Adding (more) Wi-Fi to GL.iNet Brume/Creta/Mango

I write this since I've noticed that it isn't so easy to find a Wi-Fi dongle that really works on GL.iNet routers / OpenWrt.I've got some potential applications using multiple wireless devices.

The information here is provided "AS IS", without warranty of any kind.

Please see also the following thread.

forum.gl-inet.com

Tested routers and firmware

GL-MV1000 (Brume): genuine 3.105 (based on OpenWrt 19.07.0)

There's a variant, GL-MV1000-W with wireless capabilities. (We cannot use this model in Japan until it passes the tests of technical standards conformity certification.)

GL-AR750 (Creta): OpenWrt 19.07.5

GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango): OpenWrt 19.07.5

Tested adapters and the results

TP-Link AC600 Archer T2U Nano

I wanted to use this tiny dongle. I've tried various Realtek drivers but none works.

Support for rtl8812au devices isn't good and needs some improvements.

TP-Link AC600 Archer T2U Plus

This adapter works on Brume only. No driver has been found for Creta and Mango whose architectures are different.

An additional kernel driver is required. Please see the thread

https://forum.gl-inet.com/t/adding-wi-fi-to-mv1000-brume/9610/46

and grab kmod-8811au_4.14.151 2020-4-30-1_aarch64_cortex-a53.zip there.

I don't want to recommend this product for the use with Brume. I wonder why this driver hasn't been included in the official repository. Other drivers for rtl8812au don't recognize this adapter.

After successful installation of the driver and rebooting, iw phy shows a new wireless device.

iw phy

Here's an adapter view. :-)

T2U Plus attached to Brume. (smaller dongle is T2U Nano that doesn't work)

Netgear AC1200 A6210

This adapter works on Brume/Creta/Mango. This is probably one of the best recommended model although it's a bit old and the size would matter.

The router recognizes this adapter after installing kmod-mt76x2u package.

iw phy shows the new wireless device. Then, rm /etc/config/wireless; wifi; wifi config will create a new configuration file.

iw phy

Buffalo WI-U2-300D

This adapter works on Brume/Creta/Mango.

The router recognize this adapter after installing kmod-rt2800-usb package.

This is an old and domestic model in Japan.

TP-Link AC1300 Archer T4U

No luck at all.

TP-Link AC600 Archer T2U v3

This isn't recognised.

T2U v3 is based on rtl8812au according to the following database. However, no 8812-related driver from the company or OpenWrt recognizes this dongle. (Why?)