| Both sides previous revision Previous revision Next revision | Previous revision Next revisionBoth sides next revision |
| toh:buyerguide [2019/08/27 02:01] – formatting optimized vgaetera | toh:buyerguide [2023/02/05 14:45] – [Processors and Memory] Grammar memicinn19 |
|---|
| OpenWrt is a niche Linux distribution, which enables you to deploy a vast variety of software. Your hardware is the only limit. This guide is intended to help you pick the right hardware to meet your particular needs. | OpenWrt is a niche Linux distribution, which enables you to deploy a vast variety of software. Your hardware is the only limit. This guide is intended to help you pick the right hardware to meet your particular needs. |
| |
| | {{:meta:icons:tango:dialog-information.png?nolink}} | **OpenWrt does not recommend any hardware or manufacturer!** \\ There is no "best hardware", so stop asking. Purchase something that meets your requirements. \\ Inform yourself about the //current hardware support// on the Internet and ask other users/developers for //a personal recommendation// in the forum. \\ Avoid overhyped, overpriced products -embedded hardware can be VERY inexpensive! OpenWrt is what does the magic! | | | {{:meta:icons:tango:dialog-information.png?nolink}} | **OpenWrt does not recommend any hardware or manufacturer!** \\ There is no "best hardware", since people's needs are so different. \\ To think through your requirements, read [[:faq:which_router_should_i_buy?|Which Router Should I Buy?]] \\ Once you have that list, ask for a recommendation [[https://forum.openwrt.org/c/hardware-questions-and-recommendations/13|on the forum.]] \\ You don't have to spend a lot: OpenWrt is what does the magic! | |
| |
| ===== Features ===== | ===== Features ===== |
| | ==== Devices with OpenWrt as a stock firmware ==== |
| | All [[docs:guide-user:installation:openwrt-as-stock-firmware|GL.iNet, Turris and some others]] routers already have an OpenWrt based firmware so you may not need to install them manually. |
| | |
| ==== Bootloader ==== | ==== Bootloader ==== |
| * the [[docs:techref:bootloader]] should not only be under a [[wp>Free_and_open-source_software|FOSS]] license, but preferably under the GPL, so that the OEM is forced to release the complete source code | * the [[docs:techref:bootloader]] should not only be under a [[wp>Free_and_open-source_software|FOSS]] license, but preferably under the GPL, so that the OEM is forced to release the complete source code |
| * Support for EEE (Energy Efficient Ethernet), Green Ethernet officially: [[wp>IEEE 802.3az]] | * Support for EEE (Energy Efficient Ethernet), Green Ethernet officially: [[wp>IEEE 802.3az]] |
| * Support for PoE (Power over Ethernet). non standard "passive" 12V, 24V or standardized [[wp>IEEE802.3af]],IEEE[[wp>802.3at]] | * Support for PoE (Power over Ethernet). non standard "passive" 12V, 24V or standardized [[wp>IEEE802.3af]],IEEE[[wp>802.3at]] |
| | * Support for SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable): [[:toh:views:toh_sfp_ports|Table of Hardware: SFP ports]], [[:unsupported:sfp|Unsupported SFP]] |
| |
| ==== Wireless ==== | ==== Wireless ==== |
| * Frequencies (or bands): | * Frequencies (or bands): |
| * 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz or both? (see e.g. [[wp>Electromagnetic_interference_at_2.4_GHz|Electromagnetic interference at 2.4 GHz]] or [[wp>Fresnel zone]] or [[http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-basics/32316-how-to-buy-a-wireless-router-2014-edition?showall=&start=1|Throughput and Range]]) | * 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz or both? (see e.g. [[wp>Electromagnetic_interference_at_2.4_GHz|Electromagnetic interference at 2.4 GHz]] or [[wp>Fresnel zone]] or [[http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-basics/32316-how-to-buy-a-wireless-router-2014-edition?showall=&start=1|Throughput and Range]]) |
| * For the AP to be capable to run in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time, the router must support //<color green>dual band simultan</color>// aka //<color green>DBDC (DualBand-DualConcurrent)</color>//. This tag shall help you find suitable devices more quickly: {{tagpage>802.11abgn_simultan}} | * For the AP to be capable to provide 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time, the router should have at least two radios. This tag shall help you find suitable devices more quickly: {{tagpage>802.11abgn_simultan}} :FIXME: The simultan currently means 2 radios. |
| | * A single radio that allows use of both bands at the same time supports dual band simultan aka //<color green> RSDB (Real simultaneous dual band) </color>// aka //<color green>DBDC (DualBand-DualConcurrent)</color>// standard. It is not widely adopted (Q1-2021; only some mt76 hardware supports it and mt76 driver support for DBDC is new and not completely stable) |
| * At 2,4GHz you only have **3** distinct channels without overlap, in the 5GHz band there are **19** (EU)/ **13** (USA)/ **??** (Japan) channels without overlapping available | * At 2,4GHz you only have **3** distinct channels without overlap, in the 5GHz band there are **19** (EU)/ **13** (USA)/ **??** (Japan) channels without overlapping available |
| * The 2.4 GHz band is quite crowded with [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Documentation/Bluetooth-coexistence|Bluetooth]] [[wp>Personal area network|PAN]], while 5GHz is usually unused. | * The 2.4 GHz band is quite crowded with [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Documentation/Bluetooth-coexistence|Bluetooth]] [[wp>Personal area network|PAN]], while 5GHz is usually unused. |
| | * newer Wifi standards use 6GHz ([[wp>IEEE_802.11ax#Wi-Fi_6E_products|Wifi6E]]) or 60GHz bands ([[wp>IEEE_802.11ad]]) possibly having 3 radios |
| * Is it relevant to you whether the WNICs are [[https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/developers/documentation/glossary#softmac|SoftMAC]] or [[https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/developers/documentation/glossary#fullmac|FullMAC]] devices? | * Is it relevant to you whether the WNICs are [[https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/developers/documentation/glossary#softmac|SoftMAC]] or [[https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/developers/documentation/glossary#fullmac|FullMAC]] devices? |
| * Do the current capabilities of the [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers|Existing Linux Wireless drivers]] for your WNICs satisfy your requirements? | * Do the current capabilities of the [[http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers|Existing Linux Wireless drivers]] for your WNICs satisfy your requirements? |
| (Please consult the [[docs:techref:hardware:internet.access.technologies|Internet access technologies]]) | (Please consult the [[docs:techref:hardware:internet.access.technologies|Internet access technologies]]) |
| |
| * Common Layer 1 protocols that utilize a [[wp>Modem]] are: [[wp>Digital subscriber line|DSL]], [[wp>DOCSIS]] and [[wp>Mobile telephony]], e.g. [[wp>3GPP Long Term Evolution|LTE]]. See tags {{tagpage>ADSL2+}} {{tagpage>VDSL2}} {{tagpage>DOCSIS}} {{tagpage>Mobile_telephony}} | * Common Layer 1 protocols that utilize a [[wp>Modem]] are: [[wp>Digital subscriber line|DSL]], [[wp>DOCSIS]] and [[wp>Mobile telephony]], e.g. [[wp>3GPP Long Term Evolution|LTE]]. See tags {{tagpage>ADSL2+}}, {{tagpage>VDSL2}}, {{tagpage>DOCSIS}}, {{tagpage>Mobile_telephony}} |
| * If a device has a built-in modem, is the modem fully supported by OpenWrt? | * If a device has a built-in modem, is the modem fully supported by OpenWrt? |
| * E.g. there are no FOSS drivers for the Broadcom modems in the [[docs:techref:hardware:soc:soc.broadcom.bcm63xx|BCM63xx SoCs]], but there are FOSS drivers for Texas Instruments/Infineon/Lantiq Modems in these SoCs: [[docs:techref:hardware:soc:soc.lantiq]]! | * E.g. there are no FOSS drivers for the Broadcom modems in the [[docs:techref:hardware:soc:soc.broadcom.bcm63xx|BCM63xx SoCs]], but there are FOSS drivers for Texas Instruments/Infineon/Lantiq Modems in these SoCs: [[docs:techref:hardware:soc:soc.lantiq]]! |
| |
| ==== Processors and Memory ==== | ==== Processors and Memory ==== |
| * The most crucial decision is your choice of RAM. If you are going to run ''[[docs:guide-user:services:voip:asterisk|asterisk]]'', ''[[docs:guide-user:services:voip:umurmur|mumble]]'', ''[[docs:guide-user:services:dc:direct.connect|Direct Connect]]'', ''[[docs:guide-user:services:downloading_and_filesharing:bittorrent]]'', a [[docs:guide-user:services:webserver:start|web server]] and other stuff, enough RAM will make them run smoothly. Some of them tolerate SWAP pretty good, others do not. FYI: If you are considering adding more RAM, keep in mind that there are no DDR1-Modules bigger then 64MB. Also, the SoC sometimes only support so much. For example, the Marvell Kirkwood, supports a maximum of 512MB. | * The most crucial decision is your choice of RAM. If you are going to run ''[[docs:guide-user:services:voip:asterisk|asterisk]]'', ''[[docs:guide-user:services:voip:umurmur|mumble]]'', ''[[docs:guide-user:services:dc:direct.connect|Direct Connect]]'', ''[[docs:guide-user:services:downloading_and_filesharing:bittorrent]]'', a [[docs:guide-user:services:webserver:start|web server]] and other stuff, enough RAM will make them run smoothly. Some of them tolerate SWAP pretty good, others do not. FYI: If you are considering adding more RAM, keep in mind that there are no DDR1-Modules bigger than 64MB. Also, the SoC sometimes only support so much. For example, the Marvell Kirkwood, supports a maximum of 512MB. |
| * Occasionally the computing power of the CPU proves to be a bottleneck. To compare you should have a look at the [[docs:techref:hardware:cpu|CPU]] included on with [[docs:techref:hardware:soc|SoC]]. Do not compare raw MHz, e.g. a MIPS 34KE@300MHz is in most scenarios faster then a MIPS 24K@400MHz. | * Occasionally the computing power of the CPU proves to be a bottleneck. To compare you should have a look at the [[docs:techref:hardware:cpu|CPU]] included on with [[docs:techref:hardware:soc|SoC]]. Do not compare raw MHz, e.g. a MIPS 34KE@300MHz is in most scenarios faster than a MIPS 24K@400MHz. |
| * as you can see by referring to the [[docs:techref:flash.layout|flash layout]] with a total of 8MiB flash memory, you can use about 5MiB for own packages. | * As you can see by referring to the [[docs:techref:flash.layout|flash layout]], with a total of 8MiB flash memory, you can use about 5MiB for your own packages. |
| |
| ==== Cryptography ==== | ==== Cryptography ==== |
| |
| ===== Find hardware matching your criteria ===== | ===== Find hardware matching your criteria ===== |
| |
| <columns 100% 50% -> | <columns 100% 50% -> |
| | |
| ==== Table of Hardware ==== | ==== Table of Hardware ==== |
| * [[toh:views:toh_available_864|Table of Hardware: Ideal for OpenWrt (8/64 MB or more)]] | |
| * [[toh:views:toh_available_16128|Table of Hardware: Ideal for OpenWrt (16/128MB or more)]] | * [[toh:views:toh_available_16128|Table of Hardware: Ideal for OpenWrt (16/128MB or more)]] |
| * The [[toh:views:start|Collection of views]] offers different views of the ToH, with more data and multiple filter options. | * The [[toh:views:start|Collection of views]] offers different views of the ToH, with more data and multiple filter options. |
| You can use the [[meta:tags]] to find devices with your desired features. | You can use the [[meta:tags]] to find devices with your desired features. |
| |
| **Beware:** Tagging of devicepages is incomplete, resulting in incomplete listings below.\\ | **Beware:** Tagging of devicepages is incomplete, resulting in incomplete listings below. |
| The [[toh:views:start|ToH Collection of views]] should be your first choice when searching for a device. It is more complete, up to date, and shows you the current OpenWrt support status. | |
| |
| * {{tagpage>GigabitEthernet}} | The [[toh:views:start|ToH Collection of views]] should be your first choice when searching for a device. |
| * {{tagpage>DetachableAntenna}} | It is more complete, up to date, and shows you the current OpenWrt support status. |
| * {{tagpage>USB2.0}} {{tagpage>USB}} {{tagpage>2USB}} {{tagpage>3USB}} {{tagpage>4USB}} | |
| * {{tagpage>512RAM}} {{tagpage>256RAM}} {{tagpage>128RAM}} {{tagpage>64RAM}} | * {{tagpage>GigabitEthernet}} |
| * {{tagpage>gt32Flash}} {{tagpage>32Flash}} {{tagpage>16Flash}} {{tagpage>8Flash}} | * {{tagpage>DetachableAntenna}} |
| * {{tagpage>802.11abgn}} {{tagpage>802.11abgn_simultan}} {{tagpage>802.11ac}} | * {{tagpage>USB2.0}}, {{tagpage>USB}}, {{tagpage>2USB}}, {{tagpage>3USB}}, {{tagpage>4USB}} |
| | * {{tagpage>512RAM}}, {{tagpage>256RAM}}, {{tagpage>128RAM}}, {{tagpage>64RAM}} |
| | * {{tagpage>gt32Flash}}, {{tagpage>32Flash}}, {{tagpage>16Flash}}, {{tagpage>8Flash}} |
| | * {{tagpage>802.11abgn}}, {{tagpage>802.11abgn_simultan}}, {{tagpage>802.11ac}} |
| * {{tagpage>rechargeable_battery}} | * {{tagpage>rechargeable_battery}} |
| * {{tagpage>portable_router}} | * {{tagpage>portable_router}} |
| * {{tagpage>ip_camera}} | * {{tagpage>ip_camera}} |
| * {{tagpage>TRNG}} {{tagpage>crypto}} | * {{tagpage>TRNG}}, {{tagpage>crypto}} |
| </columns> | </columns> |
| | |