DD-WRT questions

[noclevername]

I have the Linksys WRT1900AC and I was considering changing the firmware to a compatible DD-WRT firmware. I have some questions as I never really got into it in the early 2000's when it was really popular for the routers.

Is it worth it to flash it and put the firmware on the router?

Will I see any benefits whether it is speed or security wise?

Is anybody currently running a DD-WRT on the same or similar router? If so how do you like/dislike it?

Sorry for probably such a simple question, but I would just like some input into this.

 

[FNtastic]

Typically the benefit is "unlocking" features that aren't included in the stock firmware. Other benefits might be along the lines of security stuff depending on the router. Say your router was produced in 2006 and the manufacturer no longer releases updates. There might be a more recent DD-WRT build that includes security patches. To determine that takes a little more research.
Not sure if you already know, but there are other firmwares out there too. Tomato and Merlin, to name a couple.
Side note: check around in forums to see what people are calling a stable build. Those firmwares also break features sometimes too. I don't want to scare you, just to make you aware. They have bugs just like anything else...

 

[x509]

Typically the benefit is "unlocking" features that aren't included in the stock firmware. Other benefits might be along the lines of security stuff depending on the router. Say your router was produced in 2006 and the manufacturer no longer releases updates. There might be a more recent DD-WRT build that includes security patches. To determine that takes a little more research.
Not sure if you already know, but there are other firmwares out there too. Tomato and Merlin, to name a couple.
Side note: check around in forums to see what people are calling a stable build. Those firmwares also break features sometimes too. I don't want to scare you, just to make you aware. They have bugs just like anything else...

A while ago I got all enthusiastic about DD-WRT until I started to encounter regular DD-WRT, Shibby, Tomato, and people's custom-feature variations. Merlin is a new one though. I had the impression that it was a bunch of hackers (in the best sense of the word) who were part of a club. And "admission" to this club is to spend a LOT of time just learning and a LOT more time trying out different firmwares and yet a LOT more time doing testing. All a bit much.

I'm all for flashing my current TP-Link Archer C9 and my old, spare Netgear 4500 v2 so I can use it as a print server. But I need to get all these different builds netted out. For example, is one firmware "brand" more stable or more tested? The basic DD-WRT is a clear win as is, and I don't need "cutting edge" features that may not be fully baked? Is one firmware "brand" better supported for bug fixes?

Thanks, and I hope I'm not sounding noob-ish. In general, I'm very un-noob-ish.

x509

 

[FNtastic]

A while ago I got all enthusiastic about DD-WRT until I started to encounter regular DD-WRT, Shibby, Tomato, and people's custom-feature variations. Merlin is a new one though. I had the impression that it was a bunch of hackers (in the best sense of the word) who were part of a club. And "admission" to this club is to spend a LOT of time just learning and a LOT more time trying out different firmwares and yet a LOT more time doing testing. All a bit much.

I'm all for flashing my current TP-Link Archer C9 and my old, spare Netgear 4500 v2 so I can use it as a print server. But I need to get all these different builds netted out. For example, is one firmware "brand" more stable or more tested? The basic DD-WRT is a clear win as is, and I don't need "cutting edge" features that may not be fully baked? Is one firmware "brand" better supported for bug fixes?

Thanks, and I hope I'm not sounding noob-ish. In general, I'm very un-noob-ish.

x509

The experience for each firmware "brand" varies between routers. For example, a Linksys EA 5000 might have a great experience on Tomato, but not as good experience on DD-WRT. And, that could be completely different for a Linksys AE 3000. The best thing to do is put your router model and the word DD-WRT or Tomato or Merlin, etc into a Google search. Maybe something like "TP-Link Archer C9 Tomato issues" or something like that. And, do the same for each firmware you are considering. In my experience, there's really not one that reigns supreme over the others. And, sometimes one will offer features the other doesn't, or an interface that another doesn't. So, it's best to poke around for your specific model. From my experience, Tomato, DD-WRT, and Merlin are all pretty solid. And, they all get frequent enough updates (considering the age of the devices).

 

[x509]

The experience for each firmware "brand" varies between routers. For example, a Linksys EA 5000 might have a great experience on Tomato, but not as good experience on DD-WRT. And, that could be completely different for a Linksys AE 3000. The best thing to do is put your router model and the word DD-WRT or Tomato or Merlin, etc into a Google search. Maybe something like "TP-Link Archer C9 Tomato issues" or something like that. And, do the same for each firmware you are considering. In my experience, there's really not one that reigns supreme over the others. And, sometimes one will offer features the other doesn't, or an interface that another doesn't. So, it's best to poke around for your specific model. From my experience, Tomato, DD-WRT, and Merlin are all pretty solid. And, they all get frequent enough updates (considering the age of the devices).

Really, really, really appreciate this advice. Now I have a way to approach the questions.

x509