US Cable Support > Bright House Networks > [Internet] Best Routers for Bridged Networks

reply to FTBoomer

Re: [Internet] Best Routers for Bridged Networks

Just wondering if you have had the time to figure out how to add the media server back into Padavan firmware. I am running P9 with no problems but would love to play with the newer releases.

Thanks

John

No sir... have been EXTREMELY busy and that fun stuff honestly has to take a back burner for the moment. I reviewed everything there and that is seriously an advanced task...meaning from the teaching standpoint.

No problem.......have a great day!

John

reply to FTBoomer
There are two new versions of firmware the most recent released today. I'm going to test the Feb 8 release (p11) right now and give the other a day or two to mature.

reply to FTBoomer
Actually I take that back.. going to run with latest which is 1.0.1.8d-p3

ASUS RT-N56U custom firmware 1.0.1.8d-p3 from Padavan

Changes from original firmware 1.0.1.8d:

- Build optimization for MIPS32R2 -code more fast and smaller-.
- Changed firmware structure to ROOTFS_IN_FLASH. Router loading now >2x times faster.
- Added full support for Optware -start/stop scripts is embedded-.
- Added NFS server v3 with WebGUI control. NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3 exports supported.
- Added SSH server -dropbear-0.52- with WebGUI control. SSH access from WAN supported.
- Added DDNS client inadyn-1.96.3.
- Added PPTP VPN Server pptpd-1.3.4-5 with user-friendly control via WebGUI.
- Replaced linux-igd -NAT UPnP- service by the more powerful IGD miniupnpd-1.6.
- Replaced udhcpc -DHCP client- service by the more newer udhcpc from busybox-1.19.3.
- Added ability to WAN/USB Modem/Routes settings changes without router reboot.
- Added instant WAN source switching to USB Modem and back without router reboot.
- Added ability for VLAN filtering Internet/IPTV/VoIP without create LAN-WAN bridges.
- Fixed DHCP client for PPPoE WAN connection. PPPoE Dual Access now worked perfectly.
- Fixed L2TP WAN connection in auto mode. VPN heart-beat server now resolved by name.
- Fixed Dual Access PPTP WAN auto-reconnection after broken PPP tunnel -DNS bug-.
- Fixed missing NAT MASQUERADE for physical WAN interface, when WAN IP and routes is static.
- Fixed broken IPTV after physical WAN interface new lease obtained -by DHCP-.
- Fixed more zombie for "pppd" process and others.
- Fixed earlier physical WAN interface up on router startup -spoofing issue-.
- Fixed iptables filter rules for port forwarding on router's LAN IP via VirtualServer.
- Fixed work IPTV UDP-HTTP Proxy with disabled setting "Enable multicast routing". Now udpxy work
without igmpproxy.
- Fixed broken HW_NAT after enabled WiFi "Multicast rate".
- Fixed broken HW_NAT after enabled "L2TP Passthrough" and "IPSec Passthrough".
- Fixed "MAN" static routes loading after disabled static route.
- Both WiFi "Multicast rate" now enabled by default -HTMIX mode-.
- Added WiFi legacy "Multicast rate" modes.
- Added independent IGMP Snooping control for WiFi. Now WiFi IGMP Snooping enabled by default
and dropped all outside multicast traffic.
- Added ability for WiFi region change from WebGUI.
- Fixed WiFi scheduler stupid time overlap check.
- Fixed Telnet server start/stop issues.
- Fixed local network scanner background utility.
- Fixed all Russia timezones.
- Fixed some Russian resources for WebGUI.
- Fixed Samba write issue from MacOS clients.
- Fixed broken setting "No Encryption" for WAN PPTP property.
- Fixed abnormal periodical DDNS update bug -every 15 seconds-.
- Fixed updating files /etc/passwd and /etc/group after every Samba and FTP server restart.
- Added ability for rebind WPS button actions -short and long press-. 9 custom actions is allowed
-e.g. WiFi radio on/off, safe removal USB, reboot, etc-.
- Added ability to manual settings physical WAN Ethernet link.
- Added ability for change USB modem port speed, port speed select increased up to 4Mbps.
- Added advanced settings for Ethernet switch.
- Added second manual DNS IP for DHCP server.
- Added ability for input host name in DHCP server reservation table.
- Added ability for Enabled/Disabled HW_NAT from WebGUI.
- Added ability for changing maximum NAT connection and show current connections count from WebGUI.
- Added fdisk -busybox applet- for partitioning drives from Telnet console.
- Added mke2fs -mkfs.ext2, mkfs.ext3- for making EXT2/EXT3 partitions from Telnet/SSH console.
- Added several Linux utils -such as tcpdump, dd, env, blkid, ip, sysctl, more, ...-.
- Added terminfo database for correct terminal keys handling -e.g. for MC-. xterm by default.
- Added support for handling Linux swap partition.
- Added USB modem ZTE-MF180.
- Added 11g/n Mixed mode for Wi-Fi 2.4GHz.
- Added Software FastNAT kernel module from wive-rtnl project.
- Added adaptive LCP echo interval -lcp-echo-adaptive- for WAN PPPoE/PPTP/L2TP in WebGUI.
- Added output second -physical- WAN IP address in WebGUI -WAN status-.
- Added output MAC address as text in WebGUI -LAN clients table-.
- Added physical WAN Ethernet link info in WebGUI -WAN status-.
- Added ability for update up to 3 DDNS domain names from one DDNS service.
- Added WAN authentification for ISP KABiNET.
- Added WAN authentification mode 802.1x EAPoL-MD5.
- Added USB HDD spindown after safely remove from WebGUI.
- Added ability for change administrator login name in WebGUI.
- Added small storage partition -handled to /etc/storage- for storing user scripts, keys in SPI Flash.
- Updated kernel module Ralink raeth -RT3662 wired GMAC/GMAC2-. Increased TX/RX ring buffers up to 512
-tx_ring_full workaround-. Ethernet TX packets now padding to 60+4 bytes.
- Updated kernel module Ralink Ralink RT3090_ap -WiFi 2.4 GHz-. Added WiFi MAC verification to syslog.
- Updated kernel module Ralink Ralink rt2860v2_ap -WiFi 5 GHz-. Added WiFi MAC verification to syslog.
- Apply patches for kernel nf_conntrack modules -for HW_NAT environment-.
- HW_NAT Foe Table Size increased to maximal RA_HW_NAT_TBL_16K -16384 records-.
- Enabled NAPI -RX poll- for Ralink raeth kernel module -RT3662 wired GMAC/GMAC2-.
- Updated USB kernel drivers.
- Updated busybox to v1.19.3
- Updated dnsmasq to v2.59.
- Updated pppoe-relay to v3.10.
- Updated igmpproxy to v0.1-stable.
- Updated udpxy to v1.0-21.1.
- Updated e2fsprogs to v1.41.14.
- Updated Samba server to v3.0.37.
- Updated pptp.so plugin for pppd -from accel-pptp-.
- Updated rp-pppoe.so plugin for pppd.
- Updated L2TP client rp-l2tp to v0.5-rtn.
- Updated pppoe, pppol2tp, pptp kernel drivers.
- Disabled self-reboot after CPU overload.
- Disabled ugly Web redirect page -after internet connection lost-.
- Disabled ugly WAN speed auto measurement after WAN up.
- Removed minidlna -UPnP mediaserver- package whith ton libraries -needed more space in NOR Flash-.
- Removed obsolete and broken mt-daapd-0.2.4.2 and mDNSResponder.
- Removed some national resources -needed more space in NOR Flash-.

Changes from firmware 1.0.1.8d-p2:

- Updated pppol2tp kernel driver to v0.18.3 from wl500g project.
- Disabled HW_NAT reentry packets debug messages to syslog.
- Added ability to enable/disable ALG for H.323 and SIP protocols.
- Added ability to for enable/disable context help on WebGUI.
- Added 11g/n Mixed mode for Wi-Fi 2.4GHz.
- Fixed PPPoE auto-reconnect issue -1.0.1.8d-p2 bug-.
- Fixed login name instant change issue.
- Fixed ugly syslog messages such as "miniupnpd[pid]: [truncated] m".
- Fixed IGD UPnP compatible issue from Windows Home Server 2011.
- Fixed DDNS page issue for browsers Firefox/Chrome.
- Fixed disabled DNS control on manual WAN IP for WAN PPPoE/PPTP/L2TP.
- Always show submenu "Advanced Settings" on WebGUI.

Changes from firmware 1.0.1.8d-p1:

- Added ability for change USB modem port speed, port speed select increased up to 4Mbps.
- Added handling resolve host names, from manual DHCP reservation list.
- Replaced PPTP VPN server to accel-pptpd version -kernel mode-. PPTP VPN connection more times faster.
- Updated pptp.so plugin for pppd -from accel-pptp-.
- Updated rp-pppoe.so plugin for pppd.
- Updated L2TP client rp-l2tp to v0.5-rtn.
- Updated pptp and pppoe kernel drivers.
- Increased PPP lcp-echo-interval to 15s for prevent drop PPPoE/PPTP/L2TP connection on ISP server overload.
- Added adaptive LCP echo interval -lcp-echo-adaptive- for WAN PPPoE/PPTP/L2TP in WebGUI.
- Added Software FastNAT kernel module from wive-rtnl project. FastNAT helps packets pass through netfilter
faster when a packet is an established or reply traffic. It is useful for WAN PPTP/L2TP.
- Added ability for update up to 3 DDNS domain names from one DDNS service.
- Added ability for change administrator login name in WebGUI.
- Added "Clone MAC" button on WebGUI WAN page.
- Fixed HW_NAT reentry packets issue for combined LAN/Wi-Fi offload mode.
- Fixed start 3G USB modem Solomon S3Gm-660 for case modem device Auto.
- Fixed delete static IP addresses on WebGUI WAN page after change WAN type.
- Fixed PPTP VPN server connect issue for case manual DNS1 on DHCP Server page.
- Fixed skip DDNS update after manual update from WebGUI.
- Fixed WAN down after start remote firmware update from WAN.
- Fixed WAN DHCP update issue after change Ethernet link state -fw 1.0.1.8d bug-.
- Update "cpu" utility.

Changes from firmware 1.0.1.7f-p11:

- All patches cumulative migrated to new firmware 1.0.1.8d.
- Added PPTP VPN Server pptpd-1.3.4-5 with user-friendly control via WebGUI.
- Added WAN authentification mode 802.1x EAPoL-MD5 for WAN type Static/Authomatic IP.
- Added ability for switch SSH server to access mode only by authorized_keys.
- Added ability for input host name in DHCP server reservation table.
- Added support for handling Linux swap partition.
- Added console utility tcpdump-4.1.1.
- Added custom user script /etc/storage/post_iptables_script.sh, called after internal firewall update.
- Added custom user script /etc/storage/post_wan_script.sh, called after WAN up/down.
- Enabled NAPI -RX poll- for Ralink raeth kernel module -RT3662 wired GMAC/GMAC2-.
- Updated Samba server to v3.0.37 and more decreased binary size.
- Updated IGD miniupnpd to v1.6.20120207.
- Fixed safely removal USB Modem function via WebGUI.
- Fixed instant WAN switch to USB Modem and back to WAN for WAN type Static/Authomatic IP.
- Removed obsolete and broken mt-daapd-0.2.4.2 and mDNSResponder.
- Removed ugly Asus EzQoS and QoS from Linux kernel. Linux QoS available via tc rules from terminal.

Changes from firmware 1.0.1.7f-p10:

- Fixed bug in DHCP client under ISP Beeline -cannot obtain DHCP lease for physical WAN interface-.
- Fixed bug 3G modem switch from CD-ROM emulation mode.
- Increased timeout for waiting 3G modem at router start.
- Fixed usage static DNS instead of PPP dynamic DNS for 3G modems, if WAN type = Static IP.
- Added ability for dual-access to ISP LAN and Internet at using 3G modem. NOTE: dual-access allowed
only for WAN type = PPPoE/PPTP/L2TP.
- Added independed region code for WiFi 2.4/5GHz. Region code moved to tab "Wireless - Common" for both
WiFi interfaces. Now region code selectable from combobox.
- Changed modes "Multicast rate" for both WiFi interfaces. Default multicast rate HTMIX/MCS=1 for 2.4GHz
and HTMIX/MCS=8 for 5GHz. Multicast rate control also copied to tab IPTV.
- Added ability for disable NAT-PMP protocol for NAT-UPnP.
- Added custom user script "/etc/storage/start_script.sh" for system tune at start router.
- Added patch on mt-daapd -"msup"=1- for resolve bug with new versions iTunes.
- Mode "Hardware NAT for LAN and WiFi" labeled as Experimental mode.
- Fixed WebGUI controls "WMM" and "Channel Bandwidth" for WiFi 5GHz.
- Fixed broken symlink /sbin/shutdown.
- HDD spindown function performed via hdparm v9.37 -instead of sdparm-.
- Try to fix httpd daemon -WebGUI hungup-.
- Changed tune Linux kernel by default -user also can use start_script.sh-:
1- vm.panic_on_oom=0
2- vm.min_free_kbytes=2048

Changes from firmware 1.0.1.7f-p9:

- Changed firmware structure to ROOTFS_IN_FLASH -instead of ROOTFS_IN_RAM-. ROOTFS_IN_FLASH structure has advantages:
1- Router loading more times faster ->2x-, because only linux kernel -not rootfs- extracted into RAM.
2- Available RAM for the system is increased by ~15MB.
- Added DDNS client inadyn-1.96.3 to updating WAN IP for all DDNS servers, exclude AsusDDNS. Added support several
new DDNS servers.
- Replaced linux-igd -NAT UPnP- service by the more powerful miniupnpd-1.6. miniupnpd stored all recieved NAT
forwarding and automatically restored them after service restarting and after internal firewall update.
- Replaced dproxy -DNS relay- and udhcpd -DHCP server- services by the more powerful dnsmasq-2.59. dnsmasq has
intelligent caching DNS Relay and DHCP Server. DNS cache storage used 800 records. dnsmasq support fast DNS
forwarding for local LAN hosts.
- Replaced udhcpc -DHCP client- service by the more newer udhcpc from busybox-1.19.3.
- DHCP client for WAN PPPoE now started in background, without waiting DHCP lease or timeout. WAN PPPoE connection
established now faster, for cases the ISP local subnet has no DHCP, or the ISP local DHCP server give lease only after
PPP connection established.
- Updated e2fsprogs package -create and checking EXT2/3 filesystems-.
- Added ability for changing maximum NAT connection and show current connections count from WebGUI.
- Added ability for Enabled/Disabled HW_NAT from WebGUI.
- Added new "Storage" partition -size 64K- in NOR flash for storing SSH -and others- keys. Partition contents extracted
to /etc/storage. SSH keys is permanent now.
- Fixed casual WebGUI hungup.
- Fixed abnormal periodical DDNS update bug -every 15 seconds-.
- Apply patches for kernel nf_conntrack modules -for HW_NAT environment-.
- HW_NAT Foe Table Size increased to maximal RA_HW_NAT_TBL_16K -16384 records-.
- Updated kernel modules usb-serial.ko and option.ko -3G modems- from firmware 1.0.1.8b.
- Updated 3G modems terminal scripts from firmware 1.0.1.8b.
- Fixed ethernet TX packets padding to 60+4 bytes -from 64+4-. This is resolved IPTV issue for ISP 2KOM -IGMP drop hell-.
- Fixed WAN PPTP option "No Encryption". Now this disabled encryption -nomppe- and compression -nomppc-.
- Fixed updating files /etc/passwd and /etc/group after every Samba and FTP server restart.
- Changing WiFi region code "GB" by default -instead of "DB"- and set for 2.4/5GHz independently.
- Added some Linux kernel tune:
1- Enabled kernel.panic_on_oops. Kernel oops raised auto-restart instead of kernel halt.
2- Increased value vm.min_free_kbytes to 2048.
3- Increased net.netfilter.nf_conntrack_buckets -conntrack hash table- to 65536.
4- Increased timeout net.ipv4.ip_conntrack_tcp_timeout_established to 360.
5- Decreased timeout net.ipv4.ip_conntrack_udp_timeout to 65.
6- Decreased net.ipv4.route.max_size to 16384.
7- Increased net.ipv4.route.gc_elasticity to 2.
- Added /sbin/shutdown symlink for shutdown router from command line.
- Removed minidlna -UPnP mediaserver- package whith ton libraries -libsqlite, libFLAC, libjpeg, libexif,
libogg, libvorbis-. minidlna wasted more space in NOR flash. UPnP mediaserver can be installed from optware.

Changes from firmware 1.0.1.7f-p8:

- Fixed very serious NTFS bug.
- Fixed WiFi AP 5GHz status for more one connected client.
- Added WAN authentification for ISP KABiNET.
- WiFi region code now obtained from NVRAM variable "wl_country_code" -instead of EEPROM-.

Changes from firmware 1.0.1.7f-p7:

- Added some new WPS button actions.
- Added ability for WiFi region change from WebGUI.
- Added USB HDD spindown after safely remove from WebGUI.
- Added auto changing home dir on optware start/stop.
- Added ssh client into dropbear. Now dropbear used path /opt/libexec/sftp-server for external sftp.
- Added Flow Control option -Ethernet switch- for each port.
- Updated kernel module Ralink raeth -RT3662 wired GMAC/GMAC2-.
- Increased TX/RX ring buffers up to 512 for Ralink raeth module -tx_ring_full workaround-.
- Updated kernel module Ralink Ralink RT3090_ap -WiFi 2.4 GHz-. Added WiFi MAC verification to syslog.
- Updated kernel module Ralink Ralink rt2860v2_ap -WiFi 5 GHz-. Added WiFi MAC verification to syslog.
- Update all USB subsystem and drivers in Linux kernel.
- Updated busybox to v1.19.3
- Fixed disabled WiFi WMM combobox on AP in Auto mode.
- Fixed Samba write issue from MacOS clients.
- Fixed broken setting "No Encryption" for WAN PPTP property.

Few months back you responded to a request regarding a inexpensive but "Good" wire less Router to Purchase;

"ASUS (RT-N10+) Wireless-N 150 Entry Home Router: Fast Ethernet and support up to 4 Guest SSID(Open source DDWRT support)"

This model has come back in stock at Amazon....includes free Shipping; Love products with free Shipping.....

Your opinion would be Unchanged? Do you feel someone\me....with moderate PC experience; I have downloaded and installed Firmware into DVD Burners, etc....will be able to Flash this Router with DDWRT without "killing" the Router?

Would you just go with the Asus Software? Or go with DDWRT? Is the DDWRT in addition to, or, does it replace the manufacturers installed Software?

Lots of questions, do appreciate your your answers; Thanks

reply to FTBoomer
Cisco nothing has changed there. Obviously I prefer routers with more horsepower but people do like the 16 and yes it does flash DDWRT nicely (again not my choice of firmware but...)

As an update to my last post I'm running the firmware that was released just today and so far so good. The real cool thing is they added a VPN server to the menu option...very nice indeed.

16? Is that a code for this Asus Router?

Hmmm....not a Fan of DDWRT? If I were to purchase this RT-N10+, just go with what is installed by Asus...and update the ASUS Firmware?

Just curious; keeping the costs down, which unfortunately is my objective, is there a different Model.....or, for the money....this would be the best way to go. My Lightning wireless Router (Unbee DDW3611) gives me coverage than my old NetGear wireless provided by BHN when I had Tubro...and that Router was Netgears entry low level model.

reply to FTBoomer
Aaack... you really did mean the rt10. I was thinking of the RTN16

And yes I am no fan of DDWRT. Some people swear by it like fruit bitten apple fanbois... I'm not one of them

Seems we both don't write what we mean.....I was writing, my Ubee gives me less wireless coverage than the prior BHN netgear wireless router.......for the money, any thing come to mind better.......

Whatever I get, I'll pass on the DDWRT

reply to FTBoomer
Right now the best bang for the buck on horsepower and range are the Asus RTN56U and the Cisco E4200. They also happen to be the most stable firmware wise. On the Asus side we now have choices from a VERY talented Russian programmer who continues to pump out extremely good code. The Cisco side of things is stock firmware but stable. Both give very good range...the Asus better in my opinion but I am biased a bit. Ciaco gives better support than Asus BUT I never use support anyway on routers.
--
~All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident. - Arthur Schopenhauer ~

reply to FTBoomer
Just found an annoying bug in the last firmware I've been testing above. Port 80 inbound forwarding is broken. Not good at all

reply to FTBoomer
Just fixed and reported the bug. Under WAN settings turn Software NAT to DEFAULT NAT instead of FAST NAT. In the meantime I have reported the bug.

reply to FTBoomer
The bug is confirmed But there is very good news...entirely new firmware coming with redesigned kernel etc...I can't wait

reply to FTBoomer
The latest version of alternative RTN56U firmware is available and I can confirm working very well.

»code.google.com/p/rt-n56u/

reply to FTBoomer
Those of you using the alternative firmware for the Asus and who have also upgraded recently need to check your wireless settings and make sure the country code is set to USA. When you upgrade this may default to another country causing loss of wireless or weird results.

reply to FTBoomer
Those of you using the latest firmware.... What do you think about it?

reply to FTBoomer

A new Asus RTN56U firmware build is available. The changelog is shown below

==========================================================================
----------------- RT-N56U_1.1.1.8f-b7 firmware by Padavan ---------------
==========================================================================

Changes log from firmware 1.1.1.8f-b6:
-------------------------------------------------
- Update Linux kernel to wive-rtnl trunc 3.0.3:
1) Fixed IP fragments assembly regression (2.5.0 bug).
2) Updated codebase to Ralink SDK 4.0.1.0, updated drivers - Ethernet raeth, hw_nat.
3) Disabled all mcast/bcast RX traffic to PPE.
4) Backports usbnet/cdc_ether/rndis_host from upstream (fixed RNDIS Android/WM devices).
5) Backports some IPv6 code from upstream.
6) Fixed sysfs module registration regression.
7) Fixed fs.file-max control regression.
8) Fixed OOM Delay logic.
- Updated WiFi driver rt2860v2_ap (5GHz) to v2.4.3.6.
- Added spinlock protect for shared hw_nat rx/tx hooks in rt3090_ap driver for WiFi HW_NAT offload.
- Disabled WSC/WPS, ATE, IAPP functions in the kernel configuration for both WiFi AP.
- Complete removed unsecure WSC/WPS functions from userlevel environment and WebGUI.
- Added control Below/Above for select extended WiFi channel (40MHz) in auto-channel selection mode
for AP 2.4GHz.
- Reworked logic for control WiFi network interfaces after WiFi settings changed and WiFi transceiver
enabled/disabled from WebGUI (and from remapped WPS button).
- Fixed AP scan in WDS page for AP 2.4GHz. Fixed incorrect fill AP list after scan complete. Disabled
forced rescan on jump to both WDS pages.
- Added execute /opt/bin/on_hotplug_printer.sh script after printer hotplug. It can be used for manual
firmware download to some printers (LPR и RAW mode).
- Added support ZeroConf for pure PPPoE. Needed for some ISP IPTV (e.g. Rostelecom).
- Added support 3G/4G modems (incl. Yota LTE) with RNDIS interface.
- Removed support depricated WiMAX modems.
- Removed bogus port speed setting (no effect for data streams) for UMTS/CDMA modems (RAS).
- Added configurable function for auto-reconect WAN after USB modem hotplug. Added auto-reconnect WAN
after USB modem safe removed via WebGUI.
- Added syslog rotation (limit size 500KB) for prevent /tmp overflow and RAM leak.
- Added userlevel utility hw_nat from Ralink.
- Added restore IGD UPnP/NAT-PMP port forwards after router reboot.
- Updated IGD miniupnpd to v1.7.
- Updated transmission-daemon to v2.52.
- Updated rtl8367 giga-switch driver, added support ASIC RTL8367R-VB (single RGMII with VLAN1/2). Updated
rtl8367m userlevel utility, added output mib counters for all ports, added script rtl8367mib.
- Complete reworked WAN bridge isolation and VLAN taggedd traffic filtering.
- Fixed broken static LAN IP in AP mode.
- Fixed bad http address jump for some WebGUI pages in dynamic LAN IP in AP mode.
- Fixed WebGUI disabled-state controls corruption in Chrome and FireFox.
- Disabled miniupnpd noisy debug messages to syslog.
- Closed all network connections before router reboot, after firmware update from WebGUI.

CAUTION!
These functions DO NOT WORK:
- WPS/WSC (complete disabled by big security issues).
- ASUS Download Master is no longer supported. Replaced by Transmission.
--
~All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident. - Arthur Schopenhauer ~

reply to FTBoomer