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Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

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Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#211

Post by vinay_ys »

mhitza wrote: post #12

This type of whackery is (the primary reason) why I try to buy computing devices on which I can flash a clean OS (OpenWrt/DD-WRT for routers)[1]. It sucks because it limits my choices down to a few, but at the same time I feel like I don't throw out money at abandonware. [1] don't even get me started on TP-Link releasing routers with the same name but v2/v3/2020/2021 update where it's hard to even know if I'm buying…

This type of issue of OneMesh discovery could be a wifi chip firmware functionality that isn't programmable via host OS. In such a scenario, even if you could run your own host OS, it wouldn't be of much help.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#212

Post by ceejayoz »

icebergonfire wrote: post #190
ceejayoz wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 ch…

Yeah, we use the Orbi mesh network, but they don't mind hopping between satellites if 2.4 and 5 are split. Given the way my kids move the Oculus around a lot between rooms, being able to hop is important.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#213

Post by hn_throwaway_69 »

2ion wrote: post #205
hn_throwaway_69 wrote: post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ubiquiti access points support meshing and you can run the controller yourself. I have AP Lite 6.

They also used to be able to be set up standalone without controller (have one AP lite as well) but they removed that from their "apps" a while back (already set up APs keep working in standalone mode). This has caused me to make new AP deployments around the house using TP-Link Omada APs w/ OpenWRT firmware instead. Ubiquity is no longer worth the premium if they keep messing with the software side of things (althou…

It's still possible to setup standalone UniFi access points.

I just tested it. The AP Lite 6 on the latest firmware can be set up in standalone mode with the latest Android app. You click the + icon in the top right, wait, then click other setup options -> standalone UniFi access point.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#214

Post by jiggunjer »

mhitza wrote: post #12

This type of whackery is (the primary reason) why I try to buy computing devices on which I can flash a clean OS (OpenWrt/DD-WRT for routers)[1]. It sucks because it limits my choices down to a few, but at the same time I feel like I don't throw out money at abandonware. [1] don't even get me started on TP-Link releasing routers with the same name but v2/v3/2020/2021 update where it's hard to even know if I'm buying…

Linksys does the same shenanigans closing their router. Have to check the manufacture date to know if a model can be modded with openwrt.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#215

Post by Piskvorrr »

pdonis wrote: post #180
rocqua wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a specific problem with routers and certification for radio usage. This makes right to repair harder. It's not just a legal issue. The ether is quite full and it mostly works because there are clear rules that devices must meet. With user serviceable routers, bumping up power, or moving to locally forbidden (quieter) frequencies could become lifehacks. There was already an airport whose radio saw interferenc…

> There is a specific problem with routers and certification for radio usage. No, there isn't, because it's perfectly possible to limit what frequencies and power levels the hardware can emit without affecting the ability to run custom firmware such as OpenWRT. The certification argument is a dodge used by router manufacturers to avoid having to give customers what they actually want. > There was already an airport w…

Um, no. The "airport radio" in question is weather radar, which does directional scans and is very sensitive to interference. Just choose the wrong regulatory domain, and you're messing up the spectrum in ways that are mostly invisible to you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_frequency_selection

(some devices try to avoid this by scanning the spectrum for weather radars...user indignation at unavailable channels follows)

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#216

Post by dbeley »

southerntofu wrote: post #202
dbeley wrote: post #201

I've had very good experience with Gl-iNet products. They have good hardware, very good openWRT support (the official firmware is based on openWRT) and are beefy enough to be used as home routers even if they are marketed as travel routers.

Do all GL-iNet products support mainline OpenWRT? or is there exceptions?

By comparing https://www.gl-inet.com/products/ with https://openwrt.org/toh/start?dataflt%5BBrand*%7E%5D=inet the OpenWRT support doesn't seem to be 100% but almost all of them are. I personally own an AR750S and a MT300.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#217

Post by protectli »

xanaxagoras wrote: post #113
clajiness wrote: post #72

Hard to beat OPNsense on Protectli machines with your favorite flavor of networking hardware (Unifi, Microtik, etc).

I did this during COVID and it took a lot of time and learning, but now I feel like the God of my network and I can do cool stuff that wasn't possible on my old gear. I've read that Protecli boxes are re-branded Qotom machines and I'm sure you can get the same setup for a few hundred less but I'm glad I went with them for the support and coreboot OOTB.

No post body was provided.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#218

Post by wooben »

alias_neo wrote: post #198
mhitza wrote: post #12

This type of whackery is (the primary reason) why I try to buy computing devices on which I can flash a clean OS (OpenWrt/DD-WRT for routers)[1]. It sucks because it limits my choices down to a few, but at the same time I feel like I don't throw out money at abandonware. [1] don't even get me started on TP-Link releasing routers with the same name but v2/v3/2020/2021 update where it's hard to even know if I'm buying…

If you can afford it, go one better. I started out buying expensive home Wi-Fi routers, and I now have a box of expensive home routers I've decommissioned because they have vulnerabilities and stopped receiving updates. Probably well over ~£1000-2000 spent on them over the past ~decade. Next I switched to separate Router/Switch/AP and started with a Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch 8 POE, EdgeRouter Lite 3 and an AP-AC-Pro. Later…

I would recommend installing Proxmox on the Protectli bare metal and running pfsense (I prefer opnsense) in a VM. Then you can run your unifi controller in a container on the same device. The i3 should be able to handle that, and you can use Proxmox to share some USB drives over NFS.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#219

Post by chronogram »

estaseuropano wrote: post #92
chronogram wrote: post #28

Last week I bought a TP-Link AX55 and went through the settings and enabled all the neat things and disabled all the regular consumer ease of access things (WPS, meshing things), and the only hidden networks in my area with the same app are several decibel away with a different MAC address. Either it’s not around in the newer models or it’s part of one of the regular consumer ease of access things.

Why disable mesh? I thought that will ensure the devices work together rather than compete (looking at fritzbox, but it seems they are all compatible).

Excuse me for the late response. I logged into the router and it’s called their trademarked “TP-Link OneMesh”, it’s likely useful if you buy more TP-Link products and want easy integration, however it’s unnecessary for my home. You’re lucky with your Fritzbox, my area has no competition in the ISP market which means I’m stuck with overpriced low quality, from the copper to the modem to the customer service.

Re: Hidden Networks in TP-Link Routers

#220

Post by tablespoon »

scblock wrote: post #210
tablespoon wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "Right of repair" being focused on hardware is a neat little trick to enforce the illusion that changing software is beyond your rights as a consumer. Is it a trick, or just limited imagination? My impression is that "right of repair" came from mechanically-minded people seeking to maintain their traditional ability to repair physical devices in the face of corporate hostility (e.g. farmers vs. John Deere). > Yes,…

The tractor right to repair issues include software. You might even say that software is the prime issue preventing repair of the newer from equipment. Parts with drm, unsupported software, etc.

> The tractor right to repair issues include software. You might even say that software is the prime issue preventing repair of the newer from equipment. Parts with drm, unsupported software, etc.

My understanding is the farmers just want to be able to repair their tractors without dealer approval (e.g. replace broken parts). They're not looking to hack new features into the firmware and stuff like that.

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