Linksys WRT600N

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Linksys WRT600N

Version 1.0

If your Version 1.0 firmware is prior to Build 3, you can simply TFTP the firmware to the router. However, there is a hardware glitch that can be resolved here: Broadcom detection

Version 1.1

If you have a WRT600N Version 1.1 that came with the glitchy unsupported Build 5 firmware, you will need to downgrade to a firmware prior to Build 3 before installing DD-WRT. First, you have to downgrade to Build 3.

Be Aware Before Flashing!

With DD-WRT v24 Final on a WRT600N Version 1.1, the Gigabit Ethernet ports WILL NOT WORK! You also will lose the 300 Mbps 5 Ghz channel and the Storage Link! It is not recommended to upgrade to DD-WRT until a version specific to the WRT600N has been programmed by DD-WRT's developers!

Downgrading to Build 3

1. Download the correct firmware from Linksys and put it on a memory stick connected to the router via USB.

2. Go to the "Diagnostics" menu.

3. Put this command in your browser's address bar. Code:

 javascript:document.getElementById('Traceroute').maxLength=1000;void(0);

4. Put this command in the "Traceroute" text box. Change the <name of firmware file> to the name of your firmware .bin. Code:

 cd /tmp/ftproot/root;write <name of firmware file>.bin linux

5. Put this command in your browser's address bar. Change <ip address> to your router's IP address. Code:

 javascript:function ValidateForm1(passForm){res=1;if (document.forms[0].Traceroute.value == "") {res=0;alert(translate_str("Diagnostics",9));document.forms[0].Traceroute.focus();return false;}if (res == 1){document.forms[0].Traceroute.value = '<ip address>;'+document.forms[0].Traceroute.value+' ';passForm.tracertstr.value = document.forms[0].Traceroute.value;setTimeout("self.open('Tracert.htm','Tracert','resizable=0,scrollbars=yes,width=800,height=480').focus();",1000);passForm.submit();}};ValidateForm1(document.forms[1]);

6. Wait 5 minutes and reboot your router.

Very Crude Workaround

Until the 600N is working, you can just run your WRT54G upstream of the 600N. The 54G runs DD-WRT and the 600N runs the stock firmware.

I don't see the point of losing the gigabit ethernet ports!

This way you can get the benefits of both DD-WRT firmware and 600N hardware.

Watch Out!

Watch out what version and manufacture date you get with the WRT600N. Build 5 firmware isn't listed on Linksys website. The problem with this router is buggy firmware that can not be upgraded or downgraded using TFTP or using the Linksys GUI! Linksys without a problem promptly issued an RMA to replace the router. The Linksys tech mentioned that there is a problem with this router and firmware upgrades are not possible. However, as proved earlier, this is untrue. Nice one Linksys!

From this forum.

Serial Number Info

Basically, anything that bears the serial number MNR008309xxx or above is guaranteed to be tough.

Discussion with Linksys Tech

Discussion with Linksys via live chat (14 May 2008)

Linksys Rep: Hi, my name is <name censored>. How may I help you?
Martin: I have a WRT600N build 5 
Linksys Rep: It's good to have you Martin. What seems to be the problem?
Martin: I'm surprised to see build 5 isn't listed on the site - the latest firmware is build 3.
Martin: I have 1.01.35 build 5
Linksys Rep: The build 5 is for the version 1.1 WRT600N.
Martin: ok - so build 3 is for version 1.0?
Linksys Rep: Yes.
Martin: So I should be able to find the 1.1 build 5 on the website & I've just been looking in the wrong place?
Linksys Rep: No.
Linksys Rep: The build 5 isn't uploaded yet Martin.
Martin: right, that makes sense. I don't see the 1.1 listed on the dropdown on http://www-ca.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Content_C1&childpagename=CAen%2FLayout&cid=1153781112181&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=1218111465H34&displaypage=download
Linksys Rep: The version 1.1 is a new hardware version for WRT600N.
Martin: So there are no known problems with build 5?
Linksys Rep: Not yet.
Linksys Rep: So far. :-)
Martin: I was reading http://forum.ncix.com/forums/index.php?mode=showthread&forum=105&threadid=1650171&pagenumber=1&product_id=26858&subpage=1
Martin: "Watch out what version and manufacture date you get with the WRT600N. I purchased this router a week ago and ended up with Version 1.1 build in March 2008 with firmware release 1.01.35 build 5. This firmware isn't listed on Linksys website. The problem with this router is buggy firmware that can not be upgraded or downgraded using TFTP or using the Linksys GUI!! I contacted Linksys and without much of a problem they promptly issued an RMA to replace the router. The Linksys tech mentioned that there is a problem with this router and firmware upgrades are not possible. Nice one Linksys!!! "
Linksys Rep: It can't be upgraded since it doesn't have a firmware update.
Linksys Rep: How can he downgrade it if the build firmware is the first release?
Martin: But it will be upgradable once there is a firmware to upgrade to?
Martin: He probably wants to run DD-WRT. 
Linksys Rep: Yes it is.
Linksys Rep: That's the problem.
Martin: what's the problem?
Linksys Rep: Our new routers can't be loaded with DD-WRT unlike our old routers.
Martin: whyever not? 
Linksys Rep: The RAM for the newer routers is not enough to accommodate the DD-WRT.
Martin: there's less ram in a 600N than a 54G?
Linksys Rep: Yes.
Martin: I think some people have got DDWRT on the 600N already
Martin: But it is buggy still - e.g. the gigabit ports don't yet work
Linksys Rep: We are preventing third party firmware to be loaded on the router.
Linksys Rep: Aside from that, it voids the warranty once third party firmware is loaded on the router.
Linksys Rep: That I don't know.
Linksys Rep: They are genius if they've done that.
Martin: I've always bought Linksys stuff because I had the option to run alternative firmware
Linksys Rep: I understand.
Martin: As long as you could replace the alternate firmware with a stock linksys one I don't see why Linksys should lock the hardware
Linksys Rep: I don't know the reason behind Martin. Our Product Engineers designed the router.
Martin: They'll lose the influential customers - we end up doing tech support for everyone in our families
Linksys Rep: You're right. I understand that.
Martin: Anyhow, seems like the 1.1 build 5 should be listed on the Linksys site.
Martin: otherwise misinformation spreads
Linksys Rep: It will be soon Martin.
Linksys Rep: Just keep posted on our website for any updates.
Martin: Is there an RSS feed for the updates?
Linksys Rep: As of this writing, no not yet.
Martin: Funnily enough, if Linksys are blocking firmware updates I'll probably never take them. Instead I'll stay on build 5 and switch to DDWRT as soon as they've stabilised it.
Linksys Rep: That's a good idea Martin. But please be aware that it voids the warranty once the DD-WRT is loaded on the router.
Martin: Well, a 1 yr warrantee is better than nothing. MIght take that long for them to get DDWRT stable I suppose!
Linksys Rep: Okay.
Linksys Rep: Is there anything else that I can assist you with?
Martin: The uncertainty about whether future versions will be flashable with alternate 3rd party firmwares will mean I will think very carefully before recommending the Linksys line to friends who will follow. They'd have to know which firmware it came with. The staff at the shop I bought it at didn't know about this one even, so I used the serial number heuristic.
Martin: You can take my comments back, I guess.
Martin: Thanks for your help. Its been some peace of mind.
Linksys Rep: You're welcome.