Linksys WRT54GL Linksys released the WRT54G router in 2002. It gained popularity for being a powerful, easily customizable router. Several third-party projects have released replacement firmware for the router which can enable it to perform functions not originally available. It important to buy a Linksys WRT54GL as it has enough memory to install the third-party firmware. Recent version of the WRT54G have too little memory so make sure you go for the WRT54GL.

OpenWRT and X-WRT OpenWRT is a Open Source firmware project for the WRT54GL router. It's a very small version of Linux which runs in place of the stock Linksys firmware. The firmware is available from openwrt.org. I prefer to use another project called X-wrt (x-wrt.org) which is based on OpenWRT but has added a nice graphical front end for configuring the router.

To install X-WRT (Which may void your warranty)

1) Download the openwrt-wrt54g-squashfs.bin firmware image to your PC 2) Open http://192.168.1.1/Upgrade.asp in your browser or manually go to http://192.168.1.1 -> Administration -> Firmware Upgrade 3) Upload openwrt-wrt54g-2.4-squashfs.bin 4) Wait 2 minutes. The router will reboot itself automatically after the upgrade is complete. 5) You should now be able to telnet to your router (IP address: 192.168.1.1) and start configuring.

Installing a Captive-Portal. Nearly all commercial Hotspots are Captive Portals, this appears as an Open or Unencrypted Wifi signal but then redirects any traffic to a specific web page called a "Splash Page" where your often asked to login or purchase internet access. This is a clever way of doing things as most laptops will automatically connect to an open WiFi signal, then when a customer runs Internet Explorer (or which ever Web browser they use) they are sent to your splash page no matter what site they try to connect to. The most well known free captive portal software is Chillispot, which can be downloaded, and set-up, alternatively a number of commercial providers produce easy to use Captive Portal software, which can be installed on your WRT54GL.

Summary

In this article we have look at how powerful and versatile the Linksys WRT54GL router is. With a bit of work you can convert it into a powerful WiFi Hotspot router, which can be used for billing your customers for Internet access. Good luck with you new project!

Chris McGregor is a New-Zealand native who is owner of a successful data networking company in beautiful North Island. He is also a Director and partner of UseMyNet. UseMyNet sells WiFi Hotspot Billing software that turns a Linksys WRT54GL router into a self-contained WiFi Hotspot, which can be operated for a fraction of the cost of hosted hotspot solution and is ideal for Pubs, Hotels and B&Bs

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