this post was submitted on 11 Aug 2023
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Best router for home use? (literature.cafe)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
 

I am planning to eventually build my own home server, and when I do I will hook it up via ethernet. But I do want to switch away from the generic FIOS router and use my own for more control over my data and security. Any recommendations?

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I cannot recommend any consumer router brand, at least not with stock firmware, because any of them don’t have guaranteed update policy. Further, some of the stock firmware contains insecure protocols, like telnet (yes, still), outdated ciphers (SSL, TLS 1.0), and some feature you want is always missing. Further they often lack innovative features like WireGuard in updates, mostly bug fixes and security patches.

That’s why I would urge you to consider using one of the router/ gateway distributions listed below.

Depending on your requirements, I can recommend the following router OS:

  • OpenSense (router without WiFi)
  • OpenWRT (router with WiFi)

If you have an old laptop or pc to spare, you could at least give those two a try.

Someone already mentioned it, OpenSense runs only on x86 / PC Hardware (and MiPS). OpenWRT can be flashed onto a lot of consumer routers as well as be installed on traditional x86 / PC hardware.

OpenWRT has a hardware table on their website for supported models. Some of them come cheap if you buy them used and are pretty decent.

If you like more flexibility, I can recommend building your own router. Used thin clients, Iike for example Fujitsu Futro S920. Thin clients are basically low-powered PCs, which are often cheap on the used market and provide a variety of hardware interfaces. Most use Intel NICs, some have secondary NIC, can hold SATA disks, provide interfaces for WiFi (pice, miniPCIe, m.2) or extension cards, have high efficient power supplies and are in majority are passive cooled. Or get some SBC/ Low-Powered board with the interfaces you need. It doesn’t need to be new hardware.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I second OPNsense and Fujitsu Futro S720/920 (from €20/30 on eBay) with secondary NIC (or even router on a stick with VLAN enabled switch). I'd leave WiFi to a dedicated AP.