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Resolved Question

network routers

Feb 9, 2016 1:59PM PST

What is the difference between a router and a "flash" router? I have a Netgear WNDR4500 router, but I am seeing sites that show this router as a Flash Router? Is this some sort of mod? I believe it is utilizing the Open Source firmware DD-WRT. If so, what are the advantages/disadvantages?

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While not an accepted term for that.
Feb 9, 2016 2:10PM PST

The memory that holds the router's code is in flash memory. So when we flash a BIOS or a router we change the code to something else.

As to DD-WRT, for more there is no advantage. That is, without a background in networking folk can't use any feature that DD WRT might offer so it's as good as any old router.

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Answer
WRT tomato
Feb 9, 2016 3:14PM PST
Tomato

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_%28firmware%29

""Tomato is a partially free HyperWRT-based, Linux core firmware distribution for a range of Broadcom chipset based wireless routers, most notably the older-model Linksys WRT54G (including the WRT54GL and WRT54GS), Buffalo AirStation, Asus Routers and Netgear's WNR3500L. Among other notable features is the user interface, which makes heavy use of Ajax as well as an SVG-based graphical bandwidth monitor.

Tomato is compatible with many Broadcom-based routers, including Asus routers, Buffalo AirStation, and the Linksys WRT54G series. Detailed information is available from the Wikibooks page on Tomato. WRT54G models of version 5 and newer are not compatible. Community Forums generally recommend Tomato for Linksys Devices, Ex.. LinksysInfo.org, for users who desire an alternative to DD-WRT, while not offering as much customization as the advanced OpenWrt firmware. Support for the Asus RT-N16, Asus RT-N12, Asus WL-500W, Linksys WRT-160Nv3, Cisco Valet M10 and Netgear WNR3500L/v2 has been added via a new firmware modification (based on Linux kernel 2.6). There are several other mods based on this code that offer more features.""