From DD-WRT Wiki

Revision as of 03:44, 7 October 2005

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Project Description

This wiki's goal is to create a full user guide/technical manual for the DD-WRT firmware.

Like every media-wiki project, this one is kept alive by community collaboration! Everyone is allowed to write, edit and comment on articles. Have fun!

What is "DD-WRT"?

DD-WRT is a 100% free firmware for the Linksys WRT54G/GS 802.11g wireless routers (which run off a minimalist Linux OS). The firmware is maintained by BrainSlayer at dd-wrt.com. The first versions of DD-WRT were based on the Alchemy Firmware from Sveasoft Inc, which is in turn based off of the original GPL'd Linksys Firmware and a number of other open source projects. DD-WRT exists as a direct result of Sveasoft demands of $20 to download their firmware. The newer version(s) of DD-WRT, currently v23 is in beta, are a complete new project. DD-WRT offers many advanced features not found in the original firmware from Linksys, or the costly firmware from Sveasoft. It is also free of the product activation or tracking found in the Sveasoft firmware. Among other features not found in the stock 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.

Feature List

• Hotspot Portal (Chillispot)
• PPTP VPN Server
• 2-way Bandwidth Management (incl. P2P, VoIP, IM)
• SSH Client and Server (dropbear)
• Telnet
• Startup, Firewall, and Shutdown scripts
• WDS Repeater Mode
• Client Mode (supports multiple connected clients)
• Adhoc Mode
• OSPF Routing
• RIP2 Routing
• Power Boost Function (max 251mW power)
• Select Antenna
• Static DHCP Assignment
• DDNS
• Clone Wireless MAC Addresses
• VLAN
• WPA over WDS
• WPA/TKIP with AES
• WPA2
• Client Mode WPA
• Client Isolation Mode
• QoS Bandwidth Management
• Port Triggering
• Port Forwarding (max. 30 entries)
• Wake-On-Lan
• Remote Syslog
• Remote Ntop Statistic
• Xbox Kaid
• SNMP
• IPv6 Support
• Show Status of Wireless Clients and WDS with System Uptime/Processor Utilization
• Site Survey
• Remote NTP Server
• 12 languages
• Supports New Devices (WRT54G V3, V3.1, V4, V5 and WRT54GS V2.1, V3, V4)

v23 File Versions

With v23 (Build 061005) the project is split into:

• dd-wrt.v23.mini_beta1.zip - does not contain: chillispot, nocat, rflow, kaid, samba client

• dd-wrt.v23.std_beta1.zip - does not contain: VOIP

• dd-wrt.v23.voip_beta1.zip - has all features available.

Within each of these zip files are five versions:

dd-wrt.v23_type.bin
dd-wrt.v23_type_wrt54g.bin
dd-wrt.v23_type_wrt54gs.bin
dd-wrt.v23_type_wrt54gsv4.bin
dd-wrt.v23_type_asus.trx

which are a generic version for non-Linksys WRT54 devices, a WRT54G, WRT54GS, WRTGSv4 and Asus WL-500G Deluxe hardware respectively.

Please keep in mind that the v23 is an early beta at this time. If you want a "stable" Version of DD-WRT you should consider the v22-R2.

What is Needed?

First, you should have a computer. Next, an internet connection should already be present, and the internet connection should be broadband (DSL, cable, or similar). If these conditions are met you should purchase a Linksys WRT54G/GS router. The router can be ordered directly from the internet (NewEgg, Amazon p.e.) or from an auction-based site such as eBay. Then, download the free DD-WRT firmware from http://www.dd-wrt.com follow the instructions under #The right way to flash your WRT54G/GS to install the firmware on your router.

The "Right Way" to Flash Your WRT54G/GS

Flashing the Firmware should be done with stable wired connection.
Flashing via wireless is inherently unstable and will likely brick your router.
You will not have/need internet access from steps 2 through 5

1) Download firmware
- Download the latest release or pre-release version HERE or go to the DD-WRT homepage at http://www.dd-wrt.com/
- Extract the archive

2) Access the Web Interface
Note for users not using the original linksys firmware: you cannot use tftp! Change your firmware to the official linksys firmware, and then continue below.
- From a PC connected to one of the 4 LAN ports on the router open a web browser and go to the IP of the router (default ip is 192.168.1.1).
- You will be prompted for username and password (username is not required, default password is admin).
- Enter username and password and you should be at the Web Interface of your WRT54G/S
    if you forgot the username and password, proceed to step 3 alternate.

3) Reset to factory defaults
Alternatively, you can press and hold the reset button on the back of the router for 30 seconds. This will also clear your password.
- Click the "Administration" tab.
- Click the "Factory Defaults" sub-tab.
- Select "Yes".
- Click the "Save Settings" button.
- A new page will open, click "continue".

4) Upgrade Firmware
Do not turn off the computer, nor close the web browser, neither turn off the router during this process
- Click the "Administration" tab
- Click the "Firmware Upgrade" sub-tab.
- Click the "Browse" button and select the DD-WRT .bin file you extracted in step 1.
- The router will take a few minutes to upload the file, flash the firmware, and then reset.
- A new page will open, wait 2-5 minutes before clicking "Continue".
- If flashed successfully you will now be at the DD-WRT web interface and the Router Name will be DD-WRT.

5) Reset to factory defaults AGAIN
-Repeat step 3 above

6) Enjoy
-It is strongly advised that you enable the "Boot Wait" option under the "Administration" tab. This will help you recover in the future should you flash your router improperly.

7) ?? Uh-oh ??
-If your router fails to reboot (power light doesn't stop flashing, no web interface, etc) you will need to Recover from a Bad Flash.

The Web Interface

For information about the web interface, including a simulation, see the Web Interface page.

Linux Inside

At this time kernel 2.4.20. is used.

This means you can run additional linux programs on DD-WRT that are not included. It also means you can write your own shell scripts at the command line

Script Examples

For some examples of such scripts, see our Script Examples

Different Configure-examples / Mods

Common Configuration Guides

Some tutorials to help you complete step 4 of your firmware flash ;)
Chillispot
Client Mode Wireless
Firewall
Firewall Builder
Using ipkg to install OpenWRT packages
IPv6
Kai Console Gaming
Port Forwarding
Quality of Service (QoS)
Samba Filesystem
Separate Lan and WLan
SNMP
SSH access from internet
Static DHCP
Telnet/SSH and the Command Line
Use WAN port as a normal switched port
VLan Configuration
WDS Linked router network
Wireless Bridge
Wake On Lan (WOL)
Setting up a Transparent Proxy Server using Squid

Common Additionally Installed Packages

More software not already in DD-WRT you might want to run on your WRT54G

Kismet Server/Drone -- using a windows box to display results
wrt54g kismet with linux server -- using a linux box to display results
Port Knocker daemon
Miau IRC Bouncer
Multi Router Traffic Grapher
No-IP.com Client
OpenSwan
OpenVPN
Bandwidth Log

Hardware Mods

Hardware Mods are not necessarily DD-WRT specific or compatible.

Serial Port
Dual Serial Port
SD-Card

WRT54G/S Versions

The first 4 digits in the serial number (look on the box or the underside of the router) represent the hardware revision:

CDF0 = WRT54G v1.0
CDF1 = WRT54G v1.0
CDF2 = WRT54G v1.1
CDF3 = WRT54G v1.1
CDF5 = WRT54G v2.0
CDF7 = WRT54G v2.2
CDF8 = WRT54G v3.0
CDF9 = WRT54G v3.1
CDFA = WRT54G v4.0

CGN0 = WRT54GS v1.0
CGN1 = WRT54GS v1.0
CGN2 = WRT54GS v1.1
CGN3 = WRT54GS v2.0
CGN4 = WRT54GS v2.1
CGN5 = WRT54GS v3.0

See more information on the Linksys Info Autopsy page.

DD-WRT supports all versions of the WRT54G and WRT54GS hardware. DD-WRT does not currently support the WRT-54GX, Linksys's MiMo version router. DD-WRT is also reported to work on the WAP54G, but your mileage may vary.

Feature Requests

The best way to request features it to goto the forum and post your request. The main developer (BrainSlayer) does read the forums and generally responds to requests.

Someone started a wiki page for feature requests, though, so if you'd like to try posting your request there go ahead. I wouldn't expect a response, however. I'm not sure Brainslayer reads the English side of the Wiki...:
Feature Request

I would like to help!

Very simple: Click the "edit" links, edit, save and rejoice ;)

Some Notes:

• When editing, there is a Summary Box. Fill in a summary of the edit you are making.
  
• There is also an edit tab at the top of the page to edit an entire page.
  
• If you create a new page, or start work on a previously blank page, be sure to add that page to the English Index list of pages.
  
• Try to place the "You are here" code at the bottom of every page. You can look at the footer of this page as an example.

Site Index

An Alphabetical Ordered Index of all DD-WRT Docu (EN) pages.

You are here: Main Page/DD-WRT Docu (EN)