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FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

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Re: FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

#51

Post by utefan001 »

kalleboo wrote: post #46
pyvpx wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

pfSense is based on FreeBSD. there is no "pfSense hardware", just x86 machines.

I wonder what's the cheapest/most low-power hardware that could do that job? A Raspberry Pi is too underpowered (putting Ethernet on USB is also a big problem), but what's the next step up from there?

See my ebay link above.

Re: FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

#52

Post by gonzo »

utefan001 wrote: post #49
godzillabrennus wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish Pfsense hardware was more affordable so more people could afford to run it.

I offer them on ebay for $44 + Shipping. It is not hard to just build your own. 3ghz core 2 duo machines with 4GB and room for a 2nd NIC are the way to go to keep cost down in my opinion. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quiet-3-0GHz-core-2-duo-pfSense-Fire...

I don't think you're part of the solution

Re: FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

#53

Post by gonzo »

kalleboo wrote: post #46
pyvpx wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

pfSense is based on FreeBSD. there is no "pfSense hardware", just x86 machines.

I wonder what's the cheapest/most low-power hardware that could do that job? A Raspberry Pi is too underpowered (putting Ethernet on USB is also a big problem), but what's the next step up from there?

We have a dual Ethernet ARM (looks like beaglebone black) in the works.

https://twitter.com/gonzopancho/status/737918774582579200

Re: FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

#54

Post by gonzo »

utefan001 wrote: post #51
kalleboo wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder what's the cheapest/most low-power hardware that could do that job? A Raspberry Pi is too underpowered (putting Ethernet on USB is also a big problem), but what's the next step up from there?

See my ebay link above.

You're not part of the solution here

Re: FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

#55

Post by gonzo »

pyvpx wrote: post #45
godzillabrennus wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish Pfsense hardware was more affordable so more people could afford to run it.

pfSense is based on FreeBSD. there is no "pfSense hardware", just x86 machines.

And ARM. https://twitter.com/gonzopancho/status/737918774582579200

Re: FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

#56

Post by forbiddenlake »

gonzo wrote: post #52
utefan001 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I offer them on ebay for $44 + Shipping. It is not hard to just build your own. 3ghz core 2 duo machines with 4GB and room for a 2nd NIC are the way to go to keep cost down in my opinion. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quiet-3-0GHz-core-2-duo-pfSense-Fire...

I don't think you're part of the solution

So, why isn't selling cheap pfsense devices on eBay part of the solution to avoiding vendor spying? Because you also sell pfSense hardware and it's more expensive?

Re: FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

#57

Post by pdabbadabba »

wtallis wrote: post #32
pdabbadabba wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They were causing interference because they could be (and were) modified to behave in a way that violated FCC regulations. So the FCC made another regulation that said devices should not be modifiable in that way. This seems totally sensible to me. TP-Link violated this rule--not just the "letter" of it. Also, nobody has banned OpenWRT. If you read the consent decree, you'll see quite the opposite.

> "Also, nobody has banned OpenWRT. If you read the consent decree, you'll see quite the opposite." The FCC's initial knee-jerk reaction was very much along the lines of banning OpenWRT, and TP-Link subsequently deployed firmware to make it harder to put OpenWRT on their routers. Sure, they're now saying that it wasn't their intention and that they'll try to find a way to avoid it, but banning OpenWRT was and still i…

This seems like a long way of saying: "correct, nobody has banned OpenWRT, but the new FCC rules have made it riskier for manufacturers to support things like OpenWRT in the future."

To which I would mostly agree, with an important caveat: TP-Link's violation actually had nothing to do with allowing third-party software like OpenWRT. Its own UI allowed end users to change region settings. This seems clearly problematic under the Commission's rules, even if the rules are vague in other respects.

So, on balance, I think this order sends an important signal that very well may be able to support things like OpenWRT without getting into trouble. But you're right that we don't know that for sure, given the language of the decree. All we know is that the FCC would really like it if the industry could figure out how to support OpenWRT, etc. without simultaneously making it easy to circumvent FCC rules.

Re: FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

#58

Post by ausjke »

dogma1138 wrote: post #40
ausjke wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have seen high-power WIFI card with amplifiers that can do really powerful TX output and the linux drivers are free to tune that output to its physical upper limit.

But this isn't about the case, you can always chain your router to an external amplifier (your SNR might be a bit flaky but that's another issue) you can always hard mod your router to do whatever you want. This is a simple case of the routers adhering to the specs out of the box and that the spec could not be modified via software, and I really haven't seen that many TP Link routers that can actually broadcast outsi…

correct, even without amplifiers I have used high-power wifi-cards, however I have not tried any high TX output on any TP-Link products, which is odd why TP-Link becomes the target.

Re: FCC Reaches Settlement with TP-Link in Wi-Fi Router Investigation

#59

Post by utefan001 »

gonzo wrote: post #52
utefan001 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I offer them on ebay for $44 + Shipping. It is not hard to just build your own. 3ghz core 2 duo machines with 4GB and room for a 2nd NIC are the way to go to keep cost down in my opinion. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quiet-3-0GHz-core-2-duo-pfSense-Fire...

I don't think you're part of the solution

I only entered the market by accident. There is not much of a barrier to entry. I bought 50 machines from a recycling company in Maryland for another project. My friend suggested putting pfsense on them and selling them on ebay to help get rid of them. Your lowest cost product is $299. I am sure you know this industry better than I do. Ping me offline if needed.
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