Client device upgraded to a network router function.
Client device upgraded to a network router function.
Hello everyone, new to this forum and not sure if this is the right spot. I’m sending a thin client and want to convert it into a router—my Telstra device is secured. I plan to add AC Wi-Fi and upgrade RAM from 4GB to 8GB. What should I do with the Wi-Fi setup? Should I look for a compatible AP, or can any of these work as an AP? I’ll also be installing Openvpn and Pi-hole. Please let me know if there are other considerations. Thanks!
Client details: Wyse ZX0 AMD G-T52R, 1.50GHz, 8GB RAM, 8GB Flash, Thin Client Z90S7
I personally rely on a dedicated standalone access point (Ubiquiti Unifi AC-Lite) while keeping the router handling networking tasks. This setup allows the APs to be placed thoughtfully within the home or around users, and the router can safely reside in a convenient area like the boiler room away from the living space.
Your internet connection is what I’m seeing, and it looks like the processor might struggle with speeds above 100Mbit. It won’t handle OpenVPN or WiFi tasks at the same time very well. With just one Ethernet port, using your PC as a Wi-Fi access point isn’t recommended. After testing this over the past fifteen years, it’s become quite frustrating. A real access point needs multiple radios, but your setup only has one PCIe slot—USB adapters might work, though they have limited range and can overheat. Most WiFi cards don’t perform well in access point mode, and many routers or dedicated APs require special firmware that isn’t available. Even though I’m comfortable with Linux, a proper router OS would make configuration much easier. One wrong setting could cause major issues, leaving you scrambling to find solutions online. In short, it’s possible but not ideal. A better router with solid hardware and a suitable OS would give you more reliability and performance. If you really need the same device for both functions, a Linux-based system is essential, as BSD’s WiFi support is unreliable. Otherwise, you might be stuck with only 802.11n (WiFi 4) and limited options. Ultimately, a reasonably priced router supporting OpenWRT could work just as well, or even better, for the price you’re paying.
The CPU isn't focused on routing tasks, but using VPN will probably put a lot of strain on it... The impact varies based on your VPN usage. If it's only for basic remote access without heavy data streaming, it should work okay. A USB NIC might be better for the other connection.
Hey everyone, posting here seemed like the right idea. I’m hoping the CPU can manage the VPN and Pi-hole. I’ll run some benchmarks once I get the setup. Although it’s an older hardware model, I just want to switch regions and handle ad blocking. Thanks for the tips and mod suggestions so far!
Without AES-NI it’ll struggle with VPN tasks, though it should handle regular internet traffic just fine. AA-UK is right—using this device for a WAP won’t work well. It’s not worth the effort. If anything, it’s better to invest in a solid router and use this machine for piHole instead. The router would probably be more appropriate for your VPN needs.
They suggest using systems with dual-core processors, especially if the main CPU is single-core and single-thread. Bandwidth should be around 101-500 Mbps. A recent Intel or AMD processor with a clock speed of 2.0 GHz is ideal. The setup needs server-grade hardware featuring PCI-e network adapters, or newer desktop models that include them.
it seems you're onto something there. i've boosted the ram and plan to upgrade the storage—i think the 8gb flash is getting a bit sluggish. i'm joining you and installing pfsense to test it out. let's see how it performs!
I recently completed a comparable build. I purchased a Dell Wyse 5060 terminal paired with a Quad-core AMD GX-424 processor at 2.4GHz. The system used 16 GB of DDR3 RAM, and the SATA DOM slot accommodates a 128GB drive after removing the plastic cover. I also installed an M.2 Gigabit Ethernet adapter and drilled a hole in the back panel to fit the socket (my Dremel abilities were limited, I might have rushed). Result: a robust router and firewall running PFSense for less than £100.