[m.fessler]

TL;DR:
How do I find out when I should update without having or be able to understand every little code change?
Would a thread or webpage with a listing of new or no longer supported devices (whenever new beta versions are released) be an idea or does such a list already exist?


Hello,

first of all, thanks to the team for your great work!
I've been an on/off DD-WRT user for many years, although I would still consider myself a beginner as I'm just scratching the surface of what's possible.

I have two questions regarding new betas:
When it comes to the basic question of how often I should update, I just don't get anywhere.
There seem to be basically two types of users: The ones who update every few days and know every change in detail and those who simply follow a fixed rhythm.

As a simple user, how do I know if and when I should update purely for security reasons?
Awesome would be a page or thread with a brief note if an update is definitely recommended for simple scenarios - like the following two:
Scenario A: Router, NAT, nothing open except for port forwarding
Scenario B: Access Point, Client or Bridge behind a NAT router

Or are serious security vulnerabilities with regard to incoming connections almost impossible anyway if remote access, the info site, telnet, etc. are disabled?

And and last the the eternal question: Which router should I buy.
The question comes up again and again, and yes, there is also a pinned thread from 2021 about it.
Would be a thread where new and no longer supported devices maybe an idea?

Example:
09-27-2022-r50274:
New: Modell X, Y
No longer supported: Modell Z

Or does such a thread or webpage already exist?

Thank you for reading and in advance for any help.
Martin

[blkt]

Update whenever you feel like. Use build threads for overview. AFAIK dd-wrt does not deprecate or drop support.

R7800, XR450, XR500, R7500v2 or EA8500. Recommended model asked almost every day, answer always same.

[egc]

A router not connected to the internet is no big security risk so update once or twice a year sounds reasonable.

A router connected to the internet I would update more often, always read (and report in) the build threads.

The R7800 install guide (link in my signature) has a list of builds I personally tested for a longer time.

[the-joker]

What egc said, routers facing the internet should be updated more often (minimum once a month IMO) as security patches are only present in the latest builds, but if you dont care for security and wanna flip a coin you do what you like.

Build r50274 for instance has quite a few known unpatched CVEs some actively exploited, depending where in the world you are and where you go on the web (surface or dark).

[dale_gribble39]

[Alozaros]

-best to check new builds threads
-better look at SVN for kernel updates, binary and services updates
-if not certain ask in the forum
-ddwrt gets updates and security fixes immediately when they are discovered
-if you read internet articles for best ddwrt router 101% biased towards
not the best routers….bolloks
-best price/performance/support value Netgear R7800 or reboxed version of it XR 500