(if you have a better name pls create an issue xd)

Project "Portable Router"

[!WARN] i'm NOT responsible for the damage that this process could cause to your hardware. do this at your own risk and be prepared to debug, and debug a lot. in case you aren't familiar with basics of linux cli, OpenWRT / forks and networking - take your time, this will be hard. you have been warned.

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content

table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Requirements
3. Current tested devices
4. Contribution
5. "But why?" or Reasons
6. P.S.

structure:

in doc/ we have .md files for routers tested; in src/ we have images and etc for text;

Disclaimer

!!! read WARN once more !!! and this:

1. if you haven't tried OpenWRT / LEDE / etc - read how to use it. this repo is not a OpenWRT support forum!
2. if you have zero / close to zero experience in networking - do your research first. this repo is not a networking 101!
3. do not create issues like "Help my is bricked!" or "Will it work with ?". do your research first! OR
4. if you want to Contribute - read how first!
5. and lastly - it's not a "budget-friendly router build"! (although some pocket-sized routers are cheap) it's all about portable routers.

Requirements

mostly "Requirements" comes down to four things:

1. router itself
2. modem
3. power bank
4. SIM-card with internet

however, there are things to consider:

• your router must be on OpenWRT (or fork)
• your modem must support mobile carrier aggregation
• your power bank must provide enough power. e.g. my current setup w/ Cudy TR30 and Fibocom L850 consumes about 15W in a peak, that means my power bank must be at least 20W with PD on port

optionally, you can have:

• VPS for wg/proxy hosting
• switch for expanding amount of Ethernet ports
• USB extension cord
• Physical eSIM

Current Tested Devices

Image	Status	Link	Author
	Working; Small amount of RAM and not so fast CPU, stable branch;	Here	hand7s
	Working; 128mb revision is preferred since it's on a stable branch;	Here	hand7s

Contribution

to expand list above you need to:

1. create an issue with "add router" template
2. go trough testings (with help from community ofc)
3. fork this repo with branch's name of your router, e.g. xiaomi_ax3200
4. write an .md in doc/ directory in a respected directory, e.g. doc/cudy/TR3600.md
5. add your router to this .md
6. open a PR!

But.. Why?

this is a healthy question considering whole idea, but you might misunderstood why i've started this in a first place. most of ISPs are garbage. anywhere in the world you'll pay a lot for bare minimum, sometimes even security holes in your ISP, and even if you pay premium - stability still an option, not a requirement. one day i said "enough" and got into this project. yet, mobile carriers not all rainbows and unicorns - various prices, various features, questionable contracts. but you can easily swap mobile carrier since it's just a SIM (or, if you'll buy physical eSIM, just a carrier) and not a whole big process of changing ISP, and way cheaper. and you are NOT forced to use crappy ISP hardware. and there are more benefits:

1. you can use Modem as your backup / second ISP via mwan
2. you can use PPR (yes, it's a PPR in a short) as a second / backup router itself

but the main feature for this project - being off-grid. having this little thing in you backpack and giving yourself a part of private internet with your own rules (WG, OVPN, Proxy, Provider) anywhere in the world (with right setup). just pull this thing out of backpack and use it in a public cafe and use your internet by cable for your laptop. or Wi-Fi, if you brave enough. you can even have a working WIRED internet while driving / on a train, if you catch a signal. and if signal is GOOD - aggregation kicks in. possibilities are numeros.

in general, you could try this with any branded router and random USB modem stick, but idea of PPR is not only "Router + Modem". it's a "efficient portable router on a OpenWRT firmware with USB modem that supports mobile carrier aggregation".

i hope this answers question "why".

P.S.

huge thanks to Askhat for helping me with this