The Gemtek W1700K (also branded as the Quantum Fiber 360 Wi-Fi 7 Pod Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
) is a powerful Wi-Fi 7 mesh node that has gained significant traction in the OpenWrt community due to its high-end hardware and low cost on the used market.
As of April 2026, the device is officially supported in OpenWrt snapshot builds. Hardware Overview
features top-tier specifications for a Wi-Fi 7 access point: Processor: Airoha AN7581 (1.3 GHz, quad-core ARM). Memory/Storage: 2 GB RAM and 512 MB Flash. Connectivity: 2x 10GbE Ethernet ports and 2x 1GbE LAN ports. Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 (BE19000) using MediaTek MT7996AV.
Other: Active cooling (internal fan) and Bluetooth 5.1/Zigbee support. Installation Status & Method
Standard installation requires serial console access, as the stock firmware is locked down and does not support third-party upgrades through its web interface.
Access Serial: Requires opening the case (Torx T10 screw under the label) and connecting to the UART header (TX-GND-VCC-N/A-RX).
Unlock Bootloader: The stock U-Boot is configured to only run signed images. Users must interrupt the boot sequence to modify environment variables (e.g., bootcmd) to allow booting OpenWrt.
Flash OpenWrt: Typically involves booting an initramfs image via TFTP and then using sysupgrade to flash the final image. Current Capabilities & Issues
While officially supported, some features may still be experimental:
Wi-Fi 7: The 6GHz band and high-speed Wi-Fi performance are functional in recent builds.
10GbE Support: Support for the 10G ports requires specific drivers (RTL8261N), which are integrated into the main OpenWrt branch. w1700k openwrt
LEDs & Fan: Earlier issues with non-working LEDs and uncontrolled fans have mostly been addressed in "Lumos" or "Minimal" community patches, but the stock red-light status may persist in older snapshot versions. Where to Find More
Official Builds: Available via the OpenWrt Table of Hardware or the Firmware Selector.
Developer Discussions: The primary hub for this device is the Quantum Fiber W1700K Developer thread on the OpenWrt Forum.
Community Builds: For experimental features like eMLSR, visit the W1700K Community Builds thread. Quantum Fiber W1700k support - For Developers
You're looking for a useful blog post about OpenWRT on the W1700K router!
Here are a few search results and summaries:
OpenWRT on W1700K: A Beginner's Guide by [insert author] on [insert blog]: This post provides a step-by-step guide to installing OpenWRT on the W1700K router. It covers the benefits of using OpenWRT, required hardware and software, and a detailed installation process.
Unlocking the Potential of W1700K with OpenWRT by SmallNetBuilder: This article explores the features and capabilities of the W1700K router with OpenWRT. It discusses the router's hardware, the installation process, and how to configure OpenWRT for optimal performance.
W1700K OpenWRT: Tips and Tricks by [insert author] on [insert blog]: In this post, the author shares their experience with running OpenWRT on the W1700K router. They provide tips on configuring the router for better performance, security, and features like VPN and QoS.
Some popular blogs that might have useful posts on OpenWRT and W1700K include:
Quantum Fiber W1700k (specifically the Gemtek MX-W1700k ) has become a fascinating "holy grail" for the OpenWrt community. Once a locked-down ISP router provided by Quantum Fiber The Gemtek W1700K (also branded as the Quantum
, it has been transformed by independent developers into a high-performance, open-source networking beast. The Hardware: A Hidden Powerhouse
The excitement around the W1700k stems from its impressive internal specifications, which far exceed standard "free" ISP hardware. It features the Airoha EN7581 SoC , a modern Wi-Fi 7 chipset that offers: Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 (BE19000) capabilities. Dual 10Gbps Ethernet ports
(one WAN, one LAN), making it a rare affordable entry point for 10-Gigabit home networking. Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
processor, providing plenty of headroom for heavy OpenWrt packages like SQM, VPNs (WireGuard), and ad-blocking (AdGuard Home). The "OpenWrt" Breakthrough
For months, the W1700k was considered a "paperweight" for enthusiasts because of its secure boot and proprietary firmware. However, a dedicated community effort, chronicled extensively on the OpenWrt Forum , led to several major milestones: Bootloader Unlocking
: Developers discovered methods to bypass the ISP's restrictions, allowing for custom partitions. The "Lorenzo" Builds : Frequent updates from developers like Lorenzo Bianconi
have integrated support for the NPU (Network Processing Unit) and Wi-Fi 7 drivers. Community Support
: Because the device is often sold cheaply on the second-hand market (eBay/Mercari) after customers switch ISPs, it has become one of the most cost-effective ways to run a Wi-Fi 7 OpenWrt setup. Why This Matters
Installing OpenWrt on the W1700k isn't just about "hacking" a router; it's about reclaiming high-end hardware
: It removes the ISP's ability to monitor traffic or push forced updates. Performance
: Stock firmware often limits the 10Gbps ports or has poor bufferbloat management. OpenWrt unlocks full line-rate speeds. Sustainability OpenWRT on W1700K: A Beginner's Guide by [insert
: It prevents thousands of these high-spec units from becoming e-waste when customers cancel their subscriptions. Current State & Risks
While support is maturing, it is still considered "experimental." New users often refer to the W1700k OpenWrt Flashing Wiki
for "hand-holding" guides, as the initial flashing process involves a learning curve and risks "bricking" the device if the bootloader steps are missed. for flashing or where to find the latest stable image
Serial console (115200 baud, 8N1) or SSH (if dropbear fit). Login: root / (no password initially).
Check space:
df -h /overlay
# Should show ~50-100KB free
Set LAN IP (example):
uci set network.lan.ipaddr='192.168.2.1'
uci commit network
/etc/init.d/network restart
Add a minimal DHCP server (if room for dnsmasq):
opkg --force-depends install dnsmasq
# Else static IPs only
| Issue | Workaround |
|-------|-------------|
| Boot loop after sysupgrade | Use tftp recovery (hold reset for 30 seconds during power-on) |
| No Wi-Fi 6 GHz band | Requires kmod-ath11k and board-specific DTB; not enabled in generic builds |
| LAN ports reversed order | Add ucidef_set_interface_lan "eth1 eth2 eth3" in /etc/rc.local |
| Low NSS performance | Check dmesg for firmware crash logs; reinstall qca-nss-ecm |
The ARM Cortex-A53 has AES acceleration. Configure a WireGuard server to access your home LAN remotely.
opkg install wireguard-tools luci-app-wireguardBefore downloading any firmware, you must verify your specific hardware revision. The "W1700K" is a reference design primarily based on the MediaTek Filogic 820 platform (MT7981B).
Specifications:
Warning: There is a cheaper variant using a Realtek chipset. OpenWrt does not fully support Realtek WiFi drivers. You need the MediaTek MT7981 version.
