Linksys AC Series Router Configuration Tips for OpenWRT

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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 will also flash the other partition, so set the other boot partition as active or use the OS in the other partition to perform the upgrade. 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.
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