For development of a build specifically for this device, DD-WRT team needs one in hands, so what's better ?
We donate money so they could buy a device themselves.
73%
[ 30 ]
Donate a repeater ( if someone has one that get's dust).
26%
[ 11 ]
Total Votes : 41
Author
Message
VSparxx DD-WRT User
Joined: 12 Jan 2016 Posts: 99
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 15:01 Post subject: TP-Link TL-WA854RE Rev. V1 (Unofficial Support)
BASE STORY:
Hi all, I recently bought this repeater and would like to use it with DDWRT as it's stock firmware isn't stable enough for prolonged use.
After searching the router database I saw there isn't support for it yet, but I've found a thread with active development of firmware for TL-WA850RE ( the same repeater but with an RJ45 port ).
I can't say for sure what internals does it have as there is no FCC ID on it, also can't open it due to warranty concerns, but downloaded the GPL code, and it's certainly on Atheros, and if to think tht all the repeaters of this formfactor from TP-Link have the same internals, I can't see why this would be an exception.
Also to note, there are two revisions, and mine is the first one.
Specifically: Model TL-WA854RE Ver:1.1
So basically what I can presume now:
AP123 Atheros AR9341@500Mhz - based on GPL code and other repeaters that share the same form factor ( WA850RE, WA750RE, WA860RE) - CONFIRMED after successful DD-WRT upgrade 32 MB - based on other repeaters that share the same form factor ( WA850RE, WA750RE, WA860RE) - CONFIRMED after successful DD-WRT upgrade 4 MB - based on other repeaters that share the same form factor ( WA850RE, WA750RE, WA860RE)- CONFIRMED after successful DD-WRT upgrade
No RJ45 port.
I tried to telnet and ssh to stock firmware, no luck.
Is there any hope ? Also if I can do something to help with other details i'd gladly do it.
Stock firmware to DD-WRT:
So after the kind help of GreyDoc, i got it up and running DD-WRT.
The upgrade procedure went smooth, just reset the repeater and upgrade through WEB interface.
Basically for upgrading you need:
1. the said firmware ( get it from the bottom of this post, you need to be logged in to see it )
2. upgrade via web interface of your stock firmware
3. don't disconnect your repeater from the wall outlet until you see "ddwrt" SSID
3. connect and enjoy great firmware
For those asking about reverting to stock:
With the kind help of Kryptex we now have one more way to go from stock to DD-WRT and back to stock, just follow this link to his post on the thread:
try this for WA854REv1. it's WA901NDv3 build 28647 modified. use only if you have serial handy in case it ends up bricked.. otherwise don't use.. it's risky and I won't be able to help with recovery.
Last edited by GreyDoc on Tue Jan 12, 2016 18:04; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 17:00 Post subject: Success
So after a day I can definitely tell that all is working great, repeater mode is working like it should, no RX/TX errors.
Leds aren't working, aside from power and wlan, but that's understandable as no IO info has been extracted from GPL.
Reset button is working as it should, did a reset ( 10 seconds one) and a 30/30/30 one, all good.
So for now, aside from leds and wrong router model displayed in dd-wrt I didn't found any other problems.
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 15:45 Post subject: TP-Link TL-WA854RE Rev. V1
I see that the firmware posted by GreyDoc was downloaded 3 times, so it's me and other two guys.
Now if those two are still here, it'd be great to know if all is working for them, you know..some input regarding their devices and this firmware.
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 15:53 Post subject: Re: TP-Link TL-WA854RE Rev. V1
VSparxx wrote:
I see that the firmware posted by GreyDoc was downloaded 3 times, so it's me and other two guys.
I was one of them.. I re-downloaded the file that I've uploaded and compared to what I have on my computer, to double check. I didn't compress with rar like others do, I think it may be confusing for some users
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 16:11 Post subject: Re: TP-Link TL-WA854RE Rev. V1
GreyDoc wrote:
I was one of them.. I re-downloaded the file that I've uploaded and compared to what I have on my computer, to double check. I didn't compress with rar like others do, I think it may be confusing for some users
Oh...then there needs to be at least one who downloaded beside us, well at it's price i'd think there should be a lot of these in the wild..if only they'd knew how much better it's working with dd-wrt now, at least for me, it's working without problems for all these days, no errors, i'm impressed so to say
I tried to submit a ticket to devs for an official build specially made for our device, but it was rejected because they don't have such a device for development purposes, the only way they can get one is if somebody wants to donate it to them or we can all donate money and they'll buy one, such way we'll get our device to be officially supported with more features and other improvements.
Also there will be way more chances our devices will not be bricked on upgrades.
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 15:01 Post subject: Re: TP-Link TL-WA854RE Rev. V1
VSparxx wrote:
I see that the firmware posted by GreyDoc was downloaded 3 times, so it's me and other two guys.
Now if those two are still here, it'd be great to know if all is working for them, you know..some input regarding their devices and this firmware.
Since I have too this item (TP-Link TL-WA854RE Rev. V1, EU-version, Firmware Version: 3.14.8 Build 140827 Rel.34191n) I wanted to vocally show that at least one more guy is interested in upgrading it to DD-WRT, not least because, as mentioned, current firmware is not able to run for very long times (40 days or so) without needing a reboot or a power cycle.
Four things are holding me back from trying:
- afraid of bricking! especially given that there is no RJ45, which means no way at all to try anything to recover besides breaking open the case, which I'm not willing to do;
- I don't have a replacement ready so that I cannot risk interrupting the service the device is doing at the moment in case of bricking;
- I'd like to know if it is possible to revert back to the original firmware;
- ehm, where is the DD-WRT firmware version for the TL-WA854RE v1? I think the mentioned "WA901NDv3 build 28647" firmware is the one here: ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2016/01-02-2016-r28647/tplink_tl-wa901ndv3/
but... "Modified"? Is this the right one? Is there a patch somewhere?
Kudos to everyone involved in this remarkable feat and thanks for any help or suggestions; I got the device for about 20 euro - it would be incredible added value being able to use such a cheap contraption with DD-WRT!
Last edited by Plauto on Fri Feb 05, 2016 18:13; edited 1 time in total
Wish me good luck 
especially given that there is no RJ45, which means no way at all to try anything to recover besides breaking open the case, which I'm not willing to do;