- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.ml
- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.ml
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.bestiver.se/post/123708
Other routers have run OpenWRT straight from the factory before (various GL.iNet devices come to mind, not to mention the OG Linksys WRT54G – it may not have been called “OpenWRT” as such, but OpenWRT descends from that firmware).
In what way is this device “designed specifically” for OpenWRT that those were not?
Linksys WRT54G
The Linksys WRT54G did not run OpenWrt by default and the original OS does not even remotely resemble OpenWrt. What OpenWrt did use from the original OS was the Broadcom wireless driver because it was closed source (and a similar kernel version, so the driver could be used), since there was no driver in the mainline kernel.
But to try to answer the question, this device has been designed by the OpenWrt developers to fit their needs (and their users needs). Other routers running some variant of OpenWrt on them by default were designed by companies unrelated to the project. They most likely used OpenWrt because it was convenient to them. Their intentions weren’t usually the same as the OpenWrt team’s (repairability, easy to unbrick, etc.). Not that there is anything wrong with that. I like GL.Inet routers.
I really like the spirit of this, but the price and features are just okay considering there are other companies designing similar and better products with more flexibility and around the same price. I may pick up a board to work on it, still, but I’ll buy the Inet package with the same hardware and more Ethernet ports for $99 if given a choice.
What other hardware at this price point would you consider for running openwrt?
Crap, I literally just bought a GL.iNet GL-MT600 Flint 2 which runs GL.iNet skin over OpenWrt & it has an option in its settings to switch direcrly to OpenWRT if you prefer, or you can also flash OpenWRT onto it yourself too.
Interesting, but at $160 the GL-MT600 is nearly twice the price of the OpenWrt One.
Good to know about though! My whole reason for asking for alternatives is I’ve had a great experience with dd-wrt in the past, and I’m sick of ubiquiti, so I’m looking ahead for my next router.
For that price I recommend an EU built router that comes with a modified OpenWRT but also allows installing vanilla one - Turris Omnia. It is also very modular an can be upgraded (e.g. with 5G)
I saw the omnia for €339, vs this router…
Turris Omnia is 4x the price of the OpenWrt One.
I think I must have switched up currencies and somehow concluded the price is the same. That’s on me
Definitely in the vein of what I was looking for, but for almost $90 I am going to ask for WiFi 6E
Personally I’d get standalone AP’s and hang them off a standalone switch so that if the internet gateway goes down the LAN experience is not interrupted.
I don’t know what that would do for me, though, what can I do on the LAN when the internet gateway is down? Also, why should the gateway reboot? I would like it to be up all the time
The gateway device should definitely be up at all times, but in the real world, things don’t always go as planned.
If you only use the internet, then maybe having your AP go down when your gateway goes down is fine. For us avid self-hosters, that is unacceptable behavior.
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Ah… Yeah 6e seems like a reasonable ask
a reasonable ask
Off the car lot, we say ‘request’.
I’m a little confused, what do you mean? That because it’s an open source project it’s more polite to request than demand?
Sincere question, I don’t quite follow
OpenWRT is cool, but I prefer OPNSense because unlike OpenWRT, you can actually upgrade OPNSense in its UI without requiring linux partition surgery.
That’s why I wrote an Ansible playbook, to configure and update my router and access points. It’s nice having this almost as infrastructure-aa-code, with all configuration changes under version control with a clear commit message. The script is available at https://github.com/danielvijge/openwrt-configuration-ansible, but do make some changes to match your configuration. I keep my network configuration (inventory file) in a separate, private GitHub repo, as that contains passwords etc.
Weird. Been upgrading several OpenWrt machines for many years now. Click a button in the UI, select a file, click another button to update.
OpenWRT is a different scope than opnSense.
I have a few OpenWRT devices to cover WiFi in my home and definitely an opnSense on top of them for wan access and all the fancy stuff.
OpnSense can’t to WiFi access point, thanks to BSD limited WiFi cards support, and definitely cannot fit on cots devices like OpenWRT can.
As well as indeed opnSense is a better choice than OpenWRT for edge devices.
While OpenWRT would do opsSense job, at least in part, the opposite is not true.
I use Unifi Access Points for wifi
Hm, this might not be a bad replacement for my Unifi access points, if its radio is up to snuff. It’s significantly cheaper than Unifi for WiFi 6.
E: ordered one
It’s great to see innovative products like the OpenWrt One empowering users with more control and freedom over their tech. Having a device that’s unbrickable and fully customizable is definitely a step in the right direction. Speaking of customization, for those who enjoy editing their photos on the go, the Lightroom MOD APK offers a similar level of flexibility. Click here to explore more about this app. With it, users can unlock premium features for advanced editing, allowing you to personalize your photos to your heart’s content without any limitations. Just like the OpenWrt One, it gives users full control, but in the world of photography!
That’s awesome! The links to buy seem to be down though which is less than helpful