Alternative router firmware: what are DD-WRT, OpenWrt, Tomato & ASUSwrt Merlin
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Just like the operating system on your computer & cell phone, you can change the software running on your router.
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Just like the operating system on your computer & cell phone, you can change the software running on your router.
It's awesome to see these projects are still alive and kicking but they feel like a relic of a past era nowadays. Much like how stock ROMs on Android have improved to the point that rooting isn't really beneficial in most cases anymore, the stock firmware on the majority of routers is perfectly serviceable. I'm sure there are still some corner cases where they are as transformative as ever though.
Some people just don't like the idea of proprietary software serving the backbone of the network.
I installed MerlinWRT on my Asus router and it greatly improved the smart steering between 2.4 and 5ghz. Before installing it the router would steer me back and forth very often no matter what I set it too, and I would often drop connection. After Merlin it is rock solid.
I need it for custom DNS settings that aren't normally exposed. Works great.
I agree. Back in the day I used to run DD-WRT on a cheap $75 router to get features you’d only get on $200+ routers, but now a days I think there’s better options. UniFi for example is great if you don’t mind spending a bit extra. Otherwise I’d rather just use PfSense.
Same here! These days I have less time for tinkering and enjoy everything behind the Unifi "pane of glass".
Same. I just don’t have as much time to troubleshoot things when stuff goes wrong these days.
I run OpenWRT on my Unifi AP :D
Chaotic neutral move. Nice.
In all seriousness, how is it?
It makes wifi! I'd say that stability and performance are probably identical. I don't especially mistrust Ubiquiti, but running open source feels nice, and it gives me nerd cred.
I have worked with a gigabit ISP for a number of years, and personally haven't seen that much improvement in stock firmware. If anything, I feel like it's more a matter of hardware improving to the point that the clunky stock firmware can run ok.
Maybe I should revise my statement to "consumer routers an informed user would consider buying".
I'm using a GL.iNet router which is running off of OpenWrt. The front end looks very modern
Yea I feel like I'd lose features if I tried to do a different firmware on my Amplifi alien