TP-Link Archer A7 v5, keep OpenWrt or flash back TP-Link Firmware?

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hello Community, I have two TP-Link Archer A7 v5 that is currently flashed with OpenWrt 23.05.2 with custom set of packages built using ImageBuilder.

ImageBuilder Command:

make image PROFILE="tplink_archer-a7-v5" PACKAGES="-ath10k-firmware-qca988x-ct -kmod-ath10k-ct base-files busybox ca-bundle dnsmasq dropbear firewall4 fstools kmod-ath9k kmod-gpio-button-hotplug kmod-nft-offload kmod-usb-ledtrig-usbport kmod-usb2 libc libgcc libustream-mbedtls logd luci mtd netifd nftables odhcp6c odhcpd-ipv6only opkg ppp ppp-mod-pppoe procd procd-seccomp procd-ujail swconfig uboot-envtools uci uclient-fetch urandom-seed urngd wpad-basic-mbedtls ath10k-firmware-qca988x kmod-ath10k-smallbuffers luci-app-opkg luci-app-sqm luci-app-ddns luci-app-ttyd luci-app-wol luci-app-attendedsysupgrade ip-full ethtool ca-certificates ca-bundle openssh-sftp-server vsftpd-tls block-mount e2fsprogs dosfstools kmod-fs-ext4 kmod-fs-vfat kmod-usb-storage kmod-usb2 nano wget-ssl curl bridge htop arp-scan arp-scan-database kmod-macvlan kmod-ipvlan kmod-veth zerotier https-dns-proxy luci-app-https-dns-proxy speedtestcpp"

I have replaced those devices with Belkin RT3200's. I would like to give each of the Archer A7's to my relatives (different persons) to use as their primary router.

The problem is that both the persons are not tech savvy and OpenWrt LuCi interface is not exactly easy to use for beginners. There's nothing like a quick setup feature wherein the user can enter the PPPoE Username and Password (most ISPs use PPPoE here) and set the WiFi SSID and Password and forget about it.

I won't be able to manage the devices remotely and will be able to provide only limited support if any issues arise.

On the other hand, TP-Link's OEM Firmware UI is mush easier for non tech savvy users to navigate who just want a set and forget device.

OpenWrt Pros (my opinion):

  1. Updated Kernel and Packages. Includes Security Fixes.
  2. CAKE or fq_codel SQM.
  3. Open Source WiFi Drivers with Make-WiFi-Fast fixes (fd_codel; AQL on WiFi).
  4. Stable PPPoE Connection (the last time I used the OEM Firmware, PPPoE was a bit unstable).
  5. Customizable and ability to add packages and features, only limited by processor, RAM and storage space. Features like dns-over-https (https-dns-proxy), OpenVPN Client and Wireguard that are not supported by TP-Link Firmware, are available in OpenWrt Firmware.

OpenWrt Cons (my opinion):

  1. Not Quick Setup interface / wizard. Not easy for beginners and non tech savvy persons.
  2. Reduced performance due to lack of Hardware Offloading (NAT etc.) (doesn't matter if using SQM).

TP-Link Firmware Pros (my opinion):

  1. Availability of Quick Setup wizard guides beginners and non tech savvy persons to get device up and running.
  2. Hardware Offloading (NAT etc.).

TP-Link Firmware Cons (my opinion):

  1. Old Kernel and Packages. Missing Security Fixes. No more updates from TP-Link.
  2. Lack of CAKE or fq_codel SQM.
  3. Proprietary WiFi Firmware.
  4. Somewhat unstable PPPoE Connection (last I checked).
  5. No ability to add packages or features. Only provides OpenVPN Server, no OpenVPN Client functionality. No Wireguard VPN Client / Server functionality.

So, what do you guys think? Should I keep the Archer A7's on OpenWrt 23.05.2 or subsequent releases, or flash back TP-Link OEM Firmware?

EDIT: I think this issue is also in general raised by @richb-hanover-priv at Best "newcomer routers" - 2024.

2

Will your relatives manage their network themselves, or will you do it for them?
If they will do it, and are not tech savy, then the OEM firmware maybe the best solution. If you will manage the networks, than keep OpenWrt as I assume you know it very well.

I'm in this case myself, I manage relatives' networks. I have installed their networks, and keep updating their routers from time to time. So of course I have installed OpenWrt everywhere.

3

I am already managing devices at my immediate relatives. Including my own devices and my immediate relatives, the devices I am managing are:

  1. GL.iNet GL-MT6000 Flint 2. OpenWrt MAIN SNAPSHOT. Quantity 2 (different countries and ISPs).
  2. Dynalink DL-WRX36. OpenWrt MAIN SNAPSHOT. Quantity 2 (different locations and ISPs).
  3. Belkin RT3200 (UBI, Installer v1.1.0, FIP-in-UBI). OpenWrt MAIN SNAPSHOT. Quantity 3 (One Router and Two Access Points, Same Location and ISP). Two of these Belkin RT3200 replaced the Archer A7's at this location.

The ones I am planning to give these Archer A7's are my distant relatives and I neither have the bandwidth nor the desire to take responsibility for managing their networks (especially if internet is down while they are working from home / remotely).

If OpenWrt was manageable by my relatives themselves, I would of course prefer / keep OpenWrt.

1 Like
4

There are alternative OpenWrt based firmwares which might better suit your intended requirements such as Gargoyle (A7v5 supported; see also this thread on these forums).