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I’m currently using a tplink wireless router running as AP mode (since I have another Linux box as the home gateway), but it would filter out all ipv6 router ad

I’m currently using a tplink wireless router running as AP mode (since I have another Linux box as the home gateway), but it would filter out all ipv6 router advertisement packets which entirely breaks ipv6 stateless configuration. Before this, I was using another netgear router that would randomly drop ICMP pings. The packed “features” in nowadays home routers really annoys me. I wish there’s some cheap “dumb wireless AP” products that does nothing other than switching packets.

dsr_ 4y ago
Most TP-Link wifi routers can run OpenWRT. That would solve your problem.
- Dylan16807 4y ago
  Is that still true? I got one semi-recently and there was no way to change the firmware. And the previous one required some trickery. Edit: I think DD-WRT won't get support for newer broadcom devices, and OpenWrt has no meaningful support for broadcom at all? On top of some issues with firmware locks from TP-link directly.
  - dsr_ 4y ago
    Here's the list of 234 TP-Link models supported by OpenWRT: https://openwrt.org/toh/start?dataflt%5BBrand*%7E%5D=tp-link https://openwrt.org/toh/start?dataflt%5BBrand*%7E%5D=tp-link Maybe they made 300 models, or 500? I don't know. I have three in my house, all of which have 2.4 and 5GHz radios working in OpenWRT, connected by gig-e backhauls.
    - Dylan16807 4y ago
      > Here's the list of 234 TP-Link models supported by OpenWRT How many of them have wifi 6 or later, though? I can't figure out how to use this site very well but I found https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi and that only has one non-router device from TP-Link.
gruez 4y ago
>I wish there’s some cheap “dumb wireless AP” products that does nothing other than switching packets. Have you tried unifi? Their pricepoint is about the same as a mid range wireless router.
Shared404 4y ago
I've got an optiplex box running OpenBSD thats gonna get a PCI wireless card thrown in it when I get around to it. Doesn't get much dumber[0] or cheaper than that, assuming you buy the optiplex used. [0] Not actually dumb, but entirely controlled.
- wolrah 4y ago
  > I've got an optiplex box running OpenBSD thats gonna get a PCI wireless card thrown in it when I get around to it. Have you actually looked in to this path? 802.11ac support is basically brand new in OpenBSD and the drivers that support it don't support HostAP mode. In general the state of WiFi support across the BSD multiverse is pretty poor. I've wanted to be able to use pfSense/OpnSense boxes as all-in-one devices for years but it's always been so bad that it's better to just use a dedicated Linux device as the WAP.
  - Shared404 4y ago
    I followed https://www.openbsd.org/faq/pf/example1.html https://www.openbsd.org/faq/pf/example1.html (Router guide) and did successfully build out a working box - except for a faulty wireless card. That card was old (and didn't support ac anyways), but I had it on hand so figured I'd try it. I've been too busy recently to properly research purchasing a new wireless card for this thing so far, though from what you've said I may wind up having to do something else. Maybe Alpine on this box, or a dedicated wireless AP.
    - wolrah 4y ago
      I'm not saying it can't work, in fact up to 802.11n apparently works perfectly fine with the right hardware, but it's 2022 and 802.11ac is now "the past" with 802.11ax/WiFi6 as the current standard. As far as I'm aware none of the BSDs have any support for 802.11ax. If you want to build a BSD box that can also do wireless and don't really care about performance there's nothing wrong with that, but if your goal is something that functionally compares to retail hardware you're going to want to stick to Linux.
throwaway742 4y ago
I like TP-Link's Omada line of APs.
ArchOversight 4y ago
> I wish there’s some cheap “dumb wireless AP” products that does nothing other than switching packets. I don't know how cheap you are talking about... but TP-Link has their Omada line-up of devices, including WiFi 6 AP's that are just that, access points. No router, no filtering, just SSID's and ability to drop traffic onto various VLAN's (with radius for auth if you want). They are fantastic. They are rock solid and since they don't do anything but be an AP they are never rebooted or run out of memory for state tracking and the like.
3np 4y ago
GL.iNet Cirrus (GL-AP1300). Runs forked OpenWRT out of the box but you can flash it with a clean upstream as well. (Some other of their devices have issues when running vanilla OpenWRT - this particular model seems fine so far) If you want even more "dumb" and DIY you could look at something like a PCEngines APU or similar, but it sounds like you want to spend less time and effort on your APs, not more. I am surprised about everyone recommending TP-Link. They used to be decent but I have recently helped people set up some of their more recent models and they're atrocious- especially but not only Deco. All kinds of issues and weird behavior (I recall one with dozens of pages over multiple years in their support forum, with no fix in sight) In particular, across the range they go more towards "intelligent"/"smart"/cloud+app for management, which is the opposite of what parent is asking for. TP-Link is one of the worst offenders here - going the Ubiquiti direction but poorly executed. Any OpenWRT/DD-WRT/Linux compatibility is accidental. Ubiquiti Unifi AC Pro is also nice on its own. IIRC it works without using any of their software and can be managed through web. I guess it may not classify as cheap, though.I don't have any experience with their AP Lite,maybe it's worth a look as well?
nicolaslem 4y ago
> I’m currently using a tplink wireless router running as AP mode This is the problem right there. Don't buy consumer network equipment. It is tempting because it is cheap but I personally always end up regretting it. Spend a bit more for the entry-level business line and keep your sanity. TP-link actually has a pretty decent line of small business switches and APs.

dsr_ 4y ago

Most TP-Link wifi routers can run OpenWRT. That would solve your problem.

Dylan16807 4y ago
Is that still true? I got one semi-recently and there was no way to change the firmware. And the previous one required some trickery. Edit: I think DD-WRT won't get support for newer broadcom devices, and OpenWrt has no meaningful support for broadcom at all? On top of some issues with firmware locks from TP-link directly.
- dsr_ 4y ago
  Here's the list of 234 TP-Link models supported by OpenWRT: https://openwrt.org/toh/start?dataflt%5BBrand*%7E%5D=tp-link https://openwrt.org/toh/start?dataflt%5BBrand*%7E%5D=tp-link Maybe they made 300 models, or 500? I don't know. I have three in my house, all of which have 2.4 and 5GHz radios working in OpenWRT, connected by gig-e backhauls.
  - Dylan16807 4y ago
    > Here's the list of 234 TP-Link models supported by OpenWRT How many of them have wifi 6 or later, though? I can't figure out how to use this site very well but I found https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi and that only has one non-router device from TP-Link.

gruez 4y ago

>I wish there’s some cheap “dumb wireless AP” products that does nothing other than switching packets. Have you tried unifi? Their pricepoint is about the same as a mid range wireless router.

Shared404 4y ago

I've got an optiplex box running OpenBSD thats gonna get a PCI wireless card thrown in it when I get around to it. Doesn't get much dumber[0] or cheaper than that, assuming you buy the optiplex used. [0] Not actually dumb, but entirely controlled.

wolrah 4y ago
> I've got an optiplex box running OpenBSD thats gonna get a PCI wireless card thrown in it when I get around to it. Have you actually looked in to this path? 802.11ac support is basically brand new in OpenBSD and the drivers that support it don't support HostAP mode. In general the state of WiFi support across the BSD multiverse is pretty poor. I've wanted to be able to use pfSense/OpnSense boxes as all-in-one devices for years but it's always been so bad that it's better to just use a dedicated Linux device as the WAP.
- Shared404 4y ago
  I followed https://www.openbsd.org/faq/pf/example1.html https://www.openbsd.org/faq/pf/example1.html (Router guide) and did successfully build out a working box - except for a faulty wireless card. That card was old (and didn't support ac anyways), but I had it on hand so figured I'd try it. I've been too busy recently to properly research purchasing a new wireless card for this thing so far, though from what you've said I may wind up having to do something else. Maybe Alpine on this box, or a dedicated wireless AP.
  - wolrah 4y ago
    I'm not saying it can't work, in fact up to 802.11n apparently works perfectly fine with the right hardware, but it's 2022 and 802.11ac is now "the past" with 802.11ax/WiFi6 as the current standard. As far as I'm aware none of the BSDs have any support for 802.11ax. If you want to build a BSD box that can also do wireless and don't really care about performance there's nothing wrong with that, but if your goal is something that functionally compares to retail hardware you're going to want to stick to Linux.

throwaway742 4y ago

I like TP-Link's Omada line of APs.

ArchOversight 4y ago

> I wish there’s some cheap “dumb wireless AP” products that does nothing other than switching packets. I don't know how cheap you are talking about... but TP-Link has their Omada line-up of devices, including WiFi 6 AP's that are just that, access points. No router, no filtering, just SSID's and ability to drop traffic onto various VLAN's (with radius for auth if you want). They are fantastic. They are rock solid and since they don't do anything but be an AP they are never rebooted or run out of memory for state tracking and the like.

3np 4y ago

GL.iNet Cirrus (GL-AP1300). Runs forked OpenWRT out of the box but you can flash it with a clean upstream as well. (Some other of their devices have issues when running vanilla OpenWRT - this particular model seems fine so far) If you want even more "dumb" and DIY you could look at something like a PCEngines APU or similar, but it sounds like you want to spend less time and effort on your APs, not more. I am surprised about everyone recommending TP-Link. They used to be decent but I have recently helped people set up some of their more recent models and they're atrocious- especially but not only Deco. All kinds of issues and weird behavior (I recall one with dozens of pages over multiple years in their support forum, with no fix in sight) In particular, across the range they go more towards "intelligent"/"smart"/cloud+app for management, which is the opposite of what parent is asking for. TP-Link is one of the worst offenders here - going the Ubiquiti direction but poorly executed. Any OpenWRT/DD-WRT/Linux compatibility is accidental. Ubiquiti Unifi AC Pro is also nice on its own. IIRC it works without using any of their software and can be managed through web. I guess it may not classify as cheap, though.I don't have any experience with their AP Lite,maybe it's worth a look as well?

nicolaslem 4y ago

> I’m currently using a tplink wireless router running as AP mode This is the problem right there. Don't buy consumer network equipment. It is tempting because it is cheap but I personally always end up regretting it. Spend a bit more for the entry-level business line and keep your sanity. TP-link actually has a pretty decent line of small business switches and APs.