Thank you @Clive_A for at least trying to conclude this. It's clear that there is very much a language barrier so that nuances are lost or getting added: It looks like you took some meaning from me...

@Clive_A - I'll do this one reply here in public, can move to DMs if needed. All I originally asked for was status, if there was a timeline/roadmap for expected support and features. Once informed of...

@Clive_A - Could you please re-read both what I post and your reply, and see how insulting your reply could sound? I don't *want* to go to OpenWRT, I want(ed) a reasonably capable pro-sumer system...

@NinjaMonkey LOL, yeah, that was me that started that thread on the Open-WRT forum, but I haven't had the time/inclination to pursue it without help from the community to answer basic questions....

@Clive_A - Thank you for the reply, and the yes the info is helpful, if disheartening. The search for a better home networking solution continues. Sad that I have to take TP-Link off the list.

@KimcheeGUN - no hardware should blindly accept an arbitrary firmware file (esp. in a user-facing GUI!) - .zip or wrong model shouldn't even be allowed to attempt, there should absolutely be some...