Openwrt Router Firmware

[xiaofan]

EA8100 openwrt wifi speed test is too slow and unstable: 100-200mbps. When I use linksys firmware, speed test can reach 300mbps (Singtel 500mbps network).

Any solution for this?

I enabled fast roaming in openwrt, it should not affect speed test result, right?

I have enabled Software flow offloading and hardware flow offloading in openwrt.

If you suspect fast roaming then just test it again with the feature disabled. I have never tried that myself.

What is the client used for the testing? Are you using the SpeedTest app? DO NOT use browser which may affectt the test results. And make sure you test the wired results first.

You can scroll back one page to check my wireless test result of Linksys EA7500v2, it is quite decent with OpenWRT 22.03. I did not change much on the wireless side (change the country to SG and then set up the password). I am using an Acer laptop with built-in Intel AX201 wireless adapter, Singtel 1Gbps plan. This result at close range should match the performance of Linksys stock FW.

 

[fromnuaa]

I set EA8100 as dummy AP, firewall is disabled, does it mean Software flow offloading and Hardware flow offloading never take effect?

Actually I try to use Openwrt to set up two EA8100 for fast roaming at home, now the speed test result is so bad. If speed test problem is not fixed, fast roaming becomes useless.

When I do speed test, other device wifi connection is suspend, so strange.

I use SpeedTest app to do speed test.

 

[xiaofan]

Just to simulate 500Mbps internet, I set up SQM rules (default Cake/piece of cake.qos) on the upstream OpenWRT router (Intel J4105 mini PC running on PVE platform) to artifically limit the download/upload speed of the EA7500 v2 WAN to be 500Mbps.


Wired speed from the Linksys EA7500v2.

Wireless speed:

 

[xiaofan]

I set EA8100 as dummy AP, firewall is disabled, does it mean Software flow offloading and Hardware flow offloading never take effect?

You may want to enable Firewall and test again. I have not really tested in this way.

You need to check wired speed first before troubleshooting wireless.

 

[fromnuaa]

Your speed result is so good.

I have four EA8100 at home, two are using linksys firmware, two are using Openwrt.

Linksys firmware EA8100 speed test result is much better (faster, stable) than openwrt EA8100.

I think I need to give up openwrt...

 

[xiaofan]

Your speed result is so good.

I have four EA8100 at home, two are using linksys firmware, two are using Openwrt.

Linksys firmware EA8100 speed test result is much better (faster, stable) than openwrt EA8100.

I think I need to give up openwrt...

In your case, no need to set up all of them using OpenWRT. Just set up the main router using OpenWRT. The others can keep using Linksys Stock FW in AP mode.

Then set up all the APs using the same password. It should work.

 

[fromnuaa]

Just enable firewall and reboot openwrt EA8100, speed test result:
download: 120 mbps
upload: 330 mbps

 

[xiaofan]

Just enable firewall and reboot openwrt EA8100, speed test result:
download: 120 mbps
upload: 330 mbps

Upload speed seems to be normal actually. I have no ideas about such low download speed.

What is the test client? Somehow your client does not like OpenWRT...

Still test with wired client first before any wireless test.

 

[fromnuaa]

In your case, no need to set up all of them using OpenWRT. Just set up the main router using OpenWRT. The others can keep using Linksys Stock FW in AP mode.

Then set up all the APs using the same password. It should work.

To do fast roaming between APs, need to enable "802.11r Fast Transition" and set same Mobility Domain value for all APs, that's why i need to flash openwrt for all APs.

 

[fromnuaa]

Upload speed seems to be normal actually. I have no ideas about such low download speed.

What is the test client? Somehow your client does not like OpenWRT...

Still test with wired client first before any wireless test.

I try two speed test apps: "wifiman" and "speedtest", same result.

Wired connection has been tested, 1000mbps, no problem.

 

[xiaofan]

To do fast roaming between APs, need to set every ap with same Mobility Domain value, that's why i need to flash openwrt for all APs.

This is actually not necessary in many cases. You can try it to see if using Linksys Stock FW in AP mode works or not.

I remember there is an advance wireless page with the Linksys stock FW to set up TX power. You can tune that value if needed.

 

[xiaofan]

Tested using a mobile phone (2*2 AC client, Realme X50 5G version, SD765 CPU, rather lower end mobile phone now), Linksys EA7500v2, OpenWRT 22.03, Singtel 1Gbps plan.

Stock Linksys EA7500 v2 FW test last time using iPhone X (2x2 AC client).

Ref: https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/linksys-ea7500-by-starhub.5659102/page-6

 

[fromnuaa]

This is actually not necessary in many cases. You can try it to see if using Linksys Stock FW in AP mode works or not.

My two EA8100 with linksys firmware are used under AP mode, they can do so-called roaming, but it's not true roaming.

I want to try "802.11r Fast Transition" in openwrt..

 

[xiaofan]

My two EA8100 with linksys firmware are used under AP mode, they can do so-called roaming, but it's not true roaming.

I want to try "802.11r Fast Transition" in openwrt..

I see. In this case, I am sorry I do not know the reasons of your slow wireless speed. Maybe it is related to the wireless client.

 

[xiaofan]

I see. In this case, I am sorry I do not know the reasons of your slow wireless speed. Maybe it is related to the wireless client.

Interestingly the new iPhone 14 non-Pro version (2x2 AX/AC 80MHz on the 5GHz band) seems to have quite a bit slower download speed (actually pretty normal speed) compared to upload speed (actually very fast) when testing with EA7500v2 OpenWRT 22.03.

As a comparison, it has faster download speed compared to upload speed when testing with my Asus RT-AX82U router.

 

[xiaofan]

For those who are using an Intel Mini PC or ARM box (like Raspberry Pi 4/400), you can use relatively low cost APs to go with it.

Example:
TP-Link Archer AX72 (AX5400) BNIB from Carousell (dumped by M1 users) is a good choice at around S$120 to S$130.

For users who want to get good low cost mesh solution, probabably Xiaomi AX3000 or AX3200 (at around S$89 to S$99) can be considered.

Linksys E8450 (AX3200) is another interesting option at around S$99 from Challenger. It is actually supported by OpenWRT 22.03.
https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/e8450https://www.challenger.sg/biz-solut...i-6-dual-band-router-easymesh0--0745883809646

 

[gpgtmeowmeow]

Linksys E8450 (AX3200) is another interesting option at around S$99 from Challenger. It is actually supported by OpenWRT 22.03.

For UBI installation, have to make sure to follow the instructions here by dangowrt:

https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer
If bricked, will need to open the case (4 hidden screws revealed by scratching off the sticker) and connect to the serial using a UART to unbrick...

Finally have 22.03 running on Singtel now.

Basically correct step is:
- On Linksys stock, flash recovery installer (dangowrt GitHub) - not recovery
- Flash snapshot (dangowrt GitHub)
- Flash latest openwrt version 22.03 (From openwrt firmware selector)


Overall, I think it's a very good replacement for my ancient stock Singtel router. Low-cost wifi6 router with openwrt support.

The E8450 also quite affordable to buy multiple for mesh, especially when on sale.

 

[gpgtmeowmeow]

Anyone else tried AGH on OpenWRT?

Current router is able to support it so I installed it straight on router. Initial setup was with opkg, but decided to uninstall and run the manual installation with the edge version.

So far satisfied with the results vs using the default ISP DNS, and have my custom filters setup.

https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/services/dns/adguard-home
https://forum.openwrt.org/t/how-to-...home-on-openwrt-manual-and-opkg-method/113904

 

[xiaofan]

> Anyone else tried AGH on OpenWRT?

I do not use Adguard Home myself as I like Pi-hole more. I tried Adguard Home a few times and always went back to Pi-Hole (on a seperate container, not inside OpenWRT) in the end. But I know Adguard Home is also pretty good, it is just a personal choice.

If using pfSense, then pfBlocker-NG is more powerful than either Adgurard Home or Pi-hole.

 

[gpgtmeowmeow]

I do not use Adguard Home myself as I like Pi-hole more. I tried Adguard Home a few times and always went back to Pi-Hole (on a seperate container, not inside OpenWRT) in the end. But I know Adguard Home is also pretty good, it is just a personal choice.

If using pfSense, then pfBlocker-NG is more powerful than either Adgurard Home or Pi-hole.

Think the most concern of using it would be the CPU,memory,disk space usage for Adguard home, if we are talking about running it on the router itself.

Currently CPU and meme usage are fine. Disk space usage is the no. 1 issue which can be overcomes by using extroot with a USB stick attached to router. Also set logs to minimal. I had tried extroot once but removed it since I'll be using the USB port for something else.

On what device specifically do you run pi-hole on?