Linksys WRT54GL and dd-wrt or openwrt

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art3011

39 posts

Geek

#44731 28-Oct-2009 23:25

I'm contemplating on getting a Linksys WRT54GL and flashing it with either dd-wrt or openwrt. At the moment, I leaning towards dd-wrt because it seems easier to configure and has comprehensive documentation on website. Openwrt on the other hand seems flexible but the documentation on the web is more on using command line.

Just wanting to know your experience with dd-wrt or openwrt so I can decide which one to use.

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#267907 29-Oct-2009 06:03

I am using dd-wrt and have been for a couple of years, no worries at all. I even mangaged to recover from bricking it during the software upload. Plenty of good info out there.

Sharesies kids

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dharmatraveller

25 posts

Geek

#267924 29-Oct-2009 07:58

Tomato is also a good choice. Been trouble free on my WRT54GL .

CapBBeard

211 posts

Master Geek

#267941 29-Oct-2009 08:42

I too have been running dd-wrt on mine for a few years. As I recall, it was very easy to set up, I pretty much just configured it and left it - it's been running great. I don't recall needing to reboot it pretty much ever (of course, it has been unplugged/moved a few times).

Zero complaints here anyway :)

Ragnor

8085 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#268001 29-Oct-2009 10:45

Using Tomato here on my Linksys WRT54GL in pppoa half bridge with a Linksys AM300 modem (used to use a Dynalink RTA1320 modem before it died).

Tomato is basically a cut down DD-WRT (various features you probably don't need are removed to make it leaner and meaner), it has a better admin ui and better QoS setup/settings imo.

http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato/

If you don't already have a modem that does pppoa half bridge / ip extension. I would recommend getting a TP Link TD 8840 or a DSE XH9949 for the modem (assuming you're on a standard ppoa ADSL connection).

For the router you don't have to stick with the WRT54GL there are newer models from other manufacturers eg Asus which are similar chipset with more memory and cpu power.

This link is for Tomato device support (DD-WRT actually supports or has been tested a lot more devices than this):
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Tomato_Firmware#Supported_devices_and_revisions

art3011

39 posts

Geek

#268615 30-Oct-2009 16:14

Thanks for all your replies. I ordered the WRT54GL router and should get here Saturday or Monday. I'd probably start with Tomato as it seems to be simple enough, and good QoS setup.

Now it is time to look for a modem.

dharmatraveller

25 posts

Geek

#268768 31-Oct-2009 11:31

Theres a Draytek 120 on trademe at the moment? Gets you away from the half bridge "black magic"