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
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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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However, I did find another way to set it up as an AP without using bridge mode. Instead, I configured it like a standard router in AP mode: by connecting the LAN port to the main router and disabling the DHCP server. This way, you retain full access to the router's menu, and you can see devices in the device list. The indicator light stays red, showing no internet, but it still works correctly as a wireless AP. While the mobile app can't access the router (due to the false no-internet detection), you can still access it via a mobile web browser in desktop mode.
I'll test it to see if a power outage still causes the connection issue. Hopefully not.
1. You either already clicked it, it will be on the the end of the web address as "casupport". Go to connectivity and ca setup.
2. You used a mobile device. Got sent to a site to create or sign up with an account, instead of the router password. If you don't have a computer you can try to go to a private/incognito web tab, turn on desktop mode, see if you get the router password only login. If not, make sure desktop mode is on refresh until you get a router password only login. You will then see the CA option.
If your still getting the Linksys account login, and not the router password only login. You can try unplugging the router from any network connection, waiting quite a bit, and trying again. You're last option is a reset and starting again.
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Look for the letters "CA" in relatively small text at the bottom right. It's not an icon/button.
Under Internet Settings, which Connection Type did you use? (I assume you disabled DHCP elsewhere in the menu.): Automatic Configuration - DHCP or Static IP or something else?
I turned it off and on two times to test it. It connected immediately after booting.
DD-WRT seems to be a little better, but let's be honest, the DD-WRT community for this unit is much smaller.
The only even remotely advanced functionality I need is working mesh and the stock firmware does this (and well!). I would like to offload AdGuard and WireGuard from my Pi Zero to the router eventually, but that's a bad idea right now. There's little reason to go OpenWRT or DD-WRT right now.
Btw, you can even set which band to use for the wireless backhaul + setup secure DNS (DoH), save/restore configs, build NSS branch code, etc. So far, I am getting solid performance, a bit better than stock, imo. And, it's ONLY snapshot build and the devs started working on it only a few days ago and it's already rock solid as I haven't experienced any wifi dropouts or hangs so far.
FWIW, I like to tinker with routers, phones, etc. so I am okay with playing and fine tuning them as I am sure, you and others, may not like it until something is very stable!
In any case, my last post on this topic as I don't gain anything by constantly posting about OpenWRT! Enjoy stock!
Are these the steps for setting up a mesh using multiples of Ln1301:
01-Setup your Main router completely.
02-Plug your child node using the wan port to the main router lan port.
03-Log into your main router web admin. 4-Click on CA at the bottom right.
05-Click on Connectivity and CA Router setup.
06-Click on both Add Wired and Add Wireless nodes buttons. Wait for the Add wireless button to re-enable.
07-Click Done adding Child Nodes and then Apply.
08-Now the child node light should start flashing purple and turn into a mesh mode when it turns blue.
09-Disconnect Ethernet and wait for blue light again.
10-Move node to desired location.
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