Source
r/HomeNetworking•
IreMinMon

Help a noob clear a couple of things up

So the issue I have is that my wireless router doesn't have the range to cover entire house. I use an old linksys router with dd-wrt.

I'm one of the people who's actually quite comfortable with linux and cli, but I really really suck at networking.

A while ago I've tried to increase the wifi range by connecting another recycled scrap router, with little success. Now recently I've been told by a professional that actually you're not supposed to use a router, you're supposed to use an "access point".

I'm still unaware of how any of this works, but to me it seems like in essence, "WAP" is just a router with less ethernet ports, but it does provide a kind of "plug and play" experience that routers don't.

Now I usually strive to get rid of hardware in my home running proprietary code, but I'd also like to get the more robust, "plug and play" experience that WAPs supposedly provide (for the above mentioned reason). According to my research, this is an issue, because while there appears to be a great amount of routers compatible with open source firmware, I haven't managed to find anything about WAPs running open source firmware.

Is this just how it is? Am I missing something? Is anyone able to recommend an access point with open firmware?

Posted Feb 26, 2022, 6:08 PM UTC

415
Gonococcal•

Most consumer routers allow use in "access point" mode (by disabling DHCP and routing). So you're correct, from a basic perspective, a consumer router that doesn't route (and manage DHCP) can be used as an access point.

5
IreMinMonOP•

But purchasing a purpose-built WAP compatible with open source firmware is not an option?

2
Airlab•

You can use openwrt in access point mode on a compatible device. The issue with that is the secret sauce (hardware and software) that make purpose built WAPs great won’t be found in that kind of setup.

If you already have the hw just try it out, but if you’re planning on buying hw get something from tplink omada or unifi.

2
IreMinMonOP•

Okay, I'll just get a WAP then.

It feels insane that there's such an extensive firmware support for routers, yet there doesn't seem to be the same options for WAPs, which, from what I've gathered, appear, to be just watered down routers....

2
Airlab•

It’s not just a watered down router. Good WAPs have extensive work in antenna design and the algorithms in how they are used. If you look at some advanced enterprise WAPs (or good prosumer ones) they have over a dozen antennas and thousands of combinations of how they are powered and what pattern they output. You can’t really apply that stuff to generic WiFi hardware.

4
_twrecks_•

The fact that most (all?) modern wifi chip drivers are closed source isn't helping. I think those that do work use the manufacturers compiled binary "blob" with a wrapper.

2
Gonococcal•

Of course you can use a purpose-built WAP. As Airlab points out, WAPs provide purpose-built hardware (and software), and some allow use of open-source firmware. If you have the need, or just the urge, get a WAP (or several). I chimed in because you questioned your professional's opinion, that only a dedicated WAP would suit your use case, which I am assuming involves no more than a (normal-sized) single-family house, and perhaps a dozen devices.

1
IreMinMonOP•

WAPs provide purpose-built hardware (and software), and some allow use of open-source firmware.

Do you know about any? Like, can you think about one just off your mind? I couldn't find any with my research :)

I chimed in because you questioned your professional's opinion, that only a dedicated WAP would suit your use case, which I am assuming involves no more than a (normal-sized) single-family house, and perhaps a dozen devices.

Yeah, it's one of the bigger single family houses in the village, first I guess I'll get one, see how this works out for me, then expand if it turns out to work well. In case it turns out the reception is bad on the lower floor, I might consider as much as 8 WAPs. It's quite an investment, which is why I want to learn the essentials and pick the best possible option and put this issue behind me :)

1
colinrgodsey•

So just for a little background on the components themselves:

Residential "routers" you get from your ISP are really like... 4-5ish different things combined into one, that don't really all need to be together.

They are usually a modem, router+firewall, access point, and switch. All of these roles can be accomplished with separate equipment. The firewall is generally best combined with the router (as it's basically a "route filter").

You probably won't find much open source software for the APs themselves. They're usually pretty dumb, just come with a webpanel for setting the SSID and password

2
IreMinMonOP•

You probably won't find much open source software for the APs themselves. They're usually pretty dumb, just come with a webpanel for setting the SSID and password

Which is exactly why proprietary nature of the software feels rather weird :)

Anyways, noted. Thanks.

2
releenc•

Since the advent of 5GHz Wifi, open source firmware has become much less prevalent. Most manufacturers use hardware acceleration that requires licensed drivers which the open source developers cannot include. Almost every modern Wifi router or WAP faces this issue. Remember 5GHz and the newer Wifi 6 get faster speeds, put due to the higher frequencies, cover less area and don't penetrate dense wall materials as well.

If you're happy with only 2.4Ghz, buy another old linksys router for $10 or less on ebay, install dd-wrt, and configure it as an access point rather than full router. Put it on the other side of your house and run an Ethernet cable between it and the exist one.

Otherwise buy a WAP and use the manufacture's firmware. Open source gives you extra features on the router and firewall functions, not the wireless. Connect it up to your exist router with Ethernet.

I switched from dd-wrt to Unifi about 5 years ago. I'm still using that equipment, but they have newer stuff now. Reply or message me if you want more details.

1
IreMinMonOP•

Honestly, the way our home network is configured at this point (no hate pls) is that all the wireless hardware is in the attic, separated from all the connected devices by at least one layer of reinforced concrete (ceiling). So I maintain no fantasies about 5GHz.

I know it's not ideal, but the house is old, it was not built with these networks in mind, so doing the wiring on the floor above ground floor would be time consuming and problematic.

The real issue I have is with the stability of the network. I once tried to configure an old linksys router as an access point as you said, and I think it even worked for a short while, but then it suddenly stopped working, at which point I kind of gave up on the whole thing. I suppose WAPs would be easier for a noob to work with?

1
releenc•

My suggestion would be to get a good quality WAP, take the time to ceiling mount it near the center or highest use area in your house. Take the time to properly drill a hole through the concrete ceiling. Then you just need to pull a CAT6 (or 5e) Ethernet line to your router. Use the manufacturer's firmware and setup the WAP using the website or mobile app it includes (depending on brand). No need to change anything on your router. Generally WAPs are powered by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and should come with an injector, so you'll actually need two cables with the injector between them plugged into power outlet.

2
IreMinMonOP•

Alright, thanks

1