Does this router have a recovery mode like the d-link and trendnet u-boot Atheros routers?
Hold down reset button, connect power, keep holding reset button (I do it for at least 30 seconds, not sure how long it really needs). Then you can connect on http at 192.168.0.1
Just curious if that's built into the router you have.
wr941n doesn't support crash recovery mode. The reset button is used to reset to factory default setting. This is useful only when you forget admin password, turn off dhcp server and then forget the admin ip, etc, but usually this kind of reset mode is enough.
Sorry if I'm a bit lost on the details... but it seems to me that there are several routers with u-boot and Atheros 9xxx that we would want to get dd-wrt on.
The one that stands out to me the most is the Netgear WNR2000 - it is based on OpenWRT firmware and uses u-boot.
Sorry if I'm a bit lost on the details... but it seems to me that there are several routers with u-boot and Atheros 9xxx that we would want to get dd-wrt on.
The one that stands out to me the most is the Netgear WNR2000 - it is based on OpenWRT firmware and uses u-boot.
From the software/boot/driver side, is this system similar? Doesn't that give us a rich source of documentation (OpenWRT)?
In general, they use similar hardware, so they can use similar software. But at the detail level, at least wr941n is different. Before we figure out how wr941n's uboot verify kernel, we can't replace its kernel, we are locked on it. We can only use modules to expand its function.
BrainSlayer and Sash said a lot of things changed in HAL. But if the user space command is compatible (iwconfig, etc), and socket level API (wireless device configuration interface) is unchanged, then there is no problem in this area.
IMHO, The only problem so far is how we use flash.
The interesting part is that they all have "art" mtd partition. This partition is related to one kernel module "art.ko". TP-Link's engineer says it is very important. Oh, wait, in my wr941n, this module doesn't get insmod-ed, and it works fine, lol. I think art.ko is only insmod-ed when doing upgrade, but this is hard to confirm, because when doing upgrade, telnet and console get locked. The only clue is
I compiled dd-wrt httpd (with some path modification) and test it. Because it can't read nvram yet, there is problem here and there, but I think it not a big problem.
I tested official firmware's "Restore factory default" function via reset button. After press it, the kernel will issue "Reset button pressed." message, and press it for a few seconds, kernel will issue "restoring factory default..."
This function needs cooperation between kernel and user space. When "httpd" (main program) is running, the configuration is restored to default and box reboots. But if I kill httpd, only kernel message, no action at all.
Then I start httpd and it start to restore factory default! So the GPIO device remember the state, httpd can just read the state, no need to poll and calculate if "reset" is pressed enough time.
If I wipe the config partition using
Quote:
# dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/mtdblock3
The httpd will restore factory default at next boot.
So, flash 3rd party firmware and back is easy and safe.
I know obviously we have to get a compatible u-boot together, etc. Is it possible we could pick the best one (again the netgear wnr2000 looks promising; OpenWRT) and dd it to the other routers?
I know obviously we have to get a compatible u-boot together, etc. Is it possible we could pick the best one (again the netgear wnr2000 looks promising; OpenWRT) and dd it to the other routers?
The goal is you can flash it back to factory firmware. Replacing u-boot is dangerous and no easy way back.
rc's mtd works now. I test erasing config and it works. That also means nvram emulation works.
By read assemble code of "httpd" and reading TP-Link's source code, I wrote a little program "restore_default", which currently monitor reset button. I will add code to really restore dd-wrt default configuration when
1. config partition is not in the correct state
2. reset button is pressed over 5 seconds
And then dd-wrt's httpd can work correctly.
This week I have less time to spend on this though
I have decided to order one of these routers to try, as it is a 3x3 MIMO (ar9103) chip router with external antennas. OpenWRT is already running now on the similar Atheros AP81 routers - so hopefully we can take this one on.
It has not yet been determined how you actually activate it with the router factory firmware - perhaps they can be booted in a testing mode? Seems odd they have a partition for it.
I wish I knew why this thread has so many views but it's mostly lark or RoundSparrow posting. My guess is that it's Hong Kong or China lurkers reloading the thread every day/week. :o
I hope you guys continued progress but cannot wait for a new router any longer. Planning to risk making a serial connection to a Buffalo WHR-G300N, if I can even find a MAX232 or equivalent here (HK).
Last edited by Menkatek on Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:31; edited 3 times in total
I wish I knew why this thread has so many views but it's mostly lark or RoundSparrow posting. My guess is that it's Hong Kong or China lurkers reloading the thread every day/week. :o
I hope you guys continued progress but cannot wait for a new router any longer. Planning to risk making a serial connection to a Buffalo WHR-G300N, if I can even find a MAX232 or equivalent here (HK).
I think if the USB port easy to enable, this will be a good router.
For your serial port, I really suggest you get a DKU-5 cable, there is a eBay seller in Hong Kong who sells them for USD $3.70: http://myworld.ebay.com/topvsbotton/
I think if the USB port easy to enable, this will be a good router.
For your serial port, I really suggest you get a DKU-5 cable, there is a eBay seller in Hong Kong who sells them for USD $3.70: http://myworld.ebay.com/topvsbotton/
Thanks for your reply, RS. After some research here and off Google, the DKU-5 should allow me to connect to the MAX232 with a USB port instead of a serial one? If so, that would be very nice! :)
Hopefully the Ralink chipset will be supported in the near future without need of a physical connection. (will post my progress in another thread...)
I think if the USB port easy to enable, this will be a good router.
For your serial port, I really suggest you get a DKU-5 cable, there is a eBay seller in Hong Kong who sells them for USD $3.70: http://myworld.ebay.com/topvsbotton/
Thanks for the pointer on the 3.3V->USB cables. I bought mine from the seller (just now) for $3.30 free shipping. Can't beat that.
I think if the USB port easy to enable, this will be a good router.
For your serial port, I really suggest you get a DKU-5 cable, there is a eBay seller in Hong Kong who sells them for USD $3.70: http://myworld.ebay.com/topvsbotton/
Thanks for your reply, RS. After some research here and off Google, the DKU-5 should allow me to connect to the MAX232 with a USB port instead of a serial one? If so, that would be very nice!
Menkatek: it is much better than that! With the DKU-5 cable you do not require the MAX232. See, the Nokia cell phone this cable is for is already 3.3 volt - so the cable has a USB to serial adapter built in that is already suitable for most routers at 3.3volt.
Wow, that is fantastic! Thanks so much, RoundSparrow. I could not have gleaned this from the forum. Now I have picked up a DKU-5 cable and the router and will have a crack tonight. Will post my progress. Cheers!