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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You gotta be kidding me!
Woot should give you $5 for putting an order.
Happy now? LMAO
Is it possible to connect one Linksys router to Asus router as AP, and use other Linksys routers as Linksys mesh?
Ultimately I came to the conclusion that these are better hardware, but the fact they are end of life products that will never receive updates makes them a bit more of a security risk, and it seems the firmware is such an afterthought that many features don't work well like the three things people mentioned to turn off. You will also get zero support, where as Eero support is fantastic.
So I got these as tinker toys, and also to upgrade friends and family who have embarrassingly old equipment like from 10+ years ago etc. Eero while the hardware is not as fancy is much better piece of mind, and better performance practically speaking if you don't want to find tune these or flash them to the still very alpha versions of the open router software like DD-WRT and OpenWRT, the latter not even officially supporting the router's full speed.
This is the perfect gift/upgrade for your 70 year old relative/neighbor/etc that will never update their router anyways.
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Flawless. Mesh works perfectly. Disabled node steering, client steering, and express forwarding. will stay stock until Openwrt is official and fully stable (which is probably only a few weeks away based on progress)
Now wondering, should I buy a third?? Or is that overkill for 1200sq ft one story brick house?
ie if 1 router already provides coverage throughout a house is there any advantage to a mesh setup?
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