Router Name : Netgear N600 Dual Band Router
Router Model : WNDR3400v2
Stock firmwares that comes usually with many routers are limiting in terms of creating multiple SSIDs and VLANs. Therefore, to be able to control the network properly and use the advanced features of segmentation and privacy, an advanced firmware is needed.
Why DD-WRT?
DD-WRT is an open source firmware that offers advanced features:
Multiple SSIDs : can be used to isolate the network into separated subnets VLANs: Virtual Local Area Network allows the separation of ports. Each port in the router or switch can be isolated from the rest of the ports IPtables Firewall OpenVPN, PPTP, & L2TP VPN Client/Server Integration
Note: There are ready routers with DD-WRT install on them. However; if you have an old router that is compatible with DD-WRT would good to flash it and use it instead purchasing one
5 steps to flash the router
1- Check Router Compatibility :
Make sure the router is compatible with DD-WRT to avoid bricking issues.You can
check DD-WRT database to check the model number and its version
DD-WRT Router Database : https://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database
2- Hard Rest :
If the router is compatible with DD-WRT. Proceed with hard reset known as 30/30/30
Hold the reset button at the back of the router for 30 seconds Then unplug the router for 30 seconds while holding the reset button Plug the router back and continue holding for 30 seconds
Note: do not release the reset button until you finish the 120 seconds in order
3- Updating the router firmware
Access the Default Gateway address of the network, usually for Netgear routers are 192.168.1.1 and enter the username and password
Go to Advanced section of the settings under Administration → Router Update
Upload the firmware and wait for it until it completes the process
For this router model DD-WRT do not have a firmware on its database. Netgear Open router community provides the DD-WRT for this version
Netgear open router community : https://www.myopenrouter.com/
The build is uploaded to the resources section of this repo
Note: the router at this stage will turn on and off multiple times during the flashing time
4- DD-WRT Web GUI
If the firmware is installed correctly, you should see the below web gui
Pros:
- Can have multiple SSIDs
Cons:
-
Does not support network encryptions : WPA,WPA2
-
It works only on Open networks