diff --git a/content/log/2025/teltonika-router.md b/content/log/2025/teltonika-router.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7947b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/log/2025/teltonika-router.md @@ -0,0 +1,75 @@ +--- +title: "Teltonika Router" +date: 2025-01-18T22:42:23+02:00 +draft: true +--- + +This is my first product review. I really wanted to write it, because: + +- from my very limited use, it promised a really good start. +- I haven't heard of the product line, even though the company HQ is a few + kilometers from me (and is a well-known brand and employer, but not for + routers!). + +Background +---------- + +I am building a house. Huge thanks to my very helpful neighbors for putting a +webcam on his windowsill and sharing the feed (and recordings), I was able to +see a view the construction. It was *extremely* helpful for reasons I will not +get into here. + +The construction will soon continue, and, thanks to the success of the +neighbor's camera so far, I decided to set up my own for a better, closer-up +view. I spent a good amount of time over the last few days looking for a device +combination that would: + +- Do the feed. Friends of friends at [jpg.lt][jpg] recommended going with + Dahua. The recommendation is consistent with [Frigate][frigate] [hardware + recommendations][frigate-hw] page. I bought the camera from jpg.lt. +- 4G/5G modem, so the feed can be downloaded by the NVR. My first choice is + Frigate, we'll see how it goes. +- WiFi router, so I have more on-site troubleshooting options, besides climbing + a 4m pole to attach the RJ45 cable. +- Should be installable and service-able by a non-specialized contractor. +- Highly desired, but optional: tailscale support. +- Highly desired: as little devices as possible. +- All equipment will be outside, on a pole, in [Vilnius climate][vilnius], + during winter & summer seasons. + +Having been Mikrotik user for the last few years, that was obviously my first +choice. However, Mikrotik does not have a device that is both an LTE modem and +a WiFi router. Internet searches for this combination uncovered Teltonika +Networks. Teltonika, as you may know, is headquartered in Lithuania. I did not +know they are making routers right until this search. Bad marketing? + +Anyhow, [RUTX11][rutx11] is the cheapest 4G+WiFi router that meets my spec (not +that it's cheap; they have more expensive stuff that's higher-specced, which is +just unnecessary for me). They also sell a [separate enclosure][enclosure] that +makes it into an outdoor-capable device (IP67). + +Setting it up felt like using a yet-another consumer router, which is good. +This is a prerequisite, so I can recommend it to my non-geek friends. Setting +up tailscale felt like setting it up on a consumer router, glitch-free, which +is great. + +OpenWRT origins +--------------- + +RutOS is based on OpenWRT, which is great, as OpenWRT is a solid choice +engineering-wise. Teltonika is a hardware company, not a Router OS company. +Talking from my personal experience, customizing OpenWRT does not take much +Router OS is not something where one needs to "differentiate". The +differentiation is in: +- the hardware build, which is very solid, +- hardware reliability and service-ability, about which feel free to ask me in + 2-3 years. +- software and hardware integration (the "add-ons"). +- system upgrades. + +[jpg]: https://jpg.lt/ +[frigate-hw]: https://docs.frigate.video/frigate/hardware +[frigate]: https://frigate.video +[vilnius]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilnius#Climate +[rutx11]: https://teltonika-networks.com/products/routers/rutx11 +[enclosure]: https://teltonika-networks.com/products/accessories/antenna-options/outdoor-ltewi-figpsbluetooth-antenna-for-rutx11-and-rutm11-routers