23 replies to this topic 2 votes

[ortigosano]

Hello every body!

I hope we can solve my problem, and I am sure some users will learn something interesting here.

Actually my neighbour is sharing his WiFi with me. I am repeating his signal on my flat with my old router (linksys wrt54gl) which actually uses DD-WRT v24.
( http://www.dd-wrt.co...reless_Repeater )

Everything works fine, but I want to have more speed on my LAN network, such us wireless N and 1Gbps wired lan. Therefore I have buy an Asus RT-N66U.

As my target is do the same with the Asus as I do with my old Linskys using DD-WRT, but I cannot get DD-WRT on my Asus RT-N66U.

I could install Toamto's firmware, but as far as I know does not match my needs. (maybe I am wrong).

I am going to try to explain as best as I can what I did till now on my "target" to get dd-wrt working.




1) I have configured my network manually ( see the screenshot below)



2) Holding the reset botton with out energy cable, connect energy cable and switch on the router with the reset botton pressed till the "on" led blinks slowly.

3) Upload the firmware with the tool called "firmware restoration" included in CD from the Asus router on the software "ASUS RT-N66U software utilities".



4) I've try to upload the Asus RT-N66U Firmware: Image for initial flashing dd-wrt.v24-18702_NEWD-2_K2.6_mini_RT-N66U.trx 2012-03-15 3,29 MB
the transmission of the firmware gets OK! but at the end of the process I got this error: (see screenshot below:)


Here the error: (but in the point 7 with tomato firmware and same error works, therefore I guess that error is not so important)



5) I try to open the following link (http://192.168.1.1/d...d=nvram+commit.) on my browser and I got a Time Out.


6)If I try with the same link (http://192.168.1.1/d...d=nvram+commit.) in flash modus (see point 2) I got what the following screenshot shows, but noting works.



7) If I do the step 2 again and I try to get into the router the firmware called "http://tomato.groov....101-AIO-64K.trx"

I got the same problem of the screenshot in the point 4, but when the process was close to 74% more leds become illuminated, such us on led, network led, wireless 2,ghz led and wireless 5ghz led.



8) Screenshot of tomato working fine:



9) what I am doing wrong? I really do not know. I want to install DD-WRT not tomato.

I did the step 4 again with the big firmware from DD-WRT (I waited always after flashing more than 20min.) And the router does not boot. (only leds of "ON" and network lan are illuminated. )




********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Another try which I did.


A)I have finished to upload the mini version of dd-wrt an the router was like this:



B) I have done the 30/30/30 seconds rule with the wps button.

After that the router status leds it was like this:


C) I have installed again the Firmware dd-wrt.v24-18702_NEWD-2_K2.6_mini_RT-N66U.trx (with firmware restoration)

D) I have done again the 90 seconds rule for clean NVRAM

E) by web browser the IP 192.168.1.1 does not make anyreaction

F) Anyway I have try to install the new firmware (http://dd-wrt.com/dd...-2_K2.6_big.bin) with firmware restoration. (the router status leds was like in the step A)

G) I have done again the 90 seconds. ( the router status leds was like in the step B)

H) 192.168.1.1 does not react. I still do not get dd-wrt working on my Asus RT-N66U


Do you know what I am doing wrong? Any help you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[ortigosano]

In summary, after transfer the http://dd-wrt.com/dd...-2_K2.6_big.bin from tomato's firm web interface and clean the NVRAM does not boot properly. I mean, does not react when I do a ping to 192.168.1.1

[lars77]

Sorry, I can't tell, so did you successfully flash firmware on it? It sounds like you do have some sort of Tomato firmware running on it, but are having trouble flashing DD-WRT through the Tomato interface? I was able to flash Toastman's Tomato mod on the first try, not quite sure if DD-WRT is harder to flash on this router.

Regardless, two things:

- Between step 1 & 2 (or really, even before step 1), you did connect an ethernet cable from your computer's LAN port to one of the router's LAN ports, correct? The initial flashing will not work properly wirelessly.

- In step 4, after you get the OK message, did you wait at least 10 mins? It really does take about that long. After waiting at least 10 mins, try setting your IP config back to DHCP (no more 192.168.1.12, should be back to automatic DHCP). It's possible the flash was successful but your computer lost its connection to the router so you can't tell if it's good or bad.
(or, after 10-15 mins from successful transfer of the flash, change your computer's IP to DHCP & also power-cycle the router & see if your computer gets an IP address). This is assuming DD-WRT enables its DHCP server by default.. I do not know if it does or not...

ref:
http://tomatousb.org/forum/t-364347 (last post)
http://support.asus....&p=11&m=RT-N56U

[ortigosano]

Thanks a lot lars777,

of course I did it with wired cable LAN pc to LAN router.

I have installed the tomato mod as well without problems, but dd-wrt it seems to be imposible.

when the router reboots, I got 4 leds on (power, lan, wireless 2,4 ghz and wireless 5,ghz) when I try to flash the mini version, does never cames out.

it's pity that tomato's does not offert the possibility of repeat a wireless lan like this (http://www.dd-wrt.co...reless_Repeater)

[Axel]

http://www.dd-wrt.co...66U#NVRAM_issue

There is a problem with the NVRAM size on this router. Have you looked at this?

[ortigosano]

Axel, on 20 September 2012 - 06:30, said:

http://www.dd-wrt.co...66U#NVRAM_issue

There is a problem with the NVRAM size on this router. Have you looked at this?

Of course! therefore I have no problems with stock firmware and with tomatos firmware.

but with dd-wrt none works! Believe me I have tried everything but with any dd-wrt does not boot properly.

As I want a DD-WRT router compatible, with 2,4 and 5 ghz and with removable antennas I have dice to send back my Asus RT-N66U and buy this one: http://www.amazon.de...ils_o00_s00_i00

[lars77]

Ah that's interesting, didn't know about the NVRAM issue. I've had Toastman's Tomato mod running on this router since June 2012, but the firmware I flashed was less than 64k so it was never an issue on my end (I think I was using a 32k firmware). The firmware size issue seems to be fixed in Tomato now (Both Shibby & Toastman mods have the fix since August 2012 it looks like)

For DD-WRT, you'd have to try to get input from someone who was successful flashing that onto the router. Or I guess you don't need the input now if you got a new router.. good luck w/ the D-Link!

[ortigosano]

lars77, on 20 September 2012 - 13:28, said:

Ah that's interesting, didn't know about the NVRAM issue. I've had Toastman's Tomato mod running on this router since June 2012, but the firmware I flashed was less than 64k so it was never an issue on my end (I think I was using a 32k firmware). The firmware size issue seems to be fixed in Tomato now (Both Shibby & Toastman mods have the fix since August 2012 it looks like)

For DD-WRT, you'd have to try to get input from someone who was successful flashing that onto the router. Or I guess you don't need the input now if you got a new router.. good luck w/ the D-Link!

Thanks a lot!

[ortigosano]

Lars77, finally the D-Link dir 825 was not so great, and unfortunately the function of Repeater was not include on DD-WRT firmare,
I wil try to get again a new asus N66U because with the Tomatos firmware which you told looks great and I will try to investigate more.

[lars77]

Keep in mind Tomato does not support wireless repeater bridge mode (AFAIK).

But thinking about this more, w/ Tomato you could just set it in Wireless Client Mode & then just connect your machines via the LAN ports. (be sure to turn off local DHCP & whatnot, you would be getting those settings from your neighbor's wifi)

And if you want to get fancy, once you have the Asus working in Wireless Client Mode just buy a 2nd wireless router & connect its LAN port (or use the WAN port if you don't mind double NATing) to the Asus' LAN port. Your 2nd wifi router would need to get its WAN/LAN traffic from the main wifi router from your neighbor, & should be on a different wifi channel to avoid issues. In effect you would be using the Asus to receive the wireless connection from afar & you'd be using your 2nd wireless router to extend the wifi for your own area. Plus b/c you're not doing a wireless bridge you won't impact the bandwidth (wireless bridge mode uses 50% of the wifi bandwidth).

I've never done this myself so your mileage may vary, but it seems doable?

e.g.
http://tomatousb.org/forum/t-293204

[ortigosano]

lars77, on 22 September 2012 - 17:13, said:

Keep in mind Tomato does not support wireless repeater bridge mode (AFAIK).

But thinking about this more, w/ Tomato you could just set it in Wireless Client Mode & then just connect your machines via the LAN ports. (be sure to turn off local DHCP & whatnot, you would be getting those settings from your neighbor's wifi)

And if you want to get fancy, once you have the Asus working in Wireless Client Mode just buy a 2nd wireless router & connect its LAN port (or use the WAN port if you don't mind double NATing) to the Asus' LAN port. Your 2nd wifi router would need to get its WAN/LAN traffic from the main wifi router from your neighbor, & should be on a different wifi channel to avoid issues. In effect you would be using the Asus to receive the wireless connection from afar & you'd be using your 2nd wireless router to extend the wifi for your own area. Plus b/c you're not doing a wireless bridge you won't impact the bandwidth (wireless bridge mode uses 50% of the wifi bandwidth).

I've never done this myself so your mileage may vary, but it seems doable?

e.g.
http://tomatousb.org/forum/t-293204

Hello Lars77,

Thanks again, I remember you told me Tomato's firm does not support repeater modus, ( a pity). Anyway for my surprise the router D-Lind Dir 825 wit dd-wrt does not as well. : (

Sure, your recommendation it seems quite doable, I am going to keep on mind! thanks a lot!!

by the way, did you already tested some asuswrt-merlin firmwares? ( I already know that they not support repeater mode as well, but maybe is a great alternative like tomato).
Do you have an special reason for be using tomato firmware?

Thanks in advance!

[lars77]

The original Asus firmware wasn't too bad, so I imagine the asuswrt-merlin can only be a good thing (though I haven't tried it myself).

I mostly use Tomato b/c of its excellent QOS capabilities, besides the extra QOS configurations you can add on your own, it already brings a ton of pre-defined QOS rules (the Toastman Tomato mod does, not quite sure on the others). It's essential when you're sharing internet with other people IMO. Tomato can also handle fine-grained settings for port forwards, another essential for me. Most routers' default firmwares only allow basic settings for this stuff (though DD-WRT def has no problem in this area). And then there's Tomato's sweet, sweet web interface.

Though for the record, I think Asus' firmware has a better way of setting up a wifi guest network. It's not very straightforward to do this in Tomato (possible, but I had to attempt it a few times to get it right!).

But outside of that stuff maybe there isn't really any practical reason, ultimately you'd want to use firmware depending on what you're looking for & what you need.

[ortigosano]

thanks for your wour message!
just a small question. What do you mean with Sharing internet with other people IMO (what does IMO means?)

thanks in advance

[ortigosano]

lars77, on 25 September 2012 - 13:17, said:

The original Asus firmware wasn't too bad, so I imagine the asuswrt-merlin can only be a good thing (though I haven't tried it myself).

I mostly use Tomato b/c of its excellent QOS capabilities, besides the extra QOS configurations you can add on your own, it already brings a ton of pre-defined QOS rules (the Toastman Tomato mod does, not quite sure on the others). It's essential when you're sharing internet with other people IMO. Tomato can also handle fine-grained settings for port forwards, another essential for me. Most routers' default firmwares only allow basic settings for this stuff (though DD-WRT def has no problem in this area). And then there's Tomato's sweet, sweet web interface.

Though for the record, I think Asus' firmware has a better way of setting up a wifi guest network. It's not very straightforward to do this in Tomato (possible, but I had to attempt it a few times to get it right!).

But outside of that stuff maybe there isn't really any practical reason, ultimately you'd want to use firmware depending on what you're looking for & what you need.

Well, I guess you mean (IMO = in my opinion) I thought was a kind of feature of the router

by the way, why are you using

Toastman insted Shibby? (AFAIK, shibby do exactly the same and much more)

http://en.wikipedia....mato_(firmware)

PS: which one do you recomend me http://tomato.groov....0RT-N66u%2064k/ ?? ( I mean what STD means vs VLAN or vs VPN??)

thanks in advance.

[lars77]

You might want to get on the TomatoUSB forums, or maybe the Linksysinfo forums. People there know way more about the firmware specifics..

re: different firmware versions, not sure if Shibby follows the same naming convention but here is Toastman's explanation:
http://www.linksysin...releases.36106/
http://www.4shared.c...man_Builds.html (look at the Versions.txt file)

I've been using Toastman's mod for a while, so nowadays maybe it's just out of habit? Started with Toastman on a Linksys E4200 v1 router (at the time Shibby did not have a firmware for the E4200 v1) & used his mods since then. There's definitely nothing wrong w/ Shibby's mods, though maybe they do a bit more than I need (everything listed in that wiki page that his firmware supports vs Toastman's are things I don't use).

I can't really give you a rec on a mod I don't use, but can tell you this one has been working fine for me on the Asus (on the Toastman side of things):
tomato-K26USB-NVRAM64K-1.28.0500.5MIPSR2Toastman-RT-N-VLAN-VPN-NOCAT.trx (in here)