Earlier this week we asked you to share the ways you’ve enhanced your home router. We’ve rounded up the responses here; read on to see how your fellow readers supercharge their home routers.
Custom firmware rules the roost when it comes to tweaking your router. The majority of responding readers highlighted the custom firmware on their routers and the benefits in provided. Kevin, for example, runs his entire extended Wi-Fi network using DD-WRT:
Trevor notes that DD-WRT is so popular that Buffalo is shipping routers with it pre-installed:
I have a couple of other Linksys/DD-WRT units that act as wireless bridges. One of them is connected to a couple of cheap Ubuntu boxes that act as network storage and do nightly, on-site back-ups of all of my data. Now, if I can just find an off-site solution that’s not too pricey.
Daymon, like Kevin, also uses extra routers as repeaters:
Although DD-WRT received quite a few nods, Tomato didn’t go unloved. LVDave weighs in with:
It’s wireless, and only needs a power source, so it can be easily hidden. I used the original router’s SSID, and just added EXT (extended) on the end, so I know which router I’m connected to at any given time.
Brodiemacnic loves Tomato but wishes it was in wider development:
Rothbart takes the whole DIY aspect of using a custom ROM to a new level by rolling his own router:
For more reader tips and tricks hit up the original comment thread here.
And… it’s free. I just had to devote a spare machine and electricity to running it. Well worth it IMO.
