Overclock a Linksys WRT54G

[Thrax]

DISCLAIMER: If you toast your router, cry to someone who cares. This hack is to be used at your own will, and I take no responsibility for you smoking your $112 802.11G WAP. Short-media also takes no responsibility. REMEMBER THAT THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

I repeat this clearly:
-You're doing this on your own accord
-I am not responsible for damages
-Short-Media is not responsible for damages
-Your warranty will be voided

PREREQUISITES: The newest 9/9/03 firmware (http://www.linksys.com/download/firmware.asp?fwid=187), WRT54G by Linksys.

PRELIMINARY INFO: The WRT54G runs Linux kernel 2.4.5 on a 125MHz MIPS processor with 16mb RAM. Approximate 9MB free if you would ever wish to execute your own code. If you want to know how to do that, let me know.

THINGS TO REMEMBER: This hack must be applied again if you (A) Turn your router off and back on (B) Soft-reset the router (C) Factory reset the router. The command functions like a linux command on a temporary file, reboot and it's gone.

Log into the router through your browser and proceed to the ping test window by going to administration -> Diagnostics. Click the ping test.

Follow the picture below. Where it says "TXPWR 84" change the value to 48. Eighty-four is too high a mW rating without additional cooling, and this value provides unstable signals.

The Linksys WRT54G comes with 19mW signal, which is complete crap. Due to FCC regulations, Linksys can't ship it with a signal strength much higher than this. They can't stop you though!

`/usr/sbin/wl -i eth2 txpwr 48` is the string to be placed in the WRT54G ping test interface. Place it in, and hit ping. Your signal strength is now double, and you have successfully overclocked your router. Also, go to the advanced section on your WRT54G and enable "Frame burst." This is what netgear and several other 54G providers are calling turbo mode.



;) Enjoy.

[pseudonym]

Wow, thanks Thrax. Thats what definitely seems to be lacking with my router. When I check linksys' website though, the only firmware from 9/03 is for the WRT54G VPN Broadband router. I know I have the v1.0 router (original release) with the 7/03 firmware. Can I update to the 9/03 firmware without a problem, or are these two routers different? I wouldn't think they are. Thanks.

[Thrax]

Release 9/9/03 WRT54G v1.1 firmware (http://www.linksys.com/download/firmware.asp?fwid=187)

I have a v1.0 WRT54G, but ran into no problems flashing to this version. :)

[pseudonym]

Thrax said
Release 9/9/03 WRT54G v1.1 firmware (http://www.linksys.com/download/firmware.asp?fwid=187)

I have a v1.0 WRT54G, but ran into no problems flashing to this version. :)

Ohhhhhhh, ok. My bad. I was looking at the firmware date, not the release date. Thanks.

[pseudonym]

SWEET. Thanks Thrax. Now that thing is actually useful on the other side of the house!!

[Thrax]

How are your signal strengths before and after?

[pseudonym]

Thrax said
How are your signal strengths before and after?

Well, the only thing I have up is an XP Pro (No %s or anything) but the thing went from low to very good. (2 bars to 4 bars). Can XP tell me in %? I'll go change it and see what it was if it can.

[Thrax]

That's all I need. :D

[pseudonym]

Thrax said
That's all I need. :D

To make it easier to wardrive??;D ;D ;D

[Thrax]

;D That's already easy.

<3 Cisco + Yagi omni.

[primesuspect]

Great find, Thrax.

[Enverex]

Ooh, this is the router I was (am) going to buy.

Now I am going to come up with some mad ideas.

Can you compile a new kernel on it? But that probably wouldn't work as you cant see anything.

Is 48 the absolute maximum or can you go higher? (I mean realistically and usably).

Also, with the new power output, where does that place this AP in comparison with other APs?

Cheers,
NS

[Thrax]

You can go up to 84, but that provides unstable connections. Max realistic is 68. Prepare to mod your router for that.

You have to compile a kernel outside on Linux and inject it, but you'd be better off modifying the GPLed code on Linksys's website. SeattleWireless has been working on modding the router's kernel for about 6 months, with only a little bit of success.

With the new power output, it puts it in the upper 30%. That is, 70% or so of existing WAPs have lower mW ratings.

[Enverex]

Whats the highest un-modded number?
And does 68 really get it that hot?

NS

[Thrax]

200mW on Prism 2.5-chipped 802.11B WAPs. On 802.11G, it's about 100mW on some Cisco gear (~$700).

And yes, it gets that hot.

[Enverex]

So is 48 the max without additional cooling? Or would it be ok at something such as 56? (I meant highest for this AP, not globaly).

Meh.... don't really want to go physically modding my WAP.

Cheers,
NS

[Thrax]

You might push 56. Give it a whirl. It's like a computer, it'll crash before you damage it. If you feel excess heat from the top of the router, 48 it.

[Enverex]

Lol, I feel excess heat from my current router and it is just a crappy 4 port D-Link wired router :(

Cheers Thrax,
NS

[DOSMAN]

How do I tell if I have WRT54G 1.0 or 1.1. It's not in the manual, on the router itself, nor can I find it in the setup.

[Thrax]

1.0 has: "Instant Wireless Series" written to the right of the Internet LEDs.
1.1 has something about Cisco.

Doesn't really matter. The newest linksys firmware for the v1.1 runs great on my 1.0. The hardware is identical between the two, they just changed some LEDs, writing on the router, and maybe design of the router itself.

[pseudonym]

Yeah, don't worry about it DOSMAN. I did the same thing Thrax did. No probelms at all.

[Enverex]

Just got to wait for mine to arrive now........

NS

[DOSMAN]

THANK YOU THRAX!!!!

YOU ARE MY SAVIOR!!


Now, I can finally use my Laptop on the other end of the house. I had just accepted the fact that it wouldn't work, and now, Success! This is the coolest thing ever.

[DOSMAN]

At the other end of the house, I get Signal Strength 100%, but Link Quality gets pretty low around 30% and it drops out completely every once in a while. Would 48mW be too high/low?

And also, if I use a different mW number, what increments should it be in? 1? 8?

[Enverex]

Just tried this and as I am waiting for my WiFi PCMCIA card at the moment, the best I could do was test it with my PDA, and on a shelf above the Router, as I applied 56 (rather than 48) the signal strength on the PDA went from -36dBm to -28dBm. No idea how much gain that actually is, but it's something.

Thrax: Any idea how to put the WAP on the subnet 255.255.0.0 as it will only let me use 255.255.255.0 or 255.255.255.X which is a problem for my network setup.

NS

[Enverex]

Seems that the new Beta Firmware available now increases throughput but it 'fixes' the ping exploit, which means 19mW power for all.... and that sucks.

Hope someone either hacks it or Linksys for some reason 'un-fix' the new Firmware.......

NS

[Thrax]

Just use v1.1 firmware linked at the top of the page and the ping hack will work on the 54G.

[Enverex]

Thrax said
Just use v1.1 firmware linked at the top of the page and the ping hack will work on the 54G.

I know.

I am just saying that the future Firmware(s) that improve speeds and add a few features prevent the Ping hack.

NS

[Thrax]

I'm sure someone out there will "h4xx0r teh firmwaerz".

[Enverex]

Thrax said
I'm sure someone out there will &quot;h4xx0r teh firmwaerz&quot;.

Someone reported their speed going from 15.8Mbps with the old Firmware to 21.5Mbps with the new firmware, which sounds promising.

NS

[Enverex]

Haha, fixed my crap signal problems by switching to channel 8.

I now get 103% signal in my front room (through the roof, then through the wall and diagnaly through the roof (basically up a room then left a room)).

One thing though, the speed doesn't seem to be able to settle. Even though the quality is at 103% it only seems to be at 48Mbps. Though it seems to go up and down depending on how much I use it (the more I use, the higher the speed says).

NS

[Thrax]

Remember that signal quality does not mean signal STRENGTH.

The signal can be very clean, which means few retransmissions etc., but the strength of the signal (Which is what actually determines throughput -- miliwatts and RF decibels) won't ever max out simply because of the air. :(

What channel were you on? 6 or 11 by any chance?

[Enverex]

I said in the first sentence. Channel 8. 8, 7 and 6 were good but 8 was best. 11 sucked majorly.

The signal strength here is -60dB...... is that good or bad?

Here is a pic of the connection during a heavy file transfer.

When idling the bad frames is normally 2-10 and the good frames 0-4.

NS

[Thrax]

I asked what channel you WERE on, not what channel you switched TO (Eight).

dBi, the higher the better (Closer to or over zero). Now don't freak out! Realize that PCI cards and PCMCIA cards are several dozen dBi below zero. That's ok. My farthest wireless card approximately 50 feet away through three walls usually runs at -53 dB on the WRT54G's default of 19mW, and closer to -30 dB at 48mW.

I have lower numbers because both the source and destination have dipole antennas (Figure 8-patterned broadcast. Wide spread, good for overlapping. The signal is sent from the sides of the antenna. Your WRT54G has dual dipole antennas). Your internal card on the other hand is probably an omni, which has slightly lower performance but offers better RF intercept.

[Enverex]

What is your card that gets such good reception then?

I already knew about db working on Minus and Plus btw, so the minus numbers didn't bother me.

Though I am wondering why it says my PCMCIA card is only broadcasting at 18dBm rather than 21dBm which it says it is rated at.....

Another annoying thing is that the 802.11a Turbo mode dissapears from my options when I have the country set to UK (and if it isnt set to UK it complains my settings dont match).

NS

[Enverex]

Firstly the output......

[Enverex]

But what I find strange is the difference between Windows' reports of the quality, and Atheros' own software reports.

Windows shows this and it keeps dropping to 3........

NS

[Thrax]

It might be that your country has restrictions on the 2.4GHz band that the U.S. doesn't. The specific proliferation of cell technology in Europe that hasn't quite caught on here might have something to do with that.

Your network card could very well be reading the country code you inadvertently picked when you set your timezone/country on the Windows install, and then telling the router that turbo mode is no go.

My primary 802.11G PCI card is a USRobotics USR5416 (63mW card; I forget the gain).


//EDIT: I would be more likely to trust Atheros.

[Enverex]

Ah, as PCI cards have like a single antenna the same as one of the ones on the WRT54G dont they.

I wonder if there is any way to boost the signal on this card like you can on the router.......

NS

[Thrax]

NightShade737 had this to say
Ah, as PCI cards have like a single antenna the same as one of the ones on the WRT54G dont they.

Right! :)

NightShade737 had this to say
I wonder if there is any way to boost the signal on this card like you can on the router.......

Probably not. :(

Unless you had some way to hack the firmware, it's generally improbable that you can increase it.

[keto]

Hrmm I have a similar problem but with DLink, not Linksys. I have a DI-614+ 802.11b router and in mrs keto's computer in the living room, about 30 feet and 3 walls away, there's a PCI DWL-520+ receiver. Her signal is sometimes full, sometimes crap. OK, cleaning out the spyware from the kids downloading songs helped a bit :rolleyes2 but I wonder if there's similar ability to OC the router I have? I wouldn't know where to even begin to look, even after reading this thread :confused:

[Enverex]

Here are the results of the speed boost next to the actual output in DB that the machine is giving out.

Though my speeds suck, it seems to max out around 910KBps (using Sandra) and is lowest around 500KBps. That is pathetically low (doesn't matter if I am overclocking the router or not).

NS

[Enverex]

Ok, managed to get up to 1280KBps downstairs through quite a lot of wall now (through the whole center of the house from upstairs to downstairs and through a giant block).

But the maximum I could get, like 5ft from the Router was ~1800KBps, 2200 Max, 1600 Min.

It never changed into 54/54 mode, it was in 48Mb Transmit and 54 Recieve mode. Any ideas?

Also, do these figures look right?

Oh, I found out the max for the router realitically is 74. I could go higher than 94 (and the range continued to increase) but the speed would lower (it was at about 1400KBps @ 84mW) as I tested every 4mW from 19 to 100.

NS

[broadd]

The ping hack doesn't seem to affect my signal strength between the wrt54g and my airport extreme.

After I click 'ping', all that happens is 'Invalid IP Address or Domain Name' appears in the window. Is that what should happen?

I have the 1.42.2 firmware.

Regards,
Bruce

[Enverex]

broadd said
The ping hack doesn't seem to affect my signal strength between the wrt54g and my airport extreme.

After I click 'ping', all that happens is 'Invalid IP Address or Domain Name' appears in the window. Is that what should happen?

I have the 1.42.2 firmware.

Regards,
Bruce

The hack doesn't work on the latest firmware, you need to downgrade to .1 I believe.

NS

[dertester]

NightShade737 had this to say
broadd said
The ping hack doesn't seem to affect my signal strength between the wrt54g and my airport extreme.

After I click 'ping', all that happens is 'Invalid IP Address or Domain Name' appears in the window. Is that what should happen?

I have the 1.42.2 firmware.

Regards,
Bruce

The hack doesn't work on the latest firmware, you need to downgrade to .1 I believe.

NS


Hallo take this Firmaware

http://h.vu.wifi-box.net/wrt54g/cust_fw/WRT54G_1.42.2_EU_Pinghack_18_11_03_code.bin

its 1.42.2 european but pinghack works , I've tested cu dertester

[Jimborae]

Well my router died at the weekend so I've now got one of these Linksys as well and have used the 1.42.2 european firmware. The hack sems to work for me although I won't now for sure till my wifi card arrives (hopefully tomorrow).

So thanks Thrax & dertester ! :)

Also a systems guy at work said I should gone for the D-Link 614+ as its better even though its a 802.11b router. What do you lot think.

Regards

Jim

[Thrax]

I think even the crappiest G router is better than B for throughput...Maybe not for range. But the D-Links don't have good range, so I disagree.

[Enverex]

dertester had this to say
NightShade737 had this to say
broadd said
The ping hack doesn't seem to affect my signal strength between the wrt54g and my airport extreme.

After I click 'ping', all that happens is 'Invalid IP Address or Domain Name' appears in the window. Is that what should happen?

I have the 1.42.2 firmware.

Regards,
Bruce

The hack doesn't work on the latest firmware, you need to downgrade to .1 I believe.

NS


Hallo take this Firmaware

http://h.vu.wifi-box.net/wrt54g/cust_fw/WRT54G_1.42.2_EU_Pinghack_18_11_03_code.bin

its 1.42.2 european but pinghack works , I've tested cu dertester

Thank you for wasting my time.

NS

[Jimborae]

NS, I did'nt get that error when I flashed the bios. Hmmm

[Enverex]

You dont get that error when you flash the BIOS, you get that error when you try and use the ping hack AFTER flashing the BIOS....

NS

[Jimborae]

Yeah I know, thats what I meant.

"Do as I think, not as I say" :)

[Flummoxed]

I dont know ifit matters but I was able to downgrade my WRT54g(v1.1) from firmware 1.42.3 to 1.30.7 with a little Hex editing, so far everthing is running without any problems.

[Enverex]

Think this may be useful for people:
http://h.vu.wifi-box.net/wrt54g/#Otherhacked

Contains his own hacked versions with added features, and also the other latest ones with all channels (1-14) and just the plain one with pinghack (all latest version).

[pseudonym]

Wow, thats sweet. Wish mine hadn't fried :(

[Hawk]

Ok, Cool, Is there one out there for the Linksys BEFSR41? I got a new combined router/modem from bellsouth, so I can play with the linksys router to see if it will OC.

[Enverex]

I highly doubt it. The only customised ones are the WAP54 and WRT54.
This guys hacked ones also allow you to increase the power via the standard web interface, which is nice.

[Flummoxed]

Think this may be useful for people:
http://h.vu.wifi-box.net/wrt54g/#Otherhacked

Contains his own hacked versions with added features...

Wow, this guy did a good job. :thumbsup: :leet:

edit:

I'm looking at pictures for the inside of a WRT54G and I was wondering, if I was going to mod the router for a high power increase what chips on the board would be needing the cooling?
http://seattlewireless.net/~mattw/photos/linksyswrt54g/gallery/

[Enverex]

I woulnd't bother. As you increase the power level above 50 you will notice the speeds start to drop, but this isn't caused by heat. So basically, you can increase it all the way to 88 or so, but the signal quality continues to drop (heat unrelated).

[oscar]

Hi,

I tried this but all i get is invalid domain...what am i doing wrong?

DISCLAIMER: If you toast your router, cry to someone who cares. This hack is to be used at your own will, and I take no responsibility for you smoking your $112 802.11G WAP. Short-media also takes no responsibility. REMEMBER THAT THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

I repeat this clearly:
-You're doing this on your own accord
-I am not responsible for damages
-Short-Media is not responsible for damages
-Your warranty will be voided

PREREQUISITES: The newest 9/9/03 firmware (http://www.linksys.com/download/firmware.asp?fwid=187), WRT54G by Linksys.

PRELIMINARY INFO: The WRT54G runs Linux kernel 2.4.5 on a 125MHz MIPS processor with 16mb RAM. Approximate 9MB free if you would ever wish to execute your own code. If you want to know how to do that, let me know.

THINGS TO REMEMBER: This hack must be applied again if you (A) Turn your router off and back on (B) Soft-reset the router (C) Factory reset the router. The command functions like a linux command on a temporary file, reboot and it's gone.

Log into the router through your browser and proceed to the ping test window by going to administration -> Diagnostics. Click the ping test.

Follow the picture below. Where it says "TXPWR 84" change the value to 48. Eighty-four is too high a mW rating without additional cooling, and this value provides unstable signals.

The Linksys WRT54G comes with 19mW signal, which is complete crap. Due to FCC regulations, Linksys can't ship it with a signal strength much higher than this. They can't stop you though!

`/usr/sbin/wl -i eth2 txpwr 48` is the string to be placed in the WRT54G ping test interface. Place it in, and hit ping. Your signal strength is now double, and you have successfully overclocked your router. Also, go to the advanced section on your WRT54G and enable "Frame burst." This is what netgear and several other 54G providers are calling turbo mode.



;) Enjoy.

[Enverex]

You need to use an older firmware. The one you are using is patched so it wont let you execute the hack.

[Flummoxed]

You need to use an older firmware...

No, just use the firmware from http://h.vu.wifi-box.net/wrt54g/
Hacked firmware version: 2.00.8.1h.wfb
Direct download link: http://h.vu.wifi-box.net/wrt54g/cust_fw/WRT54G_2.00.8.1h.wfb_WW_wifi-box_15_01_04_code.bin

I use this firmware and have had no problems, the "ping hack" works even has a signel power level slider bard in the adv. wireless settings tab :p
Also has many many other usefull fetures/addons that didnt come with factory firmware.

[Enverex]

Ah, yeah, forgot about that one, I use it too :)

[Kilroy]

[b]

`/usr/sbin/wl -i eth2 txpwr 48` is the string to be placed in the WRT54G ping test interface. Place it in, and hit ping. Your signal strength is now double, and you have successfully overclocked your router. Also, go to the advanced section on your WRT54G and enable "Frame burst." This is what netgear and several other 54G providers are calling turbo mode.



;) Enjoy.

When I try this, I get the following message in the Ping window"

Invalid IP Address or Domain Nam


what am I doing wrong? could it be that I have set the router's IP address to 192.168.1.69? I did this, because i just added it onto my present BEFSR41 wired router. Any help would be appreciatted.

[hteunissen]

When I try this, I get the following message in the Ping window"

Invalid IP Address or Domain Nam


what am I doing wrong? could it be that I have set the router's IP address to 192.168.1.69? I did this, because i just added it onto my present BEFSR41 wired router. Any help would be appreciatted.

I have the same problem. The ip address is 192.168.1.1 and firmware 2.02.7

[davidm]

Hi Dude,

I'm Dave and I'm new around SM. I'm running a Linksys WAG54G with a WPC54G. can any of this help with my equipment?

D :)

[astern]

I downloaded the firmware on my linux box and am looking for where to inject/modify the code to increase my signal strength. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks.

You can go up to 84, but that provides unstable connections. Max realistic is 68. Prepare to mod your router for that.

You have to compile a kernel outside on Linux and inject it, but you'd be better off modifying the GPLed code on Linksys's website. SeattleWireless has been working on modding the router's kernel for about 6 months, with only a little bit of success.

With the new power output, it puts it in the upper 30%. That is, 70% or so of existing WAPs have lower mW ratings.

[Preacher]

Thrax,
Any idea if you can do a similar hack with the WRT54GS? Is it even necessary since it comes with "Speedbooster"?

[Enverex]

Woke up this morning to find most of the house missing internet. Check the server room to find the Linksys sitting there with nothing other than its power and debug light on. Unplug, plug it back in, nothing, just power and debug. Unplugged everything else from it.... still the same.

I assume it's dead then?

[Thrax]

Let it sit offline and powered down for about an hour. I had a similar quirk myself in the spring (Before overclocking) -- and letting it sit around like a slouch solved the problem.

[Enverex]

Let it sit for a day, still doesn't work. It's dead.

[Thrax]

Guess so. :( Higher than 60mW?

[Enverex]

I was using the firmware that let you set it in the options, it had 25% to 85% I believe, it was set to not much more than the default.

[bran55]

Im sorry for my ignorance but would this mod work on any other linksys and if so which ones (possibly the WCG200)?

Thanx,
Brandon

[josephliang]

i have

Firmware Version: v2.00.8
Wifi-box.net Release Version: 2.00.8.1h.wfb 15/01/2004

when i try the ping hack the screen reads:

BusyBox v1.00-pre5 (2004.01.15-01:39+0000) multi-call binary
Usage: ping [OPTION]... host

What is wrong?? im not very good at computing and i need better range.
any help would be appreciated.

thanks.

[entropy]

Hm. God, I can't believe I'm about to bump this.

Anyway, the firmware has progressed so much (3.something now) since this came about. Is it even worth downgrading to? The SourceForge one is 2.02, but I dunno if that even makes a difference.

So, feel free to flog me publically if this is stupid. :thumbsup:

[Thrax]

I suggest, at this point, to get a copy of Sveasoft's Satori v4 firmware for the WRT54G.

[gtghm]

I suggest, at this point, to get a copy of Sveasoft's Satori v4 firmware for the WRT54G.

Do you have a link to that?

Thanks,
"g"

[fr0st m0nkey]

Should I try this? I'm nervous about ruining my moms router but she is always asking me to 'reboot' the router because in her OCD mind rebooting the router makes the signal work.

P.S. You need to fix the firmware link.

ftp://ftp.linksys.com/pub/network/wrt54g_1412_fw.bin

Is the new link to it.

[skogjde]

Release 9/9/03 WRT54G v1.1 firmware (http://www.linksys.com/download/firmware.asp?fwid=187)

I have a v1.0 WRT54G, but ran into no problems flashing to this version. :)
Have you tried the overclock string ?
`/usr/sbin/wl -i eth2 txpwr 48`
Did it seem to work for you?

[betabob999]

hmm router over heat. i think i have this problem without an over clock... my router and dsl modem are on a shelf by their selves a 18 inch by 48 inch shelf about 5 and a half feet from the floor and the router is sometimes dang hot to the touch...

during the spring.. when its been in the 80's in my area my room gets pretty warm.. high 80's to 90's is that too warm.. do i need to go to dollar store and get a mini box fan to set up there??? and i tried that hack and no increase for me unless i did it wrong.. and i updated the firmware right before i did it...

my singal is not stable either it ranges from -25 to -45 db from 11 feet away line of sight.. with a parabolic antenna from techanvil(dot)com it did a better stronger single the day i bought it and turned it on for the first time...... :confused:

I have a stock gateway mx6453 with intel pro wireless and broadcom wireless. and netstumbler running at same time for the scan

and when i move 15 feet away. through a wall it drops to a -36 to -50db range



sorry if im too technical. :smiles:

[BoskoX]

Why can't I upgrade firmware ?
I allways get this message :confused:

http://shrani.si/t/2q/4r/4gHfh3Mv/untitled.jpg (http://shrani.si/?2q/4r/4gHfh3Mv/untitled.jpg)

[rapture]

Do you get the same error in IE? I had problems flashing a Speedtouch 780 with Opera.

[Cyclonite]

That's a good point. I had difficulty using Firefox. Never had a problem with IE, 6 or 7.

[Your Amish Daddy]

I've used firefox for two routers. A WRT64GX4 and a Gigafast 3R100. Never had a problem.

[Thrax]

Okay, so this post is <b>five years</b> out of date. That's problem #1.

Download the Tomato firmware, read their wiki on how to flash a WRT54GL with it, and then change the Transmit Power under ADVANCED -> Wireless to 55.

Done.

[Your Amish Daddy]

See? That's why I'm banned too.

Also, know any custom firmware for the WRT54GX4?

[GrayFox]

See? That's why I'm banned too.

Also, know any custom firmware for the WRT54GX4?

Nothing currently supports that router.

Here's a list of all the devices supported by dd-wrt. (http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices)

DD-WRT (http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/index.php) is another third-party firmware it has more features and higher performance then tomato. (According to smallnetbuilder)

[Thrax]

My experiences run counter to what smallnetbuilder claims. With the four versions of DD-WRT I tried (all non-beta), it frequently failed to activate triggered ports, pass traffic through opened ports, or QOS traffic correctly.

The router also reset on its own 2-3 times per day. No such issues with Tomato, the same amount of important features, better QOS and a cleaner UI.

[kryyst]

I've also has much better experience with Tomato, for the past couple of years then DD-WRT, the DD-WRT project has gotten to big and bloated, they cram to much onto the stock routers and max them out. That's why they frequently seem to crash, they run out of memory on operations. The tomato firmware on the other hand is built ontop of the actuall WRT54g kernels and runs much leaner and closer to home. It's just been my experience, and most others that I know who've switched from DD-WRT to tomato that it runs better.

[DRAGTech]

Greetings! This is my first time here since I was looking at increasing a bit the range of our older router here (v1.1 WRT54G). It already has the 7dB antenna from Linksys but I need a bit more (just a bit), can I put in a value lower than 48 in the pinghack, something like 32?

TIA

[Thrax]

Yes you can. Welcome to Icrontic. :)

[DRAGTech]

Sir Thrax, Thank You Very Much for the warm welcome and the advise. Will check it out on Monday morning.

Am kinda new to these wireless stuff (been a wired guy for several years).

How about a D-Link Access Point? Does it have a similar approach too?

[Thrax]

Right now only certain Linksys, Asus and Buffalo routers of certain versions are capable of using custom firmware and increasing their power output.

[Sinter]

I'm impressed at how long this topic has remained relevent and at your participation in helping those of us poor souls with bad signal strength. I have a WRT54G v8. Is there any hope that I can boost its performance?

[Thrax]

DD-WRT Micro is supposed to work for WRT54G v7.2 and v8.0 routers. There are a lot of good instructions and links to files over here (http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G/GL/GS/GX#v7.2_and_v8) on the official DD-WRT wiki.

Also, welcome to Icrontic, Sinter. Hope you want to stick around. :)

[QCH]

I overclocked my WRT54G and I can now browse anywhere in my yard and most of my neighbors. I kid you not. :)

[primesuspect]

And I've been in his yard, and it's large!

[McBain]

And I've been in his yard, and it's large!

:hrm:

Is yard the new male euphamism for trunk?

[pchobbyist]

Thrax, Can anything be done w/the wrt54gs w/speedboost (speed boost is a waste)?
Also refresh my memory on how to get into the linksys setup program? Thanks

[Thrax]

It depends on what version of the WRT54GS that you have. Please type the model number and serial number information off of the label affixed to the bottom of the unit, and I can tell you what's available for it.

You can access the router's firmware at the address 192.168.1.1 inside of a browser. The user/pass is admin/admin or just admin for the password.

[pchobbyist]

ser# cgn10d449294
Model# wrt54gs w/speedboost. Thanks

[Thrax]

You're in luck. You have a WRT54GS v1 which is amongst the most moddable versions in existence. I highly suggest Polarcloud's Tomato firmware (http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato). Flash the router with the WRT54GS.bin file from the firmware upgrade panel on the Linksys management page @ 192.168.1.1

[pchobbyist]

Great! But I can't get into the setup Admin is not working?

[Thrax]

USER: admin
PASS: admin

or

USER: (don't type anything here)
ADMIN: admin

or

USER: admin
PASS: (don't type anything here)

These are the defaults for the Linksys routers. If one of these three does not work, you'll need to reset the router via the button on the back of the unit and try again.

[pchobbyist]

OK This is the firmware version 2.07.1. Does this change things?

[Thrax]

Not at all. Just download from Tomato and update. :)

[pchobbyist]

I hate to be a pain but do I need a special program to open this file??

[RyderOCZ]

No... you do it from within the Admin panel of the router.

Go to Administration and "Upgrade Firmware" then point it to the BIN file on your hard drive.

[pchobbyist]

Wow bin file? ok where would this be? This tomato file is 7z file!?!?

[Thrax]

A 7z file is a compressed file, similar to .ZIP. You'll need the WinRAR or 7Zip program to open it.

[pchobbyist]

Error: wrong image file?? Any ideas and as you can see nothing really goes 123 for me. Thanks again.

[pchobbyist]

Update complete!!!

[pchobbyist]

Whats the best way to see if its made a diff.

[Thrax]

In the left menu go to ADVANCED >> WIRELESS >> Transmit power. Change the transmit power to 48 and apply the setting. Your signal strength should increase.

[pchobbyist]

For some reason i've lost signal strength? Any ideas more tweaks I don't know about?? Thanks :(

[pchobbyist]

So I redid all the steps in the process and I must of missed something along the way,but every thing is working great now. Thanks for the help.:cool:

[QCH]

Another happy customer... :D

[sebtus]

Ia is there a 3party firmware/hack for WRT54GX4??

[Your Amish Daddy]

No, I have one and it's rogered me good. I've just gone in and added some cheapo belkin routers as access points, and set them to be switches. Seems to work.

[foolkiller]

I just thought that I'd add that DD-WRT supports a really broad range of routers. You can see their support page here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/dd-wrt/hardware.html

One note, if you have an older WRT54G or GS, You'll want to use the Vintage firmware. That tool should tell you exactly which you need.

I have 3 different Linksys routers, WRT54GS v3.0, WRT54G, and a WRT310N and they all run DD-WRT nicely with 84mW transmit power (That is the max safe xmit you can run.)

[Your Amish Daddy]

But the 54GX4 isn't supported.

[foolkiller]

Yeah, that looks to be one of those strange all on one chip routers. I wish these companies would realize that letting people adjust their firmware is a good thing. Linksys still sells alot of the WRT54GLs even now.

[Leonardo]

What improvements, if any, does the DD-WRT or Tomato firmware bring to a home network with Ehternet-connected computers? My network is mainly hard wired. Also, does the Tomato firmware disengage if the router is shut down and restarted (or loses power)? What about DD-WRT?

I wish these companies would realize that letting people adjust their firmware is a good thing. Oh, good Sir, I must disagree. For the great majority of router users, the less they can fiddle with, the better. It would be a good jobs progam for local ISPs, though! Now hiring, customer service desk personnel... People like us though, that's another matter. We relish tempting fate and taking hardware to the cliff's edge. :D

[Thrax]

It provides some benefit in the form of superior traffic management, a better UI, better QoS and access control. Consider Tomato (I vaguely advise against DD-WRT for general purpose use) an operating system: even if you don't use all its features, it's still more stable and better suited for heavy traffic than the default Linksys firmware.

As for "disengage," what do you mean? :hrm:

[kryyst]

No it's firmware so once it's on there it's on there until it's removed, in the same way turning off your computer doesn't remove windows (ok well doesn't remove it most of the time :) ).

Advantages that DD-WRT or Tomato bring in the wireless field are pretty big. Beyond boosting your antenna signal they sometimes offer more robust wireless security then stock firmware and they also support other wireless technology like WDS if you are setting up a wireless mesh for example.

In my case I've found WRT54g's running tomato compared to stalk run more stable and are better for bit torrent traffic because you can adjust the number of connections they allow which for torrents can be a couple thousand easily. Additionally they provide QoS support which can benefit wired or wireless networks especially if you are using VoIP. There are other minor benefits but those are the big ones.

Now that being said we are talking about firmware running on a WRT54g which is a router that is about 5 years old now IIR. Newer home routers could be better and have advanced and 3rd party firmware may no longer be needed. But I haven't actually checked out any of the newer home routers in the last couple of years and compared them feature/feature.

[Leonardo]

As for "disengage," what do you mean? Sorry for being vague. I read a post near the beginning of this thread (yeah, I know, several year old thread) advising that Tomato would have to be re-installed if the user powered off the router and restarted it. It seemed strange to me, because I've flashed motherboard BIOSes, router firmwares, and video cards many times before without loosing the updates after a power off/on cycle.

[Thrax]

Tomato would do no and has never done any such thing.

/me is officially confused.

[foolkiller]

I had a customer with a Linksys WRT310N Router that he had nothing but problems with using the Linksys firmware. I ended up installed DD-WRT and everything worked properly for him. He actually called Linksys support once for help with a VOIP box and they told him to reinstall the standard firmware, and he refused with the reason, "It works now, it never did with your shitty firmware on there." While they didn't help him with his problem after that, he did eventually figure out where the port mapping feature was and got himself sorted.

The WRT310N is a newer Draft N router and still has problems with Stock firmware, so I'd say the idea of having customizable firmware is still a good one.