The TP-Link Archer C7 Version 1.1 is a quality router. It makes use of Atheros chips which have proven themselves often enough in many quality routers.
However, there is one little problem with the Archer C7 Version 1.x. The 5GHz wireless mini-pci card which it comes with does not have support for open source drivers. This is very sad, as the unit
is very good. The chip in question is the Qualcomm Atheros QCA9880-AR1A. As far as I know, there will never be any support for this chip (unless some type of miracle happens).
Installing OpenWRT/Lede is fairly straight forward on Archer C7 1.1. However, the 5GHz card will not work. It will boot up just fine, but don't expect the see the 5GHz card working.
With DD-WRT there is a bigger problem -- DD-WRT won't even boot if the 5GHz card is still in the slot. If you want to use DD-WRT with this router, then you will need to take the 5GHz card out of the slot.
And keep in mind, if you are using the TP-Link firmware, the unit will not boot if the 5GHz pci-mini card is not in its slot.
There are alternatives to the QCA9880-AR1A card, but those alternatives aren't that cheap.
where did you find the ddwrt firmware for the archer c7 1.1?
ReplyDeletewhat are the alternatives to the QCA9880 card?
can we put a different type of card in the pci-mini slot? "bluetooth, ect.."