Dec 5, 2013, 1:09 pm
Last edit by: nkedel
Some of the popular routers in this thread:
Edimax 6258NL (or via Amazon)
Asus wL-330nul
TP-Link WR702N
TP-LINK TL-WR710N (out of production, but superceded by similar models)
Edimax BR-6258n
Hootoo Tripmate Nano (TM-02)
GLi GL-AR300M
GL.iNet GL-AR750 Travel AC Router - a higher-powered dual band option; probably bigger than most people want, but if you need it... (has its own thread here)
Edimax 6258NL (or via Amazon)
Asus wL-330nul
TP-Link WR702N
TP-LINK TL-WR710N (out of production, but superceded by similar models)
Edimax BR-6258n
Hootoo Tripmate Nano (TM-02)
GLi GL-AR300M
GL.iNet GL-AR750 Travel AC Router - a higher-powered dual band option; probably bigger than most people want, but if you need it... (has its own thread here)
World's Smallest Wireless Router for Hotel Rooms
Nov 2, 2016, 4:03 pm
#541
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,277
So I've done some testing over the past couple of days and here are my findings.
The security hole is still present in 3.0.0.41. Also, I couldn't get AP/bridge mode working on this firmware version (not even in USB network adapter mode).
I ended up downgrading to 3.0.0.20 (downloaded from here) which doesn't have the security hole and which also allows manually choosing AP/bridge mode (as mentioned earlier in this thread).
For those of you wondering, AP/bridge mode is when the adapter bridges the external LAN/WiFi network to the internal network without interfering, putting DHCP and or NAT in between. It's basically as if you would connect your PC directly to the LAN/WiFi without the Asus adapter in between.
Initially I had some issues accessing the web GUI after downgrading the firmware, so I ended up upgrading and then downgrading FW again, resetting settings to default afterwards. Second time around everything worked well.
I made a small connection guide for the modes I would use the most that I put on my device for ease of use. The how to steps are valid for the 3.0.0.20 firmware.
...pic removed...
Attached is the spreadsheet if you'd like to print one for yourself.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...%20how-to.xlsx
I also scratched off the supervisor code on the device itself for added security.
...pic removed...
One thing that I couldn't get working on 3.0.0.20 is the "LAN to USB & Wifi mode" but this mode is not important to me.
The security hole is still present in 3.0.0.41. Also, I couldn't get AP/bridge mode working on this firmware version (not even in USB network adapter mode).
I ended up downgrading to 3.0.0.20 (downloaded from here) which doesn't have the security hole and which also allows manually choosing AP/bridge mode (as mentioned earlier in this thread).
For those of you wondering, AP/bridge mode is when the adapter bridges the external LAN/WiFi network to the internal network without interfering, putting DHCP and or NAT in between. It's basically as if you would connect your PC directly to the LAN/WiFi without the Asus adapter in between.
Initially I had some issues accessing the web GUI after downgrading the firmware, so I ended up upgrading and then downgrading FW again, resetting settings to default afterwards. Second time around everything worked well.
I made a small connection guide for the modes I would use the most that I put on my device for ease of use. The how to steps are valid for the 3.0.0.20 firmware.
...pic removed...
Attached is the spreadsheet if you'd like to print one for yourself.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...%20how-to.xlsx
I also scratched off the supervisor code on the device itself for added security.
...pic removed...
One thing that I couldn't get working on 3.0.0.20 is the "LAN to USB & Wifi mode" but this mode is not important to me.
I have it set up on my wireless connection and it seems to be working, but I haven't tried on a captive portal yet. It's a nice tiny little router, though.
Last edited by penner42; Nov 2, 2016 at 4:16 pm
Nov 2, 2016, 4:12 pm
#542
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
Update: I went ahead and returned the one I bought. I wasn't happy with the performance even when it worked, so I wasn't going to try to flash OpenWRT to fix what might have been a hardware/WiFi firmware issue.
The D-Link model that has a battery and supports 802.11ac is promising though. Any thoughts on that one?
The D-Link model that has a battery and supports 802.11ac is promising though. Any thoughts on that one?
Oct 6, 2017, 1:36 pm
#544
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 53
Sorry for bumping an old thread. But I want a router with WISP functionality and i went through most of the recent posts of the thread. I had decided to get the Edimax 6258NL but that seems to be not available anywhere. Amazon does have the Edimax 6248N (older model) but not sure if I should go for that. I want to connect to a wifi which gives me splash page to enter user id and password for me to access it (xfinitywifi).
I also see Hootoo Nano tripmate also being mentioned but I am not able to find clear information whether it supports the WISP mode and can also show me splash page.
Anyone has suggestion on which small router I should get ?
I also see Hootoo Nano tripmate also being mentioned but I am not able to find clear information whether it supports the WISP mode and can also show me splash page.
Anyone has suggestion on which small router I should get ?
Oct 6, 2017, 1:46 pm
#545
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: FLL/MIA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 138
Sorry for bumping an old thread. But I want a router with WISP functionality and i went through most of the recent posts of the thread. I had decided to get the Edimax 6258NL but that seems to be not available anywhere. Amazon does have the Edimax 6248N (older model) but not sure if I should go for that. I want to connect to a wifi which gives me splash page to enter user id and password for me to access it (xfinitywifi).
I also see Hootoo Nano tripmate also being mentioned but I am not able to find clear information whether it supports the WISP mode and can also show me splash page.
Anyone has suggestion on which small router I should get ?
I also see Hootoo Nano tripmate also being mentioned but I am not able to find clear information whether it supports the WISP mode and can also show me splash page.
Anyone has suggestion on which small router I should get ?
Not sure how real this site is: TP-Link N300 seems to have WISP
Oct 6, 2017, 2:38 pm
#546
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
Sorry for bumping an old thread. But I want a router with WISP functionality and i went through most of the recent posts of the thread. I had decided to get the Edimax 6258NL but that seems to be not available anywhere. Amazon does have the Edimax 6248N (older model) but not sure if I should go for that. I want to connect to a wifi which gives me splash page to enter user id and password for me to access it (xfinitywifi).
I also see Hootoo Nano tripmate also being mentioned but I am not able to find clear information whether it supports the WISP mode and can also show me splash page.
Anyone has suggestion on which small router I should get ?
I also see Hootoo Nano tripmate also being mentioned but I am not able to find clear information whether it supports the WISP mode and can also show me splash page.
Anyone has suggestion on which small router I should get ?
ne that started this thread (forget the model #) will do what you want.
Oct 6, 2017, 9:26 pm
#547
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
Sorry for bumping an old thread. But I want a router with WISP functionality and i went through most of the recent posts of the thread. I had decided to get the Edimax 6258NL but that seems to be not available anywhere. Amazon does have the Edimax 6248N (older model) but not sure if I should go for that. I want to connect to a wifi which gives me splash page to enter user id and password for me to access it (xfinitywifi).
I also see Hootoo Nano tripmate also being mentioned but I am not able to find clear information whether it supports the WISP mode and can also show me splash page.
Anyone has suggestion on which small router I should get ?
I also see Hootoo Nano tripmate also being mentioned but I am not able to find clear information whether it supports the WISP mode and can also show me splash page.
Anyone has suggestion on which small router I should get ?
I have the 6258NL, but tend to leave it at home. HT-TM03/05 and RAVPower FileHub+ have the advantage of being powered by an internal battery, which can also charge my phone in a pinch, and also can stream movies from a uSD card to connected devices. The trade-off, of course, is the slightly larger size.
Oct 8, 2017, 5:38 pm
#548
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
HooToo Nano does have the WISP mode. So do HT-TM03 (my router of choice) and HT-TM05 models. RAVPower FileHub+ is a good choice, too. FileHub+ is a newer model, and has a faster processor.
I have the 6258NL, but tend to leave it at home. HT-TM03/05 and RAVPower FileHub+ have the advantage of being powered by an internal battery, which can also charge my phone in a pinch, and also can stream movies from a uSD card to connected devices. The trade-off, of course, is the slightly larger size.
I have the 6258NL, but tend to leave it at home. HT-TM03/05 and RAVPower FileHub+ have the advantage of being powered by an internal battery, which can also charge my phone in a pinch, and also can stream movies from a uSD card to connected devices. The trade-off, of course, is the slightly larger size.
If I were to get a new travel router today, I'd probably take a look at Gli.net GL-USB150 https://www.gl-inet.com/usb150/ and GL-ARM300MD https://www.gl-inet.com/ar300m/ which comes with OpenWRT installed and handles WISP. It also supports OpenVPN
OpenWRT WISP setup
Oct 9, 2017, 12:52 pm
#549
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
When did gl-ar300md happen? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look at that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dual band dual ethernet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been hunting for this for years!!!!!
Many years!!!!!!!!!!!
And it's already out of stock
Look at that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dual band dual ethernet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been hunting for this for years!!!!!
Many years!!!!!!!!!!!
And it's already out of stock
Oct 9, 2017, 2:03 pm
#550
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,277
It's really nice that I can flip a switch on the router and it starts routing all my traffic through a VPN. And going to the config page, I can select multiple different VPNs, including having it route all my traffic through my home internet connection. And of course, WISP mode, using multiple devices on one Gogo connection, works great.
Oct 9, 2017, 6:30 pm
#551
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
Not even showing up on Amazon. I was about to speculate that there will be more readily available in a couple months, but the comments of "just for hobbyists to play with" suggests that it may remain a limited run.
Oct 10, 2017, 3:22 pm
#553
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
Does anyone have a sense how much more CPU power the GL-AR300N vs. the GL-MT300N? I'm looking at getting one or the other, and thought the SD card slot might be more useful than the much smaller internal NAND on the AR -- but they're clearly marketing the AR300N as the more powerful device.
Oct 10, 2017, 7:03 pm
#554
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 460
The closest thing I can offer to a benchmark is https://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/benchmark.openssl which lists BogoMIPS and SSL crypto performance for various CPUs including the AR9344 and the MT7620 used in these GL routers
It is possible that the memory and storage systems in the two routers offer more of a difference than the CPUs themselves
It is possible that the memory and storage systems in the two routers offer more of a difference than the CPUs themselves
Oct 11, 2017, 2:00 am
#555
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
The closest thing I can offer to a benchmark is https://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/benchmark.openssl which lists BogoMIPS and SSL crypto performance for various CPUs including the AR9344 and the MT7620 used in these GL routers
It is possible that the memory and storage systems in the two routers offer more of a difference than the CPUs themselves
It is possible that the memory and storage systems in the two routers offer more of a difference than the CPUs themselves
Doesn't look like a big difference, although the variance among MT7620 models seems quite a bit higher (is MT7620A vs MT7620N significant?) than there is between the AR9344.
Has anyone tried a RaspPi3 or Tinkerboard as a travel router? It's a hair bigger, but for hotel room VPN use, it may be small enough.