Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 15:56 Post subject: DD-WRT uptdates
I think that the developers should settle on a firmware version and work out the bugs/kinks before updating the kernel all the time.
I have a Linksys WRT1900ACSv2 router that is running OEM Linux version 3.10.39. It works just fine without having to run the latest version of Linux. From what I understand there are many users that can't even run the latest version of DD-WRT and Linux 4.9 without reboots(Take for example the WRT1900ACSv1 users).
Is there a NEED to constantly upgrade the kernel every time a new one is pushed? Wouldn't it make more sense to just stick with a kernel, work out the bugs and then push out a stable release? If your router doesn't work on the latest kernel software then your just out of luck with your router. Either run an older version, stick with your OEM firmware or buy a new router. Why are people even concerned with running a 10 year old router anymore. The darn thing is so old that it's time for a new one anyway. Quit trying to support 500+ routers. It's complete insanity and it just isn't practical. It's pretty obvious that there are different versions of DD-WRT for even the same manufacture. I don't run KONG versions on my WRT because they don't work. Only BS versions work.
I appreciate all the hard work that goes into these updates but it seems that something breaks every time a new update is published. Unless a critical flaw is found in the kernel, I think there should be a freeze on the kernel version. Get those kinks worked out so the focus can be put back into the software and it's features for the vast majority of users. Push out a stable release and then start the cycle over again with a new kernel version. I could really care less what kernel version my router is running on. I'm more concerned with its stability.
Like I said before, the OEM firmware is running Linux version 3.10.39 and Linksys doesn't seem to worry too much about exploits in that version so why is there always a push with DD-WRT to be running the latest and greatest if it just breaks things for their users?
By the way, the latest BS version DD-WRT v3.0-r33413 std (09/27/17) works just fine on my router so I'm not stating the above for my benefit. I'm thinking of everyone else here when I write this.
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
Based on the kernel release tree, Linux kernel version 3.10 is going EOL in October 2017. The smart move would be to use kernel version 3.16 that is going to be EOL in April 2020 and then upgrade to kernel version 4.4 since that is going to go EOL in Februar 2022.
Doing this allows for the drivers to be properly updated as the kernel API are upgraded and changed. It takes time for the chipset makes to change their drivers. I don't know why that is.
