Uses for old routers?

O

.oO

Weaksauce
Joined
Apr 27, 2013
Messages
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Like a Pepwave Surf SOHO?

Thought I read somewhere that different firmware could be used, but can't find the info now.
 
Like in general asking what you can use old routers for?

Hubs/switches.

cannibalize them for the hardware/capacitors, Power plugs/ DC converters.
 
StevenJamesBorchard said:
Like in general asking what you can use old routers for?

Hubs/switches.
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GotNoRice said:
Disable the routing functionality and simply use them as WiFi access points.
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These are the two uses I use them for. They're also great for testing stuff since the routers will have a built in dhcp server and you can quickly set up a test lan.
 
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Depending on how they are made, is it ever possible to put custom more up to date firmware on there (with iptables or something)?

Sorry if thats too ignorant of an idea or question.
 
Depends. Some chips have never had drivers developed for them outside of the closed OS, some routers don't have enough flash to store something like openwrt (but maybe a basic linux install would be possible, if you are capable of linux from scratch on an embedded device), some devices are just very difficult to flash an alternative firmware on.

If none of those are issues, the router may have an alt firmware available, assuming it is popular enough or someone with an interest picks it up.
 
StevenJamesBorchard said:
Like in general asking what you can use old routers for?

Hubs/switches.

cannibalize them for the hardware/capacitors, Power plugs/ DC converters.
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And drink coaster, door stop etc also; theyre a nice shape. More wondering about internet use though, and that type in particular.
 
.oO said:
How-so?
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While it may not be 'safe' because of direct exploit capability or whatever, it can still be used to multi-wan a bunch of isp connections to a single device--another router. And while double nat, blah blah, it's safe because even if the peplink is compromised, there's nothing but isps on it and the downstream router is still going to be secure.
 
SamirD said:
While it may not be 'safe' because of direct exploit capability or whatever, it can still be used to multi-wan a bunch of isp connections to a single device--another router. And while double nat, blah blah, it's safe because even if the peplink is compromised, there's nothing but isps on it and the downstream router is still going to be secure.
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This is interesting... I need to learn more about it.
 
pendragon1 said:
yes, that is the model you mentioned....
could update it and keep using it, if it meets your needs. or use it for a doorstop...
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I thought supported ended for that one a while ago and so it would not be secure without alternate firmware?
 
.oO said:
I thought supported ended for that one a while ago and so it would not be secure without alternate firmware?
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Just because a router isn't supported doesn't make it automatically unsafe. And the inverse is true too--just because it's support, doesn't mean it's safe. In fact, generally if something is a 'current' product, more exploits will be written for it than older depreciated models.

Most routers are quite safe if there are no ports open and NAT is on. Then the only way to break in is with raw hacks, and that usually takes more work. And if you have another router behind one that can get compromised like this, your network is still safe because now the hacker has to try to hack two routers, lol. You can really do some defense in depth this way by just having more routers cascaded like this. The only problem is you end up having quite a few NATs which can sometimes break stuff.
 
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