After using my Respects-your-Freedom certified router for a little while, I’ve come up on a number of limitations. Also, I’ve sometimes bought additional devices to extend my network’s features and functions in ways that would not be necessary if I had one single really good router. So, if I were to get a new router, what features and functions would it provide, including those found on my original router that worked well?
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U-boot bootloader
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Hardware is still libre software friendly
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Gigabit Ethernet
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VLAN hardware switch support
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2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi
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Fast ARM CPU
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>= 1 GB RAM
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MicroSD card slot for gigabytes of local storage
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USB port(s), ideally with one port that has USB on-the-go support
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A box configuration that makes it easy to integrate backup batteries, either rechargeable or non-rechargeable.
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Optional: HDMI and audio output (!)
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Optional: Video and audio input (!)
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Optional: Infrared input port
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Optional: Integrated DSP for direct cable/DSL/fiber connection