Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 9:48 Post subject: Linksys WRT54 GL upgrade question
I have been using Linksys WRT54 GL for about 12 years. It still works well.
However when I did internet speed check, I saw the modem cuts it by two. When I connect my PC directly to my ISP, I easily get 40 MBs. When I use Linksys WRT54 GL I barely get 20 MBs when connected by cable, and even less when connected wirelessly.
I thought I need a firmware upgrade. I found out I have DD WRT v.23 instead of stock Linskys software. DD WTR website has several versions of upgrades. They are v.24 compared to v.23 which I have. So I thought also about hard reset and installation of original LinkSys software. But this is scary, because if something goes wrong I'll be left helpless without internet.
Is the difference between my existing v.23 and new v.24 so significant? Maybe the reason of cutting the internet speed is something else, and hassle over firmware upgrade is not worthwhile? Would appreciate all advice.
Sorry but there is NO dd-wrt firmware that will do much better on that router across the WAN.
25 Mbps is considered about tops ... I've seen close to 30 in testing environment, but you
will make yourself silly trying to get that in the real world.
And even though the new r33006 firmware has this bright shiny ShortcutForwardingEngine showing
on the main setup page on my WRT54G v2.2 (mini-build firmware) there is NO such a beast working
on the old k2.4 firmware.
Thanks very much! Indeed I wanted to by a new modem but, after some googling, was amazed to discover that my old WRT54GL is still being sold by LinkSys, and sold for a higher price than many new models of other brands. So I thought there should be a reason for this. That's why I thought about upgrading. But thanks to your expert opinion I'd drop this idea.
Isn't it misleading the customers that LinSys lists the max modem speed 53 MBps if it only delivers 25 Mbps, as you said?
They will do the advertised speed across WAN with stock firmware but not running dd-wrt.
DD-WRT uses software NAT which takes intensive CPU power.
Tomato (Toastman or Shibby) does CTF accelerated NAT too doesn't it?
Edit: from some searching it appears the module can be loaded on Tomato for WRTs but either doesn't work or isn't reliable... Anyone tried it recently? _________________ #NAT/SFE/CTF: limited speed w/ DD#Repeater issues#DD-WRT info: FAQ, Builds, Types, Modes, Changes, Demo#
OPNsense x64 5050e ITX|DD: DIR-810L, 2*EA6900@1GHz, R6300v1, RT-N66U@663, WNDR4000@533, E1500@353,
WRT54G{Lv1.1,Sv6}@250|FreshTomato: F7D8302@532|OpenWRT: F9K1119v1, RT-ACRH13, R6220, WNDR3700v4
Last edited by jwh7 on Sat Aug 19, 2017 14:05; edited 1 time in total
Thank you. LinkSys offers also "ETSI" version [...]
Should I use it? (I bought my modem in Spain)
.18 doesn't actually fix anything so prob go with the ETSI v certain yes.
Firmware 4.30.18 (build 6) - Address a manufacturing issue. The manufacturing issue does not affect end users.
Firmware 4.30.17 (build 11) - Resolves XSS issue of code injection via DHCP request. - Addresses various security vulnerabilities
If you are connected to linksys.com from Spain and not the US it should take you to the correct firmware.
If you are using your contries vesion of their site you should be good ----- hard for me to tell since I really don't read much other than just Texas country language
They will do the advertised speed across WAN with stock firmware but not running dd-wrt.
DD-WRT uses software NAT which takes intensive CPU power.
Tomato (Toastman or Shibby) does CTF accelerated NAT too doesn't it?
Edit: from some searching it appears the module can be loaded on Tomato for WRTs but either doesn't work or isn't reliable... Anyone tried it recently?
I never was a big supporter of tomato on the WRT54G.... not sure what all it does...
I think it is safe to assume all 3rd party firmware for the WRT54G units have long ago done all they are going to do
