Will TP-Link TL-WR941ND be supported?

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lark
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Joined: 28 Oct 2008
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:56    Post subject: Reply with quote
RoundSparrow wrote:
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.
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RoundSparrow
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Joined: 28 Nov 2008
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:15    Post subject: Reply with quote
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.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=39928

From the software/boot/driver side, is this system similar? Doesn't that give us a rich source of documentation (OpenWRT)?
lark
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 28 Oct 2008
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:55    Post subject: Reply with quote
RoundSparrow wrote:
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.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=39928

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
Quote:

# strings httpd
insmod /lib/art.ko
lark
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 28 Oct 2008
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 15:57    Post subject: Reply with quote
More progress.

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.

This is interrupt information.

Quote:

# cat /proc/interrupts
CPU0
2: 33267 MIPS wifi0
4: 76 MIPS eth0
6: 0 MIPS cascade
7: 767753 MIPS timer
18: 0 AR7100 MISC cascade
19: 1296 AR7100 MISC serial
35: 4 AR7100 GPIO RESTORE_FACTORY_DEFAULT
39: 2 AR7100 GPIO SW_JUMPSTART

ERR: 0


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.
RoundSparrow
DD-WRT User


Joined: 28 Nov 2008
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 17:30    Post subject: Reply with quote
What does "cat /proc/mtd" look like on this system?

If we can't figure out how to get u-boot to boot dd-wrt kernel, can't we use dd to replace u-boot? This page shows dd being used to replace u-boot: http://buffalo.nas-central.org/index.php/HOWTO_U-Boot

# dd if=u-boot.bin of=/dev/mtdblock1 bs=1k

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?
lark
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Joined: 28 Oct 2008
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 20:31    Post subject: Reply with quote
RoundSparrow wrote:
What does "cat /proc/mtd" look like on this system?


see page 1

Quote:
If we can't figure out how to get u-boot to boot dd-wrt kernel, can't we use dd to replace u-boot? This page shows dd being used to replace u-boot: http://buffalo.nas-central.org/index.php/HOWTO_U-Boot

# dd if=u-boot.bin of=/dev/mtdblock1 bs=1k

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.
lark
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 28 Oct 2008
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:29    Post subject: Reply with quote
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 Sad
RoundSparrow
DD-WRT User


Joined: 28 Nov 2008
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 17:45    Post subject: Reply with quote
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.

BTW: I have since learned that ART is Atheros Radio Test - it is a kernel module driver for the routers that allows testing mode. See:
http://www.mail-archive.com/ath9k-devel@lists.ath9k.org/msg00641.html

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.
RoundSparrow
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Joined: 28 Nov 2008
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 20:20    Post subject: Reply with quote
I am curious if anyone find information on the TL-WR1043 - I find hints it is AR9132 and has gigabit LAN, 64MB RAM and 8MB flash.
Menkatek
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Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 44

PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:02    Post subject: Reply with quote
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
RoundSparrow
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Joined: 28 Nov 2008
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:03    Post subject: Reply with quote
Menkatek wrote:
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/
Menkatek
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 44

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:50    Post subject: Reply with quote
RoundSparrow wrote:
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...)
bkmartin
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 05 Dec 2008
Posts: 15

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 18:46    Post subject: Reply with quote
RoundSparrow wrote:

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.
RoundSparrow
DD-WRT User


Joined: 28 Nov 2008
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 18:30    Post subject: Reply with quote
Menkatek wrote:
RoundSparrow wrote:
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! Smile


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.

Here is info on how you get the wires you need once you get the cable: http://buffalo.nas-central.org/index.php/Use_a_Nokia_Serial_Cable_on_an_ARM9_Linkstation
Menkatek
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 44

PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:08    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wow, that is fantastic! Thanks so much, RoundSparrow. Cool 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!
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