FAQs

Using third party router firmware

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Written by Administrator

First of all lets get the disclaimers out of the way.

The Unofficial Guide to Xbox Live Website does NOT condone using third party firmware on any of your devices, we do not encourage it or support it and are in no way responsible or liable for any damage that may come to your equipment by using third party firmware on any of your equipment.

This article only intends to inform you that it is possible to use other firmware and advises that you fully research how to do this yourself, this article has been put together for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and based on this post by VAVA Mk2 to which all credit goes to, thank you VAVA.

Why Third Party Firmware?

Some people prefer to use third party firmware to enable functionality that doesn't exist with the suppliers firmware, this can range from better wireless performance to better ASDL synchronisation speeds. A specific real world example of why is covered further on in the article.

What are the risks of using Third Party Firmware?

The risks are you could "brick" your equipment, if done incorrectly you could end up breaking your router completely which is why you should fully understand what you are doing before committing and not just "jump in and have a go". You will also void any warranty you have.

Where can I read more about this?

• General Information http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php
• Router Database http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database
• Xbox 360 Configuration http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Configuring_for_Xbox_360
• [How To] Install Custom Firmware DD-WRT on Linksys Router http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ4c_FxVQBc
• Support http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Index:Support

DGTeam (Netgear)

• General Information http://dgteam.ilbello.com/

Tomato (Linksys/Buffalo and others)

• General Information http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

A real life example of why you might want to consider this

As per this post on the Xbox.com forums VAVA Mk2 owns a Linksys WRT160N and wanted an Open NAT on both Xboxes, firmware version 3.0.02.003 should have allowed this as it is Xbox Live Certified but this wasn't the case it was still an issue (its not the first time I've seen this on Linksys) also you will find that version of firmware is no longer available to download.

So VAVA Mk2 decided to flash the firmware with DD-WRT custom firmware to enable both Xboxes to have an open NAT. Here is how it was done:-

It will void the warranty if you do this but you can reflash back to official Linksys firmware from their site if you do it and get cold feet. 

My router model is WRT160N v3 and the dd-wrt firmware I flashed is version 24-sp2, which for my router was NEWD K2.6 Mini Generic. 

Link to MY model's firmwares is http://www.dd-wrt.com/routerdb/de/download/Linksys/WRT160N/3.0/dd-wrt.v24-14311_NEWD-2_K2.6_mini.bin/3407.  For many out there, though, who want to see if their router has a dd-wrt compatible file go to http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database and search for your router. 

In addition to great forum support there is a wiki with many different artciles on dd-wrt at http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php.  For my router model and instructions relating to install here is a great article http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT150N_%26_WRT160N.  Also, there is a specific article on the wiki about settings for the XBOX 360 and dd-wrt here, http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Configuring_for_Xbox_360. 

Essentially, if you flash the router right, all you really need to do is enable UPnP under the NAT/QoS tab and also enable clear port forwards at startup.  That is all.  The default settings for everything else should be left alone and I got faster connection to Live and Open NAT on all consoles no hassle.  Best thing ever! 

Last thing I want to give as a reference is a link to a video on YouTube that goes through the flashing process for those new to this or not as adventurous with tech things as you and I are.  Makes the experience painless and simple. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ4c_FxVQBc.  There are also other videos on YouTube addressing the 360 and dd-wrt and of course the dd-wrt forums are a great trouble shooting source along with other tech forums searched via Google (live and die by it haha).

 

Thanks again to VAVA Mk2 for the valuable input into this article.