[hugh]

I am in the market for a router than I can flash with DD-WRT quickly and easily. I don't want to make it a huge project!

I have been to the DD-WRT router database and I see lots of router that are available in stores today.

My only real physical requirement is that it have Gigabit ports and a relatively powerful processor because I want to use it with a VPN service.

Any suggestions?

 

[ScaryBob]

The Linksys WRT54GL is one of the best. Flashing is accomplished quite easily. The first flash must be done with a small memory version (MICRO or MINI build.) There is no need to perform another flash with the full version unless one of the advanced features is required. A couple of online etailers currently have the WRT54GL on sale for a good price (below $50.)

DD-WRT for Linksys WRT54GL 1.0/1.1

"Flashing" Your Router with DD-WRT Firmware

Flashing the Linksys WRT54GL

I've been using a WRT54GL with DD-WRT for several years. It is very stable and reliable.

OOPS: Just noticed the gigabit requirement. That severely limits the choices. I just use an unmanaged gigabit switch for LAN wiring. It works fine. There is no real need for gigabit ports in the router itself. If wireless N is required, maybe the Linksys WRT610N is worth a look.

 

[hugh]

Sorry I should have added that I want wireless N. I also understand that for VPN usage, the older routers are not the best because they have slower processors which can slow throughput.

 

[gibson_x]

Just add a gigabit switch (cheap nowadays) to the above setup & you'll be laughing. I have this exact setup too...

 

[hugh]

But that would mean having to buy two devices which costs more.

So let me rephrase.

I am looking for recommendations on a Wireless-N router with Gigabit ports that is easily flashed with DD-WRT.

 

[JohnnyCanuck]

I've been quite happy with my Linksys WRT-610N. Wireless N, gigabit LAN, and can be flashed with DD-WRT (although I haven't done that yet).

Curious, what specifically drives the need for DD-WRT?

 

[audacity]

I've been using a WNDR3700 with DD-WRT since October (I don't remember off hand what build number, I can update this when I'm at home) and it's been working very well.

I know that a number of users have complained about poor wireless signal strength when loading DD-WRT on this unit, but I haven't experienced this issue. I even measured the signal strength using using inSSIDer before and after flashing DD-WRT, and I didn't see a measurable difference in signal transmission strength.

Anyway, it meets your spec requirements, and I even saw those units on sale at Future Shop during their boxing day sale for $99/ea. I don't know if I'm just lucky with having DD-WRT perform well on my WNDR3700, or if the users complaining just didn't follow the instructions or have a different configuration that is exposing a bug in DD-WRT.

edit: Check out this post (codinghorror.com) where he selected a Buffalo Nfiniti Wireless-N High Power Router to run DD-WRT.

edit2: On my Netgear WNDR3700 I'm running: DD-WRT v24-sp2 (10/05/10) std. There are apparently newer firmware revisions, but after installing and configuring DD WRT on my router in October I haven't really given firmware updates much thought because it's been very stable, I haven't had the router crash on me (yet).

 

[redzone]

Hugh check out smallnetbuilder.com they have an excellent database of wireless routers and show avg throughput as well as max simultaneous connections. i would cross check these reviews with the list of compatible devices from the dd-wrt site and pick the one that best suits your needs

 

[hugh]

Curious, what specifically drives the need for DD-WRT?

VPN Service.

 

[bucketo]

Hugh, I'm in the same boat as you, researching a new router with the same specs as you.

So far I've narrowed down to reading up more on the Linksys E3000. Big thing for me is making sure the router can handle an openVPN connection when DD-WRT is installed. Older routers can be iffy with VPN connection as they are cpu intensive. I'd like to be able to tunnel out on the router while the router still has the horsepower to push media around my local network.

I won't be using the NAS feature of this router (if I get it). It rates pretty low with reviewers and I already have that covered on my network.

I'm also looking for a router that doesn't have too many steps and exceptions listed on the dd-wrt wiki for the router.

I'm planning to pull the trigger soon. I'm glad this post came up I will do some more reading based on info here. If I do get the E3000 I'll post impressions pre and post dd-wrt.

I've also been comparing this router to the Netgear WNDR3700, both seem quite powerful.

 

[hugh]

The ASUS RT-N16 is another one I`ve read positive things about as a DD-WRT router (not as a regular router) Costs about 90 bucks.

 

[willise]

I use the Linksys 310N with DD-WRT to access my Stong VPN service and haven't had a single problem with the VPN.

 

[hugh]

willise, the only problem I've heard from some is that if your router is not that powerful, you could see a significant drop in throughput. I don't know what routers use what chips so I am no expert on which models have the more powerful chips.

 

[mmunnelly]

WRT-350N

Hugh, I have used a Linksys WRT-350N, and i have had it for a year or two and I am using the WRT on that router version: DD-WRT v24-sp2 (10/10/09) mini - build 13064

I know there are newer builds, but I havn't seen the need to change until recently when I am once in a while losing wireless connection. The router is great tho, just make sure it's a version 1, which is mostly what is available in North America.

 

[Tikker]

I've got a 310n flashed with dd-wrt and it's been so terrible that it's unplugged, and sitting on a shelf

my wrt54g had better throughput

worst 100ish buck I've spent on networking gear, I was really disappointed

i've seen really mixed reviews on this particular model

 

[willise]

You're right - there has been very mixed reviews on this model. I find it works best as a repeater rather than an AP. My 310 is on my main level, connecting wireless to my Aliant router in the basement, and I have strong signal to the top level of my house for my other devices. Here is my speedtest. I don't know how to measure throughput though

 

[Marc]

A friend gave me his surplus Linksys WRT-610N. I flashed it to dd-wrt the same day. I've been using it for a few weeks. It has wireless N, but all my devices are G or wired. Very stable. No complaints.

 

[hugh]

Great feedback guys. I'm continuing to search. I'm hoping to narrow down to a couple of solid recommendations and then go shopping for a good deal.

 

[Tikker]

To measure throughput you would connect 2 pc to it and run something like iperf from 1 to the other

From wireless to wired I never saw more than 32mbps, which is great for g but abysmal for n. I also found that it went "stupid" after a day or 2 if you put much data thru it. And since I do a fair bit of multicast in my house this meant rebooting it every day


So disappointed cause spec wise it seemed perfect

 

[Tikker]

Oh I've heard a lot of good things about the wndr3700 routers.