Firmware Enhancements
Many hardware manufacturers offer firmware upgrades for their devices and this is especially the case for manufacturers of wireless routers. These firmware upgrade usually contain bugfixes and in many instances unlock new functions. For example; firmware upgrades for older NetGear Wireless routers allow WPA security which was previously unavailable using these routers. Such firmware upgrades are free and provide users not only with a way to keep up with standards, but also a way to add better functionality to old devices.
If you don’t find the sort of upgrades you’re looking for in manufacturers’ firmware release, there’s another way. Some resourceful programmers have delved into the workings of various Access Point and created their own home-grown firmware upgrades. These home-grown firmware updates can be uploaded and provides users with far greater signal range (by increasing power output) or the possibility of defining your own Wireless LAN channels.
However, be take note that these third party firmware are not for all manufacturers. If they don’t work, you can just restore your original firmware, but please Read the Warnings on the site though!
Links to the unofficial firmware upgrades are listed below:
LinksysInfo.org
Seattle Wireless
Vallstedt-Networks.de
