The TP-Link EAP615-Wall is a compact, Wi-Fi 6 wall-mounted access point designed for dense deployments and high-speed wireless performance. While the stock TP-Link firmware is functional, flashing OpenWRT on this device unlocks advanced features and customization options that can transform how you manage and optimize your network. Let’s dive into how OpenWRT performs on a device like the TP-Link EAP615-Wall and whether it’s the right fit for your network.

In this review, we’ll explore the benefits and potential drawbacks of running OpenWRT on the EAP615-Wall and how it performs in real-world scenarios.

• Why Consider OpenWRT?
• Performance on the EAP615-Wall
• Potential Drawbacks
• Conclusion

Why Consider OpenWRT?

The stock firmware on TP-Link access points works well for basic setups, but when you’re managing multiple VLANs, advanced security, and traffic optimization, OpenWRT opens up a world of possibilities:

• Advanced Network Control: OpenWRT gives you deep control over firewall rules, VLAN tagging, and interface assignments — perfect for keeping traffic local.
• Enhanced Wireless Performance: You can fine-tune power levels, channel selection, and bandwidth, which is crucial when managing 12 access points without any nearby Wi-Fi interference.
• Flexibility with Packages: OpenWRT supports a huge library of additional packages, so you can add advanced tools like luci-app-sqm for traffic shaping or wpad-openssl for improved wireless security.

Performance on the EAP615-Wall

The EAP615-Wall is a compact and powerful Wi-Fi 6 access point, and OpenWRT takes full advantage of its hardware:

• Stable Mesh Networking: If you’re using mesh configurations, OpenWRT offers better support and stability for wireless backhaul.
• VLAN Integration: With your existing VLAN setup on pfSense, OpenWRT makes it easy to align those networks on your WAPs without interference or sync issues.
• Improved Security: You get faster updates and community-driven security patches — critical when running IoT devices like cameras.

Potential Drawbacks

While OpenWRT brings a lot of power, it’s not without some challenges:

• Steep Learning Curve: If you’re not familiar with OpenWRT, the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming.
• Manual Configuration: Stock firmware often comes pre-optimized for the hardware. With OpenWRT, you’ll spend more time tweaking settings for optimal performance.
• Compatibility: Not every feature of the EAP615-Wall’s hardware may be fully supported yet, depending on the OpenWRT version.

Conclusion

Running OpenWRT on the TP-Link EAP615-Wall brings a level of control and performance that stock firmware simply can’t match. With advanced features like VLAN support, traffic shaping, and flexible package management, it’s an excellent choice for anyone managing a complex network or looking to optimize wireless performance.

That said, OpenWRT isn’t a plug-and-play solution. It requires careful setup and a willingness to dive into network configuration. But if you’re ready to take your network’s reliability, security, and performance to the next level, the combination of OpenWRT and the EAP615-Wall is a powerful and flexible solution worth considering. However, overall it is a good option and something that should be considered.

📝 For more information about OpenWRT, please review their official documentation.