However, I suppose the main pro would be how easy this router makes it flash the DD-WRT firmware in the first place. Furthermore, should something go wrong while flashing DD-WRT the WL-520gU has a backup copy of the original firmware that is restored automatically, by a lower level firmware (a BIOS, of sorts).
Once that firmware is installed the WL-520gU's potential is limitless. As an example, right now I'm running two of these routers, with a site-to-site SSL bridged VPN between them.
This router also has support for USB devices, including USB external hard drives if you use the correct version of DD-WRT, which means this router can effectively become a network file storage device.
Finally, with DD-WRT this router has been completely stable for more than six months, even with the advanced features I use. As icing on the cake, the router also looks great.
This router is B/G wireless compatible only. No wireless N here. But then, thats hardly surprising considering the price.
The WL-520gU could also stand to have a faster processor than its current 240mhz Broadcom chip, as the VPN link I mentioned above, when under heavy usage, takes the processor usage to 100% and I hit a speed cap of around 350-400 kilobytes/second simply because the router can't handle any more. That said, just about every router in this price range has a processor in the 200mhz range, so this flaw isn't unique to the WL-520gU.
Finally, it wouldn't hurt to have more than 4 megabytes of integrated flash storage, because right now this router can't handle the larger DD-WRT releases.
I've heard some negative opinions of the stock firmware that comes with this router, but I must admit I looked at the stock firmware for a whole 5 minutes before flashing DD-WRT, so I don't exactly have any first hand experience with it.
Either way though, its so extremely simple to flash DD-WRT that I can't see any reason why someone wouldn't use it with this router.
If you can live without wireless N, and you need an extremely stable router with a large number of features for a ridiculously small price, then this router might just be for you.
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