GazGuzla

Frequently asked questions about Tomato Firmware

What are the Advantages of Tomato over other Firmware?

As a Beta tester for DD-WRT, X-Wrt and Oleg (Asus Factory Mod) on multiple routers for the past 3 years, I decided to try Tomato to see how it compared. I was shocked that a Firmware with so little documentation, so little support performed so well. Each firmware does something better than the others. For Tomato, the big ones are throughput (disputed, but my tests say the throughput is higher than any of the others), stability of the builds, and the enhanced QoS Rate/Limit with Graph functions.

What are the disadvantages of Tomato?

Not much support.

What Setup is Best for Tomato?

If you have one router, want enhanced QoS for p2p apps like Skype, and don’t want to do much maintenance, use Tomato. I use it on my main router, and the latest release ran until I lost power (5 months) with no problems. I use DD-WRT on secondary and other routers on the network, because of the excellent Repeater, Wireless Bridge, and VPN options. Tomato currently does not support USB. DD-WRT recently added a mini.usb build, limited functionality. I use X-Wrt (also very stable) for USB file sharing and printing. X-Wrt is best for experienced users, because its not a bundle, its completely made up of packages customized by the user. Oleg is a factory “Mod” for Asus Routers. Best use is USB for easy file sharing and printing.

Which Routers Support Tomato?

See Compatibility List for routers that are known to run Tomato, or the Master GazGuzla 4+MB Router List. There could be others that work, but these are the only ones I could verify.

The common theme* seems to be:

• Wireless Router/Gateway Configurations
• 4+MB Flash
• Broadcom 4704 @ 266MHz
• Broadcom 4710 @ 125MHz
• Broadcom 4712 @ 200MHz
• Broadcom 5350 @ 200MHz
• Broadcom 5352 @ 200MHz
• Broadcom 5354 @ 240MHz (ND)
• Atheros 2312 @ 180MHz
• Atheros 2317 @ (?)MHz

Theme is based on research, and does not indicate your router is supported, rather sets a comfort factor of that Tomato could work. Try at your own risk! Wireless Access Points (WAP) have a different hardware configuration, so generally they are not supported by alternative firmware.

Are there different versions of Tomato Firmware?

Yes. Depending on the Version, and Platform (example Broadcom 5354@ 240MHz ) you will use one of the two official version of builds for old and new (ND) drivers for your Router/Gateway. There are 3 other “Mods”, will post info when I find out more about them.

How Do I install Tomato?

See GazGuzla Article

How Do I Configure Different Tomato Settings?

See this Article (Doesn’t exist yet, working on it, will link it soon)

What is JTAG?

A way to recover a bricked router when you can’t get a response from conventional methods. Requires a JTAG cable, and router specific recovery software. The Cable connects the serial or USB adapter of you PC to the router’s hardware, usually the motherboard. Then using specific software you could recover the router. I have never had to resort to JTAG using the GazGuzla Installing Tomato, DD-WRT, X-Wrt Firmware method, because I don’t use the current firmware upgrade utility, which is many times the source of the problem. The other reason is being sure the firmware is compatible. If you think you need JTAG recovery, use the contact email, I will refer you to somebody that’s done it many times before.

How I Configure and Optimize Tomato QoS?

See this GazGuzla Article