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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.?

#91

Post by mox1 »

jaskerr wrote: post #67
mox1 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also use a MiniPC running pfSense and couldn't be happier. I made the switch 3 years ago, after running a Linksys WRT54G-TM on OpenWRT for 5+ years. pfSense is simple to get started with, powerful enough for small to medium businesses and "just works." The initial setup might be a bit more $$$ ($150 for hardware), but it will last you a long time.

Which MiniPC did you use? I'm considering a similar setup, so options to consider would be welcome.

Looks like it was a Gigabyte GB-BXBT-2807[1]

I added a 32gb ssd drive and a USB Ethernet dongle as well (for 2nd interface).

The box has wifi, but no driver support from FreeBSD. My WIFI is supplied via a UniFI AC LITE.

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164...

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

#92

Post by Smushman »

Direct from real world experience, a few points of architectural guidance.

1. Use WiFi routers for WiFi.

Avoid firewalling, NAT, authentication protocols, the strongest levels of encryption, or other packet changes/control on the WiFi Router.

Resources are always constrained. Mentioned processes consume resources and the load only appears under real world conditions that you did not anticipate or could not replicate in test.

2. Distribute (as much as possible). A little work/cost up front will save you down the line.

A lot of WiFi routers support multiple radios (IE 2 radios). That gives you three points of failure for every router - one for each radio, and one for the router. Take one dual band router down and everyone in the coverage area loses connectivity in both bands.

Separating these will provide improved redundancy, throughput, offloading, and etc.

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

#93

Post by hiram112 »

mdasen wrote: post #13

I have the Asus RT-AC68U/TM-AC1900. I bought it from T-Mobile for $60 and flashed it to stock and then put Asuswrt-Merlin on it (but you can use Tomato or DD-WRT). It does take a little work to flash it to stock (like Telnet'ing into the router), but it wasn't bad and for $60 I ended up with a wonderful router. There are guides online for flashing it back to stock. If you're looking for information, I suggest SmallNe…

Just got the same one. More information and a link to the purchase site here: https://slickdeals.net/f/9330575-asus-tm-ac1900-wireless-ac1...

I have yet to open it as I'm using my landlord's Verizon crap model, but once I move to my new place, I'm looking forward to flashing Merlin or DD-WRT.

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

#94

Post by ac29 »

mavrc wrote: post #70

I know others have recommended this already, but I would also say that your best bet is to buy some Ubiquiti hardware. An EdgeRouter X + UniFI Pro dual-band AP is on the order of $200 from Amazon and has way, way better functionality than SOHO hardware of same price point, with the principal issue that it is enterprise hardware, and is very much not point-and-click to set up. I think the tradeoff in functionality and…

One huge plus of the EdgeRouters and EdgeOS (a Vyatta fork) is that they have a Debian base. Just about any package you need is an `apt install` away. There really isn't any competition that lets you do that on a $50-100 platform that runs on a few watts.

>the only thing I can't do with it that I could do with pfSense is create a standalone OpenVPN endpoint

Pretty sure you can do this, check the forums.

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

#95

Post by dexterdog »

mdasen wrote: post #13

I have the Asus RT-AC68U/TM-AC1900. I bought it from T-Mobile for $60 and flashed it to stock and then put Asuswrt-Merlin on it (but you can use Tomato or DD-WRT). It does take a little work to flash it to stock (like Telnet'ing into the router), but it wasn't bad and for $60 I ended up with a wonderful router. There are guides online for flashing it back to stock. If you're looking for information, I suggest SmallNe…

I second this recommendation. I've been running this in my house for quite some time now. The author keeps up with patches and I've not had any problems with it. I use it to route to my internal network, access my network via SSH and VPN, and put the entire house (20+ clients) on VPN when I need to. My house does all of its entertainment over the net (no cable/sat).

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

#96

Post by Finnucane »

"Back in 2001, the General Harrison was uncovered during construction downtown. It was built on top of (again) with an 11-story building."

Does this mean that the remains of the ship were not removed from the site during construction? That seems an odd choice.

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

#97

Post by drumttocs8 »

Finnucane wrote: post #96

"Back in 2001, the General Harrison was uncovered during construction downtown. It was built on top of (again) with an 11-story building." Does this mean that the remains of the ship were not removed from the site during construction? That seems an odd choice.

Go on...

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

#98

Post by mrgreenfur »

Finnucane wrote: post #96

"Back in 2001, the General Harrison was uncovered during construction downtown. It was built on top of (again) with an 11-story building." Does this mean that the remains of the ship were not removed from the site during construction? That seems an odd choice.

Wrong thread bro!

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

#99

Post by cvwright »

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'm having pretty good luck with the WRT1200AC on DD-WRT. Note that OpenWRT doesn't seem to support v2 of this device, which is what you'll get if you buy one now.

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

#100

Post by Veratyr »

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.

In my experience the alternative firmwares were worse.

I ended up contacting TP-Link support and they were actually quite helpful though. They sent me a beta firmware that's mostly resolved the issues. I don't know if it's been publicly released yet though (I got it around a year ago now from memory).

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