Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 17:30 Post subject: What version of tl-wdr3600-webflash.bin to flash WDR3600?
When I look up my new router (a TP-Link TL-WDR3600) in the router database it gives me a download link for the DD-WRT firmware, this file is offered:
tl-wdr3600-webflash.bin, date: 2013-04-24
This directory also contains a premade flashable DD-WRT firmware for my router but it dates from yesterday (2014-11-11). In those directories there even are a lot more versions to be found.
Now what I'm wondering which version should I use. E.g. are there stability issues (i.e. are these recent firmwares beta's and is the one provided in the router database the only stable release)?
And I was just about to reply that 24461 is quite stable - with the right settings. YMMV I guess. I've found 24461 can be iffy on blue LED 3600's. On the newer green LED units? 24461 runs rock solid. I'm running 2.4/5GHz WiFi in dynamic mode, OpenVPN, multiple VLANs, iptables rules, Dynamic DNS, and more. Runs like a champ.
The key was finally getting the advanced WiFi settings straight I think (found in a previous thread and wiki post I can't put my hands on right now). I'm running Dynamic width on the green LED units and Wide on the blue LED unit I have. Can't swear to it but think RTS/CTS enable helped a lot.
The settings I posted here are still in use (except for extension now being auto). I use Wide width on the older blue LED unit and Dynamic on the newer green LED units.
Can't recall the last time I had to reboot my 24461 WDR3600s... And I beat the hell out of them (4 kids at home streaming everything under the sun, plus tor relay on a 30Mbps connection) and then at my business (IT related - tons of downloading, cloud app use, OpenVPN, multiple VLANs, Dynamic DNS, Extensive QoS, Public WiFi etc). I have multiple small business clients using the same combination as well (mainly Green LED units. One older blue)
So much churn with the latest builds, haven't upgraded yet. But hope to give it a try at home soon...
tatsuya46 wrote:
latest build read the forum theres multiple build threads..or ftp link below, old builds like that arent needed anymore
i have the blue 3600 and yes 24461 has been stable, but I find 25309 just as stable mind you only been running for 4 days. Sometimes it seems like I may have wifi issues and other times not so much, I have yet to see a device stay connected for longer than 3 days (on 24/7 connected to wifi).
@itxnc Do you think RTS/CTS really helped with the drop outs? My main issues is when we try to stream from our phone to the chromecast for the most part it works but wifi will disconnect after a short period and connect again causing buffering. The TV room seems to be a dead zone in the house but still all devices get 2+ bars. That and if i'm transfer a large file over wifi on 2.4 GHz it fails but on 5 Ghz its fine.
I wish I could say 'absolutely' but I'm not 100% sure what did it. I had a lot of WiFi dropout, lockup problems with the May/June builds (25309/24461) I'd have to reboot the router a lot. Found a Wiki page for the WDR series and followed it for WiFi and it worked wonders. I never really had issues with the Green version. But the blue version drove me crazy until I got the right combination. And my laptop is an atheros 9k and it was dropping a lot. Now? Can't recall last time it happened...
jebise101 wrote:
i have the blue 3600 and yes 24461 has been stable, but I find 25309 just as stable mind you only been running for 4 days. Sometimes it seems like I may have wifi issues and other times not so much, I have yet to see a device stay connected for longer than 3 days (on 24/7 connected to wifi).
@itxnc Do you think RTS/CTS really helped with the drop outs? My main issues is when we try to stream from our phone to the chromecast for the most part it works but wifi will disconnect after a short period and connect again causing buffering. The TV room seems to be a dead zone in the house but still all devices get 2+ bars. That and if i'm transfer a large file over wifi on 2.4 GHz it fails but on 5 Ghz its fine.
Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Posts: 7568 Location: YWG, Canada
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 5:25 Post subject:
the biggest problem with 24461 is trying to get off of it for many users, its littered with webupgrade bugs that are fixed in builds after _________________ LATEST FIRMWARE(S)
BrainSlayer wrote:
we just do it since we do not like any restrictions enforced by stupid cocaine snorting managers
Actually 25309 seems to have fixed the wifi drop outs when I transfer large files and the speeds is much faster. I used to get less than 1MB but its almost double, still have to test with the phone and chromecast to see if I get disconnects like before.
Will know for sure after a few weeks and hopefully won't have to reboot the router.
Joined: 24 Nov 2014 Posts: 1 Location: Ottawa, ON Canada
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 11:46 Post subject:
I purchased the WDR3600 yesterday. It is V 1.5. (Green LED's) For the past week, I've been reading the Wiki and the forums in preparation for flashing it with DD-WRT. The material is very technical and a bit daunting for a novice. Nevertheless, I think it is beginning to make sense to me.
I know how irritating it can be to see the same questions asked 100 times. So, I'll attempt to avoid that.
My ISP (Rogers) provided the Hitron CGN3 router. It works alright for me. But it lacks the VPN control I want to implement. I put it in bridge mode and wired the WDR3600 through it. So far so good.
Next step is to flash it. I have some trepidation about which build to use as well. There seems to be a variety of opinions here.
So, my questions are:
- Is there any reason why I should not just use an older version like the 23919 that a couple of you are happy with?
- What do I gain or risk by using the latest build?
- The recommended build in the router database is dated 2013-04-24. There are 26 more recent builds listed at ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2013/2014/ Does this have to do with stability since the other 26 are listed as "beta's" or just that no one has had a chance to update the link?
I have a gigabit network access and when I use stock firmware, I can get upload around 800-900Mb during speed test, but after I flashed dd-wrt (25648) .. the speed drop to around 150-200Mb only ....
anyone know where's the problem?
Thanks.
.
