[PLUG] Re: Tata Indicom Broadband with WRT54G

[Mayuresh]

> Also looked for firmware upgrade. But surprisingly the h/w version 7 which
> I happen to have got is not there in their list at all. (Everything from
> 1.0 to 6.0 is there and then there is directly 8.0).

I am thinking of returning this unit and getting WRT54GL which is Linux based.

No, I am not hoping it to do any magic. Just that the open source f/w is more 
easily available for this model. Sooner or later I am hoping to solve this 
problem by getting the necessary setting through updated f/w.

Any advice?


I'd like to share this information about h/w version of the routers for 
benefit of those who may be about to buy one:

I had never imagined for the same model, versions would make such a big 
difference. If you ever face a need to change the f/w: - either for some 
hacking around or because you face an issue like the one I am facing - h/w 
version may become an issue for you. If you don't care about these then any 
version should be ok for you (perhaps).

H/w versions up to 4.0 of WRT54G were Linux based. From 5.0 they switched to 
VXWare.  In 7.0 (the one I happen to have got) they changed the chipset as 
well to Atheros (from Brodcom). Because of this the open source f/w 
availability on 5.0 and 6.0 is limited and its as of now absent for 7.0. For 
7.0 in fact it's no upgrade is available from the manufacturer either.

They branched the 4.0 version that had become popular in Linux community and 
named it as WRT54GL.

Apparently they are doing this because VXWare takes less flash memory than 
Linux which reduces the costs. Indeed, there is a good Rs 700 difference in 
the price of these two models.


Thanks.