WiFi backhaul with OpenWrt on Zyxel EX 3301-T0
How I Built a Budget Mesh Network using OpenWRT and a Second-Hand Zyxel Router
Having a high-speed internet connection is great for gamers, but it's completely useless if the Wi-Fi signal doesn't actually reach across your home.
I recently faced a frustrating problem with my main Wi-Fi router (Zyxel T5601-T0 provided by my ISP). It offers internet speeds of 100 Mbps, but because it's located in another room, the signal barely reached the rest of my house. I tried a few budget mesh systems like the HUAWEI WiFi AX2 but waste of time. The only solution seemed to be an expensive, high-end mesh system, which I simply couldn't afford
My problem was laying Ethernet cables, which I hate. This setup provided a fast network without the need to run cables from router to router. Here is how I solved the problem on a budget using a second-hand router and OpenWRT.
The Hardware: Finding a Budget Solution
Since my ISP already supplied me with the Zyxel T5601-T0, I wanted to use that as my starting point and search for other T5601-T0 but cant find it.
After some quick searching in the second-hand market, I managed to score a Zyxel EX3301 in 30Euro. While this router is very similar to my primary one so i wanted to install Openwrt on it too.
Unfortunately, there wasn't an official release build for it. However, with some help from Google, I was able to find and install a community build for the device, didnt like much of the functions on that build, but one things stands out for me was back haul mech networking, where I dont need to run cable for WAN port. I can make it AP and it serve client without having a actual WAN cable plugged in.
The Installation
The installation and flashing process was surprisingly straightforward, you can find the firmware here from (https://github.com/majad00/Openwrt_Zyxel-EX3301-T0/releases/tag/Openwrt). Always try the latest available ( here in this guide I used V-17). After downloading flash firmware on OEM page, as in the pictures below: Select "Firmware Upgrade" from dropdown menu.
My Zyxel EX3301 OEM page.
Step-by-Step OpenWRT Mesh Configuration
Once the build was installed, it was time to configure the router to act as a Wi-Fi node. If you are following along, here is exactly how to set it up:
⚠️ Important Note on Subnets: My main router assigns IP addresses in the
192.168.1.xrange. To avoid IP conflicts, our new mesh node cannot use the exact same subnet for its local interface. We will address this in Step 2.
1. Change the LAN IP Address
Connect to your newly flashed OpenWRT router and access the admin panel, usually no password.
- Navigate to the Network dropdown menu and click on Interfaces.
- Look for the LAN interface and click Edit.
Change the IPv4 address from
192.168.1.1to192.168.5.1.Click Save. (Note: Do not click "Save and Apply" just yet!)
2. Configure the Wi-Fi Settings
Next, we need to set up the wireless network that your devices will connect to.
- In the dropdown menu under Network, click on Zyxel WiFi.
Click on the Smart Connect tab ( important step).
Change the Security setting to Open ( optional you can have password too).
Adjust the SSID to
FreeWifi(or whatever you prefer).Click Save. (Again, just save, do not apply yet).
3. Connect the Mesh Backhaul
This is the magic step that connects your new node to your main router wirelessly.
Go to the Network dropdown menu and select Mesh Backhaul.
On that page go down and Click on Scan Nearby button
Find and select your main access point (AP) from the list.
Enter the Wi-Fi password for your main AP, the BSSID and Parent SSID will be copied from scan.
Click Save.
4. Apply Changes and Reboot
Now that all the settings are queued up, it's time to write them to the router.
In the top right corner of the interface, click Save and Apply to execute all of your changes at once.
Wait a minute or two for the router to fully reboot.
The Result: Full Speed, No Cables
Once the router has rebooted, you can move this access point to any location within the range of your main AP.
All of your devices will now connect to the "freeWiFI", and have a fast internet without the need of running around a physical cable.
This way I was able to creates a dedicated wireless backhaul connection back to the main AP, using a MESH backhaul and without the need to run a long ethernet cable to the WAN port, and best of all? I am finally enjoying my full 100 Mbps speed everywhere in the house. I would prefer to install the official OpenWrt like I have on my T5601-T0, but for now, this setup is working fine.
Have you tried building a custom mesh network with OpenWRT? Let me know your experience in the comments! One of my friend have tried it on "Zyxel VMG3625-T50B" too but now i find that it fails.
Dont try: Installing firmware on the "Zyxel VMG3625-T50B" did not work. Only the EX-3301 has been tested, (it was actually my fault for thinking they are the same architecture, well these are NOT)