Outdoor router suggestions 802.11s Mesh

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hi

I'm involved in an engineering project, looking for an outdoor router (i.e. weather resistant) for mesh configuration using 802.11s and OpenWRT. Does anyone have any suggestions please? Optionally, if it supports 4G/5G connection that might be useful.

Some initial requirements i've gathered below, but am flexible, thanks.

"Router shall be ruggedised where possible or at least constructed for outdoor use and IP 65 minimum Ingress protection
(e.g. mounted to exterior of a vehicle)"
Router shall be Configurable for Mesh networks using 802.11s as a Gateway to replicate a Mobile ad hoc Network (MANET) type network
Router shall have OpenWRT system for open and easier configuration
Router WiFi shall be minium WIFI 6 (2.5 anf 5 Ghz) with higher performing operating range where possible
Router shall be able to use BATMAN-adv protocol to for internode connectivity and network healing
Shall be able to connect data to several remote small device WiFi Mesh nodes such as GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX or similar
Shall optimise network connectivity for example using 802.11/r/k/v
Looking for similar Mesh network capabilities found in GL.iNet GL-MT6000

2

you'll probably have a hard time finding a rugged router and modem combo.

put Yes in the OutDoor column.

NR7101 for the outdoor modem part.

3

Thanks , didnt know how to customise the search , i will take a look at the Zyxel NR7101

4

Note that in almost all regions, outdoor use of 5GHz is very restricted or not allowed.
A good reference.

5

actually, the Cudy LT700 Outdoor LTE/router PR just got merged - https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/pull/24689, only 4G though.

6

image
image953×914 63.2 KB

Thanks, could not spot this model in the current device list, does it have another name perhaps?

7

ToH works in mysterious ways.

8

if you need a built-in 4g/5g modem, it’s worth checking out teltonika devices with poe. they're built like tanks with metal casings, small enough to drop into a weather-proof enclosure, and are widely used for outdoor events.

a solid pick is the teltonika rutx50 https://www.teltonika-networks.com/products/routers/rutx50 it’s based on the ipq40xx chipset running ath10k drivers, which plays nicely with openwrt mesh. it features a 4g/5g modem alongside dual-band wi-fi (2.4 ghz and 5 ghz), though note that the wi-fi is 2x2 mimo.

if teltonika is out of budget, you could look into hpe aruba or cisco meraki hardware. just be sure to double-check their wireless driver support with openwrt first, or ask around here to see how stable mesh performance is on those specific models.

There is a thread about wireless here WiFi chipset + driver detection script – works with radios enabled or disabled. Please show your test outputs! (Nov 2025)” - #354 by bluewavenet if you look thought it, it can tell you what wireless drivers are supported for mesh for example, see MeshPoint": "802.11s and there will be others too for k and v.

  "Chipset": "Qualcomm Atheros QCA9984/QCA988x/QCA986x series (PCI)",
    "Bands": [
      "5GHz"
    ],
    "Standards": [
      "802.11ac",
      "802.11n"
    ],
    "MeshPoint": "802.11s"
9

not very out door:ish in itself though, if you add the water proof case + antennas, things will get expensive, don't even get me started on the heat issues.

10

Thanks ,I will look through these suggestions in a bit more detail. I have been in touch with Teltonika , they support 802.1s mesh but not Batman-adv. I think like many products i am finding, it might be possible to use OpenWRT with some features im looking for , but I'm getting into "unsupported territory" or DIY work which is not ideal (i.e Plan B). Also, some companies suggesting using there own firmware updates (with additional development costs) only, due to firmware compatibility with 4G/5G and drivers.

11

if you use stock firmware and "mesh", all openwrt compatibility goes out the window.

12

Some Routers are based on OpenWRT as far as i understand like GL.Inet products , so look great candidates, apart from they are not suitable for outdoors.
I would hope if Mesh is configured using OpenWRt packages (along with BATMAN-adv) that different router products would be able to interwork with each other?
I've been looking at this EZR34T

CPU Chipset: MTK7621AT MIPS1004Kec

Some promising feedback from their support people so far.

13

99% of all routers are "based on OpenWRT", even the unsupportable ones, so it doesn't really mean/say anything.

unless the OpenWRT is DLed from "here", there's no such guarantee, I would rather assume they can't.

14

Ok so in summary , despite common features and configuration options and firmware "based on OpenWRT", different routers (e.g. GL.Inet GL-MT3000 with OutdoorRouter EZR34T-E520), may not work together unless they are running the same level/ version of OpenWRT from openwrt.org ? As an engineering project I will need to do alot of "trial and hope" tasks it seems ...

15

for basic networking they obviously do, for the advanced stuff, like mesh, no.

16

Hmm ok, my main goal is Mesh network with 802.11s and Batman-adv e.g
Mesh setup

17

from the video:

image
image1920×364 67.8 KB

kmod-batman-adv, those 3rd party "openwrt" devices will most likely not ship with it.

there's no repo to DL it from (vendors apply the fire and forget strategy), and since kmods are bound to the kernel version, you'd have to reach out to each hw vendor and request the SDK (which they might or might not provide), to be able to build a kmod matching the kernel running on the device or the whole "openwrt" image with the kmod included.

just forget it.

18

I think its worth pursuing with the vendor (OutdoorRouter )as they have said those Batman modules can be installed or pre built by them . It would be an experimental project based on some support and trial equipment i think

19

go ahead, keep in mind they'll be supporting you when/if stuff fails, not us.

their code base, their firmware, their responsibility.

20

I wasnt suggesting Open WRt would be respsonsible or to blame if things dont work . As i said its an experiemental / commercial project, with staged tasks and tests. An alternative approach could be to use OpenWRT only software (if available for the hardware) from here , though 4g/5G functionality might be trickier (though is not a hard requirement initially)