Hi Guys, I am after a decent mesh router (x2) with great stable openwrt support. Can you guys recommend one which is not so expensive & can cover 2 story house with the main router connected in the garage?
Thanks
Mesh Router + Openwrt Support
smiles on 20/11/2024 - 11:32
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mate, thanks for the reply. 3 questions:
1) What version is GL.iNet ? MV1000 or MV1000W
2) What version of tplink deco pls? M4R or S4
3)Ideally can we use these 2 routers to setup a mesh network? because these 2 are from diff brands?
1) https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-mt2500/
plastic version, or aluminium version doesnt matter2) i have deco xe75pro x2
3) Brand doesnt matter. I use the glinet bruem2 as a router, with adguard home, wireguard vpn server, and mobile phone-fail over; and i use the tplink deco in ACCES POINT mode (so its "routering" is off) and it takes an etherent cable and makes a wifi network.
Awesome setup. - thanks mate
I'm trying to figure this out too.
Are you looking for 802.11s ? 802.11r? Do they require special hardware, or will any OpenWRT box do it?
"mesh" seems to be used inconsistently by vendors.And is there any good reason to have OpenWRT on the remote access points, rather than just on the router?
I am after a decent mesh router (x2) with great stable openwrt support.
Doesn't really exist, you'll end up in a mess, so you're best to do this as a two part process.
Get a mode/router that supports openwrt and configure it how you want etc, Making sure you disable the Wifi on it.
Get a mesh wifi system, say TP-Link deco range, configure it for Access Point Mode.
Let the Deco mesh be your wifi mesh and connect the clients to your network, let the openwrt device do its thing for you.
So Jimmy, if I understand you correctly, buy some decent router ( say GL.iNet Flint2 which supports Openwrt ) and use it as cabled router with my NBN NTD box. ( I have HFC at home )
Additionally get a decent 2x mesh systems and only use them as APs for WiFi?
Questions though:1) Am I not under utilising the deco mesh routers just as APs? They are like $450 for x2 of them.
2) Can I also setup Mesh on my GL.iNet Flint2 router (Openwrt device - say it supports Mesh) and use the deco systems as nodes in office / bedrooms so that all the 3 of them use same SSID ?Am I not going in the right direction with this?
You probably need to clarify why you want openwrt support. It’s it for vpn?
Basically to use router to its fullest capability. Like have Adblock, VPN, Parental control etc..
@smiles: Okay, then you probably want a dedicated openwrt box with a separate mesh system at a consumer level. Otherwise you need to start thinking prosumer, like ubiquiti or tplink Omada.
1) Am I not under utilising the deco mesh routers just as APs? They are like $450 for x2 of them.
There are far cheaper Deco units if you don't want the latest and greatest. A 3 pack of S7 units are under $200. If it is just used for Wifi, how much bandwidth do you need? Most WiFi traffic is out to the internet, so unless you have a NBN1000 plan, then pretty much any wifi will be fine for a NBN250 or under plan.
2) Can I also setup Mesh on my GL.iNet Flint2 router (Openwrt device - say it supports Mesh) and use the deco systems as nodes in office / bedrooms so that all the 3 of them use same SSID ?
Give it a go, but mesh on openwrt has always been a bit meh and ends up in a mess, hence the solution above!
This is basically what I do
- NanoPi R5C running OpenWRT as router
- Cheap TP-Link 8 port switch
- TP-Link Deco X68 in AP mode
Allows me to have a more complicated routing & custom dnsmasq configuration.
i use a glinet brume2 and then a tplink deco mesh