What is DD-WRT?

[vincedea]

I just got an asus N66U router and I was just curious what is and why do people use the open source firmware?

What advantages do I get for using the open source firmware?

Thanks for your explanations

 

[avos]

People usually use it to add a feature that the stock firmware doesn't have. If you would like to try a middle option I would suggest Merlin's modified asuswrt. http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=7846

 

[JackMDS]

Some Wireless Routers turn from Nothing to "Shiny" Devices with DD-WRT.

Example, the old Linksys WRT-54G.*

Currently there are many Wireless Routers that function well (the Asus 66 is one of them) with their stock firmware.

However, DD-WRT provides many features that are Not available in main stream Routers.

Take a look at the features of DD-WRT, check it against your Router's stock firmware and see if there is something that you need and Not available on your Router.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_"DD-WRT"?

If there are such features read carefully the Instructions and flash DD-WRT into your Wireless Router.

Otherwise, Sleep well and enjoy life. Many "remedies" used by Enthusiasts are just "Snake Oil".





* DD is the letters on car's license plate in Dresden Germany. The Firmware team reside there.

WRT comes from the Linksys WRT-54G model number

WRT allegedly was used by Linksys to stand for "Wireless RouTer".

 

[Michael]

I can give an example of a benefit I received. I was living in China and needed a VPN to more easily get to the outside world or use USA services like Hulu Plus. Best option is to have the router handle the VPN. Astrill, the VPN service I used, had a good add-on for DD-WRT that made the whole process painless.

I have an ASUS router now that I am back in the USA and the stock firmware is not only fine, I makes some things like restricting access for my kids much easier than DD-WRT does (DD-WRT can do I, but the process is not as simple).

Michael

 

[AD5MB]

routers are computers with at least two network interfaces; wireless routers have 3. A wireless router has a wireless interface that functions as an Access Point, an AP

the manufacturers firmware allows the interfaces to perform one task; passing network traffic from a LAN to a WAN. The wireless interface can only work as an AP.

DD-WRT adds more functionality. you can reconfigure a wireless router to act as a bridge. A bridge can be a client to an AP.

I have a WRT54G set up as a web server. I can access the web interfaces of all my network equipment by clicking a link with a plain English name, no need to memorize IP addresses.

 

[John Connor]

If you ever flash that router make sure you read the wiki on DD-WRT's page and this.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=171783&highlight=

Make damn sure you do the 30,30,30 rule and after the flash you wait at least 2 minutes. http://compnetworking.about.com/b/2009/03/11/the-30-30-30-hard-reset-rule-for-routers.htm

DD-WRT for that router allows you to use Optware which has many great options like Asia block, but configuring it is a PITA.

 

[dealguru]

DD-WRT firmware add some functionality to a router but of course you need to
make sure your router is supported.