Have some suggestions:
Opnsense/pfsense as router and openwrt as AP option:
Instead of openwrt use opnsense/pfsense. For hardware you can go down
the used route (pun absolutely intended): Cost: $75
https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/c3000-based-network-devices-to-install-opnsense-pfsense-and-use-as-a-router-firewall.47423/
If you want something newer: Cost: $150
https://cwwk.net/products/12th-i3-n305-n100-nas-motherboard-6-bay-dc-power-2xm-2-nvme-6xsata3-0-pcie-x1-4x-i226-v-2-5g-lan-ddr5-itx-mainboard
and it's ilk
Now you would hang an openwrt ap off of this as a dumb wifi access
point. My recommendation is get a unifi/extreme networks ap for around
$20 and upgrade the wifi inside as needed. (I personally just stick to
the 802.11ac speeds it comes with ).
Openwrt as router and ap: cost: ~$150
NanoPi R5C or R5S they both have openwrt support with 2.5g and you can
throw
https://asiarf.com/product/wi-fi-6e-m-2-ae-key-module-mt7916-aw7916-aed/
on there for fast wifi.
-Eldo
On 1/8/26 12:31, King Beowulf wrote:
> On 1/8/26 06:16, Russell Senior wrote:
>> On Thu, Jan 8, 2026 at 4:24 AM Chuck Hast <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> You cannot get anymore OpenWRT than this:
>>> https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
>>> You would need an additional switch as it is router only. But it is
>>> reported to be a very good device.
>>> We repurpose them for the AREDN mesh network. They do the job.
>> Ed is looking for something faster than 1Gbps ethernet, though, and
>> the OpenWrt One only has one 2.5Gbps port, which means you can't route
>> out the other ethernet side faster than the one 1Gbps port. The
>> OpenWrt One is more of a development platform than a practical router,
>> at least in Ed's scenario.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Russell Senior
>> [email protected]
>
> Russell is correct. I am planning to update my internal network step by
> step from 1 Gbps to 2.5 Gbps. I will need at least 1 each WAN/LAN at
> 2.5 Gbps. I don't necessarily need 10 Gbps as the Ubiqity or Alta Labs
> provides.
>
> I did find this and think I will order today ($200 at amazon). Openwrt
> has its two older versions, Flint 1 and Flint 2, in the TOH.
>
> GL.iNet GL-BE9300 (Flint 3) Tri-Band WiFi 7 Router
>
> https://www.amazon.com/GL-iNet-GL-BE9300-Tri-Band-High-Speed-Wireless/dp/B0FB8X43KJ
>
> That should hold me until I replace the Watchguard Firebox M300, among
> other 1Gbps "legacy" stuff.
>
> -Ed
>
>
>
