OpenWrt WiFi Mesh Hardware

Implementing a 2 or 3-node mesh Wi-Fi network with OpenWrt offers great flexibility and control. The “best” hardware depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical comfort level. Here’s a breakdown of factors to consider and some popular recommendations:

Key Considerations:

  1. OpenWrt Support: This is paramount. Always check the OpenWrt Table of Hardware (ToH) for specific device support, including Wi-Fi chipset compatibility. Some chipsets (like Broadcom) have limited OpenWrt support due to proprietary drivers. Qualcomm Atheros (e.g., IPQ8xxx) and MediaTek (e.g., MT7xxx) are generally well-supported for mesh (802.11s).
  2. Dedicated Mesh Radio (Tri-band):
    • Ideal for performance: If possible, choose tri-band routers. This allows one 5GHz radio to be dedicated to the mesh backhaul (communication between nodes) and the other 5GHz and 2.4GHz radios to serve client devices. This significantly improves performance compared to dual-band routers where the mesh backhaul shares the same radio as client traffic.
    • Dual-band compromise: If tri-band isn’t feasible, dual-band routers can still do mesh, but performance might be impacted, especially with heavy traffic.
  3. RAM and Flash Storage:
    • RAM: Aim for at least 128MB RAM, 256MB+ is better for stability and running additional packages.
    • Flash: 16MB flash is a good minimum, 32MB+ is preferable for more flexibility and future OpenWrt updates.
  4. CPU: A dual or quad-core ARM-based CPU with a decent clock speed is generally recommended for optimal performance, especially if you plan to run additional services or have high bandwidth needs.
  5. Wi-Fi Standard (Wi-Fi 5/AC vs. Wi-Fi 6/AX):
    • Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): Still very capable for most home users and often more affordable.
    • Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): Offers better performance, especially in congested environments and with many devices. Look for devices with good Wi-Fi 6 support in OpenWrt.
  6. Wired Backhaul Capability: While mesh is wireless, wired backhaul is almost always superior for performance and stability. If you can run Ethernet cables between your nodes, prioritize routers with sufficient Gigabit Ethernet ports. OpenWrt mesh can seamlessly integrate wired and wireless backhaul.
  7. 802.11s vs. 802.11r:
    • 802.11s: This is the standard for wireless mesh networking in OpenWrt (Layer 2). It’s designed for node-to-node communication.
    • 802.11r: This is for “fast roaming” of client devices between access points. While often used in conjunction with mesh, they are distinct standards. Ensure your chosen hardware and OpenWrt build support the appropriate wpad package (e.g., wpad-mesh-openssl or the full wpad-openssl) for mesh and roaming.
  8. Community Support: Popular devices tend to have more active community support on the OpenWrt forums, which can be invaluable for troubleshooting.

Key Considerations for OpenWrt Mesh Hardware (Australia Specific):

  • Retail vs. Second-hand: Many of the “best” OpenWrt routers are older models no longer sold new by major retailers. You’ll often find excellent deals on platforms like eBay, Gumtree, or Facebook Marketplace. Always verify the specific version/revision (e.g., Archer C7 v5) as OpenWrt support can differ.
  • GL.iNet Routers: These are increasingly popular and readily available in Australia through Amazon AU or direct from GL.iNet. They come with OpenWrt pre-installed (a customized version) and are generally very developer-friendly for flashing pure OpenWrt.
  • Checking OpenWrt ToH: Still the absolute best resource. Go to https://openwrt.org/toh/start and search for models you see available.

Recommended OpenWrt Mesh Hardware

Readily Available in Australia:

  1. GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000):
    • Why it’s great: This is a fantastic option for a modern OpenWrt mesh. It features a powerful MediaTek MT7986B (Filogic 830) quad-core CPU, 1GB RAM, 256MB NAND flash, and 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN ports. It supports Wi-Fi 6 (AX6000) and comes with a good OpenWrt base. You can install vanilla OpenWrt easily.
    • Availability: Readily available on Amazon AU. You can buy multiple units for a dedicated mesh.
    • Mesh suitability: Excellent, especially if you can utilize the 2.5GbE ports for wired backhaul on your primary node, or if you need robust wireless backhaul performance with Wi-Fi 6.
  2. Belkin RT3200 / Linksys E8450:
    • Why it’s great: These are the same hardware (MediaTek MT7622/MT7915 Wi-Fi 6). They have fantastic OpenWrt support (including an installer to make flashing easy) and offer excellent Wi-Fi 6 performance for their price. Good CPU (dual-core 1.35GHz), 512MB RAM, 128MB NAND flash.
    • Availability: Can be a bit hit-or-miss for new stock. You might find them on eBay AU or sometimes through smaller electronics retailers. They were more widely available a year or two ago. Keep an eye out for sales.
    • Mesh suitability: Very strong contender for a Wi-Fi 6 mesh due to solid performance and OpenWrt support.
  3. Ubiquiti UniFi Access Points (e.g., UAP-AC-Lite, U6-Lite/Pro/Mesh):
    • Why it’s great: While primarily Access Points, they are very popular for wired backhaul setups. OpenWrt supports many UniFi models. They offer excellent roaming (802.11r/k/v) when configured properly with OpenWrt. Note: This requires a separate main router (which could also be OpenWrt).
    • Availability: Widely available from Australian networking suppliers (e.g., Umart, Mwave, Scorptec) and Amazon AU.
    • Mesh suitability: Best for wired backhaul scenarios. You’d typically use one as the main AP near your router, and others connected via Ethernet in other parts of your house. Wireless mesh on UniFi with OpenWrt is possible, but not their primary design.
  4. NETGEAR R7800 (Nighthawk X4S):
    • Why it’s great: Still a powerhouse for OpenWrt (Wi-Fi 5 AC2600). Powerful Qualcomm IPQ8065 CPU, 512MB RAM. Very stable and well-supported.
    • Availability: Unlikely to find new in mainstream Australian retail. Your best bet is eBay AU for used/refurbished units. They often come up.
    • Mesh suitability: Excellent choice for a robust Wi-Fi 5 mesh, especially if you can get good condition used units.
  5. TP-Link Archer C7 (v5 or v4):
    • Why it’s great: The budget king. Very affordable and widely supported by OpenWrt. Good enough for basic mesh needs.
    • Availability: Becoming harder to find new in Australia, but still pop up on eBay or Gumtree. Umart sometimes lists them, but they’re often out of stock now.
    • Mesh suitability: Good entry-level option if budget is extremely tight, but dual-band means performance might suffer with heavy mesh and client traffic.

Consider purchasing multiple identical units for your mesh. This simplifies configuration and ensures consistent performance.

Where to Buy in Australia:

  • Amazon AU: Good for new GL.iNet devices.
  • eBay AU: Your best friend for finding used/refurbished Belkin RT3200s, Linksys E8450s, NETGEAR R7800s, and older Archer C7s. Always check seller ratings and item condition carefully.
  • Umart, Mwave, Scorptec: Excellent for new Ubiquiti gear and sometimes other networking equipment.
  • Computer Alliance (QLD-based but ships Australia-wide): Sometimes has good OpenWrt compatible devices.
  • Officeworks/JB Hi-Fi/Harvey Norman: Less likely to have ideal OpenWrt routers. They focus on consumer-friendly, often locked-down firmware. You might find some higher-end Asus or TP-Link routers that can run OpenWrt, but support might be less mature or flashing more complex.

Recommendations based on your needs:

  • Best Overall (Performance & Availability): GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000). Buy 2 or 3 of these. They offer a strong combination of modern specs, good OpenWrt compatibility, and readily available new stock in Australia.
  • Best Value Wi-Fi 6 (if you can find them): Belkin RT3200 / Linksys E8450. If you see these at a good price (new or used), grab them.
  • Reliable Wi-Fi 5 (Used Market): NETGEAR R7800. If you’re comfortable with buying second-hand, these are still excellent performers.
  • Wired Backhaul Focus: Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-AC-Lite (for budget AC) or U6-Lite/Pro/Mesh (for Wi-Fi 6). Pair these with any OpenWrt router as your main gateway.

Remember to always consult the OpenWrt Table of Hardware for the specific model and version before you buy to confirm support status.

Important Notes on Mesh Setup:

  • 802.11s is critical: Ensure you are using wpad-mesh or a full wpad package in OpenWrt that supports 802.11s.
  • Mesh ID and Channel: All mesh nodes must have the same Mesh ID, password, and operate on the same Wi-Fi channel for the mesh interface.
  • IP Addresses: For your mesh nodes that aren’t the main router, it’s often best to assign them static IP addresses within your network, or have them get IPs from your main router via DHCP if they’re configured as dumb APs.
  • Batman-adv: For more complex mesh networks (more than 2-3 nodes, or with multi-hop wireless links), consider using batman-adv (Better Approaches To Mobile Ad-hoc Networking) which is a routing protocol often used with OpenWrt mesh.
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