I want to buy a router available in my country

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
61

The Asus RT-AX53U is supported by openwrt :
https://git.openwrt.org/?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commit;h=8c00fd9b4519bf0ef8fb3470a6df421b9f38c03c

ramips: add support for ASUS RT-AX53U

Specifications:

  • Device: ASUS RT-AX53U
  • SoC: MT7621AT
  • Flash: 128MB
  • RAM: 256MB
  • Switch: 1 WAN, 3 LAN (10/100/1000 Mbps)
  • WiFi: MT7905 2x2 2.4G + MT7975 2x2 5G
  • Ports: USB 3.0
  • LEDs: 1x POWER (blue, configurable)
    3x LAN (blue, configurable)
    1x WAN (blue, configurable)
    1x USB (blue, not configurable)
    1x 2.4G (blue, not configurable)
    1x 5G (blue, not configurable)

Flash by U-Boot TFTP method:

  • Configure your PC with IP 192.168.1.2
  • Set up TFTP server and put the factory.bin image on your PC
  • Connect serial port(rate:115200) and turn on AP, then interrupt "U-Boot Boot Menu" by hitting any key
    Select "2. Upgrade firmware"
    Press enter when show "Run firmware after upgrading? (Y/n):"
    Select 0 for TFTP method
    Input U-Boot's IP address: 192.168.1.1
    Input TFTP server's IP address: 192.168.1.2
    Input IP netmask: 255.255.255.0
    Input file name: openwrt-ramips-mt7621-asus_rt-ax53u-squashfs-factory.bin
  • Restart AP aftre see the log "Firmware upgrade completed!"
62

I'm curious what for You need usb port in Your case?

63

for file sharing over his LAN i guess...someone said he need a USB port. But i agree :

I plan to run a VPN and a Network Attached Storage on it

a NAS would be connected in a RJ45 port :upside_down_face: it's not an USB external disk.

1 Like
64

To extend the flash storage. I read on this forum that we can extend the storage using external drive.

65

Yep, it make sense, asked because in most routers when You connect a disk at usb 3.0 port then 2.4 radio is useless. Because of this overpriced and not full feature suported i went to x86 router with pfsense and have only two access points with openwrt.

66

How about the NanoPi R5C ? (IND 10.000 ~ $120)
It can be configured for max $80 and leaves you with $40 for transports/customs.

Requirements:

  • 128mb or above flash and ram, because I plan to install a lot of packages :white_check_mark:
  • 2.4 and 5ghz wifi :white_check_mark:
  • I plan to run a VPN and a Network Attached Storage on it :white_check_mark:
  • Ceiling for the price is max 10,000 rupees :white_check_mark:

There is a forum thread here:

You can configure it here ( or aliexpress )
https://www.friendlyelec.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=290

R5C
R5C1100×650 65.4 KB

1 Like
67

When you're satisfied with FriendlyWRT and not adamant to use only OpenWrt (and the support from this forum), it might be an alternative.

68

Can you provide information on this or explain what you mean?

69

My bad, isn't OpenWRT supported on this one?

70

Usb 3.0 operates on frequency niear 2.4 radio so if usb lanes aren't properly shielded then usb signals are jaming 2.4. Radio signals, need realy nice and proper shielding, had this issue on couple of routers and my logitech g603 mouse...

2 Likes
71

Judge for yourself:

But there's no official build (yet).

1 Like
72

I'll leave that up to @devsoldier :wink: , but its good to know it not official yet.

73

About the R5C, it has 1 wifi module, does it mean it is either 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz but not dual band ?

74

It hasn't, but you can use one of the LAN port as WAN with the right configuration. So in a way, yes it has. :wink:

75

It depends on the wifi card you've plugged in. Most wifi cards can broadcast on the both bands but only one at a time. You are looking for a DBDC wifi card that can broadcast simultaneously on both bands. Of course it is also more expansive.

76

No, I'm very adamant to use OpenWRT.

77

It has OpenWRT with @mj82's build, its just not official yet.

78

Why isn't it official?

80

Can anyone just recommend a good router? I came here just for that.

81

try rereading the thread ...

1 Like