Linksys Routers and DD-WRT

[Medmech]

I move from office to office and have to VPN to the home office and have so-so flaky results with the VPN. I converted all of the routers I have to use to DD-WRT and its safe to say that performance and range has almost doubled. Using RDC (Remote Desktop Client)] if you don't know what it is you are missing out on the 8th wonder of the world] --it moves like I am sitting in front of the Puter.

Now for at home if you want to make your Wifi fly do the DD-WRT and maybe an extended antenna or bridge, I am using the Engenius 2610 and once again I have more hotspots than Vegas.

[kerry]

Can you rewrite that without the acronyms and with an explanation that non-computer geeks like me can understand?

[Medmech]

Originally Posted by kerry

Can you rewrite that without the acronyms and with an explanation that non-computer geeks like me can understand?

You can reprogram your Linksys routers (The little blue boxes with antenna's) to do much more than beam interweb to your laptop with free software. and there is a fancy application so you can access your desktop remotely just like you're at home. The Engenius Wifi makes a wireless bridge so I can drink beer and surf the net in my barn or deer blind.

[tyl604]

Yep, that's what I thought you said.

[pj67coll]

Ah the wonders of technology. One day I intend to surf the forum while lounging in my pool. Just have to get the pool

- Peter.

[Da Nag]

Not all Linksys routers can be reflashed with DD-WRT. Additionally, DD-WRT is not limited to Linksys - it works on many other routers and AP's, many of which are arguably superior to the Linksys hardware.

Many folks - myself included - are of the opinion DD-WRT has gotten too complex, and has it's own set of issues. Given the choice between the stock firmware and DD-WRT, I'd still go with DD-WRT - but there's another option.

Tomato firmware has a pretty big following of it's own - and I've found it to be far more stable, better performing, and more useful for my needs than DD-WRT. In particular, it's a superior choice if one is using VOIP - it has much better QOS than DD-WRT, allowing your voice calls to work near perfect regardless of what else is being downloaded/uploaded.

[iwrock]

Is there any mods to increase the broadcast strength?

[Medmech]

Originally Posted by iwrock

Is there any mods to increase the broadcast strength?

Yes.

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by Medmech

Yes.

Whats the max power/range a WRT can produce?


I am working on a project designing a network for a local non profit organization. Their budget is small, so if its got some decent range, this may work out well for them.

[Medmech]

Originally Posted by iwrock

Whats the max power/range a WRT can produce?


I am working on a project designing a network for a local non profit organization. Their budget is small, so if its got some decent range, this may work out well for them.

250mv power the range can be miles the size of your antenna's and line of sight is the limitation. If I were designing a long range network I would simply use the Engenius wireless bridge to $169 and call it a day.

[iwrock]

Do you know if DD can display a terms and conditions page before the user can access the web?

[Da Nag]

Originally Posted by iwrock

Is there any mods to increase the broadcast strength?

Both DD-WRT and Tomato can do it on supported hardware, but there are typically better ways to increase range. I've found AP placement and antenna choice/direction have the most impact.

Still, the hardware itself makes a huge difference...I've found the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 (readily available on eBay) to have far superior signal strength to any of the Linksys models I've used, and it's both DD-WRT and Tomato compatible. There are tons of Linksys models and I've not tried them all, but still...if you don't already have a Linksys, the Buffalo is relatively cheap and gets great reviews.

[iwrock]

Hmmm, I want to go with a ValuePoint AP, but the budget is not big enough.



Thats why we are looking for some other alternatives.

[Medmech]

Check out the DD-WRT website I imagine there is a build for almost anything, I agree on the Buffalo hardware newer Linksys is crap WRT just makes it a little better. IIRC Buffalo is now shipping with WRT.

[Matt L]

I use stock firmware on the router, and have no trouble with a Cisco VPN, nor with RDC which I use almost daily.