TP-Link WR703N – $23 Hackable openWRT Wi-Fi 802.11N Router

TP-Link WR703N is a tiny 802.11N 150 Mbps Wi-Fi router smaller than a credit card (5.7 x 5.7 cm) and 1.8 cm thick based on Atheros AR7240 processor with 4 MB flash and 32 MB RAM. It costs just above $20 US and can be hacked with openWRT. It features one USB host connector that allows you to connect USB devices (USB flash drive, printer…) to it.

Low cost openWRT router
TP-Link TL-WR703N

TL-WR703N Specifications:

  • Atheros AR7240 CPU @ 400Mhz (MIPS24k core)
  • Atheros AR9331 Chipset (integrated wireless)
  • 10/100 Mbit Ethernet port
  • 802.11 b/g/n 150Mbps
  • 3G support via external USB dongle
  • 4 MB flash memory
  • 32 MB RAM
  • USB 2.0 port
  • micro-USB port for power
  • Dimension – 5.7 x 5.7 x 1.8 cm

All you need is a USB to TLL board to access the serial console, open the box to access the serial pins (TP_IN and TP_OUT) and follow the instructions on openWRT website to convert it into a Linux router.

You can do all sort of things with this board such as an home automation system, a printer server (there may be limits to the document size due to the lack of memory), a sensors gateway and more. It is powered via USB and only consumes 0.5W on average.

The router is available for $23 including shipping on Dealextreme, Aliexpress and eBay, and comes with a power supply and a micro USB to USB cable. You can get further information on the device on TP-Link website (in Chinese).

Via DangerousPrototypes

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24 Replies to “TP-Link WR703N – $23 Hackable openWRT Wi-Fi 802.11N Router”

  1. Ok thank you. And I have one more question, I have a portable micro usb charger. So say I put OpenWRT on it, along with SAMBA and plugged in a flash drive powered by the portable charger. Would I have a portable NAS?

  2. I have heard reports from users that my firmware works with hw version 1.4 and 1.5 but not 1.6. I am currently busy with the raspbmc project and will revisit it a bit later this summer.

    The coolest thing is actually the pulseaudio server and if you pair it with raspberry pi you could actually make a really nice wifi audio streaming solution.

    http://forum.stmlabs.com/showthread.php?tid=1052

  3. @Brian
    The stock firmware has an ‘update firmware’ button. This is how I installed OpenWRT on mine, which was very straightforward. Should be the same for DD-WRT, provided there’s a suitable binary…

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