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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BUT I have made an important discovery. Stop what you're doing. Follow along and read...
Inside DD-WRT. Click the Administration tab then click the Management tab. Scroll down until you see a section called "Web UI Styles" click the bubble next to "Enable Dark Styles" to enable that feature. Apply the setting and save. Your GUI is now in dark mode. My eyeballs are saved... and yours too! YOU'RE ALL WELCOME!
The killer feature. No way I'd ever use stock firmware after that.
BUT I have made an important discovery. Stop what you're doing. Follow along and read...
Inside DD-WRT. Click the Administration tab then click the Management tab. Scroll down until you see a section called "Web UI Styles" click the bubble next to "Enable Dark Styles" to enable that feature. Apply the setting and save. Your GUI is now in dark mode. My eyeballs are saved... and yours too! YOU'RE ALL WELCOME!
The killer feature. No way I'd ever use stock firmware after that.
https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-LN...0D742T4LW/
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1. I upgraded from a Nighthawk single router to 3 of these in standard firmware mode. They work fine for internet and IOS devices, but I am having lots of issues with networking between machines. Plex has completely stopped working between my PC and Fire Cube and Ipad. Does anyone have any ideas about this? I've done all the standard things, reinstalling, etc.
2. If I upgrade the Main router to Open-WRT so I can use USB drive in the main router, will it still support Mesh to the other 2 routers running stock firmware?
Thanks for the help.
1. I upgraded from a Nighthawk single router to 3 of these in standard firmware mode. They work fine for internet and IOS devices, but I am having lots of issues with networking between machines. Plex has completely stopped working between my PC and Fire Cube and Ipad. Does anyone have any ideas about this? I've done all the standard things, reinstalling, etc.
2. If I upgrade the Main router to Open-WRT so I can use USB drive in the main router, will it still support Mesh to the other 2 routers running stock firmware?
Thanks for the help.
As for OpenWRT, you can only do mesh with other OpenWRT routers. Same deal with stock: they all have to be running stock Linksys firmware to do Velop mesh.
could you help me out with ipv6 address issue. I am NOT sure if it is a router issue or ISP issue.
I am on xfinity and my ipv6 address will dropped or no longer available after like 30is min. ( OEM firmware ) And if I restart my router, I will able to get ipv6 again.
This does not happen to me when I am on my other router. Does anyone has this issue, or is there anything I can do? thanks
I have to disable ipv6 on this router.
I have to disable ipv6 on this router.
And how do I check this on stock firmware?
Is there any way to see what node you are connected to?
I know the Linksys app doesn't but another app or method for iphone or windows. It doesn't seem like I'm switching nodes.
The Xfinity app shows all devices connected to the Gateway (Xfinity router) by ethernet. Thanks.
1. Use USB 3 port for NAS drive
2. Wireguard and/or Tailscale
3. Mesh, but it's a distant third compared to the first two features.
I've tried both openwrt and dd-wrt in the past, and I'm OK with the UI on either. But I'm confused about the different versions of available firmware for the MX4300, and how well the NSS is working right now or if it NSS impacts usage.
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