect to get 110% signal at any range with max 251mW output, but it will definitely broaden the coverage area.

My suggestion would be to flash the Alchemy 1.0 firmware on your current WRT54G and boost the signal to see if it reaches OK in all areas of your planned usage areas. If it doesn't, then get a second router and setup WDS or perhaps even enhanced antennas. Bigger antennas will give you an incredible boost compared to the little dinky things that home setups ship with.

If you're worried about bricking your router, check out this site:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/linksysinfo/revival/

I'd get you a link to look at replacement Linksys antennas, but I can't find it right now...maybe tomorrow? :p

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

 
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