The GL.iNet AR750 will be in the nightly built images from May 27, 2019. Thanks to Don KE6BXT for providing the device. This GL model boasts:
1) dual wireless - 2GHz (802.11n) and 5GHz (802.11ac) same as the hAP ac lite
2) 3 ports are configured:
- WAN (untagged)
- LAN (untagged)
- DtDLink (vlan 2)
3) 128Mb of RAM
4) 16Mb of NOR flash
5) max 23dBm on 2GHz for mesh RF traffic
6) 5v mini-usb power port (thus no POE passthough options)
7) usb port (not configured in AREDN out-of-box)
This is another good travel mesh node.
Please keep an eye out for performance of the GL.iNet devices overall. We are seeing in the forum and first hand some limitations:
1) wireless may not connect more the a few feet
2) SNR archive charts show noise floor at -85dBm
The cost of these devices is compelling, but these symptoms may be the trade off. Jury is still out...
Joe AE6XE
1) dual wireless - 2GHz (802.11n) and 5GHz (802.11ac) same as the hAP ac lite
2) 3 ports are configured:
- WAN (untagged)
- LAN (untagged)
- DtDLink (vlan 2)
3) 128Mb of RAM
4) 16Mb of NOR flash
5) max 23dBm on 2GHz for mesh RF traffic
6) 5v mini-usb power port (thus no POE passthough options)
7) usb port (not configured in AREDN out-of-box)
This is another good travel mesh node.
Please keep an eye out for performance of the GL.iNet devices overall. We are seeing in the forum and first hand some limitations:
1) wireless may not connect more the a few feet
2) SNR archive charts show noise floor at -85dBm
The cost of these devices is compelling, but these symptoms may be the trade off. Jury is still out...
Joe AE6XE
You can order it directly from GL-iNet w/PoE built into it:
https://store.gl-inet.com/collections/travel-routers/products/gl-ar750-travel-ac-router?variant=4895127076891
- or-
You can install your own (into the AR150 or the AR750) here from Amazon:
https://amazon.com/802-3AF-Ethernet-GL-AR150-GL-MT300N-GL-AR750/dp/B07F2L4HCZ/
I hope to get the AR750 worked out as a valid AREDN platform because it has 3 LAN ports (which seems like the perfect amount for most of my implementations), it runs off 5V (or 48V PoE if installed), and its 2.4GHz test point connectors inside are easier change/solder to ufl connectors to install external RP-SMA connectors for external antennas than the hAP-ac-lite. Now, the hAP-ac-lite is higher quality and same price with 2 more LAN ports, but is also twice the size of the AR750 and won't run off 5V.
I still think the hAP-ac-lite is better for the money but the AR750 has some very valid uses that make it unique.
-Damon K9CQB
I opened up the GL-AR750 Creta to install external antennas. I removed the test point connectors on the 2.4GHz antenna traces and soldered .ufl (IPEX) connectors in their place. I also do this on most of my MikroTik hAP-ac-lite nodes as well - the AR750 happens to be easier, and unlike the MikroTik, the AR750 5GHz antenna already has a .ufl connector on it (although I didn't mess with it).
So I drilled 1/4" holes in the case and crammed two .ufl to RP-SMA bulkhead cables into the holes and viola - I have external 2.4GHz antennas.
A quick suggestion, to remove the case you only need to remove 2 screws that are closest the the Ethernet connectors (front) of the device and use a spudger, guitar pick, or knife to pry the top of the lid off the enclosure.
By the way, if you buy the AR750 directly from GL-iNet you can opt to get the better POE adapter built-in.
Regular AR750 Creta with no POE on it ($45):
https://store.gl-inet.com/collections/travel-routers/products/gl-ar750-travel-ac-router?variant=3284105429019
AR750 Creta w/48V (af) POE module installed ($52):
https://store.gl-inet.com/collections/travel-routers/products/gl-ar750-travel-ac-router?variant=4895127076891
-Damon K9CQB
Here are some links to purchase IPEX/u.fl connectors that are used to replace the 'nearly same sized' test-point connectors on many of these devices:
https://www.amazon.com/IPX-UFL-Connector-Straight-Goldplated-Shipping/dp/B071JNGHWQ/
https://www.amazon.com/Oiyagai-Solder-Socket-Coaxial-Connector/dp/B085M9NXZM/
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10Pcs-IPX-u-fl-Male-Connector-SMD-SMT-Antenna-Solder-Socket-Mount-Element-Base/233649108216
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-U-FL-IPX-RF-SMD-SMT-Solder-PCB-Mount-Socket-Jack-Female-Connector-Ships-f/232299079806
My advice is to use an Exacto knife to scrape away some of the solder mask around the removed test-point connector and make the footprint a little bigger and easier to solder the ufl connector to. Also use a flux pen to hit the solder surfaces, and you'll appreciate a microscope (even a $20 USB microscope on a monitor/tablet) instead of a magnifying glass. Make sure you've got a decent fine-tip soldering iron that can hit as close to 700 degrees F as possible.
-Damon K9CQB
I am a bit confused because my AR750 will not accept configurations with two active 2,4 GHz antennas i. e. for example mesh on 2,4 in combination with WAN Wifi Client on 2,4.
I can only combine one 2,4 with one 5 GHz settings. Other will not work.
Either one of it is simply dead or I get a warning "can not enable mesh rf, LAN AP. and WAN wifi client with only 2 wireless cards".
But you seem to have two 2,4 and one 5 GHz cards il el three? @8)
Am I doing or thinking wrong? %)
Joe AE6XE
Thanks,
Jim
W8ERW
Jim
W8ERW
I feel bad because I know this was going to happen. You accidentally (although easy to understand) bought the AR750S Slate, not the regular AR750 Creta.
The AR750S is gray and has 2 'fixed' external antennas, one of which combines the 5.8GHz ac antenna with one of the 2.4GHz mimo antennas - not an ideal design for external antennas. Besides being much more expensive at $70, the AR750S chipset isn't the best for AREDN either.
The CORRECT AR750 is the regular AR750 Creta, which is white in color, only $44, and has all internal antennas (although easy to modify and slap external antennas on it - I will post a tutorial in the future). Here is the proper Amazon link:
https://smile.amazon.com/GL-iNet-GL-AR750-300Mbps-pre-installed-Included/dp/B07712LKJM/
For $9 you can also get a 48V POE module that pops inside the AR750 case with very easy soldering skills:
https://smile.amazon.com/802-3AF-Ethernet-GL-AR150-GL-MT300N-GL-AR750/dp/B07F2L4HCZ/
These AR750 Creta nodes make okay AREDN devices, but at the same price you can get a Mikrotik hAP-ac-lite with 2 extra LAN ports and more reliability.
I have three AR750 Creta AREDN devices because their advantage is that they run off of 5V MicroUSB port or my 48V af-POE power, and their test point connectors on the internal 2.4GHz antennas are much easier to replace with ufl connectors than the hAP-ac-lite, thereby making it easier to affix external RP-SMA antenna connectors. But if forced to choose between the hAP and the AR750, I'll take the hAP.
-Damon K9CQB
Thanks for the response,
Jim
W8ERW
I just grabbed a couple of the AR750s, I flashed the nightly firmware on it after checking the hardware matrix confirming it is 5ghz capable.
installed the firmware but it is only showing a 2ghz mesh option.
Can you confim is it 2 or 5 or both?
Cheers
Wade
VK1MIC
Joe AE6XE
Hopefully, when it is fully integrated into the AREDN line of devices it will be 5Gig mesh capable.
Wade
Joe AE6XE
Confirmed I flashed the image as you state above - works as a 2G mesh, and a 5gh AP, ports allowed DTD connection to my other 5G node at home.
Happy to upload any fine you need (noting I am a noobs so need some specifics about what you want to see - I will be home on the 28th, travelling atm).
VK1MIC
2) 3 ports are configured:
- WAN (untagged)
- LAN (untagged)
- DtDLink (vlan 2)
Joe:
I just flashed a newly purchased AR750.
Left to Right, my RJ45 jacks function as WAN, DtD, LAN.
If this is an error
http://downloads.arednmesh.org/snapshots/trunk/readme.md
needs updating too. :-|
Thank you for your work.
Chuck
SupportData attached.
/sysinfo
node: NC8Q-AR750
model: GL.iNet GL-AR750
br-lan E4:95:6E:46:D0:B6
eth0 E4:95:6E:45:D0:B6
eth1 E4:95:6E:46:D0:B6
eth1.0 E4:95:6E:46:D0:B6
eth1.2 E4:95:6E:46:D0:B6
tunl0 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00
wlan0 E4:95:6E:45:D0:B7
wlan1 E4:95:6E:45:D0:B6
wlan1-1 E6-95-6E-45-D0-B6-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00
/proc/cpuinfo
system type : Qualcomm Atheros QCA9533 ver 2 rev 0
machine : GL.iNet GL-AR750
processor : 0
cpu model : MIPS 24Kc V7.4
BogoMIPS : 432.53
wait instruction : yes
microsecond timers : yes
tlb_entries : 16
extra interrupt vector : yes
hardware watchpoint : yes, count: 4, address/irw mask: [0x0ffc, 0x0ffc, 0x0ffb, 0x0ffb]
isa : mips1 mips2 mips32r1 mips32r2
ASEs implemented : mips16
shadow register sets : 1
kscratch registers : 0
package : 0
core : 0
VCED exceptions : not available
VCEI exceptions : not available
nvram
hsmmmesh.settings=settings
hsmmmesh.settings.wifimac='e4:95:6e:45:d0:b7'
hsmmmesh.settings.mac2='69.208.183'
hsmmmesh.settings.dtdmac='69.208.182'
hsmmmesh.settings.node='NC8Q-AR750'
hsmmmesh.settings.config='mesh'
LAN is on internal port #1
DtDLink is on internal port #2
I think I have an ar750 somewhere, let me check. The external port often has different number labeling than internal port #s. It's also possible the positions are reversed on different hardware REVs. The WAN is on a different interface from the cpu on eth0. The above 2 ports are on eth1, an internal switch chip.
Joe AE6XE
Just got one of these on-sale AR750 units (might need an NRA sticker for anything "AR") but now can't find the special instructions for loading the nightly build into a virgin box.
Edited to add: Oops! Sorry, found it in the most obvious place:
https://arednmesh.readthedocs.io/en/latest/arednGettingStarted/installing_firmware.html
So far I like the footprint and like the potential possibility offered by the USB and TF card options.
- Don - AA7AU
ps: item is no longer on super sale at Amazon - 25% off coupon expired (edited: 01-Jan-2020)
Thanks for the pointers!
I was able to read through this list and also examine the pictures posted. It enabled me to convert my AR750 to 5V operation using a LM2596 DC-DC converter from my camping/radio battery.
I can confirm that if one connects 5V to the 2 pin holes that would normally be used for the output of the POE adapter the AR750 (and also the MT300N and the AR150 and probably others that use the POE board) the router operates as expected. I did this so as to get rid of the iffy USB power supply. Take a look at http://g7ltt.blogspot.com/2021/01/gl-inet-ar750-conversion-to-5vdc.html for pretty pictures etc.
Thanks!!!!!
DE G7LTT/NI2O