Help with interpreting supported version

[trmvd]

Hello, OpenWRT community!

I would like to buy a cheap-to-modest cost router to play around with OpenWRT and to hone my network skills. I am completely new to OpenWRT, but I am an experienced Linux user and have no issues with CLI based workflows, so I feel relatively confident. However, the following questions remain. I realize that some of them are software-related, but since I'm not installing anything, yet, I'm posting it here.

Here we go.

I had a look at the extended table of hardware, which has a "Support Since Rel" column. One of the devices that I am having an eye on is the TP-Link AX23.
In the table, the "Support Since Rel" column is empty, and the "Supported Current Rel" lists snapshot. However, when I look at the respective download page for 23.05.2, I do find an entry tplink_archer-ax23-v1-squashfs-factory.bin.

1. Does that mean the ToH is wrong and the device has been supported by at least 23.05.2, or am I missing something?

Furthermore.

2. If a device is being supported by a stable version, can I assume that most/all features work? Or are there nuances, say like in the Wine project, where you have silver/gold/whatever-level-of support? If so, are there resources to look this up?

3. Does OpenWRT work like Linux kernel drivers? In the sense that it is reasonably safe to assume that once a device is supported, it will continue to be supported by upcoming releases?

4. What is the update philosophy with OpenWRT. Do I stick with a major version and will there be minor patches for this version, addressing security updates? Or should I keep updating the firmware to whichever version is the latest, accepting major version bumps?

Finally, there's also a column called "Version", which for the TP-Link device is v1.

4. What is the "Version" column? Is that the manufacturer's firmware version? Is it only possible to flash OpenWRT if the device is running on this version? If so, does the major version count or are minor version updates already critical?

Thanks a bunch for your help!

[frollic]

@trmvd

Does that mean the ToH is wrong

it is, but it's been fixed.

@trmvd

can I assume that most/all features work?

there are obviously bugs.
the rest is better explained by @slh, below.

@trmvd

safe to assume that once a device is supported, it will continue to be supported by upcoming releases?

it'll be supported until openwrt outgrows the device, Linux drops the hw support,
or there's major bug somewhere, causing the device to malfunction or even soft brick.

@trmvd

Do I stick with a major version and will there be minor patches for this version, addressing security updates? Or should I keep updating the firmware to whichever version is the latest, accepting major version bumps?

that's entirely up to you.

@trmvd

What is the "Version" column? Is that the manufacturer's firmware version?

hw revision.
some brands, like TP-link, release the same product using different versions, where hw changes have been made.

usually v1.X = v1, etc.

[slh]

@trmvd

If a device is being supported by a stable version, can I assume that most/all features work?

When asked in general, the answer would be a firm 'no' - you do have to read up the details on the corresponding device page. "Supported" in this sense only means that an image is available, it does not imply that e.g. the wireless is working (or xdsl/ cable modem, or phone features, or, ...) - it only means there's an image, it hopefully boots (not a given for old devices no one has tested in years) and usually that at least wired ethernet is functional. Not more, not less - for anything beyond that, you will have to check the details, closely.

[trmvd]

Thanks a bunch for your quick replies! That helps.