Lanchester.net ...musings of an old nerd

First, you need to understand the concepts involved here:

• The problem to be solved is that you have an existing wireless network that doesn't quite reach far enough. (Examples: You're getting dead spots in a wireless network in a large house, or you want to extend your wireless network from one building to the next—and the buildings are VERY close together.)
• You have a spare Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS router.
• The spare router is on a list as being "third-party firmware upgradeable."

We'll be using DD-WRT, third-party firmware for numerous routers, to turn our Linksys into a bridge. What's DD-WRT? So let's get started.

• Locate your spare Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS router.
• Flip it over and find the tiny print "Model No." After it will be WRT54G or WRT54GS and the version (e.g., ver. 2). The version is important!
• Look for compatibility on this page, and note the special notes on the right for your version.
• Go to the DD-WRT download page, and type in
  Linksys
  then find your router in the list, and click it.
• Change the drop-down at the top so it DOES NOT SAY SP1 (what it needs to say will depend on the notes you found two steps prior). For example, in March 2010, for my router (WRT54G ver. 2), I should be downloading v24 preSP2, the recommended build, and use the VINT (vintage) standard (dd-wrt.v24-13064_VINT_std.bin). However, if I were to use TFTP, I would first need to flash the router with the TFTP mini-build. If I were to use the web (instead of TFTP), I would first need to flash the router with the web mini-build.
• After locating the proper software to download (both standard and mini-build) download away! (NOTE: TFTP is Windows only, if that helps your decision about which mini-build to download!)
• Next, plug in the power to your Linksys router, and hook it to your computer with an Ethernet connection. (Ensure your computer's Ethernet connection is active.)
• Now you have to try to remember what your old ID and password are for this ancient Linksys router! :) Launch your web browser, and go to http://192.168.1.1 (assuming you had the Linksys configured in a standard fashion). DON'T USE SAFARI on a Mac. Use Firefox.
• Click on the Administration Tab, and Factory Defaults. (I don't remember the exact steps here, but reset it to factory defaults.)
• After that's done, the ID and password will be admin and admin (all lowercase).
• Now it's time to flash. Go into the Administration Tab and choose Upgrade Firmware.
• Select the "mini" version of the file and upload.
• After that's successful, your ID and password are changed AGAIN to root and admin, respectively.
• Going back to 192.168.1.1 in your browser gives you a different look and feel now, since you're running under new firmware. It's time to upload the "standard" (and in my case, vintage) version of the firmware.
• GO to the Administration tab, the Firmware Upgrade tab.
• Select the standard version of the firmware file, and click Upload.
• After the process is finished, the hard part is over. All that's left is to set things up to match your current wireless network to this new bridge.
• Start out by changing the ID and password for the router to something you can remember. (Administration tab/Management tab)
• Now it's time to follow these instructions TO THE LETTER. (Ignore the stuff at the end of the page that says to ignore the "Virtual Interfaces Section." YOU NEED the Virtual Interfaces Section!)

I've helped a friend's son get his Xbox fix by employing this hack. (His Xbox is too far from the wireless signal when it's attached to the TV.) And now a local Boy Scout troop gets to reap the benefits when I extend the church's wireless network for them to one of our outbuildings.