That annoyance has been removed. I've replaced the venerable Cisco 806 with a Buffalo Technology model WZR-HP-G300NH (at right, click to enlarge), flashed with DD-WRT (open source router software). This single $80 router replaces not only my malfunctioning Cisco 806, but also a separate Cisco wireless router.
So what was it like to replace that Cisco 806?
Installing the Cisco in the first place is something I remember well. I was already reasonably familiar with the arcane Cisco IOS configuration files before I started that job. Even so, to set up the 806 I had to learn a few new things. It ended up consuming an entire weekend, and involved many failed attempts before I finally got us up and running on the Intertubes. For months afterwards, I tweaked one thing and another until I finally got it all working.
Now contrast the more recent experience of bringing up the Buffalo Technology router. There were just two steps. First, I downloaded the latest DD-WRT version and flashed the router with it. Elapsed time: about 10 minutes. Then I used the built-in web pages to explore and configure the router. Elapsed time: about 10 minutes. Then I plugged it into power and the network, and … it all worked on the first try. I've not had to do any tweaking at all.
Awesome job, DD-WRT folks. Just awesome. And much appreciated...
