A general question

[robert3353]

Hello,
I am very new to custom firmware for routers, I have been reading some of the info here on Gargoyle as well as on the DD-WRT site. I was wondering if these firmwares are based upon a Linux kernel, if they are not then what I would like to do would probably be impossible. Most of the routers that I have been looking at buying have at least one USB port, the one I am considering buying is the Buffalo Technology AirStation HighPower N600 Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Router and AP - WZR-HP-AG300H. If I am correct it comes pre-installed with DD-WRT's firmware. Here is what I would like to do if at all possible.

I would like to have the app called easy-tether installed (they have versions for Windows, Mac as well as Linux) and active when the router is powered up and have the USB port recognize my Android 4G phone when plugged in to the routers USB port to use its 4G network as a modem. If this is possible this would be a wonderful WIFI hotspot when I am out and about with a WiFi enabled Tablet etc. Most routers I have seen in the past few years are all powered by an AC-DC transformer and I would build a battery pack to use were there is no AC outlets available.

Is this even possible to do? If so it would be far cheaper to do than to pay my cell carrier 30 dollars/month to activate my phones WiFi hotspot capability.

Thanks,
Robert

[pbix]

Gargoyle is based on OpenWRT which is using a Linux kernel. The bad news is that you cannot just install a random application because it "supports Linux". Usually that means it supports Linux on a PC and not on a router.

Now the good news is that what you are looking to do may already be natively supported in Gargoyle and should work without any additional packages installed.

You should read the Wiki http://www.gargoyle-router.com/wiki/doku.php?id=3g

Your phone needs to support tethering and your Wireless provider must have enabled this service for you. Verizon for example charges extra for this as does AT&T. Get it to work with your PC first using the USB port there. Then plug it into a Gargoyle router and see what happens.

Now regarding the router you mentioned. That particular one is not supported by Gargoyle. I have the Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH which I can recommend to you instead. It has the USB port you need and runs Gargoyle. These are available on Ebay. You need to careful in selecting a router. There are perhaps a 6 or so models that can do what you want. Refer to http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/start and only those listed there supported by '10.03'.

Perhaps others can comment on support for your particular phone.

[robert3353]

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. I did not think it would be possible to install easy tether on a router, however it wold be nice if you could. If I pay Sprint for my wifi hot spot at 30 dollars per month I do not need a router. My cell phone becomes a Wifi hotspot. I was hoping that I could use easy tether because it would have involved a one time purchase of the hardware and not paying a monthly subscription. I would not need to do this all that often and it is not worth paying an extra 30 dollars a month. I guess I will have to lug my laptop around when I want to do this and configure it to be a hotspot.
Thanks once again and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
Robert B.

[shanewatson128]

Thanks for sharing useful information here.