Looking for some computer help

**CptnBlues63** · 05-05-2010, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by MarineOne

The LinkSys WRT54G wireless router is the way to go. Depending on which model, you can load either of the aftermarket firmware versions like TOMATO or DD-WRT to increase power output on the antennas or add features that aren't in the default firmware from LinkSys/Cisco.

I was going to mention that but I frequently go off all techie and people's eyes tend to glaze over. We have a project pending to provide in-house enterprise level wireless here at work but because of budget constraints due to the economic situation it's been pushed back.

In the mean time, we're using SOHO level equipment to provide a "guest" wireless network. Which is to say, there's no encryption enabled and all you get out of it is internet access, no internal access, for obvious reasons.

I've gone through several D-Link wireless access points and had little or no luck with most of them and we finally settled on the Linksys WRT54GL router running Tomato firmware which can be found here:

http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

There's also a version of tomato that has VPN capablity which can be found here:

http://tomatovpn.keithmoyer.com/

I've used both versions of Tomato and really like it a lot. Being Linux based, if you know Linux, you can write, and run scripts on the routers.

I've yet to look at DD-WRT or any other but if you go to the first link (Polarcloud) and scroll to the very bottom of the page you'll see it actually provides links to DD-WRT and several other 3'd party firmwares.

I personally recommend any Linux based Linksys router, especially if you know Linux/UNIX. This makes them so much more flexible than any non-Linux based SOHO Router.

But, if you already own one, or are considering buying one in order to run 3'd party firmware, you definitely want go to the Polarcloud website first and read the "Routers that are known to work with Tomato: " portion of the "NOTES" in order to ensure you have, or buy, one that's compatible.