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Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

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Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#181

Post by occoder »

mastazi wrote: post #140

> Maybe it's finally time to build my own router Can anyone link a good "getting started" guide for this? I have experience managing servers but not managing network appliances, so I'm looking for a relatively gentle intro... Edit: I'm not asking about how to install OpenWRT on an existing router, I'm looking for a guide on how to build a router from general purpose hardware - in the same way that you can build your…

I followed these fine articles [1] [2] to build my own router running Linux on a mini PC.

[1] https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/01/numbers-dont-lie-its...

[2] https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/04/the-ars-guide-to-bui...

The WiFi card in my mini PC turned out not to support access point mode, so I use separate WiFi routers as my access points. I could've replaced the WiFi card and run an access point on the mini PC too, but didn't bother because I needed multiple access points anyway to cover my house.

There's no fancy GUI to mange my router though, everything is done on the command line.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#182

Post by kiwijamo »

petre wrote: post #24
andrewxdiamond wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> So after the Ubiquiti debacle… I was in this same boat, but did you know that data breach was completely fabricated by a disgruntled employee? They didn’t actually leak any data or had any real breach. It’s still not great that this was doable, but at some level, someone has to have the keys to the kingdom. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29411775 I think Ubiquiti makes really nice gear for prosumers, and it i…

We have an EdgeRouter. The firmware is super annoying, I couldn't get it to do everything that I want, boring stuff that is easy with FreeBSD or OpenBSD and PF, Linux or Mikrotik for that matter. IPv6 also is only configurable from the console. The hardware us good though, does lots of pps. Too bad its ruined by annoying software.

I was able to enable IPv6 through the web interface when I used an EdgeRouter about a year or so ago. Even some of the Wizards turns it on for you if you want (IIRC) although you can go into the manual configuration to set it up. I ended up switching to Microtik due to my unease with Ubiqiti. Have to say however I found it more difficult to set up IPv6 on the Microtik, so another point for the EdgeRouter's IPv6 support there.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#183

Post by int_19h »

synergy20 wrote: post #41

Buy routers that can work with Openwrt, period. TP-Link actually has quite a few(not the newest models though, but the not-newest-model should work for 95% of the customers) that runs openwrt well. All my routers are running non-vendor firmware(e.g. openwrt) for the last 15 years, never had any troubles.

What do people think of Maxwell?

https://www.crowdsupply.com/andy-haas/maxwell

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#184

Post by mastazi »

occoder wrote: post #181
mastazi wrote: post #140

> Maybe it's finally time to build my own router Can anyone link a good "getting started" guide for this? I have experience managing servers but not managing network appliances, so I'm looking for a relatively gentle intro... Edit: I'm not asking about how to install OpenWRT on an existing router, I'm looking for a guide on how to build a router from general purpose hardware - in the same way that you can build your…

I followed these fine articles [1] [2] to build my own router running Linux on a mini PC. [1] https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/01/numbers-dont-lie-its... [2] https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/04/the-ars-guide-to-bui... The WiFi card in my mini PC turned out not to support access point mode, so I use separate WiFi routers as my access points. I could've replaced the WiFi card and run an access point on the mini…

Thank you! I have had a look at both article! My situation is similar to yours as I'm thinking that perhaps I will not have WiFi on it. Also based on the first of the two articles, it seems that wireless cards for PC are not that great when you use them as access points. (I wonder if the situation has changed at all since 2016 though).

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#186

Post by occoder »

mastazi wrote: post #184
occoder wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I followed these fine articles [1] [2] to build my own router running Linux on a mini PC. [1] https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/01/numbers-dont-lie-its... [2] https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/04/the-ars-guide-to-bui... The WiFi card in my mini PC turned out not to support access point mode, so I use separate WiFi routers as my access points. I could've replaced the WiFi card and run an access point on the mini…

Thank you! I have had a look at both article! My situation is similar to yours as I'm thinking that perhaps I will not have WiFi on it. Also based on the first of the two articles, it seems that wireless cards for PC are not that great when you use them as access points. (I wonder if the situation has changed at all since 2016 though).

WiFi cards for PC will probably always make crappy access points, not least because the antenna they come with can't compete with those on consumer WiFi routers.

They could totally work if you only need to cover something like a small apartment and don't need top speed.

But separate WiFi access point is probably the way to go, I'd made sure to get ones that could run OpenWRT.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#187

Post by hatware »

If you've never tried a prosumer router, TP-Link is a great intro. I recommend a standalone router with a standalone access point, rather than a combo like we see so often on the consumer side. I'm so glad I got an ER605 to tinker with while waiting for my Mikrotik to come in.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#188

Post by 3np »

m-p-3 wrote: post #68
3np wrote: post #39

A bit of a tangent, but I recently discovered GL.iNet[0] and ordered a couple of routers and hotspots. HK vendor for network devices running forked OpenWRT with a bunch of extras and customization. I haven't had the time to dive deep enough into all of the code yet, but so far I'm very optimistic. Not perfect; some of the more interesting functionality (like site-to-site VPN) is tied to a proprietary closed SaaS with…

Oof, I was about to order a Velica ($109) and they charge $47 for shipping to Canada. No thanks.

Coming from a more remote country, that sounds completely normal when buying electronics directly from international manufacturers these days.

And, not saying anyone should do anything stupid, but sometimes these companies can be willing to send you less valuable but otherwise identical products if you ask nicely (wink wink)

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#189

Post by nielsole »

Denatonium wrote: post #145
howdydoo wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My PC has a 5ghz wifi antenna, and I can install any OS I want. Why should a router be any more locked down than my PC? The FCC takes illegal broadcasting VERY seriously and I think that should deter people from becoming criminals.

Most modern wireless cards will do a scan for wireless networks on startup and set their regulatory domain to the one regulatory domain contained in the majority of beacons from surrounding wireless APs. This can't (easily) be overridden and prevents people from setting the wrong country and causing interference, while still allowing a single WLAN card to work globally. Intel calls this "Location Aware Regulatory".

> This can't (easily) be overridden

Isn't it a simple drop-down in openwrt?

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#190

Post by icebergonfire »

ceejayoz wrote: post #155
easton wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Our network at home has both 2.4 and 5 on the same SSID, with no issues (and I have an oculus). Is this just a Netgear thing?

No clue. Very possible it's specific to the Orbi, or possibly the spots in our house the Oculus and LG washer/dryer are located - perhaps the signal strength is just iffy enough they hop between the two frequencies sometimes. A full restart of the devices helps, but usually only for 15-30 mins.

> A full restart of the devices helps, but usually only for 15-30 mins.

This rings a bell. Do you have an Orbi mesh by any chance? I used to experience this with specific cheap IoT devices that were constantly hopping to different Orbi satellites.

There is an option somewhere in the UI to bind a device to one specific access point, and you can tag a device as IoT or smart speakers which (based on feeling) seems to change the steering heuristics to something that stops this from happening.

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