Linksys EA6400

[Madchatthew]

It looks like the last update for this router was back in 2017. So I am thinking that this router isn’t supported anymore. I have looked up a couple of open source router firmware. One I looked up was DD-WRT. It looks like the last firmware update they did for this device was in 2020.

I also looked up OpenWRT and their last update for this device was in 2024.

Which open source router firmware should I have so I am up to date with security stuff? I know there are others out there. What do you all recommend?

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew The EA6400 router entered EOL (End Of Life) 26-Aug-2019, and will be officially unsupported 24-Aug-2024 - see below

Based on this, The EA6400 is compliant with OpenWRT, but you should note the very poor Wi-Fi performance - see

https://forum.openwrt.org/t/ea6300-ea6400-install-guide/123017/5

My recommendation would be to replace this router with an Archer AX73 - or, if budget dictates otherwise, an Archer AX55 - see below

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/

Currently, the Archer AX55 can be purchased from Amazon for $86

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-WiFi-AX3000-Smart-Router/dp/B09G5W9R6R/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1I6KJH38HW3ZQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EAvI6x7UkmcOOj0kq7DtvvifwV2jYFH25j9UfpiNu1M6tgeEPROcKvibAtVwIWFDE1P-YkwK7YmZ9iGRmVmeLlqjJJyOpH4jztipqkzIRfhiXv1NnGnzBSwKF0SL0yW_tEzDVXnHtLXkxV326kUPDq0d5WkrW9cpik8Rh9Wsdbta8X4zhkMnHdSntm0O4HDa3_vRYKH6jPjCqFYaHlLZi_PFXekz8PiRstqk1bL2Oxw.z0QVmE3Yr8vbtSTHjZeecdkM4GJbILPjBiyz8Q4Q5FM&dib_tag=se&keywords=archer%2Bax55&qid=1723029605&sprefix=archer%2Bax5%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-1&th=1

[Madchatthew]

Update - It looks like OpenWRT doesn’t support this model maybe?

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew The EA6400 router entered EOL (End Of Life) 26-Aug-2019, and will be officially unsupported 24-Aug-2024 - see below

Based on this, The EA6400 is compliant with OpenWRT, but you should note the very poor Wi-Fi performance - see

https://forum.openwrt.org/t/ea6300-ea6400-install-guide/123017/5

My recommendation would be to replace this router with an Archer AX73 - or, if budget dictates otherwise, an Archer AX55 - see below

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/

Currently, the Archer AX55 can be purchased from Amazon for $86

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-WiFi-AX3000-Smart-Router/dp/B09G5W9R6R/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1I6KJH38HW3ZQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EAvI6x7UkmcOOj0kq7DtvvifwV2jYFH25j9UfpiNu1M6tgeEPROcKvibAtVwIWFDE1P-YkwK7YmZ9iGRmVmeLlqjJJyOpH4jztipqkzIRfhiXv1NnGnzBSwKF0SL0yW_tEzDVXnHtLXkxV326kUPDq0d5WkrW9cpik8Rh9Wsdbta8X4zhkMnHdSntm0O4HDa3_vRYKH6jPjCqFYaHlLZi_PFXekz8PiRstqk1bL2Oxw.z0QVmE3Yr8vbtSTHjZeecdkM4GJbILPjBiyz8Q4Q5FM&dib_tag=se&keywords=archer%2Bax55&qid=1723029605&sprefix=archer%2Bax5%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-1&th=1

[Madchatthew]

@phenomlab I was looking at TP-Link routers and saw the one you mentioned. I also saw this one and was wondering if you thought this was a good one more step up or not?

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Tri-Band-Archer-AXE75-Wireless/dp/B0B3SQK74L/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3JFQQA0GHHHHM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EAvI6x7UkmcOOj0kq7Dtvuvf5vzWqUq5rgBVdSgYFjEVWBzSqUn5_Es_5FX1YrRhrx9UgZ2wLxk-O-d-DaaHVVqjJJyOpH4jztipqkzIRfhiXVDPXRG-WRMpcpA74Im9HxC7R6vV_M5qFKTdQgmDIW_dblo0qxNz_AbRF4YCD4uH2P1xA2ipcf_0kRkwu_C09oFUDe8Ke_x79n_Gon63NtO9yvpcnig28356i08168g.B0Yo14orpLt0cmQz7QVCtfJo2q1W2hQtm47jswvV8-Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=archer%2Bax55&qid=1723040455&sprefix=archer%2Bax55%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-2&th=1

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew Yes, even better

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew TP-Link uses a Tether app which is installed on your phone, so you setup the router initially with Bluetooth. Once it’s online, you can manage it via a browser in the usual fashion, but it’s really great to be able to manage your Wi-Fi network when you’re out of the house.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/tether/

[Madchatthew]

@phenomlab Oh that is awesome! So if you were like oh I need to access whatever it is I need to access and you are away from home, you could add the port or whatever setting and you can do that from your phone? That is awesome!

ps. I just saw this today. Not sure why I didn’t see this last post yesterday.

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew Yes, exactly that. The only thing you can’t do remotely is change the operating mode of the device. You have to be connected locally for that.

[Madchatthew]

@phenomlab That is very awesome!