We did not install Tomato firmware due to several forum complaints of this router getting "bricked" after installing Tomato but did upgrade the NetGear firmware to V1.2.0.32_40.0.74.

So far its working great and produces very little heat which is a good thing for longevity of component life.

I had already downloaded the tomato firmware to my computer a day before, so instead of playing around trying to get the router to work with Netgear’s settings, I disconnected the WAN cable or internet cable, ran some basic setup just to get into the router’s settings and flashed it with the advance tomato firmware. After the firmware was installed, I restarted the router, reset the NVRAM to ensure any previous firmware configurations were cleared, entered my personal information, performed a few configurations and had it running in no time.

I connected it to the internet and got 111Mbps upload and 117Mbps download…using ATT fiber optic internet service. I did some other firmware configuration and installed the NordVPN service. Having the VPN installed on a router provides the advantage of protecting every device connected to the router, even wireless devices. I have experienced issues connecting to some sites through the VPN, so I left the ATT Gateway’s wireless radio on to connect to those websites by bypassing the VPN.

I know a few reviewers mentioned about their router being bricked when installing the tomato firmware. I didn’t experience that issue, but one must make sure to get the right firmware before proceeding to flash the router, including making sure to get the right firmware version. For example, the model number for my router is WNR3500Lv2, so when looking for the tomato firmware one must make sure to download the firmware version V2 and not V1 or some other version.

Anyway, so far, the router has worked without any issues. For $45.00US, free tomato firmware and a VPN service provider installed within the system, you can have a very secured internet experience and connection. I’m still learning about the tomato firmware settings and configurations, but for what I can see, it’s a decent firmware and worth its installation.

8/14/2018: Just wanted to provide some updated information. I replaced NordVPN with IPVanish, mainly because some sites, including Amazon, won’t work with NordVPN…Ipvanish does cost more. For clarity; there are a few tomato firmware, the one I used and recommend is tomato firmware advance.You can access it here advancedtomato.com, just add the www on the front. I recommend setting up a separate WIFI guest network for safety purposes…it’s simple to do and very cool feature. I also recommend a weekly or monthly automatic restart schedule, this will clear any memory issues and ensure the router run at its peak.

There is seriously something wrong with these routers. I've had 2 of them now. The first one bricked itself on an update. I assumed it was my fault and bit the bullet by buying a new one. Now, I no longer hold that assumption.

This router is practically useless. First off, as others have mentioned, you have to change a setting just to get it to work out of the box.

However, you're then subjected to the utter horrible quality of the router itself. It's apparently unable to keep a stable connection. Every few minutes, every device I own disconnects from the wifi. Again, I assumed this was an issue at the modem, but then I realized during the intermittent drops of signal, my wired devices had no issue at all.

This signal drop was infrequent at first. Now, it happens every few minutes and remains dead for up to 5 minutes at a time. Again, I checked my wired devices and they're just fine. The router itself doesn't indicate a problem, just that everything that isn't wired has disconnected.

Avoid this router at all costs. It'll save you a huge headache either immediately or in the near future.

Cheap wireless N routers do 150mbps

Good ones do 300mbps on both 2.4 and 5ghz range

Expensive ones get 300mbps on 2.4 and 450mbps on the 5ghz range

This router does 450mbps on BOTH 2.4 and 5ghz

Only 1 other router currently has this capability, a trendnet router, but it offers none of the user friendly capabilities as this one does. Its so fast, There are a very small number of wifi adapters that will even be able to utilize all 450mbps (most of them intel), so this router should remain top of the line for a good while.

If you are a router junkie, you might know that this router is a true upgrade to the renown WNDR3700 , rather then the WNDR4000. This router packs efficient high power amps on both the 2.4 and 5ghz antennas, meaning better throughput throughout the house and better signal and coverage. Whereas I used to get 3 bars in my room, I now get a full 5.

There is also a full host of features on this router,features any high end router has, such as gigabit connections, full range of led status lights, separate guest networks on both bands, etc.

Now, the router dosnt come with a CD, but that's a plus, you just open a webpage after connecting to the routerit will have a prebuilt SSID and password) and type in routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1 and press enter. There you will be directed to the "netgear Genie" program where you will have a host of things you can change from basic parameters to higher advanced functions. cool things this has is 2 usb ports which can connect printers and harddrives to your network and DLNA functionality. The Genie menu is very simplistic, with thumbnails of menus that actively changes statuses. There you can check everything, and they have a refined version of their "connected devices" list where you will see every device that is connected to the router (great for checking on intruders)

The physical aspect of this router is just as phenomenal. It comes with the clear base attached so its always standing, and its HUGE, well not that big, but bigger then most other routers. However its glossy meaning it will attract fingerprints. Even with it vertically standing, it has a firm foothold, meaning even with many Ethernet cables pulling on its back, it wont tip.

I took it apart and inside, whereas regular routers have one maybe 2 heatsinks, this one has 6 giant black heatsinks cooling off its cpu and ram blocks. While some other reviews may say there is a fan inside, there isnt, its all passive cooled which is good, it means you wont have dust clogging up the inside of your router. Also, the antennaes are patch antannes, which are taped onto the top half of the shell, so be careful removing it if you plan on taking it apart.

Going from the usual norm of atheros chips, the wndr4500 uses a Broadcom BCM4718 processor, the flagship of the Intensi-fi XLR family of router processors. and also ups the flash ram from the usual 64mb to 128mb.

Overall, this is a very expensive router, but you do get what you pay for. It fixes some of the problems of the previous crown holder, the WNDR3700, such as 5ghz connectivity and signal problems and upgrades the speed to a combined 900mbps on 6 spatial data streams. Saying this router is great for "HD streaming" or "gaming" would be the understatement of the year, it is networking overkill for many tasks. A definite buy if youhave the means to afford it.

Update----Sept.27,2011

After A week or two of testing out its capabilities heavily, i can say this is probably my new favorite router. I have not had a dropped connection yet, or random restarts whatsoever, even with 11 wifi devices connected to the router, traffic was not noticeable. So far so good! future firmware updates should make this router even better.

Recommended setting changes----

-If you dont have any wireless B devices (97% of us) you should set the preamble length to short preamble (under advanced setup-wireless settings tab), this will give a slight boost in thorough put

-while its tempting to set 2.4ghz to 450mbps, i mean, who dosnt want max speed? however 450mbpd uses channel bonding (40mhz channel width), which will cause interference with your neighbor's wifi signal and also your own if their channel happens to fall under yours. If your house has wifi congestion, i suggest using 217mbps mode, this will give you fast speed without interference on your network, and your neighbors will like you more. 450mbps on the 5ghz band however is recommended because the likely hood of any 5ghz signals is small, and to have that signal fall under your 5ghz channel only decreases the chance any problems will arise. My neighborhood for example has 17 2.4ghz signals, 3 jerks who use 40mhz channel widths, but not a single 5ghz user.

Update-5/19/12

-The router is still going strong, Since having it I have not had to reboot, even once!
-Firmware updates are not that helpful (except for the first one the boosted range of the 5ghz band), and also not frequent, maybe about one update per couple of months (and each one only fixes 1-2 specific bugs)
-Netgear needs to change their wifi policy, this router conforms to the "good neighbor" policy where it will automatically dial down wireless channel width when it detects other similar bands in the area, thus in the options, you can change the router to go "up to" 450mbps
-5ghz range while acceptable, wont go all the way to the end of the house

I am just listing most of the cons, otherwise, this is still an awesome router to get for the right price, though right now, there is a strong, possibly even better competitor, the ASUS RT-N66U Dual-Band Wireless-N900 Gigabit Router

^which uses mostly the same basic hardware but with upgrades to the memory and the antenna configuration, so check that out too!