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The most important thing in any project is research. For more information, check out the File Versions table. Others are built with specific features in mind, like VPN, SD card support, or a Samba client. Some are trimmed down to fit in smaller ROM configurations. Because of this, there are a few different versions of DD-WRT available at varying file sizes. This is where the firmware is kept, so even if your router has 16MB of RAM, it won’t work with a 4MB image of DD-WRT without at least that much ROM. Most devices have model and revision numbers on the back panel, and if there’s no revision number, it’s safe to assume that it’s 1.0.įor our purposes, the important spec to consider is NVROM, or ROM. Also make use of their Router Database, which will help you find particular instructions for your model and revision. It’s best to have a router that’s fully supported, so if you end up buying one, be sure to check the DD-WRT Supported Routers page first. Because of this, the first step is doing plenty of research. Even two of the same model can have different revision numbers with very different internal components. Not all routers are built or designed the same way.
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Turning your home router into an almost professional-level tool is a great project that has one major caveat: support. It also unlocks settings that aren’t accessible normally, like antenna power and overclocking. Its software unlocks features that aren’t present on all routers: static routing, VPN, repeating functions, the list goes on. That’s where DD-WRT steps in.ĭD-WRT is an open-source alternative firmware for routers. But what if your warranty’s expired, or you want to shuck their limitations? Maybe you want to take your hardware and push it to its most extreme limits. It’s a nice arrangement you respect their limitations, and they promise to help with your problems. When you buy a router from Linksys/Cisco, Netgear, D-Link, or others, you’re bound to their software. Why, exactly? Your router is only as good as its firmware, the software that makes it tick.
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It’s a mighty fine one, too, but it’s still not the best.
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