Click here [dd-wrt.com] for a guide on installing DD-WRT
Download the latest DD-WRT builds from here [dd-wrt.com]
If you are not interested in using custom firmware yet, these routers support mesh with the stock firmware, but the USB port is disabled.
The stock firmware is relatively new, but is speculated to not receive many, if any, updates, so it may be best to wait until custom firmware support is merged and more mature before messing with installing custom firmware.
How to enable mesh:
- Setup your Main router completely.
- Plug your child node using the wan port to the main router lan port, wait for a solid purple light on the child node before proceeding.
- Log into your main router web admin.
- Click on CA at the bottom right.
- Click on Connectivity and CA Router setup.
- Click on both Add Wired and Add Wireless nodes buttons. Wait for the Add wireless button to re-enable.
- Click Done adding Child Nodes and then Apply.
- Now the child node light should start flashing purple and turn into a mesh mode when it turns blue.
- Disconnect Ethernet and wait for blue light again.
- Move node to desired location.
How to set up as access point:
- Disable DHCP (optional).
- Set the device to Bridge Mode under Connectivity tab.
- Connect cable from your router to a LAN port.
- Get some nail polish and a round sticker to cover the annoying flashing right light.
- Click the 'CA' at the bottom of the page to see the detailed configurations of wifi.
to unbrick and flash new firmware
run flashimg
run flashimg2
rename stock firmware to tortuga.img
Top Comments
Mind you that I only have 100Mbps Spectrum internet but I do stream/direct play 4k videos from a Plex media server to several Amazon Firestick 4k devices without issue. Overall IMO you would be hard pressed to find such relatively decent hardware for so cheap; especially a Mesh network.
It wasn't all smooth at first mind you. I kept getting disconnects; especially with the streaming IP cameras. But I discovered by disabling Express Forwarding all my streaming issues went away. (CA>Connectivity>Administration>Express Forwarding)
I'm guessing that Cisco's/Linksys' proprietary Express Forwarding routing protocol was causing havoc with the IP cams streaming capabilities. Also, disabling Node Steering seemed to make things more stable as well; mesh nodes no longer disconnect from the router when Node Steering is disabled. (CA>Wi-Fi Settings>Advanced>Node Steering)
Of course, user experience can vary so feel free to experiment. if the routers are giving you problems, try turning these features off and see if it works
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Looking to being able to mesh 2 of these together. Thanks!
Looking to being able to mesh 2 of these together. Thanks!
I have a nighthawk ac2600 (stable as a rock for me on stock firmware) but considering upgrading to this Linksys LN1301 and add one for a mesh to ensure it covers what I need.
Looks like Linksys LN1301 is triband vs dual mode, 4 core processor vs dual core and able to set up easy mesh for cheap.
Am I missing anything or any thoughts from the router guru folks
I did a speedtest on my older laptop (might be N?) and had 460Mbps down and about 180Mbps up with sub-10ms latency on my FIOS 1Gig connection. I should try a test with a better laptop. No issues with two Roku TVs and streaming. Router seems stable, and the smaller footprint is more acceptable to my wife, who never appreciated the pointy antennae.
Biggest headache was transferring my Nest devices, particularly the Detects and wired doorbell. The thermostat was easy since you do it on the device, but the others are bizarrely difficult -- you have to remove them and then re-add them, which also requires a factory reset to remove the previous settings. That, incidentally, also removes any saved video from the doorbell. Hey Google, what does PITA stand for?
I've read the threads for this router a few times but only see people saying they're doing it and not the directions. Thanks in advance!
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I've read the threads for this router a few times but only see people saying they're doing it and not the directions. Thanks in advance!
1-Setup your Main router completely.
2-Plug your child node using the wan port to the main router lan port, wait for a solid purple light on the child node before proceeding
3-Log into your main router web admin.
4-Click on CA at the bottom right.
5-Click on Connectivity and CA Router setup.
6-Click on both Add Wired and Add Wireless nodes buttons. Wait for the Add wireless button to re-enable.
7-Click Done adding Child Nodes and then Apply.
8-Now the child node light should start flashing purple and turn into a mesh mode when it turns blue.
9-Disconnect Ethernet and wait for blue light again.
10-Move node to desired location.
I just got mine and it installed and is working great. I guess it has been awhile, but the last few routers i bought came with generic passwords for setup. Unfortunately a lot of people never change them. I like how each router has a unique initial password.
First router I have with Wifi6, which should play nice with my many smart devices. I know there is probably a solid reason not to do this, but I used my old SSDI name and password for wifi so all my smart devices would automatically connect. It worked. But I did have to do a few things to Alexa Echo to get them voice recognized. Certainly easier than setting all the device wifi again.
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I did a speedtest on my older laptop (might be N?) and had 460Mbps down and about 180Mbps up with sub-10ms latency on my FIOS 1Gig connection. I should try a test with a better laptop. No issues with two Roku TVs and streaming. Router seems stable, and the smaller footprint is more acceptable to my wife, who never appreciated the pointy antennae.
Biggest headache was transferring my Nest devices, particularly the Detects and wired doorbell. The thermostat was easy since you do it on the device, but the others are bizarrely difficult -- you have to remove them and then re-add them, which also requires a factory reset to remove the previous settings. That, incidentally, also removes any saved video from the doorbell. Hey Google, what does PITA stand for?
Do you mind if I ask if you are running stock software or flashed a custom FW??
Thank you in advance and rep'd
I'm also not sure the USB bus on this router is as fast as a raspberry pi. And software support is just way better on a Pi than openwrt for pretty much any usecase (Plex, pihole, nas, torrenting, etc).
Heck, this doesn't have HDMI!
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