RudyValencia.com

When I first built the turbo router on RouterOS, I thought I’d cracked the code. Finally—a router with enterprise-level features, running on repurposed PC hardware, without the limitations of consumer gear. And for a while, it was everything I wanted.

Then came the day my router refused to boot. One power flicker later, I was staring at a dead box and the sinking realization that my RouterOS license was tied to the SSD that had just failed. What started as an experiment in control turned into a reminder: stability matters more than cleverness.

That’s when I made the switch to OpenWrt.

What Went Wrong with RouterOS on x86

• License lock-in: RouterOS ties its license to the storage device. When my SSD failed, the license failed with it. Suddenly my “router” was bricked by a piece of paperwork.
• Unstable on PC hardware: RouterOS is designed first for MikroTik’s own gear. On repurposed desktops, it booted inconsistently, especially after power fluctuations. Sometimes it refused to start at all.
• Fragile for 24/7 uptime: In a homelab (and especially with remote collaborators depending on me), reliability matters more than squeezing every ounce of performance.

Why I Moved to OpenWrt

I didn’t want to abandon the turbo router concept—repurposed hardware with enterprise-grade control—but I needed a platform better suited to my hardware. That’s where OpenWrt came in.

• Stability: OpenWrt is rock-solid on x86. No licensing drama, no random boot failures after power flickers.
• Flexibility: Its package system lets me install only what I need (WireGuard, DHCP/DNS tweaks, monitoring tools), and nothing I don’t.
• Community-driven: Updates and fixes come fast, without waiting for a vendor’s schedule.
• Open and transparent: No locked-down configs, no surprises when you dig under the hood.
• Modernized look: I customized OpenWrt with the Argon theme, replacing its outdated, default Bootstrap interface with a cleaner, more modern dashboard that makes daily management feel like using a polished enterprise tool.

What OpenWrt Handles in My Lab

• DHCP & DNS: Same 10.40.0.0/16 leases, static reservations for all core systems, and clean integration with domain controllers.
• WireGuard VPN: Secure tunnels to Linodes and to my colleague’s network in Florida. Works flawlessly, just like RouterOS did—but easier to tweak.
• Firewall/NAT: Straightforward rules with clear logging and transparent configuration files.
• Resilience: Survives power outages and restarts cleanly. That alone makes it worth the switch.

Final Thoughts

Switching from RouterOS to OpenWrt wasn’t just a platform change—it was a lesson in balancing ambition with reliability. RouterOS gave me a taste of enterprise-grade routing on repurposed hardware, but OpenWrt gave me stability, flexibility, and freedom from vendor lock-in.

The turbo router is still very much alive—only now it’s faster, more resilient, and customized to fit my workflow, from WireGuard tunnels to a modern Argon-powered UI. What started as an experiment has become a permanent fixture in my homelab, proving that you don’t need rackmount gear to build something reliable, powerful, and fully under your control.