Routers

A router is a device that route packets between different devices and networks.

Modern routers don't only route packets, but also offer several advanced features, like a firewall, QoS, packet filtering, DHCP and more. It's also common for routers to incorporate an access point, to provide wireless connectivity.

Modem

TP-Link TD-W8960N using bridge mode

A modem is a simple device that connect a digital signal to an analog one, and vice versa. One is usually needed to connect to the Internet.

It's hard to find a modem by itself nowadays, most are sold as a modem/router combo. While those combos are nice, since you only need to run a single devices, they aren't usually supported by third party firmwares (the only exception being some router/modem combo using a Lantiq chipset, which are supported by OpenWRT), and are overpriced compared to standalone routers.

"Bridge mode" is used to "disable" the router part in those, and use them as standalone modems with a separate, standalone router.

For ADSL, modem using recent Broadcom chipset usually give the most stable/faster connection.

Many Internet Service Providers in the US provide a modem with their service, but it is usually shit. You may want to ask them for a list of approved modems before buying your own, but bear in mind that this list may just include companies that pay in order to get on that list.

Third party firmwares

Tomato

Tomato by Shibby running on a Linksys e3200

Tomato is a custom firmware known for it's simple and user friendly interface.

There are several forks of Tomato, the most famous are:

• Tomato by Shibby it's the most featureful one. The major features include a Torrent client (Transmission), Tor support, DNSCrypt support and miniDLNA.
• AdvancedTomato based on Tomato by Shibby, but uses a new interface.
• Tomato by Toastman Barebone version, if you think that your router should only route packets, and do that the best it can.
• Tomato RAF It's the version that supports more routers than everyone else. If your router is not supported by any other version, check this one.

While there are many forks, their developers constantly share code. Because of this, it's hard to find a feature that it's supported by only a specific version of Tomato.

OpenWRT

Official site

The OpenWRT wiki is not always updated, so when checking if your router is supported, always search in the forum too.

DD-WRT

Official site

http://desipro.de/ddwrt/K3-AC-Arm/ DD-WRT fork(?) that support the latest ARM routers (Netgear R6250/R6300v2/R7000, Asus AC56U/AC68U, D-Link DIR-868R)

Asuswrt-merlin

Asuswrt-merlin (Download) is a custom firmware based on Asuswrt, the opensource firmware used by recent Asus routers.

It supports the following models: RT-N16, RT-AC56U, RT-N66U, RT-AC66U, RT-AC68U.

Since it's based on Asuswrt, it uses the official webui, while adding several useful features, like SSH access, Cron jobs, customizable user scripts and several minor tweak/enchantments.

Use a computer as a router

If you have a spare computer around, or you need more power than a small arm/mips cpu can give you, then you can turn your computer into a router.

pfSense is the most common distribution used, and it's based on FreeBSD. A Linux-based alternative is Smoothwall

The advantages of running a computer as your router are:

• More powerful CPU, useful to run various services on it (normal routers choke when running a torrent client at high-speed, or a full webserver).
• Price, it's free or almost if you already have a spare computer around

The disadvantages are:

• Noise. Unless you build a passive-cooled system, you'll have fans running all the time.
• Power consumption. Routers use around 5-10W, while a full computer can use much more.
• Price. If you don't have a spare computer, then building one can be more expansive than just getting a router.