A new Kinja experience is coming soon! Preview the update (?

tiger=on)

ADAM PASH (HTTP://ADAM-PASH.KINJA.COM)

ROUTER (/TAG/ROUTER)
4,442,910

(http://adam-pash.kinja.com)

142

Turn

your $60 router into a $600 router

(http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attackturn-your-60-router-into-a-600-router)

RELATED

Of all the great DIY projects at this year's

Maker Faire

Hack Attack: Maker Faire Highlights

(http://lifehacker.com/169164/hack-attackmaker-faire-highlights)
by Adam Pash Read
(http://lifehacker.com/169164/hack-attackmaker-faire-highlights)

(http://www.lifehacker.com/software/makerfaire/hack-attack-maker-faire-highlights169164.php), the one project that really caught my eye involved converting a regular old $60
router into a powerful, highly configurable $600 router. The router has an interesting history
(http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3562391), but all you really need to know is
that the special sauce lies in embedding Linux in your router. I found this project especially
attractive because: 1) It's easy, and 2) it's totally free.
So when I got the chance, I dove into converting my own router. After a relatively simple
firmware upgrade, you can boost your wireless signal, prioritize what programs get your
precious bandwidth, and do lots of other simple or potentially much more complicated things to
improve your computing experience. Today I'm going to walk you through upgrading your
router's firmware to the powerful open source DD-WRT firmware.
Photo by puruan (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id= 91657655) .

Update: This is a rather old post at this point, and much has changed in the world of
DD-WRT. For one, DD-WRT now supports considerably more devices, and it's much
easier than it used to be. Check out our updated guide to supercharging your router
with DD-WRT (http://lifehacker.com/how-to-supercharge-your-router-with-dd-wrt508138224) to see how it works. And, for an alternative to to DD-WRT with a simplified
interface and fancy charts and graphs, check out our other guide to turning your $60
router into a user-friendly super router with Tomato
(http://lifehacker.com/344765/turn-your-60-router-into-a-user+friendlysuper+router-with-tomato).

What you'll need:

1.

One of the supported routers (http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database). I

used a Linksys WRT54GL Wireless router
(http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16833124190) that I picked
up from Newegg, and the instructions that follow detail the upgrade process specifically
for that router and its close siblings. If you're upgrading one of the other supported
routers, you might want to look into instructions specific to your router (http://www.ddwrt.com/site/support/router-database). These instructions may generally work for other
supported routers, but I'm not making any promises.

2.

The generic DD-WRT v23 SP1 mini firmware version located here (http://www.ddwrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads.php).*

3.

The generic DD-WRT v23 SP1 standard firmware version located here (http://www.ddwrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads.php).*

*Y ou'll be upgrading the firmware twice, first using the mini firmware, then using the standard.

Upgrading your router to the DD-WRT rmware

Check out this gallery for the detailed step-by-step upgrade with screenshots
(http://lifehacker.com/photogallery/routerupgrade/748102). When you're finished, come back
here for some of my favorite tweaks.
EXPAND

(http://lifehacker.com/photogallery/routerupgrade/748102) Update, October '07: Reader Josh

Harris writes in:
All the new WRT54G routers being sold now are v8, and the previous DD-WRT
software didn't work on them. However, recent versions added support for the
new v8 router but it's a little more in depth.
Got this to work on the WRT54G v8 (should work on 7 as well, just replace the
files with the corresponding 7 version):
First of all, use IE explorer. Firefox didn't work at all on this for me, even after
install. Second, go to this page (http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/down.php?
path=downloads%2Frelease+candidates%2FDDWRT+v24+RC3%2FGENERIC+BROADCOM+%28Linksys%2C+Asus+etc.%29%
2FWRT54Gv8%2C+WRT54GSv7/). Read the textfile carefully and follow its
instructions. Two edits to the textfile:
1. Make sure you go to command prompt and type ipconfig /all. Record the
default gateway, the subnet mask, and the two DNS addresses. When you set the
IP address manually on your desktop/laptop to 192.168.1.100 as per the
instructions, you will need to set these 4 numbers as well.
2. Don't forget when you do the tftp that you need to be in the folder that contains
the downloaded dd-wrt.v24_micro_wrt54gv8.bin file (for example, if it is
in C:/Downloads, type /cd C:/Downloads).
Lastly don't forget you need to be on a wire to the router, and download both
vxworkskillerGv8.bin and dd-wrt.v24_micro_wrt54gv8.bin before
you start. Following this procedure will install the micro version on your router.
After this, switch your laptop/desktop back to receiving your IP address via DHCP
rather than the manual configuration you set as per the instructions. You will be
able to access the DD-WRt micro install via 192.168.1.1 with the login
username root and the password admin. From here, you still need to install
the DD-WRT standard.
Unfortunately, you cannot go any farther than this with WRT54G v7 and v8
because Linksys downgraded the physical memory in these recent models.
However, micro is still an improvement over the original Linksys firmware.

Boost your wireless signal

The first thing I did after I finished the firmware upgrade was give my wireless signal a much
needed boost ("needed" in the sense any signal boosting that can be done needs to be done,
right?). Doing so is trivial.
Go to the Wireless tab, then to Advanced Settings. Find the entry labeled Xmit Power, which is
set by default at a paltry 28mW, and can be set up to 251mW. To be honest, I don't know much
about the science of the whole process, but I do know that 251 is WAY bigger than 28.
However, you probably don't want to pump it up to 251mW right away.
EXPAND

The DD-WRT manual

(http://www.informatione.gmxhome.de/DDWRT/Standard/V23final/help/index.html)
9

Search Lifehacker

suggests that a "safe increase of up to 70 would be suitable for most users." Anything too much
above that and you'd be flirting with overheating your router and damaging the life of your

(http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flifehacker.com%2F178132%2Fhack-attack-turn-your-60Tips, tricks, and downloads for getting things done.

router (though I've heard that many people have pushed it up to 100 or above). So go ahead

APP DIRECTORY (http://lifehacker.com/the-lifehackerand change your Xmit Power to 70 and click the Save Settings button at the bottom of the page.
router-into-a-600-router)
app-directory-curates-the-best-apps-for-5803257) DOWNLOADS (http://lifehacker.com/tag/downloads) (http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Flifehacker.com%2F178132%2Fhack-attack-turn-your-60-router-into-a-600PRODUCTIVITY (http://lifehacker.com/tag/productivity) RELATED
DIY (http://lifehacker.com/tag/diy) - MONEY
I can't measure for sure how the signal boost
router&text=POST_TITLE)
(http://lifehacker.com/tag/money) - SECURITY
has improved things for me since I've just
Hack Attack: Apartment hunting 101
(http://lifehacker.com/tag/security) - LIFEHACKER DEALS
(http://lifehacker.com/176670/hack-attackmoved into this apartment
(http://lifehacker.com/tag/dealhacker) - NIGHT SCHOOL
apartment-hunting-101)
(http://lifehacker.com/tag/nightschool)
by Adam Pash Read
(http://lifehacker.com/176670/hack-attack(/)
apartment-hunting-101)

(http://www.lifehacker.com/software/apartments/hack-attack-apartment-hunting-101RECOMMENDED BY ADAM PASH (HTTP://

Introducing Two Cents: a Lifehacker Blog All

About Personal Finance
(http://twocents.lifehacker.com/hey-guys-imexcited-to-be-here-ive-got-a-few-posts-up1536866787)

176670.php), but I can say that the signal is full bars pretty much anywhere I go. How's that
for scientific?

Throttling your bandwidth by program

While most routers treat one request for bandwidth the same as any other, your new $600
router is a step above. By setting up QoS (Quality of Service) rules (http://wrt-wiki.bsr-

How to Avoid Spreading Myths and

Misinformation Online
(http://lifehacker.com/5798308/how-to-identifyand-avoid-spreading-misinformation-myths-andurban-legends-on-the-internet)

clan.de/index.php?title=Quality_of_Service), you can give priority to your interactive traffic

Best Friend Friday Thread of Openness

(http://hackerspace.lifehacker.com/mine-is-thisguy-1527949332)

Doing so will ensure that even if your

Photoshop Tip: Grab colors from anywhere on

your desktop (http://lifehacker.com/eh1527795023)

to make all of your free SkypeOut phone

(like VoIP, web browsing, or gaming (http://wrt-wiki.bsr-clan.de/index.php?

title=Quality_of_Service#Optimize_for_Gaming)) while throttling traffic that doesn't require
a steady rate of bandwidth to function (like P2P programs).

network gets clogged with lots of file sharing,

you'll still have enough bandwidth left over
calls

How to Make a Web Site Part II: Styling and CSS

(http://lifehacker.com/iframe-width-100-height420-scrolling-no-frameb-1527792863)

RELATED

Free calls to any phone with SkypeOut

(http://lifehacker.com/173795/free-calls-to-anyphone-with-skypeout)
Skype has just announced free SkypeOut calling
to any phone (landline or mobile) within the US
and Canada from any computer within the same.
Read (http://lifehacker.com/173795/freecalls-to-any-phone-with-skypeout)

This Is How You Should Cook Your Turkey (to

Avoid Wasting Hours)
(http://lifehacker.com/5860136/this-is-how-youshould-cook-your-turkey-next-thursday-or-youcould-waste-hours-of-your-life)

(http://www.lifehacker.com/software/skype/free-calls-to-any-phone-with-skypeout-

It Was "Pash" Like "Cash"

(http://lifehacker.com/5973647/it-was-pash-likecash)

What to do if you brick your router

173795.php). If you've got roommates who tend to sponge up a lot of bandwidth, you can even
prioritize by IP address (http://wrt-wiki.bsr-clan.de/index.php?
title=Quality_of_Service#Prioritizing_by_IP_Address).

Stay Alert in This Week's Open Thread

(http://lifehacker.com/5947310/stay-alert-in-thisweeks-open-thread)
Grab a Bundle of DRM-Free Ebooks On the
Cheap (http://lifehacker.com/5946956/grab-abundle-of-drm-free-ebooks-on-the-cheap)
Lounge Like You Mean It in This Week's Open
Thread (http://lifehacker.com/5941361/loungelike-you-mean-it-in-this-weeks-open-thread)
Get Some Fresh Air in This Week's Open Thread

If, god forbid, while flashing your firmware you end up "bricking" your router, don't worry - all
is not lost. The DD-WRT wiki (http://wrt-wiki.bsr-clan.de/index.php?title=Main_Page) (a
great resource of all things DD-WRT) can help you recover from a bad flash (http://wrtwiki.bsr-clan.de/index.php?title=Recover_from_a_Bad_Flash).
Of course, your router will handle securing
your network, port forwarding

RELATED

Geek to Live: How to access a home server

behind a router/rewall

(http://lifehacker.com/5939592/get-some-freshair-in-this-weeks-open-thread)

(http://lifehacker.com/127276/geek-to-live--howto-access-a-home-server-behind-arouterrewall)

I'm Limor Fried, and This Is How I Work

(http://lifehacker.com/hey-limor-thanks-somuch-for-joining-us-i-was-wonderi-465567225)

by Gina Trapani Read

(http://lifehacker.com/127276/geek-to-live-how-to-access-a-home-server-behind-arouterfirewall)

It's More Entertaining Than Your Favorite TV

Show in This Week's Open
(http://lifehacker.com/5937606/its-moreentertaining-than-your-favorite-tv-show-in-thisweeks-open-thread)

(http://www.lifehacker.com/software/feature/geek-to-live-how-to-access-a-home-server-

Your Clever Password Tricks Aren't Protecting

You from Today's Hackers
(http://lifehacker.com/my-password-generationprocess-is-exactly-like-user775-465579209)

Obviously I've just scratched the surface here, so if you decide to try this out, there's a lot of

How Do I Torrent Safely Now That Demonoid Is

Down? (http://lifehacker.com/i-think-thatsounds-about-right-bittorrent-has-to-be-a465581481)

behind-a-routerfirewall-127276.php?mail2=true), and all the other things your regular old

router does.

potential for other things you can do. Any readers tricked out a router with DD-WRT or one of
the other open source distros? Tell us what tweaks have worked for you in the comments or at
tips at lifehacker.com.
Adam Pash (http://mp3.about.com) is an associate editor for Lifehacker who loves a
good signal boost. His special feature Hack Attack (http://www.lifehacker.com/software/hackattack/) appears every Tuesday on Lifehacker. Subscribe to the Hack Attack RSS feed
(http://www.lifehacker.com/software/hack-attack/index.xml) to get new installments in your
newsreader.
Like

2 participants

1.7k

Discuss (/posts/178132/reply)

3 participants

SenorValasco (http://senorv

kian01 (http://kian01.kinja.c

(/posts/495326722/reply)

How is this any better than Tomato?

(/posts/495326695/reply)

Why would I boost the signal strength of my

5/31/10 7:13am (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-into-a-600-router?comment=23761319#comments)

router? If you do so, bits may travel better

from your router to the client, but as long as

FrancesTheMute (http://fran
(/posts/495326746/reply)

you cannot boost the way back (client to

router), how is this supposed to help?

1/17/10 12:04am (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-i

@SenorValasco: I think it's really personal

preference. I've run both, they both work

Benedinho (http://brettbene

equally well. DD-WRT was just the first of

(/posts/495326696/reply)

these 3rd party firmwares and therefore has

gotten the most exposure.
2 participants

@kian01: I see what you're saying, but most

6/01/10 3:51pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-into-a-600-router?comment=23820093#comments)

people seem to think it's a welcome addition.

doodledeveloper (http://doo
(/posts/504258434/reply)

I doubt they're all just lying.

2 participants

1/17/10 11:48pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-i

YanaLooney (http://yanaloo

Old article I know, but as it was recently

(/posts/495326591/reply)

linked to...
I've never understood why people take an
old router & update the software running on
it. Especially to DDWRT. I mean, sure, it's
better than stock. But DDWRT is still pretty

I bricked my router. :(

2/07/09 3:34pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router

drummsticks (http://drumms

limited (I have micro 24 running on my

WRTG54v2 with it's whopping 2Mb RAM).

(/posts/495326595/reply)

@Y anaLooney: Me too!! I just tried these

A much, much better solution IMO, is an old

steps last night with my WRT54G v8 router.

laptop running linux (or BSD preferably).

I thought I followed the steps correctly.

Even Ubuntu's basic modern desktop

Turns out, not so much.

installation has virtually everything you

need to setup a router. Y ou just need two
network interfaces in the PC (and if you're
using an old laptop, then you probably have
eth and wifi). I have a Samsung NC10 with
a cracked screen & shot fan bearings that's
running as an intelligent switch (complete
with DHCPd). To get around the noisy
bearing issue I just removed power to the
fan & left the bottom casing off to let it
breathe naturally. Sensors tell me it never

El bricko :(

2/16/09 9:46am (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-

drummsticks (http://drumms
(/posts/495326597/reply)

@Y anaLooney: Ok, I take it back. I did not

brick my router. As it turns out, it really does
help to read the directions thoroughly.

gets above 54C, and 94C is considered

I needed to set a static IP on my laptop. The

overheat. I've also removed the battery as it's

router is not in a state of dishing out IPs, and

constantly got power.

because my laptop was set to DHCP I

Advantage to running a full on linux/BSD

couldn't connect.

distro being that it's not only more

I set a static IP of 192.168.1.100 and default

customisable, but it also acts as my in-house

gateway
of 192.168.1.1 (as the instructions
1 participant
say) then tftp'd to upgrade the firmware. All

SVN server, while simultaneously

performing perfect QoS to stop my
housemate abusing the network too much,
without him really noticing anything
slowing down.

wentCarneyWabba
well.
(http://carney
I have successfully upgraded to DD-WRT.

(/posts/495326668/reply)

2/16/09 7:56pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-

can I go back to the originial firmware if I

5/13/13 1:28am (http://lifehacker.com/old-article-i-know-but-as-it-was-recently-linked-to-504258434)

don't like dd-wrt version ?

8/30/09 6:09am (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router

SoloHAN (http://solohan.kinj
(/posts/618386946/reply)

Xeratun (http://xeratun-old.k
(/posts/495326778/reply)

I'd rather upgrade a router to a customizable

*nix firmware than have a bulky tower

@CarneyWabba: While I haven't done this

running pfSense or IPCop. The Micro

myself (I ran across this a few weeks ago

package from DD-WRT does have limited

just after having my compatible router

functionality, but that's the price to pay

stolen), you should be able to go back to the

when you use a router with a small amount

old firmware.

of RAM.

I would suggest exporting your current

6/29/13 8:11am (http://lifehacker.com/id-rather-upgrade-a-router-to-a-customizable-nix-firmw-618386946)

router configuration.

doodledeveloper (http://doo

Since this probably only just restore the

tweaking you've done after the software has

(/posts/632191286/reply)

been returned to the original, go to the

Agreed - assuming that it's sole job is router

manufacturer website and look for your

functionality.

model.

But1 participant
even if you're running more - like me
running svn (which happily eats disc space)

Y ou should be able to download the latest

+ tomcat
- you don't
requirea full tower
nighttimestereo
(http://night

able to reinstall the manufacturer provided

unit.

firmware.

firmware there. From there you should be

(/posts/495326726/reply)
7/01/13 3:28am (http://lifehacker.com/agreed-assuming-that-its-sole-job-is-router-functiona-632191286)

Boosting your wireless transmit power is

illegal in the United States. Also, it can cause
more interference with neighboring
networks.

Either that, or just holding the reset button

on the router to return it to factory settings
1 participant
might work.

12/18/10 11:35am (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router

HeathKlik (http://heathklik-o

5/31/10 5:14pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-into-a-600-router?comment=23777701#comments)

(/posts/495326549/reply)

Daniel Rollins (http://hazydr

(/posts/495326737/reply)

@nighttimestereo: I am not totally sure that

is correct. Y ou see, home wireless routers
only transmit out on a very small footprint.
But there are other wireless AP points that
xmit over alot further distance. Such as in a
hospital, hotel, airport, or in my
case...military buildings. (I am a network
tech in the Air Force.)

I've got the WRT54gs v7.2.

There are instructions for Intel and nonIntel chip versions of this model. How do I
tell which one I have?

1/25/09 7:42am (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-

Benedinho (http://brettbene
(/posts/495326697/reply)

@HeathKlik: google your model number, or

any other information you can find on the

5/31/10 11:22pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-into-a-600-router?comment=23786717#comments)

jharris0221 (http://jharris02

back, near your serial number. (hint:

wrt54gs is NOT your model number)

(/posts/495326403/reply)

Got this to work on the WRT54G v8 (will

work on 7 as well, just replace the one file
with the corresponding 7 version):

1/17/10 11:51pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-in

arctanck (http://arctanck-old
(/posts/495326335/reply)

First of all, use IE explorer. Firefox didn't

For those who haven't got one of these

work at all on this for me, even after install.

WRT54G linksys boxes, you may want to

Second, go to this page - [www.dd-wrt.com]

(http://www.dd-wrt.com/ddwrtv2/down.php?
path=downloads%2Frelease+candidates%2F
DD-

turn your old pc into a wi-fi access point by

putting in a hostap compatible pci card. It's a
more attractive option, than hacking a
linksys box, if you keep your desktop
running 24/7 anyway, say to do p2p
downloads. It can be more energy saving

WRT+v24+RC3%2FGENERIC+BROADCO

(depending on how old your machine is),

M+%28Linksys%2C+Asus+etc.%29%2FWRT

and saving some silicons. Y ou can also, like

54Gv8%2C+WRT54GSv7/)

what I did, stream your music from the old

Read the textfile carefully and follow its

instructions. Two edits to the textfile- one,
make sure you go to command prompt and
type ipconfig /all. Record the default
gateway, the subnet mask, and the two DNS
addresses. When you set the IP address
manually on your desktop/laptop to
192.168.1.100 as per the instructions, you
will need to set these 4 numbers as well.
Second, don't forget when you do the tftp

pc, host a web server, play with traffic

shaping (or qos), set up vpn server for
remote connections, run a vncserver for
graphical remote access (i've just given away
my crt monitor to save space). Stick an
antenna to the pci card and you can
probably reach a meshap node around your
area. Of course, this is only if you are
interested in linux projects...

10/09/06 2:23pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-route

that you need to be in the folder that

contains the downloaded dd-

Kyle Brandt (http://kyle-bran

wrt.v24_micro_wrt54gv8.bin file (for

(/posts/495326339/reply)

example, if it is in C:/Downloads, type "/cd

C:/Downloads"). Lastly don't forget you

If you are going to do this, please do get the

need to be on a wire to the router, and

WRT54GL, Note the "L" as in Linux. Any

download both [vxworkskillerGv8.bin]

current versions of the the WRT54G have

(http://vxworkskillerGv8.bin) and dd-

reduced memory so you can only load the

wrt.v24_micro_wrt54gv8.bin before you

DRT micro version. The new versions of the

start. Following this procedure will install the

WRT54G are crippled in other ways as well.

micro version on your router.

So again, make sure it is the GL version. (I

After this, switch your laptop/desktop back

made this mistake once).

to receiving your IP address via DHCP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G

rather than the manual configuration you

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G)

set as per the instructions. Y ou will be able to

access the DD-WRt micro install via
192.168.1.1 with the login as "root" and the

Tom's Networking Review, "Y es, the Linksys

WRT54G V5 Really Is a Lousy Router:"

passwd as "admin". From here, you still need

http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/06

to install the DD-WRT standard. Go to

/08/lin...

[www.dd-wrt.com] (http://www.dd-

(http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/06

A new Kinja experience is coming soon! Preview the update

/08/linksys_wrt54g_v5_really_is_a_lousy
(?tiger=on)
wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/down.php?
path=downloads%2Frelease+candidates%2F

_router/)

DD-

12/14/06 5:49pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router

About (http://lifehacker.kinja.com/5732066/about-lifehacker) Help (http://help.gawker.com/)

WRT+v24+RC3%2FGENERIC+BROADCO

Terms of Use (http://legal.kinja.com/kinja-terms-of-use-90161644)

M+%28Linksys%2C+Asus+etc.%29/)
and
Privacy (http://legal.kinja.com/privacy-policy-90190742)
Advertising (http://advertising.gawker.com/)
download
dd-wrt.v24_std_generic.bin .
Permissions
Then, you can log
into your(http://advertising.gawker.com/about/index.php#contact)
DD-WRT
Content Guidelines (http://legal.kinja.com/content-guidelines-90185358)
interface, go to Administration>Firmware
RSS (http://feeds.gawker.com/lifehacker/full)
Jobs (http://grnh.se/2ctqpi)
Upgrade and install
the ddwrt.v24_std_generic.bin file.
Viola! DD-WRT standard on the WRT54G
v8.
9/17/07 4:15pm (http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-into-a-600-router?comment=2421908#comments)