DD-WRT Configuration For NEW MBP

[AaronM58]

Hello All.

I have recently purchased my 1st (2.2Ghz MBP) & I'm trying to keep myself busy while I'm waiting for it to ship. This weekend I purchased a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 Wireless-G Router ( http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000AO...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278841901&pf_rd_i=507846 ) to use with my MBP. I installed DD-WRT on it, thought I actually "bricked it" at first, but I was luckily able to fix it. Anyways, my question is this...what configurations do you guys use with DD-WRT? Such as encryption type, signal strength, etc. I've heard that the MBP is very moody when it comes to setting up passwords/encryption. I'm very new to the DD-WRT software, so I just want to make sure that I don't do something to fry my router. Your help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[volvoben]

I use DD-WRT on a WRT54GL and a Buffalo WHR-G125 (a great new router btw, cheap but quite capable).

I don't have a new mbp, but i've used a macbook and an ibook on DD-WRT without trouble.

I live in a rather high wireless activity area, so I did some scans with istumbler as well as kismac to figure out a channel etc, almost everyone was on 11, so I went with 1 (they say 1, 6 and 11 are best because they don't overlap at all). There are a few open networks near me so I'm not particularly concerned about hackers, but I've seen neighborhood teenagers with their laptops outside being suspicious, so I figured I'd throw on a few layers of security:

- WPA2 PSK (radius wasn't really needed for me since I'm the only user),
- strong password from https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm
- don't broadcast SSID,
- filter MAC addresses to just the 1 regular computer and
- limit connections to 1.

I thought about further separating the wireless from the rest of my network by keeping my old wired router and then having the DD-WRT router also be a DHCP server, but I decided I'm secure enough and would like to see all my shared files on the portable (plus the DD-WRT router has many more routing features than my old netgear).

DD-WRT has plenty of great features, such as bridge mode, AP mode, adjustment of all sorts of things such as CPU overclocking and Xmit power. I haven't bothered with any OC, but I did up the Xmit power slightly (i don't see the point in upping it too much, it'll shorten the life of your router, increase the range of neighbors who could see your network, and since your wireless card can't also be turned up, it'll be a lopsided move. That said, 28mw is stock for both of my routers, I upped my WRT54GL to 35mw (which acts as a bridge to my apartment building's wireless) and left the buffalo stock. I previously had the WRT54GL up to 50mw (the max recommended) and put a heatsink from an old vid card on the chip to help the poor thing out (indeed it got very hot in warm weather).

Boy, that was longwinded, but perhaps it will be helpful!

 

[Roguepirate]

- WPA2 PSK (radius wasn't really needed for me since I'm the only user),
- strong password from https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm
- don't broadcast SSID,
- filter MAC addresses to just the 1 regular computer and
- limit connections to 1.

Thats pretty secure, but for a person who is asking how to set up their router...
definitely use WPA2, as for a password you dont need steve gibson's randomly generated password, just use a phrase or whatever you want, you just want to keep the everyday wardriver out of your network. If somebody really wants into your network they'll get in, but if yours is secured and your neighbors isn't, then its path of least resistance for them.

Broadcasting SSID doesn't really matter, I myself have had problems with my wireless cards hooking up to the network at times. So its up to you to hide it or not.

MAC filtering isn't a bad idea but its a hassle when you have guests come over and use your network.

pretty much evaluate your area and determine how hardcore you want your security.

 

[janey]

Your config should be geared towards your own specific network and your needs, not to a computer.

 

[itsallinurhead]

Don't raise the power above 10mw on that router. I have had nothing but problems raising it higher because of the internal amplifier.