Lab Notes

The Inquirer covers tools for hacking the Linksys WRT54G access point. Installing third-party firmware (including firmware you compile yourself), you can add many new features, including QoS, an SSH server, VLANs, more extensive firewall options, and many others. One of the most useful features is the ability to change the power of the antenna; Linksys ships with it set to 28 mW, with new firmware it is user adjustable up to 251 mW.

I've got a WRT54G at home with the SveaSoft firmware installed and the antenna cranked up to 50 mW. It provides a noticeable increase in range over the stock configuration. Beware of cranking the power up too high — too much power distorts the signal and can actually cause worse performance.

For about $60 and a little work on your part you can put together an access point with just about all the features of the big boys.