Alternative firmwares for WHR-G125

After encountering a few problems in configuration of the wireless routers, I was searching the Intenet for solutions. The Buffalo site itself was down due to some ongoing litigation. Scourging more, I found that DD-WRT has released an alternate firmware for it.
Installing it on the WHR-G125 was fairly easy. Although wireless routers come with a web gui, where one can upgrade firmware, this one rejected the alterative. Apparently Buffalo routers only accept signed updates released officially.
But all is not lost. A minor feature in this router came in handy. The bootloader (CFE) waits for incoming TFTP connections for about 5 seconds before loading the firmware from flash. So, I had to connect the router to my PC, give it static IP addresses, and push the DD-WRT firmware within that window. It took a couple of tries to get the timing right, but in the end it went through. Once downloaded, CFE overwrites the new firmware to the flash, and brings the router up wth the new image.
I think this will be a life-saver if ever we screw up with new images. If the router does not come up fully enough to respond to network connections ('bricked'), we can always force download a known-to-work image thorugh the bootloader. It should be a default. OpenWrt (another popular alternative firmware) sets boot_wait variable by default. Apparently they too are working on porting thier image to WHR-G125.
The advantages of alternative firmwares are enhanced signal strength, telnet access (they run linux underneath, afterall), lot more features, nice graphical bandwidth, and wireless site monitor), frequent updates with bug fixes, customizations (you can pick and choose what features you want and build your image, like in FreeWRT). DD-WRT even offers different pre-packaged images like standard, VPN, mini, micro (for routers with as little as 2MB flash). The feature I like the most in DD-WRT is the ability to have multiple WLANS. I can now give the password to a different wireless to my guest, so they can access the Intenet, but not my home PCs.
Update: Apparently Tomato has been ported to this router too. I downloaded and tried it out. Much simpler, slick UI, and I hear a better optimised code too.

Time for a new Router

Ok, only a geek will get excited about this, and working in a Networking company doesn't help much either.
Had to give away my trusty old D-Link DI-624 to my Dad (who is a proud owner of a laptop now, and cutting all cords). It has served its purpose well, albeit with some limitations: it used to crash/reboot every time I setup URL filtering and domain blocking. Guess its meager processor was just bogged down by the demands of deep packet inspection. So, it is time to retire it, and look for a new powerful, shiny wireless router.
Along came Buffalo WHR-G125 in a really small form factor. I have heard good things about Buffalo before, and this router fit all requirements of mine. Except for one little detail - It had a fixed antenna (I used to have an external antenna for the DLink, to extend its range upstairs). But my fears were unfounded - this little router exceeded my expectations with all excellent signal strength all over the house. So far so good. Will keep this space updated.