DD-WRT
The third-party community supported project to provide alternative and more powerful firmware for various LAN/WAN network routers has a nice web site at dd-wrt.com. This website provides much useful information about downloading and upgrading the many supported devices.
My primary interest with the DD-WRT replacement firmware is that it provides a 'client briging' mode that allows the router to bridge the network from one or more wired devices to another wireless AP on the network. This allows, for example, one of my Puppy Player boxes, which has a wired ethernet connection, to be located anywhere via a router that bridges wirelessly back to the network's ordinary AP.
Special configurations:
- Client Bridge, provides wireless bridge to wired devices
- Second Guest SSID gives houseguests a separate independent wireless network
- Plain 5-Port Switch, without wireless AP (radio turned off)
Of the router types that I have, several can be upgraded and several cannot:
| ROUTER | MODE | DD-WRT | RUNNING |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belkin F5D7230-4 v2000 | (b/g) | YES[1] | Factory firmware 4.05.03; was DD-WRT v24-sp2 micro-plus (r13491M 2009-12-24) |
| Belkin N300 F7D2301 v1 | (b/g/n) | no | Factory firmware 1.00.16 (2010-07-02) |
| D-Link N300 DIR-615 E3 | (b/g/n) | YES | Factory firmware 5.10 |
| D-Link WBR-2310 ver. A2 | (b/g) | no | Factory firmware 1.05 (2008-08-14) |
| Fry's FR-300RTR A1 | (b/g/n) | YES | DD-WRT v3.0-r28598 std (12/24/15); was Factory firmware 1.00 (2009-09-16) |
| Linksys BEFSR11 | (wired) | no | Factory firmware 1.46.02 (2004-08-03) |
| Linksys BEFW11S4 v4 #1 | (b) | no | Factory firmware 1.52.02 (2005-04-07) |
| Linksys BEFW11S4 v4 #2 | (b) | no | Factory firmware 1.52.02 (2005-04-07) |
| Linksys E1500 | (b/g/n) | YES | DD-WRT v3.0-r47090 mega (07/26/21); was factory firmware 1.00.00 (2011-01-28) |
| Linksys WRT54G v1.1 | (b/g) | YES | DD-WRT v24-sp2 (12/18/09) std - build 13491M VINT Eko; was Factory firmware 1.2.8 (date unknown) |
| Linksys WRT54G v3.1 | (b/g) | YES | DD-WRT v24-sp2 std (r14929 2010-08-12); was Factory firmware 4.00.7 (2005-04-26) |
| Linksys WRT54G v6 | (b/g) | YES | DD-WRT v3.0-r44715 micro (11/03/20); was factory firmware 1.02.2 (2007-06-07) |
| Linksys WRT54G v6 #2 | (b/g) | YES | DD-WRT v3.0-r44715 micro (11/03/20); was factory firmware 1.02.2 (2007-06-07) |
| Linksys WRT54G v8 | (b/g) | YES | DD-WRT v3.0-r44715 micro (11/03/20); was factory firmware v8.00.0 (2007-01-16) |
| Linksys WRT54GS v7 | (b/g) | YES | DD-WRT v3.0-r44715 micro (11/03/20); was Factory firmware X.xx |
| Linksys WRT54GS v7.2 | (b/g) | YES | DD-WRT v3.0-r44715 micro (11/03/20); was Factory firmware 7.2.08 |
| Netgear R6120-AC1200 | (b/g/n/ac) | no | Factory Firmware 1.0.0.84 (2022-??-??) |
| Netgear WNR834B v2 | (b/g/n) | YES | DD-WRT v3.0-r44715 std (11/03/20); was Factory firmware 2.1.13 |
| U.S.Robotics USR5461 | (b/g) | YES | Factory firmware 3.39.35.0.8 |
[1] functionality limited; can be used as wireless-only-to-WAN router, wireless access point, or wireless client-bridge; wired LAN-to-WAN routing not possible.
I have 'bricked' one router in my DD-WRT travels, and with the help of some JTAG tools I have recovered from the bad flash.