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

Project "Portable Router"

Warning

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 WARNING 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

we are available at:

GitHub

GitLab

Codeberg

my own git

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