OpenWRT: turning an old router into a powerhouse
Published on 2025-11-01
Imagine: an old router for 2000 ₽ blocks ads, shares a VPN, works as a Mesh system and doesn’t slow down even with 50 devices.
This is not magic — this is OpenWRT.
🏠 Who needs OpenWRT
OpenWRT turns an ordinary router into a mini-server. If you have at least one item from the list — it’s definitely time to try it:
- Want AdBlock for the whole house
- Need a VPN without a subscription
- Have an old router lying around
- Like to tinker with settings
90% of users install OpenWRT — and forget about the router forever.
⚡ What OpenWRT can do
- AdBlock — ad filtering at the DNS level
- SQM (QoS) — get rid of lags in Zoom and games
- WireGuard / OpenVPN — fast and secure VPN
- Mesh Wi-Fi — combines multiple routers
- USB modems — works even with 4G dongles
- Torrents 24/7 — without a PC turned on
🛠 Installation in 60 seconds
# 1. Скачать прошивку
wget https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/23.05.5/targets/mediatek/mt7622/openwrt-23.05.5-mediatek-mt7622-xiaomi_redmi-router-ax6s-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
# 2. Залить на роутер
scp openwrt-*.bin root@192.168.1.1:/tmp/
# 3. Прошить
ssh root@192.168.1.1
sysupgrade -n /tmp/openwrt-*.bin
In three minutes LuCI (web interface) will be available at 192.168.1.1.
🔥 Top-5 features
| Feature | Command |
|---|---|
| AdBlock for the whole house | opkg install adblock luci-app-adblock |
| VPN in 30 sec | opkg install luci-app-wireguard |
| Wi-Fi like an ISP | uci set wireless.radio0.channel='36' |
| USB modem | opkg install kmod-usb-net-rndis |
| Torrents without a PC | opkg install transmission-web |
🧠 Best hardware
| Model | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi AX3600 | 4000 ₽ | 6 antennas, 1 Gbps |
| GL.iNet GL-MT3000 | 7000 ₽ | VPN, USB, portable |
| NanoPi R4S | 5000 ₽ | 2× 1 Gbps, ideal for VPN |
🎯 Conclusion
OpenWRT is Linux for your router.
If you want the most out of old hardware — install it and forget it.
Not sure if your router is supported? 👇 Write the model — I’ll advise in 5 minutes!