Skip to content

damianperera/openwrt-rpi

Folders and files

NameName
Last commit message
Last commit date

Latest commit

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Repository files navigation

OpenWrt for RPi 4

status build GitHub stars GitHub issues GitHub license


A note from the upstream maintainer:

builds are on life support;

  • cleanup and removal of stale/legacy/unused 'features' or smooth running/setup functions and
  • basic functional testing of stable release/s 23.05.x
  • minimal feature additions updation of optimizations where known and/or obvious
  • cleanup/simplifying of key/current user instructions especially around upgrades/backups and must know steps
  • add wincp or ssh+nano etc.
  • simple guide (for wrt.ini)
  • add luci app cmd backup button for mainstream migration

~ wulfy23


Based off the works of wulfy23/rpi4 and includes the following enhancements:

  • Configures a DHCP client so that OpenWrt can obtain an IP address from the WAN network using the Ethernet port
  • Configures Google DNS servers so that domain names can be resolved 1
  • Configures a 5 GHz WiFi access-point on an isolated LAN network using the onboard WiFi adapter 2
  • Allows access to the LuCi web interface from both the LAN and WAN networks 3
  • Allows SSH access from both the LAN and WAN networks 3

The above enhancements are intended to provide plug-and-play (PnP) support for the RPi 4, so that you can simply flash the image and get started immediately.

What is OpenWrt?

OpenWrt for RPi 4 allows you to use your RPi 4 Model B as a configurable router, through which you can add an always-on VPN connection, network-wide adblock, a BitTorrent client and more. Simply flash the downloadable image (ref. below instructions) and get started immediately.

With OpenWrt, users/developers can use their router to run a BitTorrent client, enable VPN, create a guest Wi-Fi network, analyze network traffic, do traffic-shaping or apply QoS rules on packets. The router can also run servers: SSH (and do SSH tunneling), IRC server, HTTP server, FTP server, etc. Mesh networking, port knocking, firewalling, wireless bridging, file sharing and real-time monitoring are some other useful features. When configured as a public hotspot, OpenWrt provides a number of functions to manage the hotspot.

OpenWrt can also connect to printers, webcams, modems and soundcards. In general, an OpenWrt device can work with any hardware that has Linux support.

~ Devopedia

Use-cases

  1. Portable WiFi access point
  2. A secure WiFi/LAN router that routes all client traffic via a VPN
    • Secure access to your home network using WireGuard or OpenVPN
    • Secure your internet access and prevent your ISP from snooping on your internet activity
  3. A DNS server that blocks ads for all client traffic (adblock)
  4. Reduce latency even during heavy traffic
  5. Bypass restrictions and access Onion sites for all connected clients via Tor
  6. Create additional (highly configurable) guest WiFi access points

For more use-cases visit the OpenWrt Wiki.

Requirements

  • RPi 4 Model B
  • A fast SD card (ideally larger than 2 GB)

Installation

  1. Download the RPi Imager (macOS, Windows, Ubuntu)

  2. Download the latest release from this repository

  3. Flash the openwrt.img.gz file using the RPi Imager onto your SD card

    ezgif com-gif-maker

  4. Connect your RPi's onboard Ethernet port to your main network router's LAN port and boot up the RPi

  5. Wait for the initial setup to complete (5-7 mins)

  6. Obtain the IP address of the RPi using your main network (WAN) router and use it to connect to the LuCi Web Interface over your preferred browser. You can also connect to LuCi via the WiFi access point created by OpenWrt by heading over to 192.168.1.1

Default Credentials 2

  • LuCi Web Interface:
    • Username: root
    • Password: root
  • WiFi Access Point:
    • SSID: OpenWrt WiFi
    • PassKey: changeThisPassKey

Release Schedule

Automated builds have been scheduled for once a month. Urgent hotfixes will be manually triggered.


Notes

  • For more information on the default features included in this build plus usage instructions, please refer the wulfy23/rpi4 repository.
  • In the above context WAN refers to your home/office network, and LAN refers to the network created by OpenWrt.

Recommendations

1 Change to a more secure DNS provider after installation
2 Change the default credentials after installation
3 Restrict LuCi and SSH access to the LAN interface after completing configuration