Modifying DD-WRT’s protected GUI

hacking_the_ddwrt_gui

[Craig] is always keeping busy by deconstructing and poking around in various firmware images. This time around he has taken on the task of modifying the DD-WRT package, a popular replacement firmware for SOHO routers. While the firmware is released under the GPL, [Craig] cites that it’s pretty difficult to build from source. Instead, he says that the typical course of action is to extract … [Read more...]

Reverse engineering VxWorks (which replaces Linux on newer routers)

Linksys_WRT54G_V1

The Linksys router seen about is a WRT54G version 1. It famously runs Linux and was the source of much hacking back in the heyday, leading to popular alternative firmware packages such as DD-WRT and Tomato. But the company went away from a Linux-based firmware starting with version 8 of the hardware. Now they are using a proprietary Real Time Operating System called VxWorks. [Craig] recently … [Read more...]

Solar powered WiFi repeater

solar-wifi-repeater

For all those times you need to broadcast your own access point where there's no outlet [Larry] shows us how to make a solar-powered hotspot. He started by slapping a solar panel on the lid of a cigar box and attaching it to five rechargeable AA batteries inside. These power the mainboard from a router which is the perfect size to friction fit in the opening. It has been flashed with a copy of … [Read more...]

WiFi AP gets antenna augmentation

asus-wifi-ap-external-antenna

Feeling bad that his access point was being made fun of by models with beefier external antennas, [Customer Service] decided to do something about it. After cracking open the Asus wl-330ge he found it would be quite easy to add a connector. This access point has two internal antennas that are quite small and use a spring connection to the signal and ground pads on the PCB. Those pads are fairly … [Read more...]

Power cycling a problematic modem

power-cycling-a-modem

[Gigawatts] struggled against a shoddy Internet connection for quite some time. Changing modems, having the line serviced, and spending far too much time on the phone didn't do any good. In fact, the only thing that fixed the problem was power cycling the modem once it stopped responding. His solution was to automate the power cycling process. He added a cron task to his router which is running … [Read more...]

LEGO router case bests factory finish

lego-router-case-brings-the-awesome

Stare at [Luke's] LEGO router case; STARE AT IT! The router is nothing special, a WRT54GL that is fun to hack. We've seen it used as a robot, turned into a war driving box, and obviously this is where dd-wrt custom firmware started. [Luke] designed the case in MLCAD and found a seller for the parts which came in just over $50. We think it's much better looking than the stock case an if you used … [Read more...]

Adding a DisplayLink monitor to a Linux router

slugterm_dl

Routers aren't just for routing network traffic any more. With the help of alternative operating systems such as DD-WRT, Tomato, and OpenWrt, routers are now extremely customizable and can be utilized to suit a number of needs. The main issue with projects built around routers is the need to telnet or SSH into them to get to a console. [Sven Killig] came up with a useful solution that utilizes the … [Read more...]