On Monday 25 May 2009, Joseph Apuzzo wrote: > Not a big discovery but I noticed that my little WRT54G router's > CPU ( 228Mhz) went to 100% utilization when there were only 40-50 > active connections.
I guess you're running alternative firmeware that gives you access to CPU utilization. > There is enough memory in the little box for > 4000 concurrent connections. I only have 4 laptops with WiFi but > only need normal web access, nothing fancy, and one main house > server. > > What I want to support is 1000 or more concurrent connections, and > try and tap out my cable modem, not my equipment. That should be achievable. > So I still have my old AMD 2Ghz Box with 2Gb of memory. So my > question is can I install a router based distribution ( > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_router_or_firewall_distr > ibutions) and get a measurable improvement. If so on what order of > improvement could possibility be achieved? Making your own router is a fine idea, but using Desktop hardware to do it is massive overkill and a big waste of power. A wireless router is meant to run constantly, so best not make one that needs 500 Watts. The Linksys boxes are only slightly underpowered in CPU and memory, so something with a bit more memory and CPU but still in that power range would be better suited for this. And most wired routers operate at a constant 0% CPU usage, so I'm guessing that the only reason you're hitting max CPU is the WiFI encryption, which while weak is still something you don't want to go without. I'm told the tricky part of making a Linux WiFi router is finding a wireless card that can operate as an AP -- that requires research. The minimal research I've done into it shows that trying to do this for 802.11a/b/g should be possible, but very difficult for 802.11n (e.g. draft-n). > The answer to the above question would allow me to understand if it > was worth the effort to build out that box to replace the WRT54G as > the main house router. Wireless: pretty cool (except for security and speed) Being able to SSH into your home router: priceless. -- Chris -- Chris Knadle [email protected] _______________________________________________ Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group http://mhvlug.org http://mhvlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mhvlug Upcoming Meetings (6pm - 8pm) MHVLS Auditorium Jun 3 - TBD Jul 1 - TBD Aug 5 - TBD
