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Rolling your own Linux AP in 20 secs.

The Linksys WRT54G and WRT54GS Wireless Access point(s) firmware runs embedded linux, In fact Linksys has even gone as far as posting the source of their firmware. However Linksys thought that the baseline linux code was untouchable. However, using some bugs in the code some hackers found that not only could they get a shell on the WRT54G, they could modify and upload their own firmware giving the WRT54G/GS hundreds of more features, increased signal strength, and the ability to run custom apps! Soon, several different firmware sites started showing up. In this article we are going to focus on my favorite (and probably most developed) Sveasoft. However I would like to mention that there are other firmware downloads available from Batbox and wifi-box.net. These places have made it easy for us, and we no longer have to use the ping bug to get new firmware on our devices.

The Sveasoft firmware adds more features than I care to list, however buy uploading this firmware you can increase your power boost up to 300% from stock firmware!

Install the new firmware.

1. Download the new firmware from Sveasoft [WRT54GS or WRT54G]. I suggest purchasing support from them, for $20 you get all the latest releases as well as 1 year of support.
2. Physically connect a computer to one of the AP's ethernet ports. (Do not attempt wirelessly!!)
3. Power up the router. Give it a few seconds for it to boot. Now hold down the reset button shown above for 8-10 seconds. Once the DIAG LED lights up, let go of the reset button. This is to ensure the router is at factory defaults.
4. Point your web-browser to 192.168.1.1 (Linksys default) and login.
5. Look for "Firmware Upgrade" in the adminstration menu, Click "Browse", select the 'bin' file and then click "Upgrade".

Please note however at times the web upgrade can be a bit unstable.

After Upgrading.

1. Now hold down the reset button again for 8-10 seconds. Once the DIAG LED lights up, let go of the reset button. This will set the router to the Sveasoft firmware defaults nvram settings.
2. Point your browser at the linksys IP again and log in.
3. Re-apply all your settings. Don't forget to setup wireless encryption or disable the wireless.
4. Click on the administration tab. Enable "Bandwidth Mgmt", Enable the Telnet daemon. Do not disable or enable any other daemons unless you are positive you know what they are. Scroll down to the bottom of the webpage and click "Save Settings".
5. You will now need to fill in the uplink and downlink settings that your ISP gives you (don't forget PPPOE overhead if you use it). I have a 3000/256 cable connection and have been happy with setting the downlink to 2800 and the uplink to 228 just to be on the safe side. Also make sure "WAN" is selected.
6. Investigate and configure the bandwidth management. Some common low priority ports that are used for upload are: 6881 6882 6883 6884 21 119 4662 4672 110 25
7. After you are finished with your bandwidth management settings click the "Save Settings" button.
8. Once all your settings are back in place, and everything is saved, unplug the WRT54G, wait 5 seconds, then plug it back in.