Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: bustr on September 04, 2010, 04:00:25 AM
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If your Router is compatable to use a DD-WRT based firmware is that a good direction to go?
I have a Netgear WNDR3700 router and a DD-WRT firmware has been released that is compatable at (DD-WRT.com).
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While I've heard good things about it, if you aren't real knowledgeable about these sorts of things, it's probably nothing you want to mess with.
It also depends on what you want to use the router for. Do you want to use features that the factory firmware doesn't provide? Do you have a lot of sensitive data? I would say that for what 99.9% of people out there use their routers for, DD-WRT will provide no real benefit to them (and may cause headaches).
I guess simply put.. if you have to ask, then it probably won't benefit you.
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Any third-party firmware, like DD-WRT, SlugOS, HyperWRT, are really for advanced users only.
Third party firmwares are for people who want to adventure with VPN Servers, VLAN, XLink Kai, IPv6, overclocking the CPU (of the router), boosting radio performance, adding additional security to a large access point, anti-virus scanning of traffic, endless port forwarding, WDS, AP mode and other options. I have a Linksys WRT54GL with DD-WRT combined with a bridge and a 24dbi parabolic grid antenna for maximum directional wifi distance and added security.
I would strongly advise you to study up on it heavily before you even make an attempt to flash your router with DD-WRT. Read every tutorial, FAQ and document you can. And make damn sure your specific router is compatible. If you fail to flash your router properly, you will "Brick" the router, rendering it completely useless.
Most of the time your stock firmware will be just fine for most users. Like Tigger said, 99% of the people wont benefit from third-party firmware.