New NetGear R7800 - Where to start

Installing and Using OpenWrt
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I’d recommend hynman’s build for the r7800. If you like the latest features select his master build sysupgrade package from his drop box. If you want a “stable“ build that is slower / gets less updates look to 19.07. Features are on the first post: Build for Netgear R7800

Post your wireless settings and a dsl speedtest of what your internet looks like - we can probably help. Put your router high and not obstructed by any large furniture.

For wifi settings:
-pick a single non DFS channel
-Pick a transmission power that is allowed for your country (Towards the higher end of what’s allowed)
-5ghz is much faster than 2.4ghz - use 5ghz for the devices you listed. Use different SSIDs for 5ghz and 2.4ghz. Use 2.4ghz for internet of things / low bandwidth devices.
-turn off legacy rates if you have all newer devices (last 5 years)
-consider a prime number for a beacon interval like 101. Theoretically could minimize collisions if there are other 5ghz networks nearby.

For DNS I found my ISP had the fastest / best DNS for my case (the default)

Here are my r7800 settings that work well:


root@OpenWrt:~# cat /etc/config/wireless

config wifi-device 'radio0'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option channel '36'
        option hwmode '11a'
        option path 'soc/1b500000.pci/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
        option htmode 'VHT80'
        option txpower '22'
        option legacy_rates '0'
        option country 'US'
        option beacon_int '101'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio0'
        option device 'radio0'
        option network 'lan'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ft_over_ds '1'
        option ssid '*********'
        option ft_psk_generate_local '1'
        option key '************'
        option ieee80211r '1'
        option encryption 'psk2+ccmp'
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