Linksys WRT54GL + DD-WRT software

The following is a summary of the steps necessary to flash the Linksys WRT54GL router with DD-WRT software to create a wireless router that contains no proprietary software.

Hungry for an open source wireless router I picked up a WRT54G and a WRT54GLfrom TigerDirect. My intention was to try out and report on the DD-WRT software project. Both the WRT54G and the WRT54GL are supposed to work with DD-WRT, however, their may be issues with WRT54G. The following documents the trouble free flashing steps I followed to install DD-WRT on a WRT54GL router. Presumably, the L stands for Linux. Both units run Linux right out of the box, and it is for this reason that these routers have become famous. There are several other 3rd party firmware projects for the WRT54G / WRT54GL routers, but I am choosing DD-WRT for several reasons:

1) It is a mature project.
2) It is a Linux based free and open source project wireless router / gateway that supports client bridge mode as a method of geographically extending a wireless LAN.
3) It is externally documented
4) It is internally documented
4) Supports Internet keep alive persistent Internet connection
5) supports ssh communication to my LAN from remote locations
6) It is a Linux Wireless router! See reason #2. The router has Linux inside.

So whatever your reasons, you’ve got a Linksys WRT54GL and you want to flash the OS with DD-WRT. The following is a mini how to of the steps I followed that worked. Here is my attempt to document a first flashing attempt of DD-WRT on a Linksys WRT54GL. Once you have identified that you too have a Linksys WRT54GL you may want to refer to then WRT54GL flashing first steps.

disclaimer: Following this procedure will most likely end your warranty with Linksys.

The first thing to know is the version of the firmware installed on the WRT54GL. Log into the Linksys router through a standard ethernet cat5 or cat6 cable. [(I am using Ubuntu Linux Dapper Drake v6.06 on a Dell Latitude Laptop with the FireFox web browswer)]. Plug one end of a cat5 ethernet cable into the WRT54GL position 1 to connect with a standard ethernet card eth0.
// get a dhcp lease from the WRT54GL
$sudo dhclient eth0
// open FireFox web browswer and surf to

http://192.168.1.1

// do not enter a username
password=”admin”
// Successful login. Firmware Version: v4.30.7
// Today is March 11, 2007. I am going to do a first flash using dd-wrt.v23_mini_generic.bin
// It is recommended to use dd-wrt.v23_mini_generic.bin before installing “standard”
// Reset to Factory DefaultsFrom the Web GUI
// just out of the box? Do not assume factory defaults.
// Explicitly reset to Factory Defaults
Administration –> Factory Defaults –> Yes –> Save Setttings
// once you are back in the web gui
Administration –> Firmware Upgrade –> Browse
// assuming you have a copy of dd-wrt.v23_mini_generic.bin downloaded to your computer
upload dd-wrt.v23_mini_generic.bin
upgrade
// do not do anything on your computer for 1 minute while this upload is working
// you should see an Upgrade Successful screen message
click continue
// you will be prompted with a login box.
// get a pen and find the reset button on the back of the WRT54GL
hold down the reset button for 30 seconds
release the reset button
watch the lights blink for 15 seconds
// open FireFox web browswer and surf to

http://192.168.1.1

username=”root”
password=”admin”
// this has me successfully logged in
Linksys WRT54GL running DD-WRT v23 SP2 mini
Firmware: DD-WRT v23 SP2 (09/15/06) mini
————————————————————————————————
// Now I want to upgrade to the dd-wrt.v23_generic.bin
// aka “standard”
Factory Defaults –> Yes –> Save Settings
// and upgrade
Administration –> Firmware Upgrade –> Default Settings –> Browse
// find local copy of dd-wrt.v23_generic.bin
Upgrade
// don’t touch your machine for a minute or two unit reboots into
SUCCESS:
Firmware: DD-WRT v23 SP2 (09/15/06) std
// superstition?!?….instinct tells me to hard reboot the unit one more time
press and hold reset button for 30 seconds
// connect to the new DD-WRT interface and start exploring the possibilities.

http://192.168.1.1

username=”root”
password=”admin”
// and under status reports the build #
DD-WRT v23 SP2 (09/15/06) std – build 3932

// Thanks to the hard work and dedicated curiousity of many intelligent people
// it is now possible to run a completely
// General Public Licensed Wireless Linux Router
————————————————————————————————-
Tips: Immediatly go to Administration –> Management
change the default password
set your login type to https
disable your wireless signal until your set up encryption system

Relevant links
WRT54G / WRT54GL story
Building a Wireless Bridge
FreeRadius and Linux Secure your WLAN
FreeRadius and Linux you WLAN part 2
How to set up a Wifi-Hotspot
Howto Configure FreeRadius and DD-WRT for A WRT-54G AP
ChilliSpot Open Source Captive Portal
WRT54G + chillispot

phpMyPrepaid: An interface for the creation and managment of prepaid cards and accounts designed to work with a MySQL database and FreeRadius.

Looking for a WRT54G WRT54GL? I bought my Linksys WRT54G and Linksys WRT54GL routers from http://www.tigerdirect.ca
(enter “WRT54GL” in the search box)DD-WRT software DOWNLOAD

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