[lcrim]

 I recently installed DD-WRT firmware on my Linksys router and have been pleasantly surprised by how well the router has performed since.  It wasn't difficult to accomplish and wireless connections are  noticeably quicker and more features have been added,
I am now in the process of adding a wireless connection between the devices I have upstairs in my condo to the Linksys @ the connection to my Comcast internet device. 
The devices, a laptop w/ music storage HDD's connected and running SqueezeBox Server (also a print server.)  Also connected will be the Squeezebox Touch in my bedroom system.  The devices will remain wired but the connections upstairs to down will be replaced by a wireless backbone which is known as WDS (wireless distribution system.)  This is not a standard but with the DD-WRT firmware in place on my original  wireless router and purchasing a used Linksys off eBay and then flashing it w/ the correct version of the DD-WRT firmware, the two routers should communicate and I can remove some ugly cables from the system.
I've been helping people in the area with their computers and home networks as a method of earning additional cash.  I wanted to be sure I could answer questions about this aspect of home networking.

[wilsynet]

I use TomatoUSB, another open source alternative firmware.

http://tomatousb.org/

It has less flexibility versus DD-WRT but is usually easier to configure.  Not always a problem with DD-WRT either, but sometimes is, especially with the newer routers.

[jmc207]

I may have to try DD-WRT sometime to check out the difference. I've been using the original Tomato firmware (http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato) on my Linksys WRT54GL and noticed both a speed and reliability increase. Really no problems at all since I changed over.

[JDUBS]

I did this upgrade on my linksys router a few years ago and it's definitely worth it.

Jim

[lcrim]

I received another Linksys WRT160N v3 wireless router today and flashed it W/ the same DD-WRT firmware as my original router.  This particular model doesn't have a USB port or any 1 Gig ports but is highly thought of on the DD-WRT site as its very reliable and fast and now has a bunch of desirable features.  The Linksys use a Broadcom chipset and mixing chipsets makes doing WDS very difficult if not impossible
I got it set to do WDS (Wireless Distribution System) making it a Wireless Access Point  that enables wireless bridging in which WDS Access Points communicate with each other only.  This firmware currently supports two types of WDS, LAN and Point to Point.
My original router still connects to my wireless laptops any where in my condo. 
The wireless backbone allowed me to remove a number of  unsightly cables beween upstairs and down.  BTW these routers are on sale refurbished on Amazon for $30 free shipping.  It was slightly cheaper last weekend and since it was going to be flasshed w/ third party software, I wasn't concerned about it being a refurb.