Well, time goes bye and I cannot access my test router via ssh anymore. So please forgive to ask something with such an old firmware.
I just would like to have a simple info, if my TP-LINK Archer C7 v5 supports Mesh.
According to Hardware recommendations for mesh network (802.11s) - #2 by ulpian it should.
I am only interested in doing a command like this. Can I query this via the webinterface too?
root@mir4a:~# iw list | grep "Supported interface modes" -A 9
That device has no problem to run 23.05.2, so just do the upgrade first, now - it's really important for security reasons.
Try using the -oHostKeyAlgorithms=+ssh-rsa option, like this:
ssh -oHostKeyAlgorithms=+ssh-rsa root@mir4a
Then immediately upgrade to 23.05 as @slh says. One reason being the ssh-rsa algorithm has been deprecated in OpenSSH since 8.2 (released in 2020).
Since you answered my questions about a new router, I will do the upgrade, when there is a new concept for my local net.
I want to do the query only and then it is shut down.
Short answer, it can do mesh, however only with the non-default (mainline) ath10k kmod/ firmware, not with ath10k-ct (which only supports mesh starting with wave2 hardware, while yours is wave1; ath10k can do it on either chipset generation).
...still, take the opportunity to upgrade.
Looks good for mesh, have a few routers like this laying around.
root@C7v5-S:~# iw list | grep "Supported interface modes" -A 9
Supported interface modes:
* IBSS
* managed
* AP
* AP/VLAN
* monitor
* mesh point
* P2P-client
* P2P-GO
* outside context of a BSS
--
Supported interface modes:
* managed
* AP
* AP/VLAN
* monitor
* mesh point
Band 2:
Capabilities: 0x19ef
RX LDPC
HT20/HT40
root@R7800:~# iw list | grep "Supported interface modes" -A 9
Supported interface modes:
* managed
* AP
* AP/VLAN
* monitor
* mesh point
Band 1:
Capabilities: 0x19ef
RX LDPC
HT20/HT40
--
Supported interface modes:
* managed
* AP
* AP/VLAN
* monitor
* mesh point
Band 2:
Capabilities: 0x19ef
RX LDPC
HT20/HT40
Is it a good idea to use a router without WPA3?
Not sure for what I could use them. So the Archer C7 is problematic, what about the Netgear R7800 and the similar Zyxel?
It can do WPA3, at least in current OpenWrt versions.
It's a solid router, not high-end by today's standards, but solid - supporting all important features.
Oh thanks, I didn't know this. Do I have to do the upgrade and WPA3 works, or do I have to do configurations.
What about mesh with the Netgear R7800? Problematic too?
Can I use a mesh with mixed Features, I mean the new routers will be able to do Wifi 6 / AX, the old ones don't.
So would you recommend to replace the Archer C7 when Mesh is wanted?
I have to decide at Black Friday week how much devices I have to buy.
In short, is it very complex to setup the Archer C7 with mesh? I thought to replace the C7 with Asus RT-AX53U. The C7 is used a few times a year, or maybe the whole year not.
If you upgrade to 23.05.2, WPA3 works out of the box - don't ask me about 18.06, half a decade ago (and I'm personally using master snapshots, rather than release builds), which makes it hard for me to remember when exactly it has been introduced.
Should work with ath10k kmod/ firmware (it might have some quirks, but it's worth testing nevertheless).
You can mix wifi5 and wifi6, including for mesh.
It is not necessary to replace it to gain mesh features - and I'd certainly have a go with it using current 23.05.2 first, after all it's already on your desk and 'free' (already paid for years ago). I wouldn't buy one in 2023, as there are better options now -and wifi5 vs wifi6 means roughly doubling the performance (in case of the archer c7 probably even tripling it)- but if you already own it, give it a try.
Disclaimer: I'm not a mesh specialist, but…
The mesh setup will be the same for both, no difference.
The only additional complexity involves upgrading to 23.05.2 first (one time effort) - and then replacing ath10k-ct kmod and firmware with its non-ct ath10k equivalents (opkg, on the running/ upgraded router).
The specs of the RT-AX53U appear to be quite decent, your choice (if you want wifi6).
When it comes to mesh, the only requirement is using the non-ct firmware either with mainline or ct driver.
On wave2 the ct firmware seemingly works with mesh, but it’s buggy af though, so just stay with the mainline firmware and you’ll be good.
Thanks and I am asking again for the Netgear R7800, it was a very good device years ago. If you don't know it, please tell me.
You know Black Friday is tomorrow and I have to pay, but I can send back devices till end of January. Still don't know what I need exactly and when performance is necessary and when not.
Mainly I am connecting some devices via Ethernet to a router / repeater because the performance is a lot better then. So the discussed D-Link range extender in my other thread, where you answered, is one option. I am thinking on buying 2 Asus RT-AX53U or maybe use instead the R7800 and the Zyxel Armor Z2.
Yes. R7800 works really well with mesh.
Maybe you can have a look at my hardware recommendation thread.
Is it easy to setup a mesh with these 3 models:
ASUS TUF Gaming AX4200 Wifi 6
D-Link DAP-X1860 AX1800
Asus RT-AX53U
I prefer simple installations and paying some money for new hardware. But If I can do a lot of configuration with the new hardware too, I will try to use some old hardware.
Probably at the end, it doesn't count if I get one model working, the next would be easy probably.
Almost all OpenWrt routers from the past decade support mesh (as long as they use wifi hardware that is well supported, so Broadcom is one of the few exceptions) and the configuration is the same.
It still is (r7800 and armor z2 are virtually the same), for the performance ceiling it can bring to the table.
Talking about which is 'better', is a different topic and harder to answer...
If you want a device that surpasses on all levels, look at filogic 830 (best option).
If you want a device that combines and (almost) meets the performance of either ipq8065 or mt7621a+mt7915DBDC, mt7622bv+mt7915 will do.
Would I buy an archer c7 today, no, not for any price (but I'd continue using one, if I had one).
Would I buy an r7800/ nbg6817 today, maybe, if the price is right (I bought an nbg6817 when they were new on the market, I've been happy with it) - but filogic 830 or ipq8072a would be first in line, that's what they'd have to (considerably-) beat in price.
Would I buy filogic 830 based devices (e.g. https://git.openwrt.org/?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commitdiff;h=e7c399bee677e9bac66e1bea697aefb8d828edfe or https://git.openwrt.org/?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commitdiff;h=d522ccecb28f941aadcaf7a50cd6daa861f468a7), yes<fullstop>.
Would I replace my ipq807x based device with a filogic 830 based one? I'd like to give it a try, but from an economical point of view that doesn't make sense to me, doesn't mean that a good offer couldn't tempt and maybe convince me - but filogic 880 is lingering in the shadows already.
Only you can decide what makes sense for your situation.
Of course, the question simply is, what bargains are available at Black Friday. You helped me a lot with the decision that I can get WPA3 with updates. This makes me think it all over again. But at the end I need especially devices directly in the power outlet like the D-Link DAP-X1860
I have an old Netgear EX6150v2 which fits in the power outlet:
root@EX6150v2:~# iw list | grep "Supported interface modes" -A 9
Supported interface modes:
* IBSS
* managed
* AP
* AP/VLAN
* monitor
* mesh point
* P2P-client
* P2P-GO
* P2P-device
--
Supported interface modes:
* IBSS
* managed
* AP
* AP/VLAN
* monitor
* mesh point
* P2P-client
* P2P-GO
* P2P-device
It is used to replace the internal wifi of a dvb-linux-box. Any known problems with mesh?
Can I use the Archer C7 as wireless bridge only and without mesh, while the others use mesh?