Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:14 Post subject: Asus RT-AC66U -Howto BackUP CFE from Stock firmware?
Hello, i wanna know how i can backup the CFE from the stock firmware?
Only telnet is activated and have no idea how to get the backup of the CFE binary file to my PC?
(did this strings /dev/mtd0ro | grep bl_version to check the bl version)
bl_version=1.0.1.4
Need to know this how to CFE backup for my Asus RT-N66U also!
Any ideas??? i would like to hear them
Last edited by gekko2013 on Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:19; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 627 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:17 Post subject:
Can you connect a USB hard drive and copy the backup to that via the telnet command-line? _________________ 1 x Linksys WRT160n v3
1 x Linksys WRT310n v1
1 x Linksys WRT600n v1.1
1 x Linksys WRT610n v1
1 x Linksys E2500
1 x Netgear WNDR3300
1 x Dlink DIR-825 v1
2 x Asus RT-AC66U
Can you connect a USB hard drive and copy the backup to that via the telnet command-line?
Hello, well maby i have usb hdd and usbstick if needed only i dont know the exact commandline to do so am not very good in linux commands but if u can explain and tell than i can try
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 627 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:28 Post subject:
I don't have stock loaded on my RT-AC66U's, so I can't really test this myself...
If you connect a USB thumb drive (or hard drive) and then telnet into the stock router, can you see the drive via the "mount" command? If "mount" even works on stock... If it does, please post the output before and after connecting the drive.
EDIT: I just did this on DD-WRT as an example...
Before connecting thumb drive:
Code:
root@DD-WRT:~# mount
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
/dev/root on / type squashfs (ro,relatime)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,relatime)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,relatime)
ramfs on /tmp type ramfs (rw,relatime)
none on /dev type tmpfs (rw,relatime,size=512k)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,relatime,mode=600)
root@DD-WRT:~#
After inserting a thumb drive:
Code:
root@DD-WRT:/# mount
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
/dev/root on / type squashfs (ro,relatime)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,relatime)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,relatime)
ramfs on /tmp type ramfs (rw,relatime)
none on /dev type tmpfs (rw,relatime,size=512k)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,relatime,mode=600)
devpts on /proc/bus/usb type usbfs (rw,relatime)
/dev/sr0 on /tmp/mnt/discsr0 type iso9660 (ro,relatime)
/dev/sda1 on /tmp/mnt/sda_part1 type vfat (rw,relatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=437,iocharset=utf8,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)
root@DD-WRT:/#
As you can see, after I put a thumb drive in, DD-WRT automouted it. At this point, you could copy the CFE backup to the thumb drive with the "cp" command:
Code:
cp [whateverfile] /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
that would copy it to the thumb drive...
Hope that helps... _________________ 1 x Linksys WRT160n v3
1 x Linksys WRT310n v1
1 x Linksys WRT600n v1.1
1 x Linksys WRT610n v1
1 x Linksys E2500
1 x Netgear WNDR3300
1 x Dlink DIR-825 v1
2 x Asus RT-AC66U
I don't have stock loaded on my RT-AC66U's, so I can't really test this myself...
If you connect a USB thumb drive (or hard drive) and then telnet into the stock router, can you see the drive via the "mount" command? If "mount" even works on stock... If it does, please post the output before and after connecting the drive.
EDIT: I just did this on DD-WRT as an example...
Before connecting thumb drive:
Code:
root@DD-WRT:~# mount
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
/dev/root on / type squashfs (ro,relatime)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,relatime)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,relatime)
ramfs on /tmp type ramfs (rw,relatime)
none on /dev type tmpfs (rw,relatime,size=512k)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,relatime,mode=600)
root@DD-WRT:~#
After inserting a thumb drive:
Code:
root@DD-WRT:/# mount
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
/dev/root on / type squashfs (ro,relatime)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,relatime)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,relatime)
ramfs on /tmp type ramfs (rw,relatime)
none on /dev type tmpfs (rw,relatime,size=512k)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,relatime,mode=600)
devpts on /proc/bus/usb type usbfs (rw,relatime)
/dev/sr0 on /tmp/mnt/discsr0 type iso9660 (ro,relatime)
/dev/sda1 on /tmp/mnt/sda_part1 type vfat (rw,relatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=437,iocharset=utf8,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)
root@DD-WRT:/#
As you can see, after I put a thumb drive in, DD-WRT automouted it. At this point, you could copy the CFE backup to the thumb drive with the "cp" command:
Code:
cp [whateverfile] /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
that would copy it to the thumb drive...
Hope that helps...
before mounting usb stick
admin@RT-AC66U:/tmp/home/root# mount
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
/dev/root on / type squashfs (ro)
proc on /proc type proc (rw)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw)
devfs on /dev type tmpfs (rw,noatime)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw)
usbfs on /proc/bus/usb type usbfs (rw)
after mounting usbstick
admin@RT-AC66U:/tmp/home/root# mount
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
/dev/root on / type squashfs (ro)
proc on /proc type proc (rw)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw)
devfs on /dev type tmpfs (rw,noatime)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw)
usbfs on /proc/bus/usb type usbfs (rw)
/dev/sda1 on /tmp/mnt/sda1 type ufsd (rw,nodev,noatime,nls=utf8,fmask=0,dmask=0, force)
What must i do now? what means whateverfilename? what name must i use their? cp [whateverfile????] /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 627 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 13:07 Post subject:
The [whateverfilename] would the filename that you backed up your CFE to... Again, not sure where or what name the stock firmware would give it (unless it let's you specify it?)... _________________ 1 x Linksys WRT160n v3
1 x Linksys WRT310n v1
1 x Linksys WRT600n v1.1
1 x Linksys WRT610n v1
1 x Linksys E2500
1 x Netgear WNDR3300
1 x Dlink DIR-825 v1
2 x Asus RT-AC66U
The [whateverfilename] would the filename that you backed up your CFE to... Again, not sure where or what name the stock firmware would give it (unless it let's you specify it?)...
Erm i was wondering, sinds the stock firmware only have telnet enabled on port 23, is their a way to login with WIN-SCP or SFTP? or some other way to see what is in the directories ,like file or names maby even true telnet?
The [whateverfilename] would the filename that you backed up your CFE to... Again, not sure where or what name the stock firmware would give it (unless it let's you specify it?)...
Erm i was wondering, sinds the stock firmware only have telnet enabled on port 23, is their a way to login with WIN-SCP or SFTP? or some other way to see what is in the directories ,like file or names maby even true telnet?
I could ask that (about the CFE filename) to Asus-WRT developers or whatever those people are named?though am not sure they know it themselfs?
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 627 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 14:36 Post subject:
gekko2013 wrote:
jtrosky wrote:
The [whateverfilename] would the filename that you backed up your CFE to... Again, not sure where or what name the stock firmware would give it (unless it let's you specify it?)...
Erm i was wondering, sinds the stock firmware only have telnet enabled on port 23, is their a way to login with WIN-SCP or SFTP? or some other way to see what is in the directories ,like file or names maby even true telnet?
Can't use WinSCP or SFTP without SSH being enabled on the router..
To see the files and directories via telnet:
Code:
ls -l
That will list all files and directories. If you want to go into a directory:
Code:
cd [dirname]
To move back a directory:
Code:
cd ..
Also, if you know the name of the file (or part of the name), you can search like this:
Code:
find / -name "*.cfe" -print
That will search the entire router for any file ending in .cfe...
Hope that helps! I think you're almost there! _________________ 1 x Linksys WRT160n v3
1 x Linksys WRT310n v1
1 x Linksys WRT600n v1.1
1 x Linksys WRT610n v1
1 x Linksys E2500
1 x Netgear WNDR3300
1 x Dlink DIR-825 v1
2 x Asus RT-AC66U
The reason i ask all this and go so deep in the stock firmware is because ive tried DD-Wrt on my netgear WNDR3700V3 and that turned out in a disaster, it was not bricked but many features didnt worked like SSH, and i had some other problems, it also seems that the Asus RT-AC66U isnt fully ready either and thats why i want to have good CFE backups, i also think that DD-Wrt comes a little short in trying to keep the most importantoriginal dd-wrt functions in tact ,they should really consider good before they bring a firmware out and or bringing people into problems flashing, it is easily said USE ON OWN RISK but i think theirs is some responsability at the makers to before bringing something out.
Its maby an good idea to just concentrate on ten known good fast routers to make DD-Wrt for, maby the negative thing is that people are forces to buy that known good one but the positive thing is that the problems will be solved faster and better, but am not trying to bitch but i am just suggesting it, i do DD-Wrt for quit some years now and i consider myself above novice so i really need to say it liek the way i see it
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 627 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 15:08 Post subject:
Cool! Just backup both to your USB-attached device and you should be all set (rather have too much backed up than not enough!).
Just use the cp command to copy them to your USB drive.
To be honest though, DD-WRT is running really well on the AC66U now - I think the version you tried had known SSH issues...
I'm using 21676 and it's running really well..
EDIT - then again (and this is probably the reason you are doing all of this to begin with), I think there are multiple "revisions" of the RT66U now, so maybe that will be a problem (can't say for sure).
EDIT2: Another way to find all cfe-related files:
Code:
find / -name "*cfe*" -print
that will fine anything with cfe in the filename... _________________ 1 x Linksys WRT160n v3
1 x Linksys WRT310n v1
1 x Linksys WRT600n v1.1
1 x Linksys WRT610n v1
1 x Linksys E2500
1 x Netgear WNDR3300
1 x Dlink DIR-825 v1
2 x Asus RT-AC66U
Its really weird, ive tried to CP the files but it didnt worked i tried it 8 times with these commandlines;
cp cfe.original /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
cp cfe.original.bin /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
cp cfebackup /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
cp cfebackup.bin /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
cp cfe.original /tmp/mnt/sda1
cp cfe.original.bin /tmp/mnt/sda1
cp cfebackup /tmp/mnt/sda1
cp cfebackup.bin /tmp/mnt/sda1
what am i doing wrong this time?
I looked on the usbstick and i saw some txt and linux files and this file in the file extention "ORIGINAL" this here cfe.original is the files name that has 256kb and sounds like a CFE file to me but the file extention ORIGINAL? weird i though it would be a BIN file orso
I got the cfebackup.bin file now to on usb, both files came from the /tmp DIR..? do u think i could go flash dd-wrt now
Btw on a older topic i saw an CFE file that has BL version 1.0.1.2 that is probertly an outdated version the second reason i am doing all this
referring to this http://www.nautsch.net/2012/11/22/asus-rt-n66u-64k-nvram/ the nvram issue.
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 627 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 15:58 Post subject:
gekko2013 wrote:
Its really weird, ive tried to CP the files but it didnt worked i tried it 8 times with these commandlines;
cp cfe.original /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
cp cfe.original.bin /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
cp cfebackup /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
cp cfebackup.bin /tmp/mnt/sda_part1
cp cfe.original /tmp/mnt/sda1
cp cfe.original.bin /tmp/mnt/sda1
cp cfebackup /tmp/mnt/sda1
cp cfebackup.bin /tmp/mnt/sda1
what am i doing wrong this time?
I looked on the usbstick and i saw some txt and linux files and this file in the file extention "ORIGINAL" this here cfe.original is the files name that has 256kb and sounds like a CFE file to me but the file extention ORIGINAL? weird i though it would be a BIN file orso
I got the cfebackup.bin file now to on usb, both files came from the /tmp DIR..? do u think i could go flash dd-wrt now
Btw on a older topic i saw an CFE file that has BL version 1.0.1.2 that is probertly an outdated version the second reason i am doing all this
referring to this http://www.nautsch.net/2012/11/22/asus-rt-n66u-64k-nvram/ the nvram issue.
Since the file was named "cfe.original" on the router, windows is just showing it as a ".original" file... It's completely normal.
You should also have a cfe.bin as well though (windows might be hiding the file extensions)...
You should be all set - sounds like you now have backups of both of those files...
Also, the AC66U is pretty brick-proof - it has a built-in recovery mode where you can almost always get back to where you started...
I don't think I've heard of any permanent bricks with the AC66U.
Then again, it's at your own risk of course!!
By the way, that article you linked to is for the RT-N66U, not the RT-AC66U - different routers...
EDIT: Also, I jsut checked and my bootloader is the same version as yours, if that makes you feel any better... _________________ 1 x Linksys WRT160n v3
1 x Linksys WRT310n v1
1 x Linksys WRT600n v1.1
1 x Linksys WRT610n v1
1 x Linksys E2500
1 x Netgear WNDR3300
1 x Dlink DIR-825 v1
2 x Asus RT-AC66U