This is a pretty significant release - it marks the end of iptables in the main distribution; the OpenWrt-specific translation layer (previously firewall3, now firewall4) for netfilter-related configuration now targets nftables. Also, yet more devices have made the switch from swconfig to DSA for configuring Ethernet switches. I've been using 22.03 release candidates on all my networking gear (router, switch, access…
If you don't do anything out of the ordinary with your router is there any benefit to this over for example, the Netgear or tplink firmware?
OpenWrt 22.03
21–30 of 133 posts
Re: OpenWrt 22.03
#22anyone can suggest a great openwrt compatible router in sub 50$ category?
(Personally I have an ath10k based ZyXEL NBG6817 (product name is "Armor Z2") which I'm happy with. But it was a few years ago I bought it, don't know if it's still on the market. Also still running the previous openwrt 21.02, haven't yet upgraded.)
Re: OpenWrt 22.03
#23This is a pretty significant release - it marks the end of iptables in the main distribution; the OpenWrt-specific translation layer (previously firewall3, now firewall4) for netfilter-related configuration now targets nftables. Also, yet more devices have made the switch from swconfig to DSA for configuring Ethernet switches. I've been using 22.03 release candidates on all my networking gear (router, switch, access…
If you don't do anything out of the ordinary with your router is there any benefit to this over for example, the Netgear or tplink firmware?
Re: OpenWrt 22.03
#24anyone can suggest a great openwrt compatible router in sub 50$ category?
Plenty of options here. I have a few and have no complaints. https://www.gl-inet.com/products/
glinet ship their own builds of a forked openwrt (most based on 19.x) containing proprietary patches and binaries. I got a handful of their most recent devices as of last year and all of those are officially still stuck on an ancient 19.x with several security issues that are fixed in upstream but don't make it down.
Got the GL-MT1300 working with a self-built open-source OpenWrt 21.something pretty straightforward but the E750 has been nothing but trouble, weird bugs and unreliability as soon as I try anything except light tweaks of the out-of-box experience. The last thing on the E750 is that my self-built firmware will initially work fine but at some point (and all subsequent boots after), there is not way to get network access either via wired or wifi, despite the OLED indicating everything's as it should. It's in the drawer waiting for me to figure out how to get serial working to debug it as a full factory reset is the only way to recover otherwise and I replicated the issue a few times already.
This is all after several hours of trying to dig apart their convoluted github org to figure out how the builds are made and where the code comes from in the first place.
I'd be really surprise if there will ever be anything 22.03-compatible for any of their current devices given all the iptables voodo in their custom scripts...
Given the combination of poorly maintained official images, inconsistent compatibility with open source upstream, and no way to reproduce their builds, I'd say these can be fun little toys if your use-case perfectly matches the out-of-box provided features but sadly enough you should seriously consider and test each model individually before relying on it for production use even just personally. At least until public progress is made on some of that.
Re: OpenWrt 22.03
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
Most Mikrotik hardware is compatible and decent. I used to recommend Ubiquiti, but...
But...?
Re: OpenWrt 22.03
#26Really enjoy OpenWrt. One complaint/suggestion is they really need official Ansible support or some better way at automating deployments. I was able to create something myself for the time being but having official support would make things so much better.
That sounds awfully like something OpenWISP should already be capable of.
Re: OpenWrt 22.03
#27Really enjoy OpenWrt. One complaint/suggestion is they really need official Ansible support or some better way at automating deployments. I was able to create something myself for the time being but having official support would make things so much better.
"ansible support" You need python on the router, most of my openwrt routiers don't have enough ram for that.
Re: OpenWrt 22.03
#28This is a pretty significant release - it marks the end of iptables in the main distribution; the OpenWrt-specific translation layer (previously firewall3, now firewall4) for netfilter-related configuration now targets nftables. Also, yet more devices have made the switch from swconfig to DSA for configuring Ethernet switches. I've been using 22.03 release candidates on all my networking gear (router, switch, access…
If you don't do anything out of the ordinary with your router is there any benefit to this over for example, the Netgear or tplink firmware?
Also, you can be quite sure that there are no software components active that serve the interestest of the device's manufacturer more than those of its owner and users.
Re: OpenWrt 22.03
#29Re: OpenWrt 22.03
#30Thank you! I love openwrt and have been using it as a workrouter for years now with vpn integrations, wifi repeater function and some routing magic, I was able to create the perfect business network for my needs. Thank you OpenWRT. Wifi 6 support is gonna be awesome!
Are there any devices with good Wifi (6) support? Last time I bought an expensive router with advertised OpenWRT support and the wifi was horrendous.