alright open source tech types, what would you use for OS on your edge device? opnsense? openwrt? something else?
I was leaning toward opnsense, but the lil NUC I got could get wifi added on, and it's tempting to get better coverage, but looks like my options are super limited for FreeBSD compatible M.2 cards?
Open source routers aren't great for modern wifi features--openwrt is just starting to get wifi 6 support for some chipsets, while the hardware for WiFi 7 has begun hitting mainstream. If you've got the spare dosh, using dumb APs is the trick.
Update: I just built an opnsense VM on my proxmox box. That shit hardddd.
Granted. I did have to learn a whole lot more (trying to learn vlans and network bonding at the same time as a whole new OS) but still.
I would posit that openwrt is fundamentally prosumer: it's designed for home and small office use, with presets that make sense for that environment. Opnsense feels much more commercial, and has fewer assumptions made in the default install. You have to know a lot more about how networks work to get a safe opnsense install than a safe openwrt install, but it rewards you with the ability to do a lot more with the network.
Ok, it's been six months. Here's my retrospective:
Opnsense is great. I love how much firewall control it gives me. When things break, it's clearly and obviously my fault, rather than just operating system faults.
I find it to be a bit more complex to do anything than I found openwrt, but I'm also doing a lot more complex stuff.
I stand by my earlier opinions: if you want an access point or a simple/small wireless router, go for openwrt. If you want a primary network router, opnsense is bigger and better.
