How to Get an Encrypted Password From a DD-WRT

DD-WRT is third-party firmware -- or software -- for Linksys WRT54G and other routers. It adds features and customization options to supported routers. You'll have to get the encrypted password before removing DD-WRT from your router if you're switching firmware and you don't want to reset your router's configuration settings entirely. This is because DD-WRT uses a different method of encrypting and storing passwords than other firmware. The encrypted password functions as the normal password for logging into other firmware; you can reset the password after logging into other firmware with it. You can obtain an encrypted password using the command prompt.

Instructions

1. Click "Start," "Control Panel," "Programs" and "Turn Windows Features On or Off," then click the checkbox to the left of "Telnet Client." Click "OK." This installs the Telnet client.

2. Open a command prompt window by clicking "Start," "All Programs," "Accessories" and "Command Prompt."

3. Type "telnet 192.168.1.1" into the command prompt window. Type your router's IP address instead of "192.168.1.1" if you've changed your router's IP address from the default.

4. Type "root" at the username prompt and press "Enter."

5. Enter your router's password at the password prompt and press "Enter." The password is "admin" by default.

6. Type "nvram get http_passwd" at the Telnet prompt and press "Enter" to get the encrypted password.

References

• DD-WRT: Telnet/SSH and the Command Line
• Polarcloud.com: Tomato FAQ