Creating a Nifty Open Source Wireless Router
September 3rd, 2006 by ritesh
Anyone can have a really cool linux-based, open-source Internet router with wireless, VPN, RADIUS, and some other advanced features. The cost? Under $50. Below is the recipe.
Step 1: Buy a Buffalo WHR-G54S router. I bought mine back when Newegg had it for $39.99. You can also pick up these routers at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.
Step 2: Go to the DD-WRT website and download the most recent version, or to make things easier, download the BIN file directly from my site.
Step 3: Change your computer’s IP to 192.168.11.2 and connect to a LAN port on the router.
Step 4: Open a command prompt, and type the following: tftp -i 192.168.11.1 PUT dd-wrt.v23_vpn_generic.bin
Step 5: Power on the router, and as soon as all port LEDs go out on the back (except for the one you’re connected in on), hit enter on the command prompt.
Step 6: It’ll say transfer successful after a few seconds. At that time, change your computer’s IP to 192.168.1.2 and connect via HTTP to http://192.168.1.1. The login is root, password is admin.
For those who need it, more detailed instructions are availabe on DD-WRT’s Wiki page.