I have been using the Beryl 1300 for a few years now. So far, it is good but at times, it keeps dropping connections when downloading large files at a hotel. I assume it maybe the hotel limiting the download because it is only happens at certain hotels.
Anyway, if I am using the ethernet WAN to connect the router, are there any advantages of a travel router over a regular router?
Also, when not using the ethernet WAN, is it safer to setup a bridge or a repeater in terms of security at the hotel?
Thanks for verifying this. It is the piece that I cannot find a straight answer on the internet. OK, I will stick with Router mode and Ethernet WAN since I assume I canât do Router mode over WIFI.
BTW⌠Does the above also include to the Repeater mode of the Beryl 1300 in terms of security? So, I should just keep it on ethernet cable WAN and router mode right? Thank You again for helping me secure my connections.
Well, the problem is that both modes are somehow just part of the upper network.
Repeater mode can be more save since you can enable VPN as well; never tried it, tbh. When I remember right, repeater mode was a weird mixture between routing and repeating on the GL device.
I havenât finished my coffee so be aware some of this may be disjoined.
Repeater Mode is just as arguably âsecureâ as hardwire to the WAN interface. The firewall & routing still applies. Youâre just using the WWAN if (Wireless Wide Area Network interface instead). See the GL Docs. All interfaces can be seen in the /etc/config/network conf file⌠if you donât want to go digging around in LuCI (GL GUI â System â Advanced Settings; same pwd as GL GUI, username root ).
I say âarguablyâ; even WPA3, the latest version for Wi-Fi pwds/encryption, has a known security vulnerability that theoretically (as far as I know thereâs been no confirm attacks using it âin the wildâ) could be used to breach the Wi-Fi network.
Itâs known as Dragonblood. Iâll not bother posting sources as I just donât care to ATM. You can find references easily enough.
That doesnât mean itâs more performant. If you have the option to hardwire WAN or LAN; do it. Wi-Fi takes longer to prep, ship packets⌠& you donât have to worry about nonsense such as Dragonblood.
Use a WireGuard-based VPN once youâve authenticated to the Hotel/Cafe/whatever hotspot.
All current GL router devices should support WG; itâs just a question of their max. speed.
If you know youâre using Wi-Fi, always be sure you can âseeâ whatâs going on for radio channel congestion in the area. Get a Wi-Fi scanner app for one of your mobile devices. See below for an example.
Always keep at least one ethernet cable with you. GL includes one for most models, IIRC. You can get other 1.5, 3.0+ ft cables on, oh, say, Amazon. I prefer the ones that have a nylon shroud. They âwearâ better when on the road. Being rounded doesnât hurt. See attached for an example. Test well beforehand; thereâs some dodgy ones out there.
Travel w/ a storage case even if itâs just the box the router came in.
Re: Hardware, Travel or Home models
The Slate AX is nearly a 1:1 travel version of the Flint v1. I have both. Get a Slate AX for travel if you can. Hell, get a Slate AX for home if you can; then you can travel w/ it.
An old 5V/3A mobile phone charger (eg: Samsung) & a short nylon shrouded USB-C cable is easier to pack than the GL power brick.
That is fantastic information that you have provided. Thank You
In regards to your first bullet, does this applies specifically to GL routers ONLY or are all routers Repeater mode as secure?
I usually use ethernet cable (WAN or LAN) over WIFI for the same reason that you have shared. In addition, it is just faster in performance as well.
If I donât use WireGuard or VPN, just the router ONLY, is it still good? Otherwise, I will look into NORD WireGuard. Not sure how to set that up in the router but will research into it. One of my laptops is a company laptop and if I connect into VPN there, I think that computer is safe with data going in and out.
If I get NORD WireGuard, can it be just for my personal laptop or how should I do it? If I do it at the router level, I would imagine it would cover my phones too. Also, will it impact speed?
I will look into a WIFI Scanner app that you have suggested.
Firewall & Routing applies to all routers regardless of the manufacturer. They wouldnât work without them. If they didnât have the ability youâd looking a hardware thatâs merely a Wi-Fi access point (AP) or extender.
I canât answer that for you. I run 6 WG VPN connections at all times, routing traffic automatically according to what Iâm doing online. I dot not connect to the Public Internet without a kill switch active should I lose connection to the VPN server.
Donât use Nord; they have a terrible reputation for not telling subscribers when they have server-side problems & they were âbreachedâ some years ago but no one found out until it was leaked to the public⌠I want to say months, if not almost a year later.
If cost is a factor Surfshark is significantly cheaper then all others if you inquire about a long term subscription⌠ask their sales support reps. A 5 yr plan works out to about under 2.50 USD/mo if not less. Mullvad, IVPN, Proton VPN are the way to go if cost isnât a factor. In any case you want to ensure the provider has a no-logs policy.
Check the specs of the whatever router youâre using; that should give you a good idea about WG/VPN speed impact.
Open up a new thread when you get a VPN provider subscription. Discussing the best way to configure your router, the devices that connect to it, the potential impact on the work laptop, etc., is best left as a new topic.
