In 2020, custom router firmware remained a key focus area for network administrators.
In 2020, custom router firmware remained a key focus area for network administrators.
I once attempted to update my router's firmware a few years ago. Early on I made mistakes, leading to poor results. Because of time pressures, I abandoned the project. Now I’m considering starting over, so I’ve been researching available choices for 2020. The findings are somewhat discouraging. Still, the latest updates seem to be from the official site, but their information feels outdated—recommended versions are no longer current, and the most recent builds are hidden in a wiki. It looks like the project is mostly upheld by a single individual (brainslayer) with occasional community help. If you need the newest firmware for your device, it’s not easy. Tomato – Broadcom remains the only reliable option. The maintenance appears fragmented and has suffered from loss of contributors. Merlin – Asus gear is still supported, though my unit isn’t part of that list. Gargoyle seems well-supported up to now, with regular updates and new versions released. However, its features are increasingly standard on modern routers, so it’s mainly useful for niche needs. OpenWrt appears to be the most promising custom firmware project right now. Frequent updates, community resources, and many tailored packages make it appealing. Its open nature encourages creativity, which is why it keeps gaining traction. My current intention is to use a David OpenWrt build since I have a WR1800 model. I’m curious—do you agree with my assessment? Is custom firmware still worth the effort today? Which option do you prefer? Edited May 14, 2020 by LjjlijJ A minor format adjustment
Consider exploring whether the unlocked options match your goals. Check if the firmware runs reliably on the device and if you're looking to revitalize older gadgets. I’ve tried DD-WRT and Tomato variants for overclocking and OpenVPN Client on the WRT54G and R7000, but stopped when Ubiquiti was discovered. It’s crucial to note that many third-party firmware solutions don’t support hardware acceleration—this can limit performance compared to native firmware.
I updated the router using David's OpenWrt version last night. The speed seems similar to the default firmware but possibly improved. There are definitely many more options to explore. The router’s adblock feature, which isn’t in the standard firmware, is a big plus. I’ll have to spend some time figuring out the other settings...