WRT54GL & DDWRT help

[ryuk999]

I recently purchased a new router for my new house. However I've been fiddling around with it and doing tons of research on DD-WRT firmware. I have a Linksys WRT54GL v1.1 successfully flashed to v24-sp2 (7/22/09) mini build 12548M NEWD Eko.

I found this post to be quite informative on what build I should use, but I'm still not sure which one I should upgrade to. I do know that on www.dd-wrt.com they don't list the correct 'recommended' builds though. Also is there a newer build I should upgrade to from 12548? (I realize there are newer builds, but would you recommend them)

Now I can't connect either of my PS3's wirelessly to it (they don't even show up when I scan for them and I've eliminated all possible wireless interference by putting them in the same room). However the PS3 WILL connect when I use a hardline, it's just impossible to connect the other PS3 with a wire though. All other devices connect flawlessly.

Here's a list for the different flavors. I'm thinking about upgrading to a version that supports SSH. I've herd that if you upgrade from a mini build to something with more size to it, it could slow down the performance of the router. Is that true or just a myth? I mean flash is pretty fast stuff..

Also there aren't a whole lot of other networks around to interfere with signal. I've tried increasing the TX power to 100mW. Already increased the clock speed to 250MHZ (probably will need it when more room mates move in). Changed my wireless channel to decrease odds of having wireless interference.

Edit: Oh also tried doing a search but sorta couldn't find much on dd-wrt or my router.

[glc]

I have the same router with DD-WRT, and this is what I'm using:

Firmware: DD-WRT v24-sp2 (07/22/09) mini build 12548M NEWD Eko

Tx power 71 mW CPU clock 200 MHz

Channel 6

[ryuk999]

Do you have a playstation 3 in your house GLC?

I was sorta thinking about just going with a powerline connection to my room to connect my computer and PS3 with a wire. You know of any good powerline adapters that support the WRT54GL router? Also how would you go about figuring out if your house is powerline capable?

Edit: Got wifi to work on my PS3! I just had to change my channel from 13 back to 6 lol.

[glc]

That will do it - US channels go from 1 to 11.

[ryuk999]

Ohhh okay!

Also on a side note while were on the topic of the DD-WRT firmware. I was wondering how I could better understand the 'Load average' under status > router. Right now mine says 0.03, 0.11, 0.06 and then to the right it says 6%. So what do those different numbers mean?

[glc]

Load Average:
This is given as three numbers that represent the system load during the last one, five, and fifteen minute periods.

0.03 = 3%, etc. The bar graph is instantaneous load.

[ryuk999]

Ohh thanks GLC! Also I just found where you copy and pasted it from lol. Thanks though!

[ryuk999]

So I encountered a new problem today. I'm not able to get on wireless from my desktop. I'm currently typing this from a wired connection on my laptop and as far as I can tell, I have perfect wired connection. I've tried changing my channel settings back to 6, restoring default clock speed, and restoring TX power to 71. With my laptop I can't get any wifi while in the same room. On my phone, however, I can GOOD connection. What's wrong? I've also reset the router & modem several times.

Also what powerline adapter would you guys recommend for my router?

Edit: I didn't change anything since wireless was working other than the channel from 13 to 9 to make my PS3 work. I've also increased the DHCP range from 50 to 100 to see if that might help with issuing and IP address via DHCP. Still no luck. I noticed the router was a little warm so I unplugged it and set it on the ground where it's cooler then tried again, still no luck.

Edit #2: I have also done a 30-30-30 reset. Still no luck.

Edit #3: I'm getting the WLAN and green lights across the board. Just thought I'd add that in there. The radio is on.

Edit #4: Okay! I FINALLY found some sort of fix. I disabled wireless security all together and got wifi to work! Now I'm trying to find a wireless security setting that works but still haven't found one. TKIP seems to make the whole router undetectable over wifi vs AES at least I can pick up a signal from it. What are your security settings, GLC?

To summarize, I have wifi on my iPhone but no wifi on my laptop/desktop/PS3. I have a wired connection.

[ryuk999]

bump. (sorry if I seem impatient, I've been at this for about 5 hours now :s)

Edit: I decreased the TX power from 71 to 28 (I think that's the default for the linksys firmware) and presto! I got wifi on my laptop. After connecting my laptop, I raised the TX power back up to 71 and did a speedtest and got 22Mbps (not bad for a G network!).

So all in all I was able to get wifi only by disabling the wireless security entirely, before I changed any TX power settings.

[ryuk999]

So earlier today when I was on a wired connection, I did a speed test on speedtest.com and got 40Mbps! However on my wireless on pretty much everywhere else I was only getting 15-23Mbps. So I'm sorta thinking about going with a powerline solution.

I found 2 sets but I'm not sure which one I should get. If you guys find any other better ones feel free to say! My router: WRT54GL flashed with DD-WRT.

Linksys PLWK400

Linksys PLEK400

[IPexpress]

If you got wireless connectivity with security turned off then you seem to have a security incompatibility problem, either that or passwords are not matching up.

As for the powerline products, lots on the market but I like the Netgear Range, Netgear XAVB5001 Powerline AV 500 Adapter Kit is the basic kit. They also do a home theatre setup for up to 4 devices, Netgear XAVB5004 4-Port AV Powerline Adapter Kit For Home Theatre Devices.

David

[ryuk999]

When I looked on newegg I saw that they were deactivated. I'm sorta wondering if I go with the linksys PLWK400 that if it would increase my wireless internet speeds as well because it can connect with 801.11n? My current router only supports b/g.

Edit: So I guess the million dollar question is, does the linksys PLWK400 have a separate SSID than the router? If not, would my wireless devices (for the ones that are n capable) automatically connect to the powerline adapter and have increase download speed?

[glc]

I am using WPA Personal and AES.

Get a good powerline kit and a cheap Ethernet switch - and use cables in your room for your devices.

Newegg.com - TP-LINK TL-PA210KIT AV200 Mini Powerline Starter Kit Up to 200Mbps

Newegg.com - ZyXEL ES-105S Desktop Fast Ethernet Switch 10/100Mbps 5 x RJ45 2K MAC Address Table 48KB Buffer Memory

[ryuk999]

Thanks for the recommendation GLC, I may not buy the switch but when I get the money to, I'll buy that powerline adapter.

[glc]

The switch is only 10 bucks and it's the only way to connect more than one device to a powerline adapter.

[ryuk999]

I unfortunately don't have many wired devices upstairs other than my PC and PS3. I rarely use my PS3 and I think wireless is good enough for it.