Running OpenWRT on an early Pentium 4 machine?
Running OpenWRT on an early Pentium 4 machine?
Yes, it is possible to install a router operating system on an Android device. Adding extra network adapters would involve configuring the device’s settings or using specialized apps to manage them.
The price of a router doesn't indicate if it meets your network needs. What are you aiming for with this device?
Well, it matches exactly what @Biohazard777 mentioned. Initially, I considered a TP-Link MR3420, but at the same price point of $14, I could easily obtain an STB unit with significantly more memory (32 MB versus 1 GB) and storage (4 MB versus 8 GB), plus substantially greater processing power. Here are the details:
- TP-Link router specs: [link](https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-mr3420)
- STB unit specs: ZTE B860H – custom build, OpenWRT tailored for it; runs on microSD, not on the ROM; setup is still in progress.
In short, Samsung offers a complete internet solution (budget 4G modem for $7), an STB acting as a router with USB tethering ($14), and an AP. Spread it wide – it’s free! Compared to Samsung’s internal Wi-Fi antennas, this setup is impressive.
The STB provides solid connectivity, though its single Ethernet port limits flexibility. Adding USB ports lets you connect extra adapters for peripherals. Overall, it performs well in testing – about 40-50 ms latency, speeds up to 30-40 Mbps, and stable enough for regular use. The real drawback is the limited range and occasional connectivity issues under heavy load.
I've experimented with USB adapters before. The main issue is they're usually not built for continuous use and can introduce some delay. That delay seems less noticeable with USB 3.0. To test things out, I brought a spare x86 device to serve as a backup for my pfSense box. I decided to turn it into a combined switch—software-wise it's a significant CPU drain but it works for clients that aren't heavily used. I also connected a 5Gbit USB adapter to a 3.6Gbit switch, which allowed me to get a 3.6Gbit uplink from the main switch (since the USB version is Gen 1 and doesn't support 5Gbit). Just trying to see how it performs. As you mentioned, sometimes it's just enjoyable to experiment, especially since I already had everything ready.