Top 10 Essential dd-wrt Features I wish every Stock Router Firmware had! 2020 | dd wrt

Summary

This video introduces DD-WRT, an open-source Linux-based firmware for routers, highlighting its features and benefits. The creator explains how DD-WRT simplifies tasks like setting up wireless clients, creating multiple virtual access points, configuring VLANs, and managing MAC-IP binding. The firmware also provides advanced tools for monitoring bandwidth, blocking websites, and implementing traffic restrictions. With a user-friendly interface, real-time traffic data, and the ability to set up advanced networking features like captive portals, DD-WRT offers a versatile and powerful alternative to stock router firmware.

Takeaways

• 🔧 DD-WRT is a Linux-based alternative open-source firmware for routers and embedded systems.
• 📡 It supports a wide variety of routers, including the TP-Link TL-WR740N version 5.
• 🔌 The firmware allows setting up the router as a wireless client to connect to other networks easily.
• 🌐 DD-WRT enables setting up multiple virtual access points (APs) even while configured as a wireless client.
• 🖧 The firmware supports VLAN configuration, allowing different ports to be assigned to different VLANs with isolated DHCP servers and IP addressing.
• 🔒 A favored feature is MAC IP binding, which functions as a DNS server for the home network, allowing hostname assignments for each entry.
• 🚫 DD-WRT includes extensive access restriction, blocking, and filtering options at the packet level, including blocking specific URLs like Instagram and Facebook.
• 📊 Bandwidth monitoring is available for each interface, with easy-to-understand graphs showing real-time and daily internet usage.
• 🌐 Advanced networking features like captive portals, hotspot systems, and RADIUS setups can be easily configured using DD-WRT.
• 🌑 The firmware offers a dark theme for its web UI, enhancing user experience.

Q & A

What is DD-WRT, and why is it beneficial?

DD-WRT is a Linux-based alternative open-source firmware for a wide variety of routers and embedded systems. It offers enhanced handling and supports many features that may not be available in stock router firmware.

Which router model is the speaker using, and which version of DD-WRT?

The speaker is using a TP-Link TL-WR740N router, version 5, with the DD-WRT firmware.

What is the first feature the speaker highlights about DD-WRT?

The first feature is the ability to set up DD-WRT as a wireless client, allowing the router to connect to other wireless networks easily. This feature is available on some stock firmware but is more complicated to configure.

Can DD-WRT handle multiple virtual access points (APs), and how does it work?

Yes, DD-WRT allows the creation of multiple virtual APs, even when the router is configured as a wireless client. Each virtual AP can have a unique name and passphrase, making it easy to add more APs with just a click.

What is VLAN configuration, and how does DD-WRT handle it?

VLAN configuration allows you to assign different ports to different virtual LANs (VLANs), each with its own DHCP server and isolated IP addressing. DD-WRT makes VLAN configuration simple and also lets you assign the WAN port to the switch for an extra LAN port.

What is MAC IP binding, and why does the speaker favor this feature?

MAC IP binding allows the assignment of specific IP addresses to devices based on their MAC address. The speaker prefers this feature because DD-WRT allows easy assignment of hostnames to each entry, making it function as a DNS server for the home network.

How does DD-WRT handle network access restriction and filtering?

DD-WRT allows for access restriction, blocking, and filtering at the packet level. Users can easily set policies to block specific URLs or IP addresses. The speaker mentions blocking access to Instagram and Facebook on their network.

Can DD-WRT monitor bandwidth usage, and how does it work?

Yes, DD-WRT includes a bandwidth monitor for each interface, displaying real-time bandwidth usage for WAN and LAN connections through easy-to-read graphs. Additionally, it has a traffic monitor that logs daily usage, helping users decide if they need to upgrade their bandwidth plans.

What advanced networking features does DD-WRT support?

DD-WRT supports advanced networking features like setting up captive portals, hotspot systems, and RADIUS server integration. These features are useful for more complex networking needs, such as testing or providing guest networks.

Does DD-WRT offer any customization options for its interface?

Yes, DD-WRT offers the option to use a dark theme for its web UI, which some users might find appealing.