Linksys WRT1900AC

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The router that I am using to test and setup is the WRT1900AC v1. These instructions will probably also apply to the other versions, but it's not guaranteed. The Linksys WRT1200AC is very similar to the WRT1900AC and so these may apply to it too. The router that I am using to test and setup is the WRT1900AC v1. These instructions will probably also apply to the other versions, but it's not guaranteed. The Linksys WRT1200AC is very similar to the WRT1900AC and so these may apply to it too.
-== Hardware notes ==+== Hardware: LED brightness ==
The LEDs seem to lose brightness over time according to [http://community.linksys.com/t5/Wireless-Routers/WRT1900AC-and-WRT1900ACS-front-panel-LED-brightness-adjustment/m-p/1098166 this]. My router is second hand and it's quite evident that the frequently used LEDs are dimmer than the others. The LEDs seem to lose brightness over time according to [http://community.linksys.com/t5/Wireless-Routers/WRT1900AC-and-WRT1900ACS-front-panel-LED-brightness-adjustment/m-p/1098166 this]. My router is second hand and it's quite evident that the frequently used LEDs are dimmer than the others.

Revision as of 00:57, 30 August 2017

NOTE: I am still working on these instructions and will have them finished by the middle of September, 2017. /u/Kleinbottle


Contents

Intro, Versions

These instructions should apply to both models of the Linksys WRT1900: the WRT1900AC and WRT1900ACS. Each of these comes in two versions, v.1 and v.2 All four of these are supported by DD-WRT.

The router that I am using to test and setup is the WRT1900AC v1. These instructions will probably also apply to the other versions, but it's not guaranteed. The Linksys WRT1200AC is very similar to the WRT1900AC and so these may apply to it too.

Hardware: LED brightness

The LEDs seem to lose brightness over time according to this. My router is second hand and it's quite evident that the frequently used LEDs are dimmer than the others.

How to Flash

  1. Follow the standard procedure described for Linksys routers.
  2. There are two firmware files to download and install. Do them both; in order.
    1. Firmware: factory to dd-wrt, initial installation image factory-to-ddwrt.img
    2. Firmware: webflash image ddwrt-linksys-wrt1900ac-webflash.bin

There is also a newer Kong build, but I haven't tried that. The DD-WRT firmware from the router database page, v3.0-r28628 std (12/29/15), is perfectly stable for me so far. Note that the only build version is the Standard sized one.

Setup

- write instructions here -

Wireless setup

The WRT1900AC is a dual band router. The two bands correspond to two physical interfaces in the Wireless/Basic Settings webpage.

  • ath0 is the 2.4 GHz band (also listed as TurboQAM)
  • ath1 is the 5GHz band (described as 802.11ac)


more instructions to come

5 GHz wifi setup

In order to get the 5 GHz band working, all of the following must be set

  • SSID: the two interfaces (ath0, ath1) must have different SSIDs
  • Channel: even though there are a number of channels that can be used for the 5GHz band, many do not work, as this DFS page explains. Basically, the only usable ones are channels 36-48 and 149-165.
  • Wireless Network Mode: the webpage GUI lists various possibilities, but some do not work, notably "N-only". This is probably because the interface is called 802.11ac, thus one should use AC-only or AC/N-mixed. A chart showing the difference between AC and N is here.
  • Channel Width: The smallest width is 20MHz. Increasing this can increase the speed, but may also increase noise. The DFS page linked above explains channel width well. You'll have to see how many other 5 GHz routers are nearby and experiment. The "Extension Channel" of Upper/Lower is also important based on where the DFS/radar channels are with respect to the channel that you have selected.


Guest WiFi setup

- instructions need to be typed in -