What is DD-WRT?

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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 ieee802.11a/b/g/h/n wireless routers based on a Broadcom or Atheros chip reference design. For a list of supported devices, please see the Supported Devices page.

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 (v24) 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 DD-WRT firmware image from The DD-WRT Project
  • Follow the instructions under Installation to install the new firmware on your router.

Features

Supported & Recommended Devices

For a list of supported and recommended devices, check Supported Devices.


Which V24 build do I flash onto my Broadcom router

[NOTE] - ALWAYS do a hard reset on the router BEFORE and AFTER flashing a firmware build.


Check Supported Devices to see which chipset your router has and whether any special flashing procedures are required.


The following Broadcom chipsets require the VINT builds:

  • Linksys WRT54G v1
  • Linksys WAP54G v1
  • Any older routers using Broadcom 4702/4710 chipsets and have mini-PCI cards

[note] - all 4712 units seem to run more sable on the VINT builds.

  • Linksys WRT54G v1.1-3.1
  • Linksys WRT54GS v1-2.1
  • Linksys WAP54G v2


The following Broadcom chipsets require the normal builds:

  • Asus WL-520GU
  • Buffalo WHR-G125
  • Linksys WRT54G v8.0-8.2
  • Linksys WRT54GS v7.0
  • All newer routers using Broadcom 4704, 4785, 5354, 5365 chipsets


The following chipsets can run both the normal (recommended) and VINT builds.

  • Buffalo WHR-HP-G54
  • Linksys WRT54GL 1.0 & 1.1
  • All routers using Broadcom 5252 chipset


The normal build uses a new wireless driver where the VINT (vintage build) uses an older one.

File Versions

The project is split into several parts in order to conserve space on the router and fit your needs.


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

Note: DD-WRT Download Mirror: here


*Only on DD-WRT v24 (8MB+ flash required)
**IPv6-related features apparently DO NOT work in DD-WRT v24 (tested in RC5 and Final versions)


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 first and flash it from the 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 from 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.