Raspberry Pi router with OpenWRT. Easy Tutorial for beginners. Basic WIFI router, AP configuration

In this video we gonna turn your Raspberry Pi into WIFI Router with OpenWRT firmware so you will have more secure, privacy respecting and easy to tweak router.

You will turn your RPI into WIFI device with no hidden backdors, Up-to-date patched holes in security which is not that common in old routers. Monitor load and bandwidth, live graphs and you can easy manage it through web interface or SSH.
It has Endless possibility to extend.
For ex: to block ads, crack WIFI networks with Aricrack-ng, securely connect to your home network from remote location with OpenVPN or WireGuard, transform your network into mesh network and much more.

To follow this video you will need:
- Raspbery Pi 3B+ or other. 4B version would be faster.
- Power supply for Raspberry Pi (5V 2.5A)
- Standard ethernet cable,
- USB keyboard,
- home router with ethernet port or ethernet cable directly from your network.
- micro SD card,
- HDMI cable to your monitor or TV. You can use also USB Video capture device plugged in to your PC.

In this video I used vim shortcuts:
i - insert mode (typing)
ESC - back to normal mode (modyfying)

Moves in insert mode:
move cursor - arrows up,down,left,right
Normal Mode:
move cursor - h,j,k,l
yy - copy line
p - paste
x - remove character
dw - delete word
r - replace character
u - undo
Ctrl+r - redo

Why to use OpenWRT:

[chrisvkr]

Maybe you can add how to set it up with an external antenna

[jithinsankar]

So if i want openwrt with good wifi...i should look into a good router that supports openwrt than doing this right?

[joshportelli]

Thanks for the install and overview! Looks pretty cool

[TabinaKamal]

Hi there, i've followed the steps and have some issues at the last bit.

I have sucessfully done the ping with google with the new ip address.

1) On the windows machine, i am only able to access the oepen wrt web interface with the new ip when connected to the home network that the rasp pi is connected to.

2) in open wrt web interface under wireless, after enabling, the small icon shows disabled. I have tried with both N and Legacy and still shows the same thing.

could you clarify 1 and help with 2?

Thank you very muchh!!

[jojoii]

What can I do if the adapter works as a client but not as an access point?

[raymundoortiz]

If 2 separate USB antennas are connected, is it possible to create a router with 2 separate WANs?

[MorrWorm]

I got everything up and running and it’s fast! I ran out of time last night though. Some reason my SSID name didn’t change and my password didn’t update. I’ll have to go back in and to fix it tonight.

[lsd]

Thanks mate best of luck with the channel

[electron_ij]

Thanks for the tutorial, I want to add a Realtek WiFi key, but I can't always do it.

[HERESPILOT]

I followed your tutorial exact but after changing settings in network and then restart I don't have an Internet connection as it fails to ping google. Just to double check the Ethernet cable plugs into my router right? The iP was the same as yours so the changes saved Correctly

[armstrongskyview]

Can you make this a mesh router and if so can batman be added?

[kanishkaganganath]

It is a really nice video.Recently I have wanted to buy a router.Here in my country we use 4G.So I am thinking to build a raspberry Pi router with 4G module..
What will be the advantages that I can gain over buying standerd 4G rouer?

[christopherlawes]

Can you do this on RPi3B+ with official USB Wi-Fi adapter instead of Ethernet?

[beenie]

Every time i get into vim it doesnt show anything no numbers no letters can someone please help

[ChloéMorali]

Hi! I am running into a similar issue as I am not able to open the web server with my ip address. I setup my RPi 4 using the same Openwrt and Etcher steps that you did and I made the changes that you made after being unable to reach the web server. My rpi is connected to my router through an ethernet cable and I am using a monitor. Do you have any tips or suggestions for me? Thank you in advance.

[savantakashik]

Would building an OpenWRT router on a Raspberry Pi be any different than building it on a mini PC such as an Intel NUC? It seems like your project is building a router on a small computer and using a small computer as a router. Is this correct?

[markteague]

Why would anyone use Vim when there is emacs?!?

[NikhchansGaming]

0:18 Nice. So it's gonna be really beefy but range less router.

[Malkinfedor]

Quite helpful, thanks for this video!

[digitallyrewired]

Do you know Vim editor? To make it easier there are shortcuts in descriptions :)