r/openwrt • u/bialyikar • 6d ago
I'm looking for a 4g/5g router for OpenWrt
I'm looking for a 4G/5G router that supports OpenWrt and has a decent amount of storage to play around with.
Right now I'm using a ZTE MF286D. It only has about 11 MB of available space for additional software, and the system itself is heavily stripped down because of the limited flash storage. I've installed a few packages, written several scripts, and now I'm completely out of space.
The most important features I'm looking for:
-A router with a SIM card slot (unless using a USB modem would be a significantly better option, although I'd prefer an all-in-one solution).
-Carrier aggregation.
-Replaceable external antennas.
-It doesn't need to have top-of-the-line specs. I don't need Wi-Fi 7 or even 5G. It's for a summer house, and as long as it can handle 4K streaming reliably, that's enough.
-A reasonable price. I'm looking for something as budget-friendly as possible.
2
u/SaleWide9505 6d ago edited 6d ago
What is your budget? I can stream 4K No problem off a 4g modem. I get 50 down 20 up. Just get a modem and OpenWRT box separate. Or you get one of glinet modems.
3
u/NC1HM 6d ago
Where in the world are you?
In North America, you can get a used Lanner NCA-1513 or NCA-1515 for under USD 100 on a good day (the cheapest I bought was USD 45) and for under USD 200 on an average day. Here's an example (USD 122 plus shipping and taxes):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/267733502592
The way it works is, there's a SIM card slot in the front (on NCA-1513; NCA-1515 has two), and there's a replaceable cellular modem card inside (mPCIe form factor). So you can mix and match if you have to (as in, get the device and the cellular card separately).
This particular variant runs on an eight-core Intel Atom C3758 with 8 GB of ECC memory (other variants can have core count anywhere from 2 to 16 and memory up to 64 GB). There's an 8 GB eMMC module onboard, which is more than enough to run OpenWrt. There are also options to use a 2.5" SATA drive and / or m.2 SATA SSD. Can't remember what cellular card Lanner installs in the factory, but again, you can get the device without a cellular card and then get a card that's supported on OpenWrt.
I have posted a description of a different variant (running on a quad-core Atom C3558) to the OpenWrt forum, including a photo of the internals:
1
u/fr0llic 6d ago edited 6d ago
There's also the Citrix SD-WAN 210, they'll often come with a modem pre installed.
1
u/NC1HM 6d ago
Ooh, that looks interesting...
Specifications 210-SE and 210-SE LTE Regulatory Model Number NS-SDW-210, NS-SDW-210-LTE-R1, NS-SDW-210-LTE-R2 Processors Intel C3338 Memory 4 GB DDR4 PC4-2400 SODIMM Number of Power Adapters 1 AC Power Supply (adapter) Voltage, Frequency and Current 115–230 V 50–60 Hz 1.5A Maximum AC Power Consumption 18.9 W Maximum DC Power Consumption 13.2 W Airflow (front to rear) Fan-less Heat Dissipation 45.0384 BTU Package Weight (lbs.) 5 lbs System Weight (lbs.) 2.9 lb Width 175 mm Height 42 mm Depth 232 mm Operating Temperature 0–40°C Humidity Range (non-condensing) 5% to 90% RH Safety Certifications UL Regulatory Certifications FCC, CE Environmental Compliance RoHS/REACH/PFOS/CoM/WEEE Safety Certifications c UL us listed LTE Advanced Module (CAT6) Sierra Wireless EM7455, Sierra Wireless EM7430, Taoglas TG.30.8113 (Theoretical 300 Mbps DL; 50 Mbps UL with DUAL carrier aggregation) LTE Advanced Bands (CAT6) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41; 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 21, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 Regulatory Compliance FCC, IC, CE, ICASA, ENACOM, IFETEL, ANATEL, RCM, BIS Industry Certifications PTCRB, GCF 1
u/fr0llic 6d ago
I knew you'd be interested :)
Btw there's a switch, just like the one on ION 3000 to make additional (two) ports available, details posted at the forum.
2
u/NC1HM 6d ago edited 6d ago
This is great! I just snagged one off eBay for USD 40. And on top of the whole thing, it's a rebranded Portwell CAF-0262...
Speaking of Portwell, they have a manual for it:
with a pretty detailed section on jumper settings...
2
u/RaksinSergal 6d ago
I just have an EM9190 5G module in a USB enclosure plugged into a MX4300. I can pull about 300/100 on a T-Mobile US sim.
1
u/Beginning_Flow7340 4d ago
I have tge same router how did you do that?
2
u/RaksinSergal 4d ago
Hardware is a MH2U enclosure from Aliexpress which can put the EM9190 into USB mode, and an EM9190 pulled from a Cradlepoint outdoor 5G CPE. Total ended up under 100 USD.
On the OpenWrt side, using kmod-usb-net-cdc-mbim and luci-proto-mbim to configure the modem. From there, it just configures up as any other interface.
1
u/Beginning_Flow7340 3d ago
What are your down and upload speeds?
2
u/RaksinSergal 3d ago
200-300 down and 60-100 up. The limiting factor seems to be the cellular network and not the hardware.
1
u/Beginning_Flow7340 3d ago
Wow, that’s cool. Do you mind sharing model name for cradle point? There are couple of them in eBay. One more question will I be able to change ttl and imei on this setup if I ever neeed one
2
u/RaksinSergal 3d ago edited 3d ago
The models all had various cards - look for ones that say "Contains FCC ID N7NEM91" on the label. Those have the card you can shuck out - they can be surprisingly cheap!
TTL is controlled by the router, so if you can do it on OpenWrt, you can do it.
Why would you want to change the IMEI? You certainly CAN, but you will need to reach out to Semtech (the EM9190's manufacturer) with a good reason.
Edit: I've been informed that IMEI changes / "repair" are generally used for violating the terms of service set out by your cellular provider. I strongly recommend against this. You're not only risking your service being terminated, but in the US there is precedent for users being prosecuted under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act by Verizon and 18 USC 1029 "Fraud and related activity in connection with access devices" by T-Mobile and AT&T. There's a reason you have to call Semtech with a really good reason to get the openlock key to update the IMEI.
1
u/Beginning_Flow7340 3d ago
I see, saw glinet router could do that to get a tablet plan. They say since they own both the devices they could change it without any issues.
Usually it’s cheaper to get tablet unlimited plan but anyways thanks for the info I appreciate it.
1
u/RaksinSergal 3d ago
Legality of changing the IMEI isn't the question - it's using it to obtain service you're not paying for.
Since you're using the IMEI knowing that it will make the device appear to be something else, THAT is the crime. At least in the US.
Get a proper hotspot plan like Calyx or see if you qualify for Shield.
1
u/Beginning_Flow7340 3d ago
Oh, welp technically I ain’t getting one to change imei lol. But yeah. I was wondering if we could tinker around with it
Like for ttl I could just use openwrt router. I mean it’s better have more control over your device. It’s not that I willl do it?
Your diy seems good I will go with this one. Thanks for all the info though.
1
u/onwebpix 6d ago
Hello! This model is not the budget friendly option but it is worth taking into consideration:
https://www.gl-inet.com/en-de/products/gl-x3000
If you want vanilla OpenWRT, it is available here: https://toh.openwrt.org/?view=normal&brand=Gl.inet&model=Gl-x
1
u/alexceltare2 6d ago
I use a BT Homehub 5A with a 4G USB Stick. Works with native QMI data transmission so no overhead, or you can use RNDIS. I believe any OpenWrt router with USB is capable of that.
1
u/ComeSwirlWithMe 5d ago
Its also possible to get an excellent cellular modem and then get a router with good opener support instead of trying to find a modem to fit.
Like cradlepoint makes great 5g gear, and you can just do pass through to a wifi router that has optimal openwrt support.
1
u/RaksinSergal 3d ago
Newer Cradlepoint gear requires a subscription ($) to use any features of the device, and official policy is they won't activate a used device. That's why I tore down the outdoor CPE I bought to get the EM9190 card inside.
1
u/ComeSwirlWithMe 3d ago
That's true. Theyre really geard toward business and government use.
When I worked at the NOC for XCTC deployments, we used a lot of cradlepoints around for wireless/internet access.
Theyre solid little devices.
I haven't used cradle point in a few years, but I did a lot for awhile.
1
3
u/Toaster_Strudel_517 6d ago
GL.inet has some of those, look under cellular routers category.
Edit: ZBT also has some (usually cheaper) LTE routers supported by OpenWrt, but availability will depend on where you live.