[ale] SOHO router(s), buy v build

[Ken Cochran]

See interspersed

> Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2026 17:13:28 -0700
> To: ale at ale.org
> Subject: Re: [ale] SOHO router(s), buy v build
> From: Alex Carver via Ale <ale at ale.org>
> Reply-To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
> Cc: Alex Carver <agcarver+ale at acarver.net>
>
> I purchased a multi-port, fanless SBC from Protectli with no OS
> installed and then just installed barebones Debian on it and set up all
> the normal IP routing/forwarding/etc.
>
> Works fine, minimal footprint, and stays up to date as the OS packages
> get upgraded (which is primarily the kernel, SSH, and iptables).

Thank you, this is the scenario I envision.

> It does not run on POE, it uses a 12 V power brick. But it's plenty fast

PoE is kinda a wish-list thing, no strong feelings either way.

> with six 2.5 GbE ports. They have other versions with 4 or 6 ports and
> speeds of 1.0, 2.5, or 10.0 GbE via RJ45 or SFP/SFP+ ports, support for
> WiFi modules inside the case, support for LTE modems inside the case,
> the NIC is an Intel chipset on most of them (except the very cheapest
> units), and it supports NVMe and SATA. They also have DisplayPort, HDMI,
> USB and serial console ports.
>
> They're Intel Celeron i-Series 64-bit machines so they are not going to
> lose support in mainline kernel anytime soon whereas people like
> Ubiquiti may obsolete hardware at some point in only a few years because
> they don't want to continue support and want you to buy a new appliance.

Ah-ha, hadn't thought of that (cpu/hw obselence), I've been thinking
along the lines of something ARM but x86 would be fine too.

> I do have Ubiquiti access points to provide my wireless connections for
> devices that aren't wired but you could go with anything from Ubiquiti,
> Aruba, etc.

Also the scenario I've envisioned, i.e. separate the radio part & be
able to toss/swap it as wireless "stuff" changes.

-kc

> On 2026-03-13 21:23, Ken Cochran via Ale wrote:
> > Hi ALE folks,
> >
> > I'm looking for 3-ish *good* SOHO routers.
> >
> > I like separating the radio from the routing, i.e. the wireless
> > part is a separate piece of hardware & the router just routes.
> >
> > CLI config?  Used to be we'd make a textfile config & TFTP it
> > into Ye Olde Cisco 2501 by the serial port. (Umm, do we even
> > HAVE serial porta anymore...?)
> >
> > CLI/text config would be nice so I can keep up with config
> > changes a la source code controls/versioning.
> >
> > Could use "a few" ports, say 4-6-ish.
> > Some kinda "fast low power" CPU like ARM-64.
> >
> > Buy or build?
> > Buy would be something like Ubiquiti I guess?  Powerable by USB-C or POE...
> > What to build?  Any resources/recommendations/FAQs/Docs?
> > Build would mean I can use the likes of PFSense or DDWrt or other Linux
> > or *BSD-based software/firmware.
> > Protectli?  Routerboard?  Something else?
> >
> > Over the years I've been pretty ok with Asus but they're kinda
> > fragile - power surge has taken a few of mine.  They appear
> > to score ok on non-spyware in their firmware (consent decree
> > some years ago IIRC but that's expiring I think). And they
> > run DDWrt fine.
> >
> > Y'all's input welcome.  Thanks, -kc