Looking for router where I can use Wi-Fi as WAN

[cafcwest]

Hi all,

With all the recent reviews about travel routers, it got me thinking about a need that I have in one of my hobbies. I need a router for firewall functionality, DHCP, a wireless access point, etc. and that can connect to a Wi-Fi connection to use for the WAN. Ideally it'd also have the ability to navigate any type of captive portal that is necessary to connect to that Wi-Fi connection.

The use case is very similar to folks traveling to RV parks and connecting to their public Wi-Fi. Also because I am sometimes working from inside a big metal box that acts as a faraday cage, it'd be great if this router also had detachable antennas,so that I can mount an antenna outside of the box.

I've been thinking about ordering a new piece of OpenWRT compatible routing hardware, but I thought I'd ask here before going that path. It also seems like the GL.iNet routers may have this functionality (similar to their travel routers - same functionality/software stack?) it I'm not 100% clear on that. I do worry about the security and support from such a relatively unknown brand.

Any advice on hardware that'd fulfill this need would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ano]

mikrotik

 

[reasonsandreasons]

I'm pretty sure basic OpenWRT will handle this fine. I have an older Netgear router with OpenWRT that's configured to grab my phone's hotspot if available and use it as a WAN for a LAN of vintage computers.

 

[gregsachs]

This is definitely travel router type functionality-I have on old TP-Link I used to use for this. If you don't want on of the Gl.inet or similar, get a tplink one. https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Ultr...4ea-816d-81015208c6e2&pd_rd_i=B0D41G5N95&th=1
(not the one I had, which is surely obsolete, but just an example).
The one I used:

Amazon.com: TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR802N) - WiFi Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Mobile in Pocket : Electronics

Amazon.com: TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR802N) - WiFi Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Mobile in Pocket : Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

[thigobr]

I have OpenWRT running on a VisionFive 2 RISC-V board with a Mediatek 7922 wifi card. I have tested this travelmate package and it works well!
I am able to use wifi as WAN and AP at the same time even though this specific wifi card only has a single radio. You would be better served by choosing something that supports DBDC (Dual-band, Dual-concurrent) radios.

 

[is39]

I'd recommend any of GL.INET models, depending on other requirements (wired networking, WiFi performance, size and cost).
They run their own Web UI on top of very slightly modified OpenWRT; so you can manage it using Luci if you prefer.

They have WiFi WAN functionality out of the box; models w/USB also can use USB 4G/LTE modems for WAN.
In general I found those quite superior to TP-Link offerings.

Duh, I just noticed you mention GL.INET in the question Yes, it works.
Just select a model with removable antennas (not very common, but they've a few).

 

[sic0048]

The GL-iNet travel routers absolutely allow you to both connect to an existing Wifi network (for WAN) AND create your own private LAN WiFi/wired network at the same time. It's one of the really great things about these devices - you can do both at the same time. Most regular Wifi routers will only allow for one of those functions (either connecting to an existing WiFi network, or creating/broadcasting your own Wifi network).

It's also dead simple to connect a phone or modem (either through WiFi or direct USB connections) to get your WAN that way too. Obviously you can also connect to a WAN over regular ethernet as well, but that is so boring....

The are great for "traveling" for this reason. Basically if you need to create a private network away from your regular home network, these little devices are a life saver. They work great on their own, but you can also setup a VPN connection to your regular network so that all your connected devices can use the same tunnel easily.

I am a part time sound engineer and use a GL-iNet travel router as part of my setup. It allows me to have my own private network for all the audio gear (that stays consistent show to show), but also allow me to easily connect to the internet if I need to - whether that connection is via the venue's WiFi, a hardwired ethernet connection, or a hotspot on my phone (again connected either by my phone's WiFi, or a direct USB connection to my phone). I use all three methods pretty regularly depending on the options available.

 

[sic0048]

Just select a model with removable antennas (not very common, but they've a few).

Definitely something to consider, but you can always use an external Wireless AP if getting external antennas limits the choices too much. I realize that adds expense, complexity, and bulk to the overall system, but you can get some pretty decent used APs now for almost nothing. Some of the recent deals include $25 Rukus r710 and $20 Areohive ap650 (if you want WiFi 6).

 

[cafcwest]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far. The way I most envision getting connectivity it from site served Wi-Fi that does not have a captive portal, but in case that ever changes or I want to use this hardware for any other purpose, it's nice to have those additional capabilities - to navigate a captive portal, to connect to a phone or hotspot via WiFi or USB for the WAN.

Definitely something to consider, but you can always use an external Wireless AP if getting external antennas limits the choices too much. I realize that adds expense, complexity, and bulk to the overall system, but you can get some pretty decent used APs now for almost nothing. Some of the recent deals include $25 Rukus r710 and $20 Areohive ap650 (if you want WiFi 6).

Can you detail further what that'd look like? Using a standalone AP to connect to the public Wi-Fi in bridge mode? How would it be able to navigate a captive portal? Just talking it through - It's a client of the public Wi-Fi, so it's DHCP serves the AP an IP address. Then I configure the WAN of my router for DHCP, so it's also going to get an IP from the public Wi-Fi, yes?

 

[is39]

I think @sic0048 meant use AP attached to the wired LAN side of GL.INET router (which can be outside in the WiFi client mode).
This way you would not need removable antennas, but would lose in-door WiFi coverage from GL.INET router.
Though, you've mentioned working inside big metal box, so I guess you were not expecting inside WiFi connectivity anyway, only wired?
Either way, you've options.

 

[cafcwest]

That makes sense!

See, sometimes you get so stuck in a particular path of thought, it takes that outside influence to break it.

It'd be great to have my own private Wi-Fi inside and outside the 'metal box' (the metal box is an enclosed trailer, steel or aluminum skinned). And while the solution is getting more and more hardware complex, I could accomplish that with a 'travel router' outside, then hang one AP inside and another one outside. I've probably got some older gen Unifi APs kicking around that'd work perfectly fine for this too.