[CS-FSLUG] Dying Router?

[Marco Tedaldi]

Hey Peter

Have you ever thought about using these spare routers to build up a
community mesh network? There are prepared firmware images available for
example from the freifunk.net project.
The Routers use olsr to build up a mesh network and exhange routing
information.

It's not too hard to use and is quite interesting. And if someone is
really interested in learning how routing with ip works, it's a nice
playground as well.

just as an idea to use the hardware instead of discarding it.

best regards

Marco

Am 27.04.2011 03:39, schrieb Peter J. Vasquez Sr.:
> Don (or anyone this applies to),
>   If you're interested, I can send you a WRT54G/WRT54GL router, or
> several.  My company frequently installs this model router as part of
> our WISP line of business, and we have a few returned every once in a
> while for a damaged port or problems programming.  Most of the time,
> I've been able to reflash with DD-WRT and just avoid using the one bad
> port, and all is well.  We typically discard the routers as they've
> already been paid for or are out of warranty, but I've also used them
> for special projects since they outlived their use for the company (we
> won't re-sell old or returned equipment).  For example, at my kids
> school/our church, I deployed 6 of the WRT54GL's as access points
> throughout the network in a mixed hardwired and repeater configuration
> to give the grounds wifi access where it was desired.  The main router
> I left as hardwired, and each of the WRT54GL's were set as DHCP
> forwarders, with the main configuration using OpenDNS to filter (I
> planned on using DansGuardian at some point, but haven't gotten around
> to setting it up along with the new server I purchased).  Let me know
> if you're interested in the linksys equipment (and how many if I have
> more than one), and I will check what we currently have in the 'bad'
> bin before it's discarded. :)  Shipping should be pretty cheap within
> the US if you don't need it immediately.
> 
> --
> Peter
> 
> On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 7:50 PM, Don Parris <parrisdc at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Thanks all,
>> It's a personal router, and has served it's purpose mostly flawlessly over
>> the years.  I can probably say I've gotten my money's worth out of it, as I
>> only recently started seeing problems with it.  If anything, I've probably
>> had more problems with Time-Warner's cable 'modem' than with my router.  :-)
>> Anyway, I appreciate all the input!  That gives me something to think about.
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 16:58, Timothy Butler <tbutler at ofb.biz> wrote:
>>>
>>> I usually stick to Linksys -- I seem to have the least number of problems
>>> with their routers. I like the WRT54GL if all you need is a G router. If you
>>> want "N," the WRT400N has been treating me very well the last few years and
>>> now only costs $60. It doesn't have gigabit, but it still runs faster than
>>> many gigabit switched N routers as far as wireless performance goes and I
>>> just use a D-Link Green Gig-E switch that I have connected to the router for
>>> my  PowerMac and my MacBook Pro (when the MBP is wired at my desk, that is).
>>> Incidentally, what I like about the WRT54GL is that it has the removable
>>> external antennas -- that allows you to easily connect larger hi-gain
>>> antennas as needed. Or, as I just did at church, hook it to a modified DBS
>>> satellite dish for a very hi gain bi-quad antenna.
>>> -Tim
>>>
>>> On Apr 26, 2011, at 11:15 AM, Don Parris wrote:
>>>
>>> It seems like I'm having to reboot my Linksys WRT54G router (which I've
>>> had for 5-7 years) about every other day now.  Is that a sign of imminent
>>> death?
>>>
>>> If so, any recommendations on a decent, inexpensive router?  I think I
>>> paid around $50-ish for this one.  I have one hard-wired, 2 wi-fi and my
>>> Android-based HTC Evos to think about.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Don