Please use this topic for hardware recommendations only.
For questions please open a new topic.
Thanks!
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This thread is great!
I'm after an enthusiast router but plan to disable the wifi (use unifi APs). Is there an option that has average or dodgy wifi, but strong CPU/ram?
Seems like the Linksys fits this bill? Any others?
Once again, since not everybody has seen it:
Please use this topic for hardware recommendations only.
For questions please open a new topic.
Thanks!
3 Likes
The speeds some of the OpenWRT gurus speak of overwhelm me. I don't understand how anyone has this type of network available in a home environment or what use you might find for such terrific speed. So living in a world where 20M is something that would be considered a futuristic expectation, my go-to box is the GLinet GL-AR150 (16/64M) selling at around $22US, which does everything I need. I keep one on top of the TV stand in Mexico for VPN service to US-only TV streaming accessories and any other device that needs a US IP, I keep another up on a pole connected to the back of my camper running Rooter (OpenWRT cell modem supported derivative from ofmodemsandmen.com) for pulling in cell signals and since that service is metered, even though 4G is becoming more available across the places I travel, I actually favor 3G to keep me from going over my data limit each month. In my suitcase I have another one with the USB connected to an Alpha device with Atheros AR9271 which is attached to a tube yagi and while backpacking and staying cheap hotels the Alpha and yagi pull in the distant wifi from the hotel office and the AR150 re-broadcasts in the room.
The GL-AR150 device is half the size of a pack of smokes and remains one of my all time favorite portable routers.
(Note I've just starting playing with the GL-AR300M 128/128M but at around $40US I'm not that interested especially with the lower ISP speeds I deal in and also since fast metered cell is more a nightmare for me than a bonus with today's severely limited data plans.)
Otherwise the most powerful router that I've dealt with to date is the Alpha Tube 2H (8/32M) (or try for new 2HP model with 16/64M) which I have feeding the short LMR-400 feeding a 24db parabolic for distant wifi reception. It sets you back around $80, unfortunately but well worth it. I have never tried it at the break-neck speeds some people boast about here, however.
Of course the most amazing router I've every played with that doesn't do much is the one which is the size of a USB memory stick and is priced around $7 US and that is the A5-V11 (4/16M) which does your basic OpenWRT stuff but in the smallest of small packages. (Note that ofmodemsandmen.com provides a Luci version with USB cell modem support for this and other 4/16M USB capible devices.)
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Fact is that your connection speed is an exception... Here in Italy we have AT LEAST 50/20 connected everywhere.
Given that I've tested it now pretty thoroughly under OpenWrt, ODROID H2 with its J4105 SoC and dual NICs. Very roughly a 12 cm cube and idles at well under 10 W with dual, Samsung SSDs. Enough power to comfortably build OpenWrt from scratch under Debian.
Prices in USD through Ameridroid:
- Board -- $115
- PSU -- $12
- Type 3 case -- $13 (Big enough for two SSDs)
- Fan -- $6
- 2x SATA data and power cable -- $8 (for 2x SSDs)
(RTC battery already included, power button superfluous as on-board button is easily accessible)
From a vendor of your choice, or "free" if a "take-off" from a laptop, MacMini, or the like:
- 4 or 8 GB of RAM -- $35 - 70
Storage -- Your choice of:
- USB stick -- $5 and up
- eMMC -- $13
- Cheap SSD -- $20
- Good SSD -- $50 (Be aware that mSATA doesn't work in the NVMe slot)
- Pair of good SSDs ...
I don't have the ODROID fan, so I can't comment on how quiet it is. The fan speed is under BIOS control. I needed it for just a breath of air for make -j4 of OpenWrt, though it seemed cool enough for day-to-day loads. The fan connector is not the standard 4-pin one. It is tiny (Molex PicoBlade fits), though you can adapt a suitable 92 mm, 5V, PWM/tach fan if you prefer (and have good eyes and steady fingers).
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Hi,
I already have a BT home hub 5 and it is a very good and cheap modem/router. However, its CPU is too low for openVPN and even if for wireguard.
I'm thinking to build a VPN router with a raspberry pi 3-4 or something equivalent with a budget 80-100 $. Another option is to buy a new modem/router with a strong CPU as netgear R7800 150-180 $. I would like to achieve as maximum 100 M bit/s in both directions.
In your opinion, what is the best solution?
A great topic for your own thread. You’ll get lots of specific opinions there.
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I'm surprised no one mentioned Fritzbox 4040. For around €70 you are getting a 4-core IPQ4018 device, meaning pretty much unlimited SQM and Wireguard.
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The design of the devices of that brand are HORRIBLE.
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I'm using avm 4040 and it's really stable with 18.06.4 
Just flashed this week (7/20), so only up for 2 days so far, no issues. Depending on the Board Rev., flashing without header pins for the Serial TTL -> USB cable is a bit challenging though.
I'm not sure I'd recommend the EA8500 at this point. I'm running into issues with it. If you have any advice it would be much appreciated. Linksys EA8500 U-Boot/Flashing Issue
It has great specifications but Belkin/Linksys have really hampered it from what I can tell.
Unique and alone. I didn't think so, but now I'm certain of it. The best device for OpenWRT is the LinkSYS WRT3200ACM. Although it is as old as a product, it is still the best that can be found on the market and is the real first in our beloved open source operating system. I also have a Turris Omnia, very noble, but which in reality does not hold the comparison in terms of power and adherence to the OpenWRT project. Perhaps Turris Omnia has the advantage of being modular and able to change it with different chasses, but the software, mixed OpenWRT and a proprietary open source system, called Turris OS, is quite a mess. The Linksys still has a perfect dual-core core supported throughout that handles my 1 Gbit/s GPON connection without any problems. I have connected 12 devices on three VLANs and all in WiFi both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Never any problem and 4K streaming on multiple TVs. Although it does not support the MU-MIMO in OpenWRT, it continues to be very powerful. The Turris Omnia is only very bitter in the mouth and has little satisfaction. I mention this not to discredit the Turris product, but because I was super enthusiastic about it, but I became disillusioned.
I advise against the wrt3200acm for OpenWrt, unless you know the short comings.
https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/issues/278 was a deal breaker for me. What a pita if the router doesn't just work? Just get a mt76 unit and avoid tech support headaches.
People are getting rid of it Replacing Linksys WRT3200ACM. It's a shame there is no clear cut best replacement.
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See also that mesh doesn't work with those drivers, as I understand it -- https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/issues?utf8=✓&q=is%3Aissue+802.11s
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I've read all that stuff. But I can't say anything else that the device is fully supported, except MU-MIMO). For me it works perfectly. I'm still using it now. My advice is based on the experience I had with two working OpenWRT versions and each type of Developer Preview, never had a problem.
Ok I am going to just open a can of worms and ask for some advice. 1U Server. It is generally known that while intel j1900 is the standard for x86 builds - I wanted to see if there is a better option. I did not intend to build another PC to serve as a server and I did not intend to buy a 10,000 cisco router. What I am seeing is that these generally use the denverton atom chip from the 300 to 3000 systems. If I wanted to build a gigabite switch capable of ips/ids or purchase a prebuilt one what are my options? I see these are generally the same and are common within the home router enthusiast market:
Netgear XG-7100
Neatgear SG-5100
Supermicro A1SRi
Once again, since not everybody has seen it:
Please use this topic for hardware recommendations only.
For questions please open a new topic.
Thanks!
5 Likes
Never mind the design and don't judge a book by its cover!
Like "amq" said: you will get a fast and reliable router, with enough RAM and flash for the next couple of OpenWRT releases.
And especially if you're living in Germany, you should take a close look at the 4040, because it blends in perfectly with the router that your ISP has most probably provided you with. Standing side by side in the shelf those two routers make an unbeatable team!
I just hit the annoying 2.4GHz issue with the WRT3200ACM. I am going to try the WMM 0 workaround but I dont know if it will cut down my N performance.