I just flashed my router, and I wanted to provide some links to come back to.
In case you aren’t familiar with DD-WRT, it is a custom router firmware that provides more features than the factory delivered one. I specifically bought my router because it was on the list of supported devices. Here are some of the features I use:
- DNS — I can point DNS names to special IP addresses
- VPN — I am thinking about using the Open VPN server
- I have considered trying to install Squid or Dans Guardian on the device to make a transparent proxy, but I haven’t fully fleshed out that idea.
According to the main website, here is their description:
DD-WRT is a Linux based alternative OpenSource firmware suitable for a great variety of WLAN routers and embedded systems. The main emphasis lies on providing the easiest possible handling while at the same time supporting a great number of functionalities within the framework of the respective hardware platform used.
First, if you are using the LinkSys350N, you have to make sure that you have version one. Here is an article on how you can check:
Cisco Home Community: WRT350N – How to tell if it’s V1 or V2? Having major problems with it
Here are the instructions for installing:
Since I already had an older version of DD-WRT on the router, these are the instructions that applied to me:
You can now upgrade to any generic dd-wrt build except Micro. Be sure to always do a hard reset prior to flashing another build, do a power cycle followed by another hard reset after flashing, and NEVER re-use a configuration file from a previous build or another router. Reconfigure from scratch.
So, my biggest question was remembering how to do a hard reset. This article solved my problem:
DD-WRT Wiki: Hard Reset Or 30/30/30
Basically, you hold the resest button, wait 30 seconds, pull the power for 30 seconds, and plug it back in for 30 seconds (holding the reset button the whole time). It takes about 3 or 4 hands to do. I think next time I may try to commands from telnet.
I flashed the new v24 SP2, and here is the Change Log: