I'm wondering if anyone has/knows of a router that's cheaper then the NEXX MT3020 with the same functionality.

Price to beat is $15 (that's what I paid for the thing)

Reason for looking for an alternative is that NEXX violates the GPL of the uboot. (they are not sharing their sourcecode)

the basics:
2x WIFI transmitter (from the looks of it it also does 5GHz?)
2x LAN.
1xUSB
Uses only 5V 300mA (1.5Watt)
Has 4 available GPIO's
8MB ROM
64MB RAM

Preferred alternative would have the same connectivity.
But would have the Atheros brains and a honorable and trustworthy uboot.
The price would be about the same (Max $20 so that there is a low risk in case of bricking, or loosing it in the concrete jungle)  So ultimately it will be cheaper then $15.

I think it should be possible to find Atheros based hardware at this price. As they produce chips in the same quantities as mediatek.

I came across several atheros based devices like the TP-link 3020, but that one only has 1 LAN.

Note that this post is more specific then merely finding the cheapest hardware. I found even cheaper stuff (below $10) But not with the comparable hardware.

I'm curious is anyone has come across something that can make the NEXX obsolete.
I hope NEXX will realese the sourcecode of their changes to uboot, but it doesn't seem to be happening so i'm reluctant to use the NEXX hardware for anything that's connected to the web. It feels a bit like a windows box... You don't know if anyone else is browsing trough your data or using your hardware for doing something else.

Does not quite meet your price target at about $25, but it does have 16MB Rom, and there is a versions with an external antenna (hard to find and about $10 more) http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/gl-inet/gl-inet
It supposedly has a version of OpenWRT already installed.  http://www.gl-inet.com/w/?page_id=645
Hit the English button, which is not a translation of the page, but has more interesting technical stuff.

I know the NEXX WT3020 wiki says two radios, but translating the Chinese I do not see this, but the site is marginal http://www.nexx.com.cn/index.php/home/detail?pid=199

Here is the FCC stuff on the NEXX WT3020, there is a section about half way down that I think indicates 2 radios.
https://fccid.io/N28WT3020H

Manual is here, but no specs in it.
https://fccid.io/document.php?id=2241507

I'll have a look at the gl-inet, 16MB ROM sounds huge.
For me an external antenna is not a must,  But yes it is a nice extra. 

The NEXX has 2 PCB antenna's http://wiki.openwrt.org/_media/media/ne … .board.jpg
The 5GHz was indeed a mistake of me. At least I can't figure out why I have a memory about a 5GHz signal.
A few days ago scanned RF with an android app and i'm sure a 5GHz signal was present, but that was when the original firmware was still on it. ... I'm really confused at this point, I can't imagine the NEXX to have 5GHz, but then why is 5GHz in my memory. Oh well... I have been doing to many things at once.

The marginal info on Chinese sites is not the best marketing hehe.  I'm sure they would sell more to people like us when their info would have been more complete. And even more when they would honourably respect the GPL. (I hope the NEXX marketeers read along HINT HINT...)  I do like the NEXX but I will not buy another untill they release the sourcecode, and I also advice others not to buy the NEXX at this point in time. Unless they are absolutely sure it will not be connected to the web.  TP-Link and D-Link (both Chinese) they release the source code, so NEXX could do the same... The fact that they don't is enough to be alert.  Not saying that it's their intention, but we can't be sure without the sourcecode. (So why are people still trusting Microsoft????)

Ok, I'm going off-topic on my own topic HAHA

Thanks for those FCC links BTW!  Those PCB pictures can be helpful to identify the chips.  Would it be an idea to add these links to the wiki?

I just have ordered a D-Link DIR-505 for about $17 but that only has one RJ-45

(Last edited by frietpan on 22 Jul 2015, 21:47)

Can you please explain what the issue is with u-boot.?

I understand there is issue with the GPL, but not clear if this is a technical issue in that it somehow limits the ability to upgrade or use with OpenWRT or if, as you imply, there is a security  or just moral issue with this product. 

Thanks  RangerZ

NEXX made changes to their uboot, and that seems to have some security issues.
AND NEXX does violate the GPL because they don't share the sourcecode of the changes they made to the uboot

what the exact security flaw is, that is not clear to me.
there is also an alternative uboot but that one is in chinese or another language, and also no sourcecode available.  And maybe there is no security issue at all but without a source nobody knows.  So all in all that IS a security issue, when you don't have a way to verify if it is secure.     And only when the security is breached then you might be able to find the issue.  Please correct me when I'm wrong I'm no security specialist but this is how I understand the issue.

And to be honest the Moral issue is to me a bigger issue then merely a security flaw.  When you have the means to fix a security flaw then the flat is just a minor issue. When a moral issue disables you to be able to fix a flaw, then you have a big problem, you will be at the mercy of the control freak who violated the Licence

But you are free to live with the illusion that it is secure if that's what you want.

I'm still using the NEXX, but I will not connect it to the web. it will become a neighborhood bookshelf or something like that. a rogue AccessPoint with 6 GB of old books (very old books)

You had me excited looking for a $15 MT3020 with 2 ethernet port & 5Ghz, but nothing on google.  Did you made typo?  Are you talking about NEXX WT3020?  http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/nexx/wt3020

Back to your uboot concern, how will uboot attack if it only runs for a second to pass control to boot up the actual openwrt?

Yeah you need to have a little bit of luck to find a shop where it is on sale.

At the time that I ordered it  it was $15.
Just be a bit carefull from who you buy it, cheap shipping always a bit risky.  (and slow)

PS the 5GHz i'm still confused about myself i think it was a mistake, but i'm sure that the android app listed a channel in the 5GHz range when I was checking it (the original NEXX firmware then was still loaded)  But my brain is also a bit buggy so i can be very wrong!

I know very little about uboot, i'm all new to this, but from what i've read then I prefer not to trust it.  If you do trust it then thats ok for you. Still it is a big shame and not an honourable thing to brutally take the work of uboot and not share anything back. So just look for other brands that actually do play nice.  If i had known about the GPL violation beforehand then i would simply not have bought it. And when they eventually realise that sharing the source it's better for them as well then all will be ok.

The guys from uboot chose GPL for a reason, and they share it for free, and the chinese may even make money off of it! But they just should share back... And there is nothing wrong with supporting the GPL.

When you go to Network => wifi do you see 1 or 2 radios?

When you go into Edit for the SSID what do you see for info regarding the channels?

This will confirm the number of radios in the unit, as well as the 2.4/5 ghz issues.

Damn, I just have messed up my config...
I'm sorry i can't cheeck it out right away. I'm for the first time trying to figure out the failsafe mode...So please bear with me.  Or maybe you can ask someone else who also has a NEXX?  I really want to look because i also want to know if there are actually 2 radio's

OK i'm bach to the failsafe, if I can fix this quick then I will let you know my findings right away.

Guys the thing is now $13 @ Aliexpress
But the gl-inet is $22 and has a much nicer pcb.  i ordered one . it also has 16MB flashrom!! 

I hope that this will pull the price down a bit for atheros based box

I gained some access trough TTL

in /etc/config/wireless

there is only one radio ... wifi-device 'radio0'

So my apologies for my mistake, and thanks for the new insights!

Today i also received a D-link DIR-505 so i'm a bit distracted from my main project.
I got the idea to use the DIR-505 as main access point with firewall and also as powersupply, and use the Nexx as hotspot, USB stick webserver hotspot.

The advantage of this combo is:
A mains powersupply for the combo
Two  radio's  1 on each unit (Is this something for you RangerZ?)
Dual CPU (Atheros AR1311 and Mediatek 7620)

I have to make a RJ45 patchcable to connect the 505 LAN to the NEXX WAN then the whole combo can be strapped together in a nice compact wall hunchback.

eventually i can also strap the GL-iNet 6416 to the NEXX LAN... but i'm not sure if the 505's PSU is happy with all the load hehehe.
Multicore micro mainframe... :-D

I'll try to make a picture when i get home. (if i'm not to tired..)

Now, back to NoDog config....

I am not sure what your goals are, but I think that they are fixed location. 

Mine goal is portability, and that's just too many pieces.  I am currently thinking about the Kingston G2 http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/kingston/mlwg2 .  I can add my second radio via wireless USB, it has an SD card for media and most importantly is battery powered.  I do give up the WAN port.

It's still pretty compact when you consider it includes the power supply, 2xradio, 2xCPU, 2x 64MB RAM, 2x8MB ROM.

http://s30.postimg.org/j44s98nap/20150816_204843.jpg

True it's not as compact as a single NEXX, but a NEXX + PSU is not THAT much smaller either.

My goal at this point is just exploring options. I'm building a simple wifi  webserver that loads from USB With nodogsplash to capture and redirect so that there is no need to give people an URL. 
A bit like the piratebox, but without the upload and chat functionality.  Though  I'm still fighting with nodogsplash.. 
For the GL-iNet i'm going to use Piratebox
and the DIR-505 just a Basic OpenWRT install for now.

The GL-iNet I like most. It comes with OpenWRT pre-installed, and has a UART header. So for OpenWRT it's a very easy way to get started. (and it is more easy to pop open without  doing optical damage)

That Kingston looks very hackable with all the headers and buttons. How long does 1 battery charge last?

I have not bought the Kingston, but the spec sheet says up to 13.  My guess is 9 based on what my HooToo uses.

Did you now have the Gl.inet?

Yes I also have the GL-iNet. I'm using that as piratebox at the moment.  And since the GL-iNet comes with OpenWRT that was pretty easy to get piratebox up and running. maybe a bit to easy? 
I'm looking into using the GPIO pins to connect an Arduino. Or some LED light stuff to use it as a domotica control etc.  But first i have to finish my current idea. :-) it is sooooo easy to get destracted.

Please consider creating a new Post for "Gl.iNet 6416A" and sharing your experience from ordering (how long) through install, including what OpenWRT version and exactly what was and was not configured, as best you can recall.  Also if you have opened it, please check your device against the wiki and see if there are any internal differences.  If so please add some info on this.  I read somewhere that there was a change and not sure if it is physical. (change related to calibrating the radios).  Also. please include in this post or a separate one your Pirate Box experiment.  I am more curious.  I really do not see the point of why you want a separate box.

There are inquiring minds on this device, and a few others that I have suggested to try this.

Hmm ok, i'll give it a go. I have to ask my friend who ordered it how long it actually shipped etc.
True it is a bit overhead to link two boxes together but the NEXX + 505 where together actually cheap. $29

I still have to figure out how much load 1 box can handle.  But lets say at a conference someone gives an opportunity to connect to a router / chat  to ask questions on the go.   Can it then handle 1000 (or more) active logins? :-D

Just watched a conference where Jake Applebaum asked people to write down questions and pass the papers while the talk was going..  I found it pretty low tech for a hi-tech talk...  Why didn't they use a Piratebox on stage...  I'm pretty sure the room was full with cellphones....  But yea.. maybe it should be encrypted...  I think this could be a great way to get MORE questions in such situation. And filter out the best ones.  Not only the questions from the few people at the end of the talk.  (I hope anyone reads this who can use this)