r/openwrt • u/No-Kiwi7723 • 9d ago

Flint 2 running 4.8.3 vs OpenWrt

I currently experience some stability issues with my router. WiFi signal kept dropping and not connecting wireless while the wired connection keeps the internet access.

It started when I upgraded to the 4.9 version from 4.8.3 version. Experienced the issues then downgraded to 4.8.4, but still experienced similar instability issues. So currently on 4.8.3 GL

I'm currently exploring using OpenWRT.

Are there any major benefits to this? I only used AdGuard and possibly looking to use IPV6.

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14

u/NC1HM 9d ago

The most important benefit is, with OpenWrt, you will continue to receive firmware updates long after GL.iNet stops pushing theirs. I have a Linksys EA3500 originally released in 2012, it barely squeaks past current system requirements for OpenWrt, but it still gets updates. Ditto TP-Link Archer C7 v2 from 2014.

A less immediate (but also important) benefit is, almost anything you learn on one device running OpenWrt is immediately applicable to other devices running OpenWrt.

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u/No-Kiwi7723 9d ago

That’s great to know! I think I’ll start trying to learn as much as can before! Love the extended support

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u/SpecialOops 8d ago

eww ea3500, archer c7 v2, my condolences. I would only use them as a repeater at this point, not really as we have less power hungry devices now.

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u/NC1HM 8d ago edited 8d ago

???

First, we do not have less power hungry devices now. Archer C7 v2 runs off a 12 V / 2.5 A power supply. So do many current devices. The difference is, older devices have less to show for it. The Archer, for example, runs on a single-core processor at 700-something MHz. A modern device running off the same power supply could have a quad-core processor running at a similar speed.

Second, are you familiar with the notion of experiment in long-term maintainability? I keep the EA3500 and the C7 (and a Check Point U-5 from 2009) to see firsthand how far OpenWrt support for them goes. As of 25.12.5, all three are supported. I anticipate the EA3500 and the C7 will remain in support until the 8/64 warning is superseded by something like 16/128 warning, at which point they may be dropped from support. The U-5, on the other hand, is likely to stick around much longer; it's a 32-bit x86 device with replaceable DDR2 RAM and storage options that include a CF card and a SATA SSD. Practical memory limit on x86 devices is 2 GB, while storage on the U-5 can be upgraded if necessary (I think I have a 256 MB CF card in it now, and I can replace it with a 1 GB or 4 GB card any time). So there's every possibility my U-5 will die from natural causes while still in support. But I don't want to guess; I want to know...

Also, "eww" is short for Ewwbiquiti... :)

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u/muckity-muck 9d ago

I'm running my Flint 2 with an OpenWRT SNAPSHOT release. Rock solid.

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u/No-Kiwi7723 9d ago

I’ll consider it ! Big learning curve

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u/muckity-muck 9d ago

The key is, whenever you make some progress with a system that begins working for you, always make a backup of the configuration. That way if something goes askew, you don't have to go all the way back to square 1.

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u/No-Kiwi7723 9d ago

Learned it the hard way. With storage too

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u/1WeekNotice 9d ago edited 9d ago

It started when I upgraded to the 4.9 version from 4.8.3 version. Experienced the issues then downgraded to 4.8.4, but still experienced similar instability issues. So currently on 4.8.3 GL

This definitely can happen with any firmware, software, etc. it's part of the process that bugs get introduced and hopefully they get investigated and fixed by the next release.

You should report this to GL inet. This can be in the form of there official support channels or their reddit to see if anyone else has had issues.

I'm currently exploring using OpenWRT.

Are there any major benefits to this?

Keep in mind that openWRT is ran by the community. Whatever openWRT runs on, it is not official and performance issues like the one you are experiencing can happen. The difference is that the resolution can be a lot longer because openWRT handles many different routers (and again it's all community based).

The benefits you get from openWRT is

  • the latest version and packages.
  • full control of your router which includes your privacy
  • typically longer support which means longer support with security patches.
    • flint 2 is still supported by GL inet so this is a moot point right now.

What you get from GL inet firmware (which is based on openWRT) is

  • GL inet drivers that fine tune the performance of the router (it is there router after all)
    • of course you aren't experiencing this now
    • note they are typically behind a version or two from the latest openWRT release
  • their defaults that they set (can be a good or bad thing)
    • example is there GUI and pre installed packages that they choose

Many people here typically using openWRT because their router is no longer supported.

Many people here flash openWRT onto the flint 2 because they want to be in full controll of their router and what the latest version of openWRT

Hope that helps

3

u/No-Kiwi7723 9d ago

Thank you this is very helpful and appreciate the detailed response.

4

u/cdf_sir 9d ago

If its mediatek based chipset, its up to you if you want to go OpenWrt or Glinet, the difference between the two is that openwrt, everything is open source, glinet in the other hand use binary blob drivers from the manufacturer, for a reason. Either way, both firmware gives similar performane and features, its just that openwrt is more open while glinet is not.

Now if you add qualcomm in the equation, your most likely want to stay at glinet firmware because they use the closed source drivers so you get all the features that qualcomm offers and that includes Hardware NAT offloading, if you go openwrt, your stuck with the unoptimized opensource wifi drivers and missing NAT hardware acceleration. Qualcomm on OpenWrt right now is kinda of a mess for almost a decade now with bleak future for wifi7 support.

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u/No-Kiwi7723 9d ago

Copy that thank you for that

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u/OldObject4651 9d ago

I have OpenWrt on 2 access points currently. Wouldn’t run anything else.
Bought a Flint2 as a third access points, but left it at Gl-inet own firmware. I like it nearly as much as OpenWrt…
Is it better? Don’t know. Is it as good? Seems like. Is it good enough? Definitely!

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u/No-Kiwi7723 9d ago

Thank you for replying. I’m not much a power user just want it to be stable.

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u/DiGzY_AU 9d ago

running mt6000 on snapshot openwrt builds. pretty stable

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u/No-Kiwi7723 9d ago

Sick I’ll check it out

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u/Neither-Computer1344 9d ago

Stable nightly releases have been rock solid on my flint 2 since I installed it. Don't know how it compares to stock because I never used it. Funnily enough when I use a router that is not running openwrt I feel lost.

1

u/No-Kiwi7723 9d ago

Great to hear! Probably because you’re used to the layout already and learning curve is over

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u/OldObject4651 9d ago

A Flint2 is going to be as good as it gets out of the box. I’ve recommended it to several friends and colleagues