Belkin router/ Padavan firmware: replacement suggestions?

[Joey Cupcakes]

I'm running a Belkin N750DB router with firmware from the Padavan community (ASUS label 78.55.53.48-074 and the router is becoming unreliable- time for an upgrade, I think.

I service many clients in this facility, running some manually assigned DHCP addresses and MAC filter passthrough on all nodes (wired AND wireless). Ideally I'd like to be able to save this configuration and just load it into a new one.

Any suggestions for a replacement router on which I'll be able to install the open source firmware and simply import the config file?

I have to admit, when it comes to re-flashing firmware with open source code, I know just enough to be dangerous.

Thanks.

[silvarios]

I've never been comfortable importing my saved configuration file to a different router because a different router doesn't necessarily support all the same features. For example if you get an AC router, how would the old file know how to configure your AC setting? Amongst other potential problems. You probably can extract just certain settings, for instance, here's how Gargoyle handles it with a side not on Tomato.

http://www.gargoyle-router.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1577

As far as router, it depends on your budget and specific features preferred.

[Joey Cupcakes]

Thanks, mt confusion stems from the fact that the open source firmware accesses features not in the native software (such as Mac filtering for ethernet connections) so how do I know if ANY router I get has that feature accessible, even if the native firware does not address it?

If need be I can make hard notes and screen shots of my settings, but I ultimately need to know if that feature is available.

[silvarios]

Joey Cupcakes wrote:
Thanks, mt confusion stems from the fact that the open source firmware accesses features not in the native software (such as Mac filtering for ethernet connections) so how do I know if ANY router I get has that feature accessible, even if the native firware does not address it?

If need be I can make hard notes and screen shots of my settings, but I ultimately need to know if that feature is available.

I would think the feature would be supported if a. the hardware is there (802.11ac, USB port, etc.) b. third party firmware lists support. Which features do you require?

[Joey Cupcakes]

Not that complicated, actually.

Any decent router will have MAC filtering (access approved if address is in the list), but what I often find missing is MAC filtering on ethernet connections. Manually assigned DHCP addresses is another feature I need that is in many, but not all routers. I also like to keep tabs on total network traffic (does not have to be broken down by user).

[silvarios]

I would skip MAC address filtering. If people are sniffing for traffic, pretty easy to have access to the MAC addresses. Then they can spoof a MAC address and get into the system. It's really not meant for security.

As to the other two features, pretty much any router running one of the big third party firmware options like OpenWRT will work just fine.

[Joey Cupcakes]

Well, I want MAC address filtering. It is a help in my situation.

[silvarios]

Joey Cupcakes wrote:
Well, I want MAC address filtering. It is a help in my situation.

Sorry, I'll likely not be of any help on account of not using MAC address filtering.

[Joey Cupcakes]

Thanks, always appreciate your help and opinions.

It's just that in this case I find the feature useful.

[silvarios]

By the way, thanks for the heads up on this firmware don't think remember reading about it until now.