It seems like the vast majority of hardware topics are about routers and access points. What about switches? Given the lack of threads, can the router mitigate any privacy and security concerns of a switch?
Can OpenWRT turn a router into a managed switch?
Yes, you can use OpenWrt to make a supported router with a built in switch into a managed switch.
What is your concern re: security and switches?
And yes, there are quite a few realtek based switches supported by OpenWrt as well, ranging from 8-52 ports (1 GBit/s switches are easy and well supported, >>1 GBit/s switches need a bit more attention and are still under rapid development).
It's just a general statement. I'm sure most people here are concerned about privacy and security. Supposedly Asus and TP-Link have had security issues. I think Asus needs an account for certain features. Total privacy mess.
It seems like all other vendors with managed layer 2 switches need a controller. How do I do that with OpenWRT? Will this OpenWRT switch be capable of applying VLANs on a per-port basis?
What's the best hardware to get to turn into a switch? GL.iNet Flint 2?
Which ones? I'm also interested in PoE if possible.
Ideally, it'll be a small 4-5 port switch.
Are there any privacy concerns using an OpenWRT router with Ubiquiti UniFi access points? I will need a controller though.
How is the switch OS an issue, but the access point OS and controller is not?
Look at OpenSOHO to manage APs that put multiple VLANs on separate SSIDs. Then you can replace AP OS and controller, too.
ZyXEL GS1900-8HP, among others.
I never said it's not. I'm worried about them all! So what are you guys doing about it?
If your setup is basic router + switch + some wired access points, that you all want to run OpenWRT to keep it simply, then look at OpenSOHO from @rubenbe
Manually configure router+switch for now. Fire up OpenSOHO, configure your VLAN + SSID then join the APs and have them all configured automatically.
The documentation is still lacking. I tested automatically joining freshly flashed OpenWRT APs with a custom uci-defaults defaults script added via the firmware selector => https://github.com/rubenbe/opensoho/discussions/1#discussioncomment-14169880
A writeup of your journey would be appreciated.
Is OpenSOHO designed for integration with OpenWRT?
That's a great idea, and I'm looking into it. Any performance issues with the ZyXEL despite the weak SoC? Which other switch would be well-suited with OpenWRT?
Compared to what?
Something tells me you didn't check the other alternative options, nor https://openwrt.org/supported_devices/openwrt_on_switches_faq.
Sorry, but I'm totally new to this. So looking at your link, it doesn't seem that I'll have to worry about the SoC's performance as it'll be fine as a switch?
Your link also says PoE doesn't work with the GS1900-EP24. Didn't someone say PoE works?
yes, OpenSOHO is designed to manage DumbAPs running OpenWRT
OpenSOHO is built to manage a small number OpenWRT based network devices. Hence the name SOHO from Small Office Home Office (SOHO) Networks.
Put the router, in router mode...
Ignore WAN
or
Configure it as another LAN port; if allowed.
It's a switch, with a radio or few...
Turn them off.
????