** Tim <[email protected]> [2019-01-14 17:59]: <snip> > > I see that sometimes with my access point. It seems to pass traffic fine on > > the > > wired connections, and several existing wireless connections work fine, but > > new > > ones and the odd existing one and indicate they are working, but completely > > fail when it comes to actually using anything on the network. After a while > > they stop picking up DHCP leases (likely beause my AP doesn't handle that > > as my > > config is beyond its capabilities - or was historically). After a while (if > > I > > leave it that long) other devices start failing to route traffic too. > > > > I have found the same issue with my the Billion BiPAC 7800N, the replacement > > Netgear WNDR3700, the next replacement TP-Link TL-WDR3600 and the current > > Netgear WNDR3700 with OpenWRT installed (which is actually much better, but > > still not perfect). > > > > The Netgear was aimed at improving performance, but was replaced because > > there > > were two features on it that I needed that couldn't be used at the same time > > (from memory VPN and IPv6). The TP-Link was replaced because it seems that > > it > > doesn't support IPv6 with the majority of ISPs in the UK (hard coded a /64 > > when > > most supply a /56). I'm still working on IPv6 on OpenWRT. I've got a tunnel > > with Hurricane Electric working, but not my native addresses from my ISP (I > > must have a decent conversation with them to confirm their setup). > > Comparing to > > the old Billion isn't helpful because that just had a tick box to enable > > IPv6 > > which 'just worked'! > > > > Anyhoo, I've strayed off the original thread! > > > I am considering putting WRT on my router, have to say that I am appalled at > the level of ability in its standard firmware, ever heard of a router that > can not block a port. > > If anybody has any stories regarding OpenWRT I would interested to hear them ** end quote [Tim]
I was suprised how easy OpenWRT was to install, and have settled quite nicely into using an SSH connection to connect in and update packages (remembering to update the list as it isn't stored - understandably). This actually gives the option to automate it with Ansible, which only requires an SSH connection to work. If you want to play there are plenty of budget routers to experiment with and some are even easily available through things like Freecycle / Freegle / Gumtree / etc.. My first one, which admittedly was with DD-WRT not OpenWRT, was a D-Link DIR615 that I picked up for free as it was badged as a Virgin router. It was only custom firmware on standard hardware, so could be re-flashed with the stock firmware (much like the Netear DG834 units used by Sky some years ago - I did well with free ones of those reflashed too stock allowing an easy VPN to parents and in-laws for IT support - there was an odd date bug in the log email code though that jumped the month back a couple of months at the end of the year). That I setup as a wireless access point with a straight forward install of DD-WRT. This was a handy cheap way of extending my wifi coverage. One thing to check carefully is the version of the router you have. I bought a second Netgear WNDR3700 and ended up getting a version 5, which unfortunately is totally different hardware and incompatible with OpenWRT (annoyingly I knew this and when I added it to my eBay watch list it was listed as a v4, but when I checked after it arrived the listing had been changed with no way to track when the version was modified). The v4 is the best option with this model as it has more flash & ram and a faster processor). I should probably dig out the slides for my talk and get them up on the PLUG (http://portsmouth.lug.org.uk) website really! -- Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | https://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001 Vice Chair, FSB Portsmouth & SE Hampshire Branch | http://www.fsb.org.uk/ ============================================================================= Registered in England | Company No: 4905028 | Registered Office: Ralls House, Parklands Business Park, Forrest Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6XP -- Next meeting: BEC, Bournemouth, Tuesday, 2019-02-05 20:00 Check to whom you are replying Meetings, mailing list, IRC, ... http://dorset.lug.org.uk/ New thread, don't hijack: mailto:[email protected]
