Hacking the Linksys WRT54G

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Posted by timothy on Monday May 31, 2004 @11:42PM from the go-forth-and-multiply-them dept.

knightrdr writes "Robert X. Cringely has posted an interesting article on the PBS web site about modifying the Linksys WRT54G wireless G broadband router to build a wireless layer on top of the Internet. He argues that with as little as a $70 investment per node, the Sveasoft WRT54G Firmware could be the first in a line of many wireless devices to enable a giant leap forward for the Internet."

11 of 213 comments (clear)

Dupe by tjansen · 2004-05-31 23:46 · Score: 5, Informative

It's a dupe, was posted on friday. Still one of the better cringely columns...
1. Re:Dupe by elmegil · 2004-06-01 00:06 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Still one of the better cringely columns...
  If you buy his "you can resell your DSL bandwidth" argument which in 90% of cases is not true.
  
  --
  7 November 2006: The day Americans realized corruption and incompetence weren't addressing 11 September 2001
openwrt by thehosh · 2004-05-31 23:46 · Score: 5, Informative

back to the roots: openwrt is much more fun!
only a base system, which can be customized for your needs.
1. Re:OpenWRT by cnf · 2004-06-01 01:40 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  It is a core system, very basic. On top of that you can install what you want with ipkg's.
  
  I have running:
  SSHd
  trafic shaping with iptroute2+tc
  custome firewall script
  no-ip client
  tcpdump
  network syslogd
  
  It doesn't run a webinterface (yes, to me that is an advantage.)
  
  Next on the agenda: vpn client to the office. ( so I am always connected from home.)
  serial interface so the nids can give instructions to the WRT.
  
  This is exactly what I need, from a 12watt machine (the WRT uses 12V DC, 1A) that makes 0 noice (no moving parts)
  
  And above all, it is a shiny fun geektoy :)
Dupe by Ripplet · 2004-05-31 23:50 · Score: 5, Funny

The next article will be ready soon, but Slashdot editors can dupe it early!

--
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Others by Quixote · 2004-05-31 23:57 · Score: 5, Informative

Sveasoft isn't the only game in town (though it is one of the top ones). Others include:
EWRT, from Portless Networks (a fork of Sveasoft)
Wi-Fi Box

Ahh... the wonders of OSS and GPL. :-)
Hey, Not only Linksys guys! by zoobab · 2004-06-01 00:05 · Score: 5, Informative

I would like to say that there is not only Linksys, but all Broadcom based routers (Trendnet TEW-411BRP, Belkin F5D7230, Motorola, Asustek wl300g et wl500g, Buffalo Airstation, Dell Truemobile2300).

See:

http://seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/BroadcomRou te rs

There is also the other APs based on Intersil:

http://isl3893.sf.net
Re:Dump question about VOIP by BrainGumbo · 2004-06-01 00:11 · Score: 5, Funny

You asked the question wrong. On Slashdot, if you wanted to find out how to do VOIP, you have to say:

"VOIP is a dead technology. You can't implement it. There aren't and headsets or software available, and it doesn't scale between countries well."

This will cause the modern geek to feel challenged, and he'll reveal your answers as he rebukes you.

--
-----Buy the ticket, take the ride.-----
Re:Wireless G? Wireless B? by teasea · 2004-06-01 00:13 · Score: 5, Funny

Why can't any technical term ever remain unadulterated by end-users and marketeers?

That's an easy one. I am a programmer, and one thing I've learned; while engineers need to create terms to describe new concepts, they should be watched closely. All too often they create bizzarre strings of terms just to make a silly acronym. Worse, they keep inventing new terms so they can claim to have invented a new idea when the idea should come before the name.

I say leave the evolution of the English language in the hands of professionals. The Rap/Hip Hop community!

Let the cheap shots begin.
OpenWRT by cnf · 2004-06-01 00:16 · Score: 5, Informative

Personally, I run OpenWRT (http://openwrt.ksilebo.net/) on my WRT54G. In my opinion, it is better, and my contact with the developers so far on IRC has been wonderfull.

Check it out, and a WRT54G (or the WRT54GS) is a nice investment, even if it was just for its geekyness :-)
Actually it's being developped! by internet-redstar · 2004-06-01 00:26 · Score: 5, Interesting

LinSpot for WRT54G will be launched soon.
This means a WISP in a box for everyone - and LinSpot handles the roaming between all linspots and fills your PayPal account while you sleep (and while others roam).
I guess it will take the LinSpot crew a couple of weeks to iron the bugs out and release this for your enjoyement.