OpenWrt @lemdro.id Kalcifer @sh.itjust.works 6 mo. ago

My Linksys E8450 has been kissed by Death, so I am looking for recommendations for an alternative router, should I be unsuccessful in its recovery.

My Linksys E8450 has succumbed to the OKOD (OpenWRT Kiss of Death). In case you are unaware, the OKOD essentially is the E8450 spontaneously dying. loss of power, or a reboot can lead to it completely dying — the lights don't come on, and it is essentially bricked. Afaik, it is currently unknown exactly what causes it.

Anyways, it may be possible to recover, and I am currently working on that, but should I not be able to recover it, I will need to purchase a new router. To that end, I am looking for recommendations for a new router that is equal to, or better than the Linksys E8450 (it must be well supported by OpenWRT).

I may just buy another E8450, but I am curious if there is a better alternative.

9 comments

A micro pc with opnsense / Pfsense.
- Great for a firewall, not so great for a wifi access point. Lots of people running opnsense are also running openwrt on a dedicated access point.
- Can you recommend an affordable (read readily available used) micro pc that is suitably spec’d for pfsense? I had a look at the Protectli 4Ports but they’re somewhat outside my budget and overkill for my needs. Appreciate your time.
  
  You could try this. I have two of these (16GB 512GB version) arriving in the post today. They're on offer currently.
  
  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005234838380.html?dp=1c009gth2hm7&aff_fcid=454bd2f0582d40858b2fd52e8092eb83-1717654888688-02393-NUUJNoAU&aff_fsk=NUUJNoAU&aff_platform=promotion&sk=NUUJNoAU&aff_trace_key=454bd2f0582d40858b2fd52e8092eb83-1717654888688-02393-NUUJNoAU&terminal_id=41c31be75a2c40b2a9d77b41608f9a7e&afSmartRedirect=y
  
  Basically those and things like them. There's a bunch of different models on amazon if you just search for mini firewall. Maybe the protecli fw2b? I think mine is made by qotom
  
  If that's overkill, ddwrt is probably the next best thing I guess?
If you want to keep comparable capability and are ok with flashing a new firmware you might like a Netgear (R8000) - AC3200

I run tomato on mine, I have network segmentation, VLANs, all the goodies

I would honestly suggest any router on this list that meets your needs

https://wiki.freshtomato.org/doku.php/hardware_compatibility
Linksys anything tends to be pretty good in my experience

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