WRT54G v5

I have just succesfully flash my Linksys WRT54G v5 router firmware from VXworks to DD-WRT. I have been wanted to do this for a long time but always hesitated due to lack of self confidence, current firmware did not guve much a problem and the fact that I may bricked the router in the process.

However because of the system hang ups lately by the VXworks firmware, I decided to go on with the project. The goal actually is to install the firmware and stop system hang in the router which recently annoyed me. I search for tutorial in various websites including www.dd-wrt.org for details on how to flash safely my router.

I was frustrated then when I knew that my router will only support a micro version of the firmware.This is due to the flash memory was cutdown by Linksys from 16mb RAM / 4mb OS in version 4 to only 8mb RAM / 2mb OS. What this means is some of the full version firmware application will not be available in my router.

The process was quite simple actually as illustrated below;

1. upgrade prep firmware
2. upload vxworks killer (which you will setup the router's mac address)
3. upload new firmware (DD-WRT).

however in between these process, there are some important key notes that needed to be adhered as if you do not follow, you are sure to brick the router your self. Further details on how please click here.

Once you have install the new firmware, the router will reboot by it self and you can setup the router by web interface (http://192.168.1.1). The default userid/password is root/admin, and if you go to the status screen it will show something like this.

There are numerous new applications on this firmware compared to the old VXworks firmware. Some of the functions tahat attract me is the signal extender, bandwith monitor, cpu frequency and Virtual Wlan. There are so much more that you can do with this firmware compared to VXworks. This means I have lots to learn and play with, so bye for now.