Since many of us have acquired quite a few WRT54G/S/L routers, what's the possibility of flashing DD-WRT on them and pressing them into service as a "poor man's" 100Mb managed switch? I'm a novice at VLAN's and such, but I've been reading several articles, including this one titled: 802.1q trunking on the Linksys WRT54G/S/L with DD-WRT and it seems like ALL models of WRT's (not just BBHN compatible ones) are capable of VLAN tagging. Am I missing something?
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Yes and No,
Yes in the fact that the software and hardware supports it. Yes in the fact that one can setup the software to work with vlan tags.
However back when I was providing code to BBHN we came across AREDN->ticket:55, where we found, by all that we can tell, a flaw in the Linksys switch module, that when interfaces are set to tagged and untagged certain realtek clients will not be able to connect.
In addition we did have a member of the dev team report trying to use a WRT54 as a switch for the Ubiquiti nodes but he reports having come across significant instability (requiring random reboots, dropping packets, and other odd conditions) to the point that he has completely scratched the idea from his production network.
We had thought of writing a how-to on how to use them for that purpose but all the issues we saw made us have to advise against it.
I would suggest they still make great AP points (running the stock firmware or DD-WRT) to be plugged into a node as a Mesh AP and regular untagged switch
RE: I would suggest they still make great AP points (running the stock firmware or DD-WRT) to be plugged into a node as a Mesh AP and regular untagged switch
I TOTALLY agree. They are great at what they were intended for, which it to be an AP. This is the required level of client-to-mesh encryption that needs to occur at the "last few feet" of a mesh deployment. You REALLY want WPA2 encryption when connecting to phones, pc's, macs, ipads, etc.
Darryl
I have had success doing exactly this. My 3 (Nanostation M2) nodes have been online for a little while now. due to locations, I have the 3 AP's going to an unmanaged switch. Then, that switch is directly connected to a LAN interface of a 54gl running DD-WRT. The WAN interface of the 54g is connected to my home router. One of my 3 nodes is configured as a gateway. This appears to be working flawlessly for me.
This may also be a unique setup for me as I have 3 nodes in the same location on my roof to cover all directions.
Based on the other feedback on this post, your mileage may vary.
-Jon
KI6PTN.
The Netgear switches are pretty cheap at Amazon right now, and they are running a $10-15 rebate.
http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-ProSAFE-Gigabit-Switch-GS105Ev2/dp/B00HGLVZLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427171081&sr=8-1&keywords=GS105E
Thanks for the replies. I bought a GS105E and will get it going first, then I might try configuring a WRT54Gv8 that I have with DD-WRT and see if it might also work.