Linksys AC Series Router Configuration Tips for OpenWRT: Difference between revisions
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Most of this article is focused on the OpenWRT Firmware / OS (Operating System). The WRT32X is essentially the same as the WRT3200ACM and is not mentioned specifically in this article. | Most of this article is focused on the OpenWRT Firmware / OS (Operating System) and the WRT1900ACS and WRT3200ACM routers. The WRT32X is essentially the same as the WRT3200ACM and is not mentioned specifically in this article. The WRT1900AC series is older and because the price difference between it and the WRT1900ACS is negligible, along with better hardware specification for the WRT1900ACS, it is recommended to purchase the ACS, thus the AC model is not fully covered here. The information below does work for the most part on the WRT1900AC. | ||
== Firmware Installation == | ==Firmware Installation== | ||
REMEMBER: The AC Series of routers has [https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/wrt_ac_series#Dual_Firmware_Flashing dual boot partitions], so if you're installing firmware it will flash it to the non-active flash partition. So if one happens to be running OpenWRT on one partition and DD-WRT or the stock Linksys firmware on the other partition, if installing from the OpenWRT / LUCI GUI, it will overwrite the other partition. Use the OpenWRT Install / Factory image in this instance. | REMEMBER: The AC Series of routers has [https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/wrt_ac_series#Dual_Firmware_Flashing dual boot partitions], so if you're installing firmware it will flash it to the non-active flash partition. So if one happens to be running OpenWRT on one partition and DD-WRT or the stock Linksys firmware on the other partition, if installing from the OpenWRT / LUCI GUI, it will overwrite the other partition. Use the OpenWRT Install / Factory image in this instance. | ||
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See the [https://wiki.terrabase.info/wiki/Linksys_AC_Series_Router_Configuration_Tips#Switching Boot Partitions Switching Boot Partitions] section of this article for the commands to view or change the boot partition. | See the [https://wiki.terrabase.info/wiki/Linksys_AC_Series_Router_Configuration_Tips#Switching Boot Partitions Switching Boot Partitions] section of this article for the commands to view or change the boot partition. | ||
=== WRT1900AC === | ===WRT1900AC=== | ||
There are two hardware versions of the WRT1900AC (v1 and v2, v1 will not appear on the label, it is used here to differentiate between v1 and v2) so check the label on the bottom of the router and get the right firmware. | There are two hardware versions of the WRT1900AC (v1 and v2, v1 will not appear on the label, it is used here to differentiate between v1 and v2) so check the label on the bottom of the router and get the right firmware. | ||
=== WRT1900ACS === | ===WRT1900ACS=== | ||
There are two hardware versions of the WRT1900ACS (v1 and v2, v1 will not appear on the label, it is used here to differentiate between v1 and v2), but unlike the WRT1900AC, both versions of the router use the same firmware. | There are two hardware versions of the WRT1900ACS (v1 and v2, v1 will not appear on the label, it is used here to differentiate between v1 and v2), but unlike the WRT1900AC, both versions of the router use the same firmware. | ||
=== WRT3200ACM === | ===WRT3200ACM=== | ||
As of the writing of this article on 7.2020, there is only one version of the WRT3200ACM | As of the writing of this article on 7.2020, there is only one version of the WRT3200ACM | ||
== Package Installation with OPKG == | ==Package Installation with OPKG== | ||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
== Dual Booting == | ==Dual Booting== | ||
opkg install luci-app-advanced-reboot : This allows for rebooting to the alternate partition | opkg install luci-app-advanced-reboot : This allows for rebooting to the alternate partition | ||
== USB Flash Drives == | Remember: When attempting to utilize this within the LUCI GUI (if already logged in and connected), refresh the browser windows (CTRL Key plus Refresh Button in Firefox). | ||
==USB Flash Drives== | |||
opkg install block-mount e2fsprogs kmod-fs-ext4 kmod-usb-storage kmod-usb2 kmod-usb3 : Believe it or not, the stock installation of OpenWRT does not come with the capability to access USB or eSATA devices. Considering how prevalent a USB port is on routers these days, that's a bit baffling. Plus it's really frustrating for so many web sites that refer to the LuCI, System, Mount Point menu that doesn't exist unless the previously mentioned items are installed. Big woof on this one. | opkg install block-mount e2fsprogs kmod-fs-ext4 kmod-usb-storage kmod-usb2 kmod-usb3 : Believe it or not, the stock installation of OpenWRT does not come with the capability to access USB or eSATA devices. Considering how prevalent a USB port is on routers these days, that's a bit baffling. Plus it's really frustrating for so many web sites that refer to the LuCI, System, Mount Point menu that doesn't exist unless the previously mentioned items are installed. Big woof on this one. | ||
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===Commands for OpenWRT=== | ===Commands for OpenWRT=== | ||
*To determine which boot partition is active: /usr/sbin/fw_printenv -n boot_part | *To determine which boot partition is active: /usr/sbin/fw_printenv -n boot_part | ||
*To change which boot partition is active: /usr/sbin/fw_setenv boot_part 1 OR /usr/sbin/fw_setenv boot_part 2 | *To change which boot partition is active: /usr/sbin/fw_setenv boot_part 1 OR /usr/sbin/fw_setenv boot_part 2 | ||
===Commands for DD-WRT=== | ===Commands for DD-WRT=== | ||
*To determine which boot partition is active:''ubootenv get boot_part'' | *To determine which boot partition is active:''ubootenv get boot_part'' | ||
*To change which boot partition is active: ubootenv set boot_part 1 | *To change which boot partition is active: ubootenv set boot_part 1 | ||
Revision as of 04:04, 25 July 2020
Most of this article is focused on the OpenWRT Firmware / OS (Operating System) and the WRT1900ACS and WRT3200ACM routers. The WRT32X is essentially the same as the WRT3200ACM and is not mentioned specifically in this article. The WRT1900AC series is older and because the price difference between it and the WRT1900ACS is negligible, along with better hardware specification for the WRT1900ACS, it is recommended to purchase the ACS, thus the AC model is not fully covered here. The information below does work for the most part on the WRT1900AC.
Firmware Installation
REMEMBER: The AC Series of routers has dual boot partitions, so if you're installing firmware it will flash it to the non-active flash partition. So if one happens to be running OpenWRT on one partition and DD-WRT or the stock Linksys firmware on the other partition, if installing from the OpenWRT / LUCI GUI, it will overwrite the other partition. Use the OpenWRT Install / Factory image in this instance.
When upgrading the OpenWRT Firmware the LUCI GUI interface and firmware package is intelligent enough to upgrade the current partition. Use the OpenWRT Upgrade / SysUpgrade image in this instance.
See the Switching Boot Partitions section of this article for the commands to view or change the boot partition.
WRT1900AC
There are two hardware versions of the WRT1900AC (v1 and v2, v1 will not appear on the label, it is used here to differentiate between v1 and v2) so check the label on the bottom of the router and get the right firmware.
WRT1900ACS
There are two hardware versions of the WRT1900ACS (v1 and v2, v1 will not appear on the label, it is used here to differentiate between v1 and v2), but unlike the WRT1900AC, both versions of the router use the same firmware.
WRT3200ACM
As of the writing of this article on 7.2020, there is only one version of the WRT3200ACM
Package Installation with OPKG
Dual Booting
opkg install luci-app-advanced-reboot : This allows for rebooting to the alternate partition
Remember: When attempting to utilize this within the LUCI GUI (if already logged in and connected), refresh the browser windows (CTRL Key plus Refresh Button in Firefox).
USB Flash Drives
opkg install block-mount e2fsprogs kmod-fs-ext4 kmod-usb-storage kmod-usb2 kmod-usb3 : Believe it or not, the stock installation of OpenWRT does not come with the capability to access USB or eSATA devices. Considering how prevalent a USB port is on routers these days, that's a bit baffling. Plus it's really frustrating for so many web sites that refer to the LuCI, System, Mount Point menu that doesn't exist unless the previously mentioned items are installed. Big woof on this one.
Telnet
Telnet is supported (and works) on DD-WRT, but OpenWRT has essentially discontinued use of telnet in the name of security. It is possible to build a custom version of the OpenWRT software that supports telnet.
Switching Boot Partitions
Commands for OpenWRT
- To determine which boot partition is active: /usr/sbin/fw_printenv -n boot_part
- To change which boot partition is active: /usr/sbin/fw_setenv boot_part 1 OR /usr/sbin/fw_setenv boot_part 2
Commands for DD-WRT
- To determine which boot partition is active:ubootenv get boot_part
- To change which boot partition is active: ubootenv set boot_part 1
Power Switch
Per this site: https://community.linksys.com/t5/Wireless-Routers/WRT1900AC-May-have-bricked-it/td-p/811096
- Reset the router by holding the reset button in until the PWR light starts to flash, appx. 15 seconds.
- Once the power light stops flashing, you can power off the router with the power switch.
- Turn the power back on and the PWR light will light. As soon as any other light turns on, power off the router with the power switch.
- Turn the power back on and the PWR light will light. As soon as any other light turns on, power off the router with the power switch.
- Turn the power back on and the PWR light will light. As soon as any other light turns on, power off the router with the power switch.
- Turn the power back on and the PWR light will light. This time just let the router power all the way up. It should now be on the alternate
Per this site: https://forum.archive.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?id=70202
- Start with the power switch off, then switch on. Watch the power LED:
- Power LED: on (a few seconds)
- Power LED: off (a second or two)
- Power LED: on (immediately when the power light turns on, flip the power switch off)
- That is 1 cycle of the 3 required to revert to the other partition. Repeat the above procedure two more times, making sure to flip the switch off as soon as the power LED comes on the second time.
- The fourth time you turn the power switch on you can let the device boot and it should boot into the other partition.