This article starts a new series on the functionality provided by the OpenSource router firmware from Tomato. The installation procedure used can be found in the article: Installing Tomato Firmware on the Asus RT-N16 Router.
The version of Tomato I’ll be reviewing is actually a derivative from TomatoUSB. I installed their latest version (Build 54) of the firmware which is still in beta (dated 11/30/2010). The 2.6 Kernel and version for MIPSR2 Routers was the only firmware compatible with the Asus RT-N16 so I used the Kernel 2.6 (experimental) for MIPSR2 Routers – Ext version.
Status Views
The Tomato firmware has several different status overview views. One of them, web logging, requires activation which I’ve not done.
Status – Overview
This first view is probably the only useful one. It contains basic technical information on the System, WAN, LAN and Wireless areas of the router. In my case, I’ve already disabled the wireless radio on a different screen as I’m using a separate Unifi wireless access point product from Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.
Status – Device List
The device list is a simple listing of network devices connected to your router. It also includes the IP address assigned by the DHCP Server.
Status – Web Usage
There are a number of different web logging options which can be selected if Web Monitoring is enabled. You have limited space for storing your logging information directly on the router so you need to be careful when enabling different monitoring options.
Status – Logs
A basic log file of router activity is captured with an option to view all or part of it. The logging options can also be configured on this screen.
Bandwidth
Several different views of your bandwidth usage are available to see the volume of data which has passed through your router.
Bandwidth – Real-Time
Bandwidth – Last 24 Hours
Bandwidth – Daily
Bandwidth – Weekly
Bandwidth – Monthly
Next Step
Tomato Firmware on the Asus RT-N16 Router – Part 2, Tools.
Return to the Firmware Overview: Asus RT-N16 Router Firmware Overview
