Free Yourself And Your Router With Open Source

Our router is what allows all the computers in the house to connect to the modem and thus the Internet. So when it is not working correctly all our online activites either slow down or come to a halt. At VitalBodies we like open source and heard about an open source firmware for routers. DD-WRT is a free open source firmware that you can use in most routers.

"We especially like all the real time graphs that show the status of the router, signal and bandwidth."

According to their web site: DD-WRT is a Linux based alternative OpenSource firmware suitable for a great variety of WLAN routers and embedded systems. The main emphasis lies on providing the easiest possible handling while at the same time supporting a great number of functionalities within the framework of the respective hardware platform used.

DD-WRT Open Source Router Firmware...

DD-WRT is a Linux based alternative OpenSource firmware suitable for a great variety of WLAN routers and embedded systems. The main emphasis lies on providing the easiest possible handling while at the same time supporting a great number of functionalities within the framework of the respective hardware platform used.

The graphical user interface is logically structured, and it is operated via a standard Web browser, so even non-technicians can configure the system in only a few simple steps.

Apart from the simple handling, speed and stability are also in the focus of our development work. Compared to the software preinstalled on many WLAN routers, DD-WRT allows a reliable operation with a clearly larger functionality that also fulfills the demands of professional deployment.

The huge user community gives support to DD-WRT developers and the users themselves in various ways. Thanks to this, potential flaws in the system can be detected very quickly and can thus be corrected without delay. DD-WRT users can find help and suggestions from other users in the user forums, and the Wiki containing further information and how-to guides is being expanded and maintained by the DD-WRT community as well.

For devices mainly used for private purposes, DD-WRT is freely available. Platforms used for commercial purposes require a paid license. Compared to the freely available version, the professional version also allows for configuration of the WLAN parameters, thus opening up the opportunity of creating e.g. reliable and powerful network infrastructures. Special demands can be fulfilled by specifically tailored versions of DD-WRT.

We found installing the firmware to be easy and we were really pleased by all the features. We especially like all the real time graphs that show the status of the router, signal and bandwidth. We are very impressed with this exciting open source firmware! You can even set up your router to be a hot spot.

1Visit DD-WRT.com check the database to see if your router is supported.

2Download the free firmware and upgrade the firmware of your router (we suggest doing this with a CAT5 cable rather than wirelessly).

3Login to your router (for us that meant going to 192.168.1.1 in our browser and logging in with the default user name root and password admin.

4Setup up your router and change your username and password.