What is DD-WRT?

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Revision as of 19:03, 15 December 2006

The current  web interface of DD-WRT
The current web interface of DD-WRT

DD-WRT is a third party developed firmware released under the terms of the GPL for many 802.11g wireless routers based on a Broadcom chip reference design. For a list of supported devices, please see the supported devices list.

The firmware is maintained by BrainSlayer and is hosted at dd-wrt.com. The first versions of DD-WRT were based on the Alchemy Firmware from Sveasoft Inc, which is in turn based on the original GPL'd Linksys firmware and a number of other open source projects. DD-WRT was created directly from Sveasoft's software decision to start charging for their firmware, closing the door to opensource.

At present DD-WRT is available for free although a different business model is being drafted by BrainSlayer in order to pay his salary, as this is his full time job.

The new version of DD-WRT (v23) is a completely new project. DD-WRT offers many advanced features not found in the OEM firmwares of these devices, or even the firmware available for purchase from Sveasoft. It is also free of the product activation or tracking found in the Sveasoft firmware.

Note: Beta firmware, by its very nature, will contain bugs. It is not recommended to install beta firmware on large networks that are used for businesses, etc. However, there is now a bugtracker in place for DD-WRT firmware located here: DD-WRT Bugtracker.

Among other features not found in the original Linksys firmware, DD-WRT adds the Kai Daemon for the Kai Console Gaming network, WDS wireless bridging/repeating protocol, Radius Authentication for more secure wireless communication, advanced Quality of Service controls for bandwidth allocation, and software support for the SD-Card hardware modification.

Contents

Requirements

  • A computer (Windows, Linux, Mac, whatever)
  • A broadband internet connection (DSL, Cable, or similar)
  • A Linksys WRT54G/GL/GS router or other supported router. The WRT54G/GS v5-v6 is supported only by the micro build, so if buying a new router you should not choose this. The WRT54Gv7 is not supported. A list of supported routers can be found here.
  • The DD-WRT firmware image from The DD-WRT Project
  • Follow the instructions under Installation to install the new firmware on your router.

Features

Supported Devices

See main article: Supported Devices

Almost all the above wireless routers have at least 4MB of flash memory. All the WRT54GS models prior to the v4.0 have 8MB of flash. Many other routers (including v5.0 of the WRT54G and WRT54GS) have only 2MB of flash memory. The "full" and "mini" versions of DD-WRT requires 4MB to install; the "micro" version requires 2MB.

Various other brands and models have been mentioned as supported by BrainSlayer and others in the fora. However, it's not clear (to me) if any of the readily available images will boot on those models, or if you have to ask Brainslayer for them directly, or if you have to grab the sources and build versions yourself. It would be great if someone who did know this would edit this further.

Recommended Devices

Cheapest 100% Compatible Wireless Router: Buffalo WHR G54s

Best 100% Compatible Wireless Router (With really high OC'ing too!): Asus WL 500G Deluxe

Best Price/Performance 100% Compatible Wireless Router: Buffalo WHR G54s

Fastest DD-WRT Compatible Wireless Router: WRTSL54GS or Asus WL500G Premium. both are shipped with 266 mhz OR, Buffalo WZR-RS-G54. 266Mhz CPU, 8MB flash and 64MB RAM. Please note that if you intend to use your router as a DUAL/MULTI Wan router, do additional research before you purchase the router. For Example, the WZR-RS-G54 does not support DUAL Wan due to the type of Switch installed in the router

Forum Link #1
Forum Link #2
Forum Link #3

File Versions

With v23 SP1 (Changelog) the project is split several parts in order to conserve space on the router and fit your needs.

  Micro Mini Standard VOIP VPN
Chillispot     X X X
HTTPS Support for Web Management     X X X
IPv6     X X X
kaid     X    
MMC/SD Card Support     X   X
NoCat     X X X
OpenVPN         X
PPTP/PPTP Client   X X X X
radvd X X X X  
RFlow     X X X
Samba Client     X X X
Glossary#SIPatH       X  
SNMP     X X X
SSH   X X X X
UPnP X (SP2) X X X X

Note: DD-WRT Download Mirror: here

These zip files contain six versions:

filename description
dd-wrt.v23_<type>_asus.trx Web interface version for flashing. See Flash_Your_Asus_WL-500G_Deluxe
dd-wrt.v23_<type>_generic.bin Generic version for flashing via web interface on all supported devices (including Linksys WRT54G/GL/GS) and for flashing Siemens_SE505 with boot tftp on 192.168.2.1
dd-wrt.v23_<type>_wrt54g.bin tftp versions for WRT54G. You CAN use this to flash via web interface but do so only AFTER you have done so using the mini version. These versions were just made specifically for TFTPing to those routers. (v5/v6 note: Since the WRT54G/GS v5-v6 uses a modified WAP54Gv3 once made 'linux ready', it will not accept these standard WRT54G/GS firmwares. You must use the 'generic' build for TFTPing to these units).
dd-wrt.v23_<type>_wrt54gs.bin tftp versions for WRT54GS. You CAN use this to flash via web interface but do so only AFTER you have done so using the mini version. These versions were just made specifically for TFTPing to those routers.
dd-wrt.v23_<type>_wrt54gsv4.bin tftp versions for WRTGSv4. You CAN use this to flash via web interface but do so only AFTER you have done so using the mini version. These versions were just made specifically for TFTPing to those routers.
dd-wrt.v23_<type>_wrtsl54gs.bin tftp versions for WRTSL54GS. You CAN use this to flash via web interface but do so only AFTER you have done so using the mini version. These versions were just made specifically for TFTPing to those routers.
dd-wrt.v23_<type>_moto.trx For initial Flash_Your_Motorola_WR850G (Micro and Mini builds ONLY)

where <type> is a placeholder for mini, std, voip, etc. For upgrading from the original Linksys firmware, please use the mini version and flash it from web interface. After this first flash you can then upgrade to any distribution of your choice.

Special Versions

Screenshot of a QoS version
Screenshot of a QoS version

Currently brainslayer offers a special version of DD-WRT with extended QoS capabilities:

  • set maximum bandwidth available per netmask/MAC address
  • set a default rule for any unconfigured netmask/MAC address

This version is available within the DD-WRT Shop.
Updates for this special firmware version are provided in the special Customer Downloads & Updates forum.

Firmware releases customized to your corporate design are also available.