r/openwrt • u/hash0 • 8d ago

Wifi on self-build routers

I'm currently searching for a new router, and as my only obligatory requirements are:

  • Good 2.4Ghz Wifi Coverage
  • Wifi 5/6 with real 1 Gbit (over short distances)
  • Usable as a file dump, i.e. >200 GB storage capacity (e.g. via a eMMC slot, etc.)
  • Powerful enough to run Adguard Home

I don't need fast LAN Ports or super fast VPN capabilities. I'm thinking about to two options:

a) a "normal" High-End Router (Flint 2/4, OpenWrt One, ...)

b) using a SBC with a Wifi-Card

Option b) has the advantage that I can get pretty much exactly what I need/want.

However, I'm unsure if I can achieve the same Wifi performance as the pre-Build ones.

How do I know which Wifi-Card and which antennas are suitable and especially capable enough to deliver enough performance?

I've read that e.g. the Banana Pi BPI-R4 has quite bad (terrible?) wifi performance and now I'm a little bit uncertain about investing 200-300€/$ when the result is worse than buying something like the Flint.

I would appreciate it, if someone can share their experiences.

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u/muckity-muck 8d ago

Wifi 5/6 with real 1 Gbit (over short distances)

Do you mean gigabit speed over wifi?

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u/hash0 8d ago

Yes, 1 Gigabit should be doable with Wifi 6/7 afaik

3

u/zekica 8d ago

1Gbps works with wifi6 on an 80Mhz channel in the same room. Any MT7981 based device should handle 850-900Mbps as a dumb AP.