My Tech Adventures

This ( click here for some device info) was quite a popular router for ISPs and comes in many variants as used in different parts of the world! It also became popular with users once many tweaks and utilities became available for it including the DMT tool that provides advanced monitoring and configuration. Once the CLI is accessible with required credentials, many more options become available including bridge mode, wireless router only mode using one of the lan ports as a wan port, multi-pvc support and much more. It has a good modem supporting upto adsl2+ and still relevant for Pakistan! However, some of the ISPs preferred to have it locked down for various reasons and one may not find a 'generic' model easily! There is the option of using jtag to 'convert' the locked version into the generic one by flashing a modified cfe, but, there is also a much easier software based method provided you don't mind running older firmware and don't mind...

Hi! Next up is another router provided by the ISP Sky (UK) having the model number 2504n (not to be confused with the 2504)! It is from Sagem (Sagemcom) and as with the 2504, it can be 'unlocked' thanks to a custom firmware image for use with other ISPs. As a side note, there was also a 2304n provided by Sky but it doesn't seem to have any unlocked firmware available (can be used as a simple WAP by disabling DHCP and firewall). Some images from around the web: And here are some I took of the one I 'salvaged': As per specs, this router uses the BCM6362  chipset where the bcm6362 is quite an advanced chipset making an unlock quite alluring! The only downside seems to be the single band wireless n (upto 144Mbps) but that is good enough for use with the 'internet' side of things! Coming to the unlock:  (To continue reading, please click on 'Read More')

Hello Again!  (Comes with a stand as well but I couldn't find mine) Let's have a look inside this one: This router was used by the ISP Sky in UK, but, can be found 'dumped' here in Pakistan as well! Now, most ISPs in the UK prefer to lock down the router as it is supposed to create less problems for support and also to protect the investment as routers are 'rented' out! So, it might seem a bad idea to pick up a locked router at first, but, thanks to some smart people who invest their time and money to figure out a way to 'unlock' and/or improve the performance of such locked routers there is some hope left for these routers! As far as the Sky 2504 (not to be confused with the 2504n) router is concerned, there is not one but at least two ways to unlock the router for use with other ISPs (not counting openwrt)! The first method is based around the fact  (To continue reading, please click on 'Read Mo...

Hello! (Mine is not in its best shape, so I have used these three exterior promotional images from d-link) This is quite an old router but still quite useful here ... there is loads of info on it on the web! It is based upon the AR7 chipset by Texas Instruments ( for details ) and can use custom and/or modified firmware images for such routers while being fairly robust (until the bootloader is intact)! There are also many tools for it! The one I have is the UK A1 revision that is amongst the initial offerings (later revisions officially support ADSL2+) and officially supports adsl (upto 8Mbps) connections. Let's have a look inside:   From the last image, it is clear that same design is used for different models ... in fact one can use firmware for newer models on this older model though it is not confirmed that adsl2+ works or not when you do ... some people suggest that this A1 revision has h/w limitation(s) ... not much of a problem as I hav...

Hello Again! As per another request, I shall try to use a spare W150D/SP3367NL router to extend the wireless coverage! But, before that, I'll like to show my recent casing-swap for the W150D ... did I tell you that the 'old' casing has poor ventilation ... it's a WIP ... currently using internal antenna I soldered ... works well ... just lighting and sticker work remains ... though I might leave it as it is since it's only a 'backup' router (runs on a portable dvd li-ion rechargeable battery during load-shedding) Turn! Turn! Turn!!! Don't worry ... I had no use for the locked cable modem router VMDG280 ... it already 'donated' the antennae and a nice mini pci-e wireless n card Comes with a stand too Coming back to the topic, there are a number of ways to accomplish what we need: 1. 'Universal' Method (using Ethernet/LAN Cable) This method should work with almost all adsl routers turning them into wirele...

Hi! As per request, I would like to quickly go over the process of using the W150D/SP3367NL as a 'Wireless Router' i.e., not using the dsl connection/telephone port but using one of the LAN ports as a WAN port! Here it is: Notes: - I am configuring W150D with SP3367NL's firmware in this case, but, the UI should be similar to the firmware from both Tenda and PTCL ISP - I am using a dsl modem in bridge mode (configured for PTCL ISP) with the aim of setting up a pppoe connection (for authentication) on the W150D to do all the routing providing lan and wireless connectivity! The ISP is PTCL but this shall also work with other ISPs that use pppoe even including Nayatel (FTTH/FTTU)! 1. Login to the router. If the wizard shows up, just click on Advanced Settings to land on the Status page!  2. Goto Advanced Setup->Connection Mode (To continue reading, please click on 'Read More')

I have decided to write down about all the routers I have collected (so far) alongwith relevant tweaks or configuration options! The first one is the Medion MDWLAN 140 that also has MD 95038 printed on it! It's a simple ADSL router (does not support ADSL2+) with wireless b/g support (via mini-pci adapter card) but having the unique feature of dial-up support as well (handy in case dsl goes down) ... there is supposed to be a usb wifi dongle as well, but, I don't have it ... and it creates quite a light show with bright leds! Here are some pics: Here is the interface (configured for the ISP PTCL): (To continue reading, please click Read More)