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Optionally, you can find all sorts of routers flashed with DD-WRT, Tomato, etc. on eBay. I run three Linksys WRT routers flashed with DD-WRT in a repeater bridge network. I have full strength WIFI nearly anywhere I happen to be in the house or the garage. Most excellent!

the article says "We explain how to use use powerful open-source firmware to unleash the beast in your router" but I only got how to install open-source, not how to use it.

This article does not explain what benefits are expected over the stock router firmware, so why should someone go through this trouble and risk? What are the likely benefits?

Where's the beast?!

Can Verizon FiOS routers be upgraded also?

RLeB, on 06 August 2012 - 08:43 AM, said:

Google is your friend....you might be surprised at what you can learn.

Duplicate post deleted

This post has been edited by Movnmik: 07 August 2012 - 06:15 AM

jeepmanjr, on 06 August 2012 - 06:41 PM, said:

@jeepmanjr - That's not the point , which you totally missed. The title of the article is terribly misleading. Article is a fail IMO.

Movnmik, on 07 August 2012 - 06:14 AM, said:

Read the article again. What is misleading? Do your research as stated.

I have to add to the others in saying this article only describes installation and gives no understanding of or reason for using open-source firmware. The only links given are for the sites that offer the firmware. The article has no information about the features or usefulness of this firmware over manufacturer's firmware. Specifically, it does not "explain how to use" the firmware. That is exactly what the article states it does, but it does not. Those of you telling us to read the article again please quote the specific passages that state how to use.

This is the extent to which the article explains or describes use. "Then configure your wireless and security settings, along with any other ISP-related requirements, and you're finished." That's fine if the article stated installation, but the header clearly indicates usage, not installation. It is good as an installation guide though.

Movnmik, on 07 August 2012 - 06:14 AM, said:

I didn't miss anything. This is not an all-encompassing writeup on DD-WRT. If you had taken the time to at least look at the Wiki, you would have discovered that its use is well beyond a short article such as this. This is a primer, so to speak. Again, do some research and learn something and don't expect everything to be put in your plate for you.

This post has been edited by jeepmanjr: 07 August 2012 - 12:03 PM

Beware of poor wireless performance with both Tomato and dd-wrt. I tried both on a Netgear WNR3500L and WLAN transfer speeds are poor. Reflashed the router with stock Netgear firmware to resolve.

An open note to the writer of this article:
If you wish to improve the credibility of the articles you write, you need to listen to the feedback that you receive and not be so defensive. I believe that I am like the others who have left comments. I am not a network geek, and when I Google this issue or look at the Wiki as to the features of the open source firmware (as you suggest,) it is just a bunch of technical specifications that essentially tell me nothing. And you have given me no motivation to want to dig further.

Your comment to "do your homework" is missing the point and is a put down to your readers. Do you really want to do that to those you may want to look forward to your articles and learn something? If so, limit your writing to technical journals and not a general computer publication such as PCWorld.

We, as your readers, want to know first and foremost that what your are suggesting is something that will benefit us and something that we should seriously consider doing. In other words, what is missing is any explanation as to WHY we should do the the firmware upgrade. Specifically, what will I be able to do that I cannot do now? What kinds of problems can I fix?

When you provide this type of information, a reader will then say, "Wow, I've had that problem and this is how I can fix it." Or, "This is interesting but I don't see where I can benefit from doing this right now. However, I will tuck this article away, and later, if I have a problem of this type, I now know it what direction I can go to fix it. Thank you for your article."

YOU clearly understand the motivation to do the firmware upgrade, but you HAVE NOT communicated that information to your readers. That is what we are all trying to tell you.

Again, please do not forget who will be reading your articles; you need to address their needs if you want to be respected as a technical journalist. You need to realize that nobody is perfect and we all need to learn from constructive criticism and on occasion need to eat some humble pie.

MJBurton, on 08 August 2012 - 07:50 AM, said:

Hi MJBurton,

I’m the author of the article—I haven’t made any comments yet. I believe you’re mistaking another commenter/reader as the author of the article. I’m always open to feedback and appreciate any and all readers, even if they aren’t happy with something I’ve written. You can’t be in this business for as long as I have and not be open to feedback.

With that said, I quickly outline some of the reasons for moving to an open-source firmware in the beginning of the piece. “When a basic broadband router has to juggle so many connected devices simultaneously, bad things can happen. If you're lucky, everything works; but for many routers, the load that the connected devices impose becomes excessive, resulting in poor performance or instability.”

In many instances (not all), the simple act of installing the firmware is the single most important upgrade and can fix the performance or stability issues of the basic (relatively speaking) stock firmwares included on many routers.

I can appreciate wanting more in-depth explanations of the features on open-source firmwares, but they’re not universal to every router (no do they universally work, even when available) and were unfortunately beyond the scope of this piece. With this type of article, I also assume a certain level of knowledge/experience. Someone unfamiliar with configuring their WiFi security settings probably shouldn’t be attempting a modification like this one.

If you do give this a shot though, post your router brand/model here and I’ll see if there are any particular tweaks available for it that may further improve/enhance performance. There are a few settings that may help boost or extend wireless range, etc.

Thanks for reading.

MJBurton, on 08 August 2012 - 07:50 AM, said:

Just in case I don't get back to this thread quick enough, feel free to reach out via e-mail as well. My e-mail address is my first-name.lastname at gmail dot com.

MarcoChiappetta, on 08 August 2012 - 12:20 PM, said:

MJBurton, on 10 August 2012 - 09:02 AM, said:

MarcoChiappetta, on 08 August 2012 - 12:20 PM, said:

Marco:

Thank you for your reply. It is nice to know that you are open to suggestions and do follow the feedback on your articles. I apologize for mistaking the comments of someone else to be yours.

It is valuable to know that the simple act of installing the firmware will, in and of itself, solve many issues without any further settings. Thank you for that information.

Perhaps to help others who may be following this article, you mention that with many devices connected "the load that the connected devices impose becomes excessive, resulting in poor performance or instability" of the router. Not having experienced any of these problems myself, what are the symptoms of the problems you mention? How does poor performance or instability show up? I have no idea what to look for and perhaps others have the same question. Any additional information would be appreciated.

Adjusting wireless broadcast power to improve range seems to be pretty straight forward, assuming that that is an issue. Poor signal strength and spotty performance would of course be the keys to that issue.

Are there any other MAJOR issues other than these that do not require a lot of additional research? I believe that the majority of your readers are probably only interested in the major problems that can be fixed with a reasonable amount of effort.

Unfortunately, my router, which is a Neatgear WGR614v9 is not supported by DD-WRT. The database says that it "can be supported but is currently not and is not in the works." So for me at this time this article is moot. But, I still will tuck it away for future reference in case I get another router.

Again Marco, thank you for your response and the information in your article. I am certain that the additional information you have given me will definitely help others who are considering installing the firmware.

Have a great day.

PS Sorry about the 2 replies prior to this one that do not contain my reply comments. Being new to the format here, I couldn't figure out how to add my comments and ended up posting 2 duplicates of your response. I hope that someone will delete these and correct MY mistakes. Ah yes, we are all human and make mistakes. I prove that everyday!!

This post has been edited by MJBurton: 10 August 2012 - 10:35 AM