I'm currently looking for a OpenWrt flash-able router that I can use with CenturyLink as a modem for my vDSL connection. I've noticed that most companies have moved towards all-in-one router/modem devices, and standalone modems seem to be hard to find these days. The only ones that seem to be are cable and mabe fiber but thats not what I have at this moment.
My goal is to find a router that is compatible with CenturyLink, which I can configure to disable the wireless functionality and use solely as a modem. If possible, I would prefer models that are readily available in stores.
Could anyone recommend specific models that meet these criteria? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!
there're currently a few models which are supported by OpenWrt.
Not (yet) in this list is the AVM Fritz!Box 7530, which also works fine with OpenWrt.
I assume, you're in the USA?
I don't know if any of them are available in any shops near you.
Some models are offered on ebay, but shipping might be quite expensive.
Yeah I have one of those and it is utter trash they use non common chipsets due to post COVID supply chain issues and have generally buggy firmware issues.
Why do I need "Transparent Bridging" to use a third party modem/router?
I was under the impression I could just put in the PPPoE credentials and it would work?
Take in mind I'm somewhat new to networking and also limited to this ISP for right now.
Most of the listed models are quite ancient, with just barely enough storage for recent OpenWRT releases and not really powerful processors.
So that depends on the data speed your ISP offers or you want to use.
If it's (way) below 100 MBit/s, they might be sufficient, but for higher speeds you need something more powerful.
For third party modem, without getting a modem that has a built in VDSL. Of which there are limited device support.
As mentioned above. If you're below 100mbps or 300mbps you'll have options on VDSL2. But if we're talking a 300mb+ VDSL2 connection I am unaware of options that run openwrt.
Also what's the budget here?
My TL;DR is if your current modem can do bridge mode and can do your speed. Bridge that. Else buy the cheapest used vdsl2 modem supported by your carrier that will do bridge mode. Else you might just have to put up with double nat or some other compromises?
Im now going to copy paste from my responses in another recent VDSL2 thread....
You need to find something that supports the band profiles / band plan and minimum feature set that your carrier supports. For example if your carrier requires. G.Vector, nonstandard G.vector, G.inp etc.
