My ISP Skinny New Zealand delivered me a Smart Modem 3 for connection to the internet. It seems to be an OEM product from Taiwanese manufacturer Arcadyan. It offers me everything I need. Except a good feeling about privacy. Privacy Guides and The New Oil recommend software that I can’t install on it. So I’m evaluating the replacement.
I’ve received a recommendation from Protectly to buy a modem, Vault, and an access point. Three devices instead of one. But I don’t want to invest the time and the money to start such a project. Isn’t it enough to buy a router including an access point, connect in bridge mode to the modem, and install recommended software? If so, what’s your recommendation?
GLInet might meet your needs (in combination with your ISP provided modem). Their devices use lightly modified OpenWRT firmware. GLInet offers many traditional ‘consumer’ style routers (Firewall/Router/AP combo devices).
IIRC Protectli uses either OPNsense or PFsense firmware which are good as well (better in many respects). (there are also many generic “fanless mini-PCs” that work with OPNsense or PFsense and is essentially the same as what Protectli seems to use.
Or you could buy an off the shelf consumer/prosumer router that you’ve confirmed supports custom open source firmware and flash it yourself. Asus used to be good for this, I’m not sure if that is still the case or if things have changed.
With tech, simplicity is often complex AF I’m always trying to simplify my digital life, and usually end up complicating it further in the process.
If your ISP provided router supports bridge-mode then yes. You might even be so lucky that you can skip your ISPs router altogether. I’ve not used the ISP-provided router from my current and three prior providers.
I would suggest you visit the OpenWRT website and find a WiFi router on their supported list that suit your needs. Here’s the link to all the supported WiFi6 capable devices. You can filter for ‘WiFi Router’ in the left-most column.
If I were to buy a new WiFi router, I would propably buy the ASUS TUF Gaming AX4200 since its well specked, it’s easy to flash OpenWRT on it and it’s reasonably priced IMO. My router lives in a closet so I wouldn’t have to look at it
Be warned though that Router OSes like OpenWRT, OPNsense and PFsense can be quite overwhelming at first because of the sheer number of functionalities and options. In my experience they all come with pretty sane defaults though.I find the UI of OPNsense and PFsense neater and prettier but they only run on x86 hardware whereas OpenWRT runs on ARM as well which is why you can put it on many consumer routers.
I’m always trying to simplify my digital life, and usually end up complicating it further in the process.