I have a router that I took out of service because I had to reset it frequently

[G+_William Burlingame]

I have a router that I took out of service because I had to reset it frequently. It's an Amped APA20. At one time I connected it to a timer to power off and back on every day. It's not listed in the DD-WRT database. Does that mean that DD-WRT won't work at all on the router or that they just haven't tested it?

[G+_David Peach]

I would guess it has much to do with what chipset is in the router and whether they give you a way to reflash the firmware. If the chipset is the same as another router in the DD-WRT database AND you have a way to reflash the firmware, then you can try it. But there may be no way of going back if it doesn't work.

[G+_Dan Hockey]

You may have to ask over on the DD-WRT forums. If it's not listed it usually means it's not possible to install DD-WRT.

[G+_Ben Reese]

I've been researching DD-WRT and OpenWRT a lot the last couple days since I just bought a cheap used router.

 

It seems DD-WRT is based on OpenWRT so the DD-WRT support is a subset of OpenWRT support. OpenWRT seems to be limited by processor and flash memory type.

 

You might check for OpenWRT support first and if that exists then there's a chance someone has ported DD-WRT too.

[G+_Brian Moses]

Have You updated the firmware?

 

061814 FIRMWARE RELEASE NOTES:

- Improved stability and fixed error relating to connection drops with the router

 

- Improved Wi-Fi stability and fixed Wi-Fi connection issues

 

- Added Auto-Reboot feature that allows for scheduled system reboots

 

- Added Network Time Protocol (NTP) option to system clock for syncing the time via the Internet

 

ampedwireless.com - Amped Wireless APA20 High Power 700mW Dual Band AC Wi-Fi Access Point

[G+_Rickbearcat]

Why would you place any router on a hard timer switch? The router doesn't consume that much power (maybe 10 dollars per year to run) and there should be a way to turn it off via software internally to the router itself.

[G+_William Burlingame]

Evidently the APA20 uses a Realtek chip set. The DD-WRT site indicates that some Realtek chip sets may work. If I brick it, it's not a big deal since it's not of any use as is. I will check the firmware version # to see if Amped has an update since I removed it from my network.

[G+_William Burlingame]

I used a timer switch to do a daily reset of the router, whether I was home

or not. I didn't see a way in the firmware to do that automatically. It

had nothing to do with the power consumption. Yes I could do a single

reset from my desktop, but since the router would lose the connection

frequently, I wanted to have it reset on a regular schedule. I have eight

security cameras on my LAN and if it needed reset when I wasn't home, the

cameras would also be out of service. I finally gave up and replaced the

router with a TP-Link router. The timer allowed the power to be turned off

for one minute at 3 AM.

[G+_Rickbearcat]

So, you're saying that you needed to have a hard reset for the things that you had plugged into that router. Okay, I see.

[G+_Benjamin Webb]

APA20 is a realtek chipset that were always very well documented but not very common and in the past did not perform well so alternative firmwares did not put much effort into them.

 

Support is mentioned in OpenWRT and DD-WRT forums but could not figure out how much flash memory was available. Links below. Figure you are a beta tester at best with this stuff.

 

Suggest pick up a used Archer C7 on eBay if you want to flash unless you are feeling brave.

 

wikidevi.com - Amped Wireless APA20 - WikiDevi

 

 

 

[G+_William Burlingame]

The manufacturer hasn't updated the firmware. I checked other routers that use the same chip set and none of them are listed in the DD-WRT database of supported routers. I guess I'll just have the device recycled.

 

wikidevi.com - List of 802.11ac Hardware - WikiDevi

[G+_Benjamin Webb]

If your just going to recycle it do you think you could mail it to Connecticut so I could try to hack openWRT onto it. Figure I would need to compile a custom version and have about a 60% chance of bricking it and even then may never get the wireless going.

 

Would like to save the next guy from tossing it if possible. Looks like descent hardware with terrible software.

[G+_Benjamin Webb]

Update

 

I did a further examination of the hardware and the main problem is the CPU is from a now defunct company. Without cpu firmware Realtek was required to drop support. Latest kernel possible is 3.10.

 

Amp probably did their best with firmware but this thing was all over before it even released.

 

Nobody can save this thing. I did try.

[G+_Ben Reese]

Sometimes an older firmware can be more stable. Worth trying at least...

[G+_Benjamin Webb]

Ben Reese Mostly I would agree with you but the Linux network stack for wireless greatly improved around this time. Anybody trying to run wireless around Ubuntu 9 knows what I am talking about.

 

This kernel is the same one on the N router I just replaced as it was getting old and in need of updates.