For several years now I have been using access points at my house that were purchased at Best Buy (or Newegg).  I haved used Linksys, Netgear and Buffalo.  I constantly switch them around for one reason or another.  The one thing that has been consistent in all that time is that each of those APs has actually run the same custom code:  DD-WRT.

There was a long period of time when I would only use Cisco APs at work and at home.  Cisco’s wireless gear is a little pricey but is consistent and feature rich.  Having Cisco at home is a little more that most people want to spend so most have been stuck using off-the-shelf stuff from vendors like Linksys (owned by Cisco), Netgear, Buffalo, D-Link, etc.  What makes DD-WRT so cool is that it allows you to take the inexpensive APs you buy at Best Buy and replace the pre-installed vendor code.  Doing so unlocks a whole new world of features that weren’t there before.

The other thing that DD-WRT brings with it is stability.  Many of you out there have to regularly power cycle your APs.  They just stop working and won’t respond to anything except a pronounced lack of electricity.  Placing DD-WRT on your AP all but eliminates this.  In this regard DD-WRT is very Cisco-like (e.g. plug it in and forget about it for months or years at a time).

This exceptional coolness comes only with a little effort.  DD-WRT is not supported on every device out there (but the list is pretty big) and there is a possibility that you can brick (ruin) your access point.  That has never happened to me (and I have installed DD-WRT multiple dozens of times) but it is a risk to consider.  The risk is worth the reward.  If you aren’t using DD-WRT today you should visit the DD-WRT site and see if your AP is supported.  If it is, give some thought to making the switch.  The DD-WRT web site has detailed instructions on how to upgrade. Follow them precisely and you’ll be a happier person.

Colin Weaver