Maybe this is too nerdy for this group. I got an OpenWRT ONE router, replaced the old TP-Link one I had. The bad press got to me. The new one is fast, I could not believe how much faster things like downloading files is now.
The worst part was that I had picked out a complicated password with lots of punctuation, and typing that on phones and on-screen keyboards for TVs and game consoles was painful.
Also I pinged Google, and got an IPv6 response for the first time.
I’m not sure it can be considered dull if half the people here got an erection reading"OpenWRT".
Or am I just speaking for myself?A few additional years in IT should dampen that down to a slight fizzing sensation in the general area.
too nerdy for this group
My GL.iNet OpenWRT arrives tomorrow to replace the TP-Link I’m currently using. I guess that answers the question about whether I belong in this club.
Curious that your download speed increased.
I recently upgraded my old ISP provided router to a tp-link omada router with a couple in wall access points that also serve as switches to have everything that can be hard wired, hard wired. As well as having good Wi-Fi through the house.
It’s the little things in life but a nice, fast and robust home network is super satisfying
I was surprised by the speed increase as well. I assumed that broadband would be the bottleneck, but apparently not.
I gave up on complicated Wi-Fi passwords. Who am I keeping out? To connect they’d need to be in or right next to my house anyway. 🤷♂️
The admin password on the router is intense though.
It’s more dangerous for them to connect to me…
My Wi-Fi password is a simple sentence that’s funny. It’s long enough (and has spaces and ‘) so not easily cracked, but very easy for friends.
GiveMeADollar
It’s ready to remember, and occasionally you get a dollar
Good network infrastructure at home always gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. The blinkenlights, the five bars of 5GHz Wifi even in the back of the garden, the dashboard showing all the devices connected to the network chugging along, it’s just, hmm, I find it very satisfying.
Also, it doubles as a presence detection for people which proves useful in home automation.
Openwrt router + 4 Wi-Fi access point wired to a gig-e switch 😙🤘
I’m currently running a Deco M9 mesh network and have been thinking about switching to OpenWRT. I just get kinda overwhelmed thinking about the whole setup and config process. Anyone have any recommendations on resources to learn how to do it?
Figured out your router, eh? Cool. I’m sure you’ll be making fancy dining room furniture in no time!
I’ve always thought that kind of router seems cool, but I am more of a portable circular saw kevel woodworker.
Kids these days with their wireless trim routers
I run OPNsense and it’s another excellent option.
Same! Just set it up for the first time yesterday.
Configuration options are a little overwhelming, but with enough websleuthing I got everything where I want it.
Yes it’s very powerful and a bit daunting at first, but for most simple networks it won’t actually be that complicated. I set up multiple VLANs and that was a bit tricky, getting the firewall rules right. I like having VLANs so I can wall off some devices from the main home network, and I like the Suricata intrusion detection, which gives an extra level of protection and can help reveal malware infections on the network.
Also, as a very dull man, I kind of enjoy watching the dashboard and the logs.
Dude, you can’t just throw OpenWRT out there in a group like this. But since you have thrown caution to the wind…I was just updating my DNS settings to the CIRA ones for Canada hosted DNS private/protected. Prior to that I was running shred -v -n3 /dev/sdX on some harddrives.
Mine runs Wireguard for the whole network along with being a basic media/file server. One USB port with a 2tb drive does a lot.
Also, for the password consider using a password manager so you can autofill, and also consider using a MAC address whitelist so you can be sure only intended devices can connect.
Small note, MAC address whitelisting isn’t really a security measure. People can change MAC address quite easily to one on your whitelist.
It might stop non technical children but a teenager with google can bypass that easy.
Use a password manager! Changes your life when it comes to passwords. Never need to type another one besides to unlock the manager.
Do not reuse the same password, and make sure it’s at least 12-16 unique digits. Most password managers will create them for you.
Yes, all that. The password manager is not going to do anything for one’s Nintendo Switch, however.
I’ve found that complicated passwords plus using WPS for such devices are my most usable compromise.
Works with OpenWRT with some extra steps: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/basic#wps_options
hunter2.
As an IPv6 advocate, it’s quite something for me to see it show up in this community. Does that mean IPv6 is now commonplace enough to be dull? Who can say. :)
Not yet. Some network issues are still being fixed by turning off ipv6 :(
It’s 2025 and I’m still holding IPv6 workshops for otherwise very competent people. So… No, not common enough yet.
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Sounds like a good day to me. How do you like it?
Excellent so far. It took me a while to set up, I had to start over from scratch once. They claim it is “brick proof” and I can bear witness. Performance, as I said, is excellent.
Nice! Can it easily add vpns? What about adguard?
I have not tried either, but since you point it out, I think I will install the adguard…
Report back :)
Did you buy a router with openWRT reinstalled or flash one yourself?
It’s not even reinstalled, it’s purpose built for it: https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
