FREE! New public Alchemy version Sveasoft firmware for Linksys WRT54G / WRT54GS wireless 802.11g router

[Devistater]

4-24-05 Alchemy Public 1.0 has been released!! Info coming soon and feature list will be updated. For now you can find features of some earlier Alchemy builds at this public access page: http://www.sveasoft.com/modules/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3985
NOTE!!! Alchemy public 1.0 firmware only officially supports (WRT54G V1.0, V1.1, V2.0, V2.2) & (WRT54GS V1.0, V1.1). However tests and info from sveasoft developers indicate it should work fine on others.
See this page to find out your version: http://www.linksysinfo.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=3481

Updates coming soon, most of the material in this original post is dated from July 2004, a lot of people have responded since then and added some info. And there's additional stuff about sveasoft firmware since then. Wow, I was searching google for some stuff and I noticed that this thread is 3nd site on google if you search for FREE SVEASOFT. Amazing, the power of AT and its community. DANG it has nearly 60,000 hits, more than the old official gmail thread.
Note that the download link on sveasoft currently is only availible on the subscriber forum which you get access to if you pay the $20 support fee. You can get the stable public releases at this mirror with free registration:
http://www.linksysinfo.org/mod...op=viewdownload&cid=16
The linksysinfo site doesn't seem to provide the source for Satori which is technically a GPL violation.

Sveasoft has just released a new FREE public stable release of the 3rd party firmware for linksys WRT54G / WRT54GS wireless router.
Since linksys released the source code for these routers under GPL, many people have been adding features and things found only in $1000+ routers. Its very cool. This post focuses on the sveasoft 3rd party firmware, but there are links to the several other main projects going on to add features to the wrt54g/gs.

Satori-4.0 stable firmware for the WRT54G & GS
Compatible with both G and GS models
Linksys "AfterBurner" drivers with DMA

The release adds the following features ON TOP OF Standard Linksys features:

Auto channel select option
AP Watchdog timer option
New Management page help (thanks to Markus Baertschi)
SSH DSS keys now supported (thanks to Rod Whitby)

Standard Feature List

Setup
Default gateway for LAN ports

Advanced Routing
OSPF, BGP Routing

Wireless
Power mode selection
Antenna selection
Client mode (Ethernet bridging)
Adhoc mode
WDS peer-to-peer networking (10 links, multiple options)

Applications & Gaming
Modified to forward to any IP address

Administration
Bandwidth Management
Boot Wait
Cron
DHCP with static MAC->IP assignments
DNS Masq
Firewall control
Loopback option
NAS
NTP Client
PPP
PPTP VPN server
Resetbutton daemon
SSHD with public key or password login
Shorewall firewall
Syslog with remote logging
Telnet
Tftp

Diagnostics
Command Shell replaces ping and traceroute
Linux shell scripts rc_startup and rc_shutdown settable from the web

Status
Wireless signal strengths for clients, AP's, WDS links

Internal Modifications
BPAlogin fixes
Static DHCP leases
Added approximately 20 iptables filters
- include P2P, connection tracking
Added Quality of Service (for bandwidth mgmt)
Rewrote networking code for better stability
Added wireless connections daemon for client mode and WDS
Upgraded PPPD to 2.4.2
Added PPTP client and server
Various bug fixes to Linksys codebase
Latest Busybox
ADM6996 /proc interface

Coming Features
Peer-to-peer bandwidth mgmt (Kazaa, Gnutella, Bit Torrent, etc)
Multi-priority bandwidth mgmt interface
Bandwidth usage statistics
Remote montioring and statistics
Captive Portal
Dynamic download interface (add new packages on boot)
Move to latest uClibc
IPSEC
Note: OpenSSL is not in this version.

List is from this page, with some slight editing from me in my quote here:
http://www.sveasoft.com/module...2/viewtopic.php?t=1626
Download link (source code availible as well):
http://www.sveasoft.com/module...ct_folder&folder_id=10
Documentation index:
http://docs.sveasoft.com/
Specific info on how to use the new features that are listed in the web GUI interface:
http://docs.sveasoft.com/SV-Guide.html
Procedure for flashing firmware:
http://docs.sveasoft.com/SV-UpgradingFirmware.html
Link to a large FAQ on the wrt54g/gs:
http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/LinksysWrt54g

Some things I've come across that you can do or add in with the router and sveasoft:
ADM6996 /proc interface (allows DIRECT access to the internal switch control chip. This basically enables a MANAGED switch in your linksys router.
Details on things you can do and datasheet for this chip:
http://www.admtek.com.tw/produ...tm/Switch/adm6996l.htm (if someone wants to try this leave a reply and I'll post info about how to get at the switch chip and the commands)

Use Firewall Builder (now runs on windows and supports wrt54 series routers with sveasoft) to custom make your own linux style IPtables setup. Customize every thing imaginable with your firewall in any configuration you desire, and it should implicitly support Stateful Packet Inspection.
http://www.fwbuilder.org/
Step by Step tutorial for building IP tables for sveasoft/linksys with firewall builder:
http://www.fwbuilder.org/archives/cat_slides.html
And information on how to get the stuff over to the router (search for linksys on that page) :
http://www.fwbuilder.org/archives/cat_howtos.html

Add Wallwatcher to give real time "filtering, alerts and emailed alerts, historical analysis, summaries, and charts" regarding the status of the router's firewall. See at a glance if anyone is attacking you over the internet.
Link to wallwatcher homepage:
http://www.wallwatcher.com/
Link to sveasoft thread on using it:
http://www.sveasoft.com/module...2/viewtopic.php?t=1729

Supports kismet. Kismet homepage: http://www.kismetwireless.net/
Link with screenshots and some info:
http://toys.lerdorf.com/archiv...he_Linksys_WRT54G.html
Link to some detail about installing it:
http://www.kismetwireless.net/...ges/1067029678.2505929

Also, there's a script availible to show in realtime and historical information about bandwidth usage, ping times, etc in graphical format. Details are here:
http://www.sveasoft.com/module...2/viewtopic.php?p=1249
Unfortunately the page where it was shown live and working is only showing a empty graph. But I do have the download of the latest version of anyone is interested. I think it needs mysql support PHP.

Finally to wrap up. Sveasoft uses a free and paid customer split model. The stable releases/source are free, but the latest development unstable testing releases/source/support require a $20 donation. For instance, the testing releases are soon to have a Captive Portal added in. With a captive portal you basically have all you need to run a wireless hot spot or cafe. A Captive Portal prompts for a name/password when you connect wirelessly to the web.
Just in case any trolls are around and going to complain about GPL, this model is allowed under the GPL. The payment is for support, and if you distribute the testing releases you basically "fork" the development, and have responsability to support the testing release you leaked (and give the source with the leaked binary), and you lose the subscription status.
This link is to a email exchange from the Free Software Foundation compliance team about the issue:
http://www.sveasoft.com/module...2/viewtopic.php?t=3033
Some updated info posted by sveasoft, quoted in part:

All packages currently under the GPL license will naturally remain under this license.
All Sveasoft additions to GPL packages will remain GPL licensed.
All Sveasoft additions released publicly outside of specific GPL packages will be under the Apache license

Couple more links I found:
Cringley writes about the WRT54G and calls it the coming revolution. While I dont know if I agree with his extreme views and I dont know much about him (but I see mention of his name ocasionally so I guess he's popular), there's no doubt this firmware is cool.
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20040527.html

These look like a couple of decent site that keep track of stuff pertaining to linksys equipment. Like what firmware options you have, if linksys releases new stuff, etc.
http://www.linksysinfo.org/
http://www.wrt54g.com

If you have any questions feel free to post. I use the firmware and I love it. I've had no issues so far and my favorite features are Static DHCP (assigns IP addresses by MAC, so you can leave your computer set to "get IP automatically" and always have it get same IP. VERY handy for port forwarding and stuff), and the bandwidth managment/packet shaping. I'm still experimenting with the QOS stuff. Although I dont use VoIP, many people on the sveasoft forums do and they use this feature to be able to download/upload at near full speeds and still get VoIP packets sent priority with no lag. As well there's the ability to change the wireless transmission power. BTW, dont ask me what OSPF or BGP are, I dont know, I just mentioned them in the topic subtitle because they sound impressive

The wrt54GS has a speedboosted mode added for increased wireless speed if you use linksys wireless speedboosted cards. Thats the main differance (besides increased internal RAM & Flash)

Some links for alternative firmware projects besides sveasoft, others can be found on the linksysinfo.org site here:
http://openwrt.org
http://sourceforge.net/projects/wifi-box
http://www.dd-wrt.com

Priceing updated 1-05. Amazon has the routers availible if you are looking for a place to buy, no one else has better deals this week that I can see:
wrt54g for $49.99 (After $10 rebate) with free ship:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...tg/detail/-/B00007KDVI
wrt54gs for $69.99 (After $10 rebate) with free ship:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...tg/detail/-/B0001D3K8A

 

[cmv]

Can this firmware do bridging just like the Linksys firmware in the WAP54G?

 

[Shack70]

all i can say is WOW!!!

 

[sygyzy]

Man this is amazing. What a cool move by Linksys. I see a lot of great things happening. Now if only Netgear and others would follow suit.

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: cmv
Can this firmware do bridging just like the Linksys firmware in the WAP54G?

Yes it has a "bridging" mode called WDS I think, if I remember correctly. It does some other stuff besides bridging, I think repeating, etc. Details should be on the sveasoft forum, or check the documentation links.

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Man this is amazing. What a cool move by Linksys. I see a lot of great things happening. Now if only Netgear and others would follow suit.

Linksys did this in part because they had pre-existing GPL code utilized in thier routers. However they DID go above and beyond the call of duty in releasing a FULLY buildable source code and all the tools included. It would be cool if other companies did this, but unfortunately for the most part they dont seem to be doing so. They probably dont want to release proprietary source code. Also, the added features might horn in on thier upper end router/wireless equipment lines.
For example, Cisco (they bought linksys recently) probably doesn't like this

 

[Oakenfold]

Nice, may have to give it a whirl. I was disappointed when I purchased the WRT54GS when I found out it didn't do STATIC DHCP when my dlink di-624 did.

 

[lowenbotten]

Why is this being posted as a hot deal? You're just telling us about something that is free to everyone anyway.

 

[breweyez]

lowenbotten...this isnt a good deal for you

maybe you should go to another thread :roll:

 

[lowenbotten]

Originally posted by: breweyez
lowenbotten...this isnt a good deal for you

maybe you should go to another thread :roll:

Thank you for contributing nothing.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: lowenbotten

Originally posted by: breweyez
lowenbotten...this isnt a good deal for you

maybe you should go to another thread :roll:

Thank you for contributing nothing.

what did you contribute?

thanks to the OP, I'll try this out on mine when I get off work.

 

[hevnsnt]

Excellent post, I am running the pay version of sveasoft firmware (also recently released) and it is freaking amazing!

 

[ttown]

Holy moly!

...and the WRT54G goes onto my "buy" list

now to find one for cheap

 

[kt]

Originally posted by: lowenbotten

Originally posted by: breweyez
lowenbotten...this isnt a good deal for you

maybe you should go to another thread :roll:

Thank you for contributing nothing.

And YOU just wasted 15 seconds of my time. Can I have it back????



Now back to topic.

I've used the older firmware and just updated to the new firmware that was released yesterday. It's amazing how much you can do with that router + firmware. The most useful I've found so far is the Bandwith Management using Wondershaper and the antenna power booster (300% gain!). I can gaurantee you that you can't find a QoS-capable router for below $100! I picked mine up from Fry's for $59.99. Best 60 bux I've ever spent.

 

[kt]

Originally posted by: ttown
Holy moly!

...and the WRT54G goes onto my "buy" list

now to find one for cheap

Next to Fry's deal.. your best bet is Amazon.com. You can get one for $68 shipped. Actually, I only saved about $3 from Fry's deal since I have to pay tax.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
Excellent post, I am running the pay version of sveasoft firmware (also recently released) and it is freaking amazing!

what does the pay version have that this free one doesn't?

 

[superflysocal]

i am surprised that linksys (who I consider is a major player in routers) does not have static Ip assignment by MAC by default.

i have a 3 year old compaq wireless router I bought for $40 that can do that.

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
Excellent post, I am running the pay version of sveasoft firmware (also recently released) and it is freaking amazing!

what does the pay version have that this free one doesn't?

The "pay" version right now is called: Alchemy.
Here's the list of features added so far:

Alchemy firmware additions from Satori-pre3.11:

Multi-level QoS (see web interface)
Ebtables 2.03
Iptables 1.2.11
Multiple client fix for client mode
Optimization of kernel QoS code
Busybox1.0-pre10
Dropbear SSH 0.42
802.11x/WPA support on WDS interfaces
Zebra OSPF with WDS interface support
Squashfs V2.0 file system

Keep in mind that they will also add a Captive Portal soon. Oh also, I think they added power adjustment to 201mw. They were talking about doing that. It was apparently a hidden switch somewhere, because "normal" adjustible max for the linksys wireless using sveasoft firmware is 84mw (default is 28mw and not adjustable with normal linksys firmware). No one knows if increasing it this much burns it out or not, but its there for testers to try Besides which I'm not sure FCC regs allow you to do that much

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: lowenbotten
Why is this being posted as a hot deal? You're just telling us about something that is free to everyone anyway.

So if I said, free 9800 pro after rebates you wouldn't be interested? (which BTW, is worth less than the added features on this router)

IMHO hot deals are about a number of things. Stuff you'd normally pay for thats on sale/rebates, and stuff that is free and people might like but not know about, etc. If you ask me this is better than all those free condom deals people keep posting And this affects people's buying decisions of routers, and gives some rather large bonuses to people who own the router. As well, since sveasoft has a "pay" version, people might want to try this out first and see if they want to pay for support/testing releases.

 

[InlineFive]

Does this thing support WPA-TLLS? If so I'm buying one!

 

[breweyez]

hey Devistater....dont bother with that lowenbotten @$$clown. if you do a search on his past posts, youll see he is just a jerk......all the time(not just to you and I)

and thanks for the info...i have been in the market for a G-router...so this is great info for me :thumbsup:

 

[fallenangel99]

damn i want the wireless router now.. still looking for when some1 posts a hot deal for it

 

[mrokkam]

Originally posted by: lowenbotten
Why is this being posted as a hot deal? You're just telling us about something that is free to everyone anyway.

Most hot deals are hotter because they are publicised here and more people can find out abt it.


Did u know what Harry Potter did with the BAD NAUGHTY Troll??
Mohan.

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
Does this thing support WPA-TLLS? If so I'm buying one!

I googled "WPA-TLLS" and not 1 match came up. What is it?
It does support WPA, and WPA radius btw.

Perhaps you meant:
"EAP-TLLS" ? I googles WPA and TLLS and found that.

If so I searched the forums and and here's the info I found, someone else asked this:

Hi, I have one more question: does this new firmware support eap (md5/tls/ttls) client mode authetication?

Nikki one of the developers posted this a couple days ago:

no
I'm planing to implement soon.
I think it will be in a month or so.

From this page:
http://www.sveasoft.com/modules/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3201

 

[cmetz]

Devistater, thank you for posting this.

I'd love any links you have on how to twiddle that switch fabric chip. A four-port managed switch (five?) is still kinda small, but it's still ripe with hack potential.

 

[Tokar]

There is a $10 rebate out for the WRT54G...exp 8/24/04

This offer is valid at Amazon.com, Buy.com, Computers4sure.com, Officetechcenter.com, Provantage.com, Comp-u-plus.com, Zipzoomfly.com, and E-buyer.com ONLY. Request must be postmarked no later than 8/23/2004.

Buy.com - $70 free ship
Computers4sure - $70 free ship
Provantage - $60 + shipping ($8 for where im located...PA)
Comp-u-plus - $70 + shipping ($1 for where im located)
Officetechcenter - $60 + shipping
ZipZoomFly - $70 free ship
Amazon - $68
(Cant find it on Amazon or ZipZoomFly)

Looks like it goes for a best $60 after rebate...

But personally....i still dont find this firmware as a selling point for me.

I know 2 people who have the router and use it...and its performances degrades significantly after the signal has to go through one wall. Its a joke And we arent even talking more than 20-30 feet. Not to mention the fact that both people went out and got those Antennae from Radio Shack for $30 that supposedly increase the signal strength, that many techs who work for Linksys know about.

I hate linksys wireless products. So unless this firmware improves signal strength, $60 is too much to pay for something that stinks. There are better products for half that price...