Second wifi network/VPN for untrusted devices? Guests and smart home stuff?
this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2023
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Permacomputing
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I'm sure others have posted better ideas, but I used to run a dual wifi setup at my old house. One router was the 'main' one and was basically just the core internet access, connecting to the second router. The second router had my VPN setup in the firmware, so if I wanted to pirate games/movies or do other VPN stuff, I just had to swap from one wifi to the other.
We needed the non-vpn network so that mom could do her job (work-from-home, they didn't like you using a VPN that wasn't their in-house connection).
If you're into hardware and maker stuff, it is ideal for learning Linux embedded. The radios are likely on PCI buses that are just integrated on the PCB. You can work on programming the kernel stuff. This guy has been doing a great job at building up and documenting this kind of dev skills lately: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHkwlexIsoJVa5g_G9g18GA
You can also try and use the UART serial port that is likely broken out and any LED or button pins as an enable line for chip select and that will give you access to SPI as the SPI bus will be connected to the flash memory chip and that is easy to find documentation for in practice. A router is basically a beagle bone level of development board that comes with a nice enclosure - IMO.
I have same router, spare. So, I went into settings and turned it into a bridge and put it in my garage for stronger signal there.
Seconded on this…
Use it in an area of low signal and put it on a different channel.
Alternatively, if it has as detachable antennae, you can put a “yagi” on it, and point the “very directional antenna” at your driveway or the backyard or the local park etc…
Turn it into another access point?
I have a spare ISP modem. Is there may use for this?
Not likely…. ISP ones are usually locked down and/or under powered.
Depends on model though