HighTech: linksys router firmware mods, improved VOIP

[jaymer]

basically,
if you have the Linksys WRT54G router and G access point, then because its Linux based, the sourcecode has been modified by a guy in france and significanty improved. I think this is THE router to get if you need to add wireless to your house. And if you were to use something like VONAGE for phone over that same IP connection, then this new firmware can automatically slow down your computer connection speed so your voice doesn't become unusable. another option would be to slow down your kids connection if you were working and needed the bandwidth.
very neat stuff.

http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,9112726~mode=flat~days=10

[Max_Gator]

Just purchased that router. thanks!

How's your treo?

[FTBoomerIII]

I've had this router and wireless G laptop card for almost a year now and am very happy with it. I'll have to check it out. Thanks

[Bschneider]

FTBoomerIII,

Here is the link to actual website for the firmware for the link Jaymer posted.

http://www.sveasoft.com/modules/phpBB2/index.php

It is definately worth the $ 20 / year subscription.

As I said last night, I am using his firmware to upgrade my WRT54G and changed the output from 24 mw to 84 mw. The distance between my 2 WRT54G is around 1000 ft. Also you can change the bandwidth management to whatever speed you want an application to use. Another cool feature is telnet on the router. I have used that a few times to reboot the router that was 1000 ft away.

Also mentioned to you is www.hyperlinktech.com where I purchased my cabling and antenna to increase the gain from the standard 2.3 or 3.3 dbi to 12 dbi.

Very easy firmware upgrade.. Just make sure you don't do what I did and grab the wrong one.. You don't want to fry the router.. Grab the pre3.8 release.

[FTBoomerIII]

Bschneider,

You sure about this? I know you are getting good results with this, but I don't want to fry my router. I don't have the luxury of returning it (over a year old).

I guess what I'm asking is, did you have any hickups during your upgrade? Anything I should look for or do?

TIA

[jaymer]

FT...
well, i was worried about the firmware update frying the router also, but really its a <$100 router, so if it craps out the router, well, no biggie really, just go get another.

[FTBoomerIII]

FT...
well, i was worried about the firmware update frying the router also, but really its a <$100 router, so if it craps out the router, well, no biggie really, just go get another.

Very True Jaymer, but right now I'm shelling out $5,600 on a new roof, that and the hassle of taking my network down and going out to buy and setup a new router. If I knew that it were plug & play simple, I'd jump at it. Just hate the hassle of fixing it if it doesn't go smoothly.

[HDTVFanAtic]

someone just download the WAP54G firmware and p/m it to me :)

[Bschneider]

Bschneider,

You sure about this? I know you are getting good results with this, but I don't want to fry my router. I don't have the luxury of returning it (over a year old).

I guess what I'm asking is, did you have any hickups during your upgrade? Anything I should look for or do?

TIA

Yeah.. I am sure about it.. I have done three successful upgrades without a hiccup. Of course, I did tell you about the one I did fry but that was stupidity. Here is the simple process.. take about 2.5 minutes to complete.

1. Download pre-3.8
2. Reset router to factory default. <--
3. Use TFTP 1.255
4. UPGRADE FIRMWARE
5. WAIT <-- Extremely important.. During the upgrade the power led with start blinking (flashing). This is because it is writing the firmware. So don't turn off or anything until it stops flashing.
6. After the power led stops flashing. Reboot the router.
7. Done.

You will now have a modified router with factory defaults.

[FTBoomerIII]

1. Download pre-3.8 Is this the current $20 version?
2. Reset router to factory default. <-- How?
3. Use TFTP 1.255 HUH??? What the heck is that?

[jaymer]

i found this:

ftp://ftp.sveasoft.com/pub/

maybe you don't need to "donate" the $20

jaymer...

[HDTVFanAtic]

You are a gentleman :)

[Bschneider]

i found this:

ftp://ftp.sveasoft.com/pub/

maybe you don't need to "donate" the $20

jaymer...

Those are the ones that fryed my router... :o

[HDTVFanAtic]

Maybe you should send me the WAP54G firmware as you don't need it :)

[Bschneider]

1. Download pre-3.8 Is this the current $20 version?
2. Reset router to factory default. <-- How?
3. Use TFTP 1.255 HUH??? What the heck is that?

I'll add a link soon so you can download TFTP. I need to upload it to my webserver.

Resetting the box it easy. There is a small reset button on the backside of the box. Press and hold for 10 seconds will reset the box to factory default.

There is no $ 20 version per se.. It is an annual subscription that will allow you to download past and future firmware. It also allows you access to the support forum that is separate from the public support.

[Bschneider]

You can download Tftp from here:

http://www.integrated-concepts.net/software/linksys/tftp/tftp1255.exe

[FTBoomerIII]

You can download Tftp from here:

http://www.integrated-concepts.net/software/linksys/tftp/tftp1255.exe

Thanks, but what is it?

[Bschneider]

TFTP is a program that will allow you to upload any firmware to the Linksys box. The program is usually found in the zip files of firmware from Linksys. But finding the best version (1.255) of the program is a hit or miss.

[FTBoomerIII]

Well after much diliberation and conversations with Brian (Bschneider), I paid my money and got the upgrade. First impressions are very incouraging. I like the ability to select Rx & Tx antenna separatly (I have an extra antenna on one of my legs)...(boy, that sounds funny LMAO over that one) as well as adjusting the output power.

The installation was very easy and straight-forward. Thanks again Brian for all your help.

[FTBoomerIII]

Hey Brian, 3.9 & 3.10 are out, have you installed either yet?

[Bschneider]

Nope.. not yet.

Probably won't for a week or so. 10 came out to quickly after 9 so I want to make sure 10 is stable.

I do like the new feature, uptime status. There has been a few times that I wanted to know how long my router has been up and running.

I'll pm you when I do upgrade to 10.

[jaymer]

firmware also available for the 54GS - $86 at newegg.
the 54G is $80.

[FTBoomerIII]

firmware also available for the 54GS - $86 at newegg.
the 54G is $80.

That makes the $20 we spent look like a real bargain.

[Bschneider]

its the actual product not the firmware that they sell at newegg, at least I couldn't find the firmware listed.

[bdraw]

I just ordered a WRT54G from z-buy.com for $66 shipped.

Should have it early next week.

[Bschneider]

Hey Brian, 3.9 & 3.10 are out, have you installed either yet?

Finally installed pre3.11 today..

So far so good.. I had to use the web interface to upgrade the firmware as so do a few others. This time around I didn't restore to factory default on my routers. I just did the upgrade. Took about 2 minutes to complete.

They are going to release this verison to the public soon.. Apparently they are going to release a newer verison with a lot more features. One feature in particular is the going from 84 mw output to 251 mw.