OpenWrt Router Proxying: PassWall vs. OpenClash & Side-Gateway Transparent Proxy Deployment

The definitive OpenWrt smart router deployment handbook. In-depth architectural comparison between PassWall and OpenClash, single-NIC side-gateway topology design, DHCP distribution, and whole-home transparent proxying.


Key Takeaway (TL;DR): OpenWrt side-gateways (router-on-a-stick) deliver clientless, whole-home acceleration across smart TVs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices without altering your main router's stability. Choose OpenClash for rich visual dashboards on high-spec x86 hardware, or PassWall for lean CPU efficiency on ARM boxes like the Raspberry Pi. Adding iptables -t nat -I POSTROUTING -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE fixes single-NIC packet loops instantly.


1. Network Topology

Set up the side-gateway with a static LAN IP within your main router's subnet, disabling its secondary DHCP server to avoid IP collisions.

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