DD-WRT is a Linux-based firmware for wireless routers and wireless access points.
It is compatible with several models of routers and access points, for example, the Linksys
WRT54G series.
DD-WRT is one of the third-party firmwares, which are designed to replace the original
firmware on some commercial routers.
Alternative firmware may offer features and functionality sets that differ from the original
firmware it is replacing.
The firmware project's name, DD-WRT, was taken in part from the Linksys WRT54G model router,
a successful home router popular in 2002-2004, for which the first replacement firmware was
written.
"DD" are the German license plate letters for all cars from Dresden, where the "Brainslayers"
development team lived.
"WRT", also used by the OpenWRT router firmware project, is coming to be a generic acronym
for "Wireless RouTer", which may have been Linksys's original meaning.
DD-WRT includes such features as support for the Kai network, daemon-based services, IPv6,
Wireless Distribution System, RADIUS, advanced quality of service, radio output power control,
overclocking capability, and software support for a Secure Digital card hardware modification.
Buffalo Technology and other companies have shipped routers pre-installed with a customized
version of DD-WRT.
Version history The first DD-WRT version, released 2005-01-22,
was called 16 and was created as a branch of Sveasoft Alchemy, which in turn is based
on the Linksys WRT54G firmware.
DD-WRT version 22, released 2005-07-25, was the last version to use the Alchemy kernel.
DD-WRT version 23, released 2005-12-25, was the first version to use the OpenWrt kernel
instead of the Alchemy kernel.
DD-WRT version 23 Service Pack 1 was released on 16 May 2006.
Much of the code was overhauled and rewritten during the development of this release, and
many new features were added.
DD-WRT version 23 Service Pack 2 was released on 14 September 2006.
The interface was overhauled, and some new features were added.
Some additional router models are supported, with more planned.
DD-WRT version 24 was released on 18 May 2008.
It allows up to 16 virtual interfaces with different SSIDs and encryption protocols.
It can run on some PowerPC, IXP425-based router boards, Atheros WiSOC, and X86-based systems.
It can also run to some extent on routers with low flash memory.
DD-WRT version 24 Service Pack 1 was released on 26 July 2008.
It contains an urgent DNS security fix for an issue in dnsmasq, site survey security
fixes, longer passwords, and flexible OpenVPN configurations.
It can also run on additional hardware, including WRT300 v1.1, WRT310N, WRT600N, Tonze AP42X
Pronghorn SBC, Ubiquiti LSX and Netgear, Belkin, and USR devices.
Features List of features in all versions:
Security issues A remote command execution vulnerability in
DD-WRT's HTTPd server was found by a Bulgarian hacker on 21 July 2009, and was patched within
a few hours after being documented on milw0rm.
This problem was thereafter fixed in V24-preSP2 build 12533.
See also
BusyBox List of wireless router firmware projects
References
External links DD-WRT official home page
DD-WRT software version control