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Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

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Re: Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

#31

Post by zhan_eg »

TwoNineFive wrote: post #7

The first thing you need to know is that the OpenWRT project is basically dead and that 95+% of the developers went over to the LEDE Project. However, LEDE has not yet published a stable release yet. You can get nightly builds that are in pretty good shape though. I would highly recommend an ipq806x-based system, if you can afford it. Almost always matched with qca9880 radios. These are modern 802.11ac wave2 systems.…

Hey, thanks for the great advice - here[0] is a comparison chart on Up/Downlink profiles and others from SmallNetBuilder for the first six models listed.

Do you have any real-life comparison of range/stability (and with what load on them?) on those models as from experience I know that raw comparison data on Wi-fi differs from reality.

Both this and some other Trendnet models I checked are not Wi-Fi Certified - has that been an issue for you?

As I'm in Europe the issue with TP-Link locking down firmware because of the FCC ruling [0][1] won't be a factor and I'm still not sure are they or TP-Link at fault?

[0] - http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/charts/router/graph/117...

[1] - https://www.wired.com/2016/03/way-go-fcc-now-manufacturers-l...

[2] - https://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20150831/071...

Re: Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

#32

Post by chx »

sashk wrote: post #25

I use two devices to handle usual definition of the router: 1. Mini PC[1] running as a router (pfSense); 2. eero to handle the wifi. Why? I've tried many times to use dd-wrt, openwrt and tomato firmwares on my routers, but every time I failed miserably: it's either something stops working, or I need to schedule routers reboots and so. So I gave up. Since that time, mini pc [1] is the third system which routes my traf…

I found https://www.amazon.com/Qotom-Q190G4-Celeron-Processor-Barebo... a fantastic device for the price. There's a non-Atom Celeron, a Broadwell chip and four Intel LAN ports in a <$150 package without moving parts. My home is small so this also handles the wifi for me.

Re: Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

#33

Post by AndyMcConachie »

TwoNineFive wrote: post #7

The first thing you need to know is that the OpenWRT project is basically dead and that 95+% of the developers went over to the LEDE Project. However, LEDE has not yet published a stable release yet. You can get nightly builds that are in pretty good shape though. I would highly recommend an ipq806x-based system, if you can afford it. Almost always matched with qca9880 radios. These are modern 802.11ac wave2 systems.…

Calling the OpenWRT project dead sounds like hyperbole to me. As I write this, both OpenWRT and its package repository have had commits in the last day. That doesn't sound like a dead project to me.

https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt https://github.com/openwrt/packages

I get that there is some strife, but calling OpenWRT dead would appear to be very very premature. FWIW I build OpenWRT from source and for the past few months have not been using CVS. I don't know the story behind it, but it looks like all development has moved to Github.

Re: Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

#34

Post by zhan_eg »

sashk wrote: post #25

I use two devices to handle usual definition of the router: 1. Mini PC[1] running as a router (pfSense); 2. eero to handle the wifi. Why? I've tried many times to use dd-wrt, openwrt and tomato firmwares on my routers, but every time I failed miserably: it's either something stops working, or I need to schedule routers reboots and so. So I gave up. Since that time, mini pc [1] is the third system which routes my traf…

pfSense is really a good choice, I'm successfully using it for two years without any major problems on a dual-wan setup and some 50 clients.

How much coverage and clients does a single Eero manage - by the reviews I read, I think it shines only when multiple ones are used, but that makes them a pricey solution.

Re: Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

#35

Post by KitDuncan »

ljoshua wrote: post #11
zhan_eg wrote: post #2

For now, by my research the best candidates are - TP-Link Archer C7 (supported by both DD-WRT and OpenWRT, and recommended by the latter) - Linksys WRT1200AC/1900AC (supported by both DD-WRT and OpenWRT) - Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LITE/LR/PRO (OpenWRT, diffrent models depending how much speed/range do you need. No routing here, just access points.) For any models discussed, please keep in mind that depending on the hardware v…

I have a TP-Link Archer C7, and while it has generally been pretty good, the last six months or so it will simply drop all connectivity and require a reboot. Pretty frustrating (happens 2-3x/week) and has me looking for another replacement. This is with stock firmware though, so I would hope, but haven't tried, that alternative firmwares would fare better.

Why not just try flashing OpenWRT? I've been using the Archer C5 with OpenWRT for over a year and everything has been working flawlessly. Setup is incredibly easy as well.

Re: Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

#36

Post by mstade »

ljoshua wrote: post #11
zhan_eg wrote: post #2

For now, by my research the best candidates are - TP-Link Archer C7 (supported by both DD-WRT and OpenWRT, and recommended by the latter) - Linksys WRT1200AC/1900AC (supported by both DD-WRT and OpenWRT) - Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LITE/LR/PRO (OpenWRT, diffrent models depending how much speed/range do you need. No routing here, just access points.) For any models discussed, please keep in mind that depending on the hardware v…

I have a TP-Link Archer C7, and while it has generally been pretty good, the last six months or so it will simply drop all connectivity and require a reboot. Pretty frustrating (happens 2-3x/week) and has me looking for another replacement. This is with stock firmware though, so I would hope, but haven't tried, that alternative firmwares would fare better.

I've had the same issue happen, running Archer C7 running OpenWRT. But I'm not 100% sure it's actually the router or whether it's really a problem with my ISP. I haven't seen the issue in a couple of months now, yet I've made no changes to my setup.

I did have considerable issues getting both wifi interfaces to work well at the same time, but that's probably more due to my own incompetence more than anything. I did finally manage to make it work, much like how you'd wiggle antennae on an old tv back in the day and suddenly you got a signal.

Re: Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

#38

Post by module0000 »

FussyZeus wrote: post #5

I bought the Buffalo N300 not long ago: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IB8IVDQ/ref=oh_aui_deta... I've been extremely happy with this purchase, admittedly I'm a bit of a high-demand user (I host a number of minor services for myself and friends including TeamSpeak, minecraft, as well as operating two Xbox Ones) so I needed something with good port forwarding support and UPNP. Rock solid, straight DD-WRT interfa…

Another N300 user here, very happy with it! No problems at all, and I've gotten work to start using them as our low-cost multipurpose routers in a pinch(they can openvpn!).

Re: Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

#39

Post by zhan_eg »

randombit wrote: post #30

This is not quite what you ask for and a little more expensive that some options, but I use a PC Engines APU2 running Alpine as my router+wifi access. Great little machine that is much more functional than typical home router hardware, and it boots using coreboot. A good option if you like setting up everything by hand. More about APU2 at http://www.pcengines.ch/apu2b4.htm

Thanks for the option - are you using an Wi-Fi card on PCI, or you have access point connected by the LAN ports?

If it is the first option - there are two recommended Wi-Fi cards - which one you are using and how many client devices does it manage?

Re: Ask HN: Best current model routers for OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc.?

#40

Post by zhan_eg »

alimbada wrote: post #15
TwoNineFive wrote: post #7

The first thing you need to know is that the OpenWRT project is basically dead and that 95+% of the developers went over to the LEDE Project. However, LEDE has not yet published a stable release yet. You can get nightly builds that are in pretty good shape though. I would highly recommend an ipq806x-based system, if you can afford it. Almost always matched with qca9880 radios. These are modern 802.11ac wave2 systems.…

As an OpenWRT user it's a little worrying to find that many of the developers have left the project. Do you have any more info on why this happened?

There was a pretty detailed discussion on HN on the split [0] I personally hope that the situation won't become as [1].

[0] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11624374 [1] - https://xkcd.com/927/

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