ASUS WL-520gU router now $39.99, $19.99 A/R $20 rebate

[palswim]

I kind of want an excuse to buy another one of these!

 

[t3ch]

Got one.

 

[palswim]

OOS

T_T

 

[duragezic]

Marked. Will be checking to see if it comes back in stock before the deal ends (12/31).

 

[Engineer]

Tomato with USB support and disussion, in case anyone is interested!

 

[Colt45]

I've got one of these and installed openWRT on it... added a usb hub, jumpdrive, and usb audio dongle... it's like a mini computer

wish it had more ram though, I'm going to try to install more... and i wish broadcom (evil) gave out datasheets without a $50k order and a bloody NDA... can't find the second serial port or the IIC bus. Could be handy for all sorts of embedded fun with that

 

[Imyourzero]

Still OOS and the deal is a lot less hot now -- $59.99 with no rebate vs. the former $20 after rebate

 

[Gibson486]

Just got it working with ddwrt. It's nice, but for osme reason, it still connects at G when I select B only.

 

[coomarlin]

My netgear router just died and I'm in the market for a new router. I know nothing about dd-wrt except for what I've just read in this thread. Sounds like this ASUS router is pretty nice. Does flashing to the dd-wrt firmware increase the speed of the wireless router or does it just add features? Price at Newegg now is $44.99 - $10MIR.

 

[Gibson486]

no, it's purely a software update...BUT...it could make it more stable and give the router functions that is did not have before. There is also an option for transmission power, but i never used it, so I am not sure it really works.

 

[coomarlin]

Well I just ordered a ASUS 520 from Newegg. $34.99 after rebate.

 

[coomarlin]

I received my WL-520GU yesterday and set it up. The default firmware was 2.0.0.8 and I updated with with 3.0.0.3. A drastically better firmware. Now since I'm a WRT newbie can someone explain the advantages of me switching to dd-wrt/Tomato over the 3.0.0.8 firmware? I have 1 wired PC, 1 PS3 connected wirelessly, and a laptop computer I connect wirelessly. Since my setup is pretty basic are there any thins that would persuade me to switch?

I do have a USB printer I'd like to hook up to it. Wouldn't dd-wrt complicate that.

And lastly, it didn't come with a manual and I didn't find much info on configuring a print server. Anyone have the details on that?

 

[gba]

Originally posted by: coomarlin
I received my WL-520GU yesterday and set it up. The default firmware was 2.0.0.8 and I updated with with 3.0.0.3. A drastically better firmware. Now since I'm a WRT newbie can someone explain the advantages of me switching to dd-wrt/Tomato over the 3.0.0.8 firmware? I have 1 wired PC, 1 PS3 connected wirelessly, and a laptop computer I connect wirelessly. Since my setup is pretty basic are there any thins that would persuade me to switch?

I do have a USB printer I'd like to hook up to it. Wouldn't dd-wrt complicate that.

And lastly, it didn't come with a manual and I didn't find much info on configuring a print server. Anyone have the details on that?

I am not an expert, but AFAIK the benefits are additional features/functionality and improved stability/reliability. I checked-out the gui of the OOB firmware on my WL-520gU before I flashed it with WRT. I found WRT's interface to be superior in every way.

I found a nice overview on the DD-WRT wiki.

 

[Bulk Beef]

DD-WRT on the ASUS WL-520gU

Has info on setting up USB printer sharing.

 

[lebe0024]

I use tomato and I LOVE It. The interface is beautiful and intuitive, and you can use your router as a wireless client to another router. I actually use this router with my desktop computer. I have two routers: one is hooked up to my cable modem in my basement and acts as a normal router. The other is plugged into my desktop and acts as a client. Presto. No fudging with wireless drivers!

 

[bmwme]

Well since my old router seems to work better as a router than a repeater....does tomato have an functionality to use the WL-520gu as a repeater??

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: bmwme
Well since my old router seems to work better as a router than a repeater....does tomato have an functionality to use the WL-520gu as a repeater??

Yes. You can set it for WDS or Access Point/WDS. There is also a special version of the Tomato 1.23 firmware at Linksysinfo.org forums (under Tomato forum) that has USB printer support (multiple printers even) as well as other features integrated in (Samba, drive mounting, etc). I'll post a link if I get time when I get home. Leaving right now.



Edit: Linky. Teddy_Bear has done a great job of additions to the stock Tomato firmware.

 

[lebe0024]

Wow, so you can set up an external HD as a network share from your router? That'd be sweet.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: lebe0024
Wow, so you can set up an external HD as a network share from your router? That'd be sweet.

I know that you can add flash drives and I assume USB HD's also. I've updated my previous post with a link now.

Good Luck!

 

[coomarlin]

I'd like to add a USB hub, connect my printer, and also connect a 160GB external USB hard drive but I have to admit it seems way over my head. I don't know anything about Linux and mounting and all that jazz. LOL. I need an executable that I can click on and viola! Everything is set.

 

[Engineer]

If anyone needs this, it's $29.99 AR with FREE shipping from ZZF right now. Also, should be a little MS Livecash available.

Seems like Newegg competes with ZZF, so I would suspect a price drop shortly (YMMV) from Newegg to match ZZF.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Bumping this thread since Newegg now has it for $29.99 after MIR. Use the code EMCLVNR45 for $5 off.

 

[Tullphan]

I'm curious to know if one purchases this mainly to have a print server, if it's worth the hassle to go with DD-WRT or just use the Asus software.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: Tullphan

I'm curious to know if one purchases this mainly to have a print server, if it's worth the hassle to go with DD-WRT or just use the Asus software.

A number users on Newegg's reviews discussed DD-WRT and Tomato firmware. When it was on sale for $20 AR, I got this router and set it up for a freind using the stock firmware and software, and it couldn't have been easier. It's been in use since February without any problems.

Look back through this thread, and search Google for the model number and either DD-WRT or Tomato for more reviews and experiences with their firmware.

Originally posted by: Rockinacoustic

Bumping this thread since Newegg now has it for $29.99 after MIR. Use the code EMCLVNR45 for $5 off.

If you need it, now, take advantage of the deal. If you have time to wait and watch, the last time Newegg started putting this unit on sale, they ran it several times, and each time it was progressively less expensive. When it hit $20 AR, I jumped on it. I'll be watching this one again, and I'll post a thread when it hits $20... unless someone beats me to it.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Harvey

Originally posted by: Tullphan

I'm curious to know if one purchases this mainly to have a print server, if it's worth the hassle to go with DD-WRT or just use the Asus software.

A number users on Newegg's reviews discussed DD-WRT and Tomato firmware. When it was on sale for $20 AR, I got this router and set it up for a freind using the stock firmware and software, and it couldn't have been easier. It's been in use since February without any problems.

Look back through this thread, and search Google for the model number and either DD-WRT or Tomato for more reviews and experiences with their firmware.

Originally posted by: Rockinacoustic

Bumping this thread since Newegg now has it for $29.99 after MIR. Use the code EMCLVNR45 for $5 off.

If you need it, now, take advantage of the deal. If you have time to wait and watch, the last time Newegg started putting this unit on sale, they ran it several times, and each time it was progressively less expensive. When it hit $20 AR, I jumped on it. I'll be watching this one again, and I'll post a thread when it hits $20... unless someone beats me to it.

I too bought one with it was $19.99 AR last time. I've been running a custom version of Tomato developed at a user from the Linksysinfo.org forums that has USB functionality as well as other goodies. Since I haven't really used the USB port yet, I'm thinking of moving to different versions of Tomato (custom) to play with the settings (CPU speed on router, etc) just for kicks.

So far, it's been a great router with no issues.