Best DD-WRT Router?

[live4spd]

I'm looking to buy a new router to run DD-WRT on. I'm hoping for the following below, what router should I buy?

VPN is a must
Gigabit switch
fast wireless N service, hoping for dual band radios
the usual port forwarding services


I was thinking maybe the Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH
Or a Netgear WNR3700. I have the netgear 2000 now but no VPN.

Thanks!

 

[Brainonska511]

I don't have answers to your other questions, but I would say just buy a separate gigabit switch. You'd be better off that way than buying some perfect combination device.

 

[SickBeast]

IMO Tomato is much better than DD-WRT, and this has been proven by tests showing that Tomato is definitively faster in several respects compared to both DD-WRT and the default Linksys firmware.

The gigabit wireless N routers are super expensive. I agree with brain's idea to buy a cheap wireless N router that you can flash, and just hook it up to a cheap switch. I got my trendnet gigabit switch for $20 shipped through Dell, and I have it hooked up to my WRT54G which is running Tomato. I also have a VOIP terminal hooked up to the WRT54G, and I find that Tomato does a better job with QOS than the VOIP terminal itself, and it gives me 20mbit/sec down instead of 7.5mbit/sec with the VOIP terminal acting as a router.

 

[live4spd]

Appreciate the suggestions.. Still haven't heard on what models work best.

I'd like a gig router because I already have a 8port gig switch and it's full.

 

[Brainonska511]

Appreciate the suggestions.. Still haven't heard on what models work best.

I'd like a gig router because I already have a 8port gig switch and it's full.

Buy another switch then to supplement it - the combination devices are significantly more and if one part dies, you'll have to replace the whole thing. I'm sorry I can't recommend a router though; I'm still using my Tomato-flashed Asus WL520GU (B/G router). Eventually, someone should come through to provide a product recommendation.

 

[JackMDS]

DD-WRT is a firmware, it provides features that are not existing in the original Router's firmware and work more stable than some original firmwares.

However, it does not change the hardware.

There is choices of Wireless Routers starting at $30 all the way to $200 that are DD-WRT compatible

Which one to buy depends mainly on how you are going to use the Wireless part of the Router, that aspect has very little to do with DD-WRT

Given the above the choice of a DD-WRT flashable Router depends on you Wireless needs.

Quote:
1. VPN is a must
2. Gigabit switch
3. fast wireless N service, hoping for dual band radios
4. the usual port forwarding services
End of Quote

VPN is just a matter to getting a Router that its memory is big enough to support the DD-WRT firmware with VPN.

Giga byte switch, and port forwarding services, are not choosing factors at all.

Good Wireless means - Simultaneous Dual band Router (otherwise you can stay with good 802.11gb).

This is an example for a modest price solution.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-333-_-Product

If need Giga ports you add to it this.

8 Ports - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156251

5 Ports - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156250

============
If you do not care about Simultaneous Dual band, and you want your Giga switch in the same plastic box, this is a good choice (yeah Giga ports are just a matter of plastic box and has nothing to do with the Router per-se).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-038-_-Product

 

[SickBeast]

Could you somehow use your PC to transmit a wireless N signal using a cheap USB adapter of some sort? Power consumption would be an issue but it's a thought.

The trendnet switches are awesome BTW. Solid metal, and they run nice and cool. That's a decent price at newegg. The cheapest I've seen is $20 shipped for the 5 port version.

 

[wirednuts]

Could you somehow use your PC to transmit a wireless N signal using a cheap USB adapter of some sort? Power consumption would be an issue but it's a thought.

The trendnet switches are awesome BTW. Solid metal, and they run nice and cool. That's a decent price at newegg. The cheapest I've seen is $20 shipped for the 5 port version.

yeah the $12 usb wireless N adapters in the hotdeals section a couple weeks ago have an option in their software to use the device as an access point. usb provides 500-1000ma of power, and most adapters draw under 300ma

 

[SickBeast]

yeah the $12 usb wireless N adapters in the hotdeals section a couple weeks ago have an option in their software to use the device as an access point. usb provides 500-1000ma of power, and most adapters draw under 300ma

Nice. I was more concerned about the power that the computer hooked up to the usb adapter would consume compared to a router, not the usb device itself. Good find though, that's really good to know. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[wirednuts]

the router will still slaughter the usb adapter in performance. but if you just need it for web connectivity then itll be fine.

keep in mind that wifi adapters ability to work as access points is in the software. the hardware doesnt really have anything to do with it. so if youre looking at a detail sheet for an adapter try to find if the software supports access point mode. in this case, that $12 stick is a realtek, and realtek supports access point mode in their own stock generic drivers for that and other models.

 

[ccbadd]

Get yourself a Linksys WRT610Nv2 or E3000 and flash what ever you want. It is very good hardware and well supported by most 3rd party firmwares. I have been buying refurbs and testing them extensively for 2 weeks before deploying them. I have had one go bad, but Linksys replaced it free (90 day warranty from Cisco).

 

[boomhower]

I used a WRT610N for years and loved it. Tried a WNR3700 and liked it but returned it for an E4200, now that is a damn fine router. They are working on support for it now but would stick with either the WRT610N/E3000 or WNR3700. IMHO the latter is the better router of the two.

 

[Aarondeep]

I got a WRT610N v2 that is working really well. It had all sorts of problems with the stock firmware. It works great now that I installed DDWRT.

Also I really liked tomato firmware as well, except that I don't think it currently supports any dual band routers.