TP-Link TL-WR940N(US) Ver.6.0 available for analysis

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Brett Glass
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Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 0:46    Post subject: TP-Link TL-WR940N(US) Ver.6.0 available for analysis Reply with quote
I've got a brand new TP-Link router, with the model number and version in the subject line, that won't currently accept DD-WRT as most earlier versions will. (I tried several files that were offered, but all they did was brick the router until I managed to debrick it using an awkward TFTP recovery technique.) It is going to be popular, because outlets such as Fry's and Micro Center are selling it at bargain prices and it provides the fastest 802.11n that is available on 2.4 GHz. I would gladly crack the case and send pictures, list the chips, and/or send the router to someone who is willing to analyze it and get this model and version working with DD-WRT. Any takers?
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ian5142
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Joined: 23 Oct 2013
Posts: 2318
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 1:11    Post subject: Thread Reply with quote
Read this thread: https://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=313672
_________________
Before asking a question on the forums, update dd-wrt: Where do I download firmware? I suggest reading it all.
QCA Best WiFi Settings


Some dd-wrt wiki pages are up to date, others are not. PM me if you find an old one.

Atheros:
Netgear R7800 x3 - WDS AP / station, gateway, QoS
TP-Link Archer C7 v2 x2 - WDS Station
TP-Link TL-WDR3600 v1 - WDS Station
TP-Link 841nd v8 - NU
D-Link 615 C1/E3/I1 x 7 - 1 WDS station
D-Link 825 B1 - NU
D-Link 862L A1 x2 - WDS Station
Netgear WNDR3700v2 - NU
UBNT loco M2 x2 - airOS

Broadcom
Linksys EA6400 - Gateway, QoS
Asus N66U - AP
Netgear WNDR3700v3 - not used
MediaTek
UBNT EdgeRouter X - switch
Brett Glass
DD-WRT User


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 2:27    Post subject: Reply with quote
Already did. As mentioned above, no DD-WRT firmware images which have been offered for this version of the router have worked, which is why I've posted this new topic and offered to supply hardware, photos, etc.
ian5142
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 23 Oct 2013
Posts: 2318
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 3:05    Post subject: TFTP Reply with quote
You will most likely have to TFTP the firmware. TP-Link Routers have TFTP client looking for a specific filename served by a TFTP server (your computer) at 192.168.0.66. I would suggest using TFTP32/TFTP64. You can determine the filename the router is looking for by examining the TFTP32/TFTP64 log.

This is a good example, not the correct filenames of course but the correct procedure: https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wr841nd#tftp_recovery_via_bootloader_for_v8_v9_v10_v11_v12

I would also try using the WPS button instead of the Reset button, if it does not work.

Try these files, 1 zip - 3 files inside: https://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1122111#1122111

Get a USB-TTL 3.3V cable such as this: https://www.adafruit.com/product/954
Open up the case, hook it and read what the router is looking for, when.

_________________
Before asking a question on the forums, update dd-wrt: Where do I download firmware? I suggest reading it all.
QCA Best WiFi Settings


Some dd-wrt wiki pages are up to date, others are not. PM me if you find an old one.

Atheros:
Netgear R7800 x3 - WDS AP / station, gateway, QoS
TP-Link Archer C7 v2 x2 - WDS Station
TP-Link TL-WDR3600 v1 - WDS Station
TP-Link 841nd v8 - NU
D-Link 615 C1/E3/I1 x 7 - 1 WDS station
D-Link 825 B1 - NU
D-Link 862L A1 x2 - WDS Station
Netgear WNDR3700v2 - NU
UBNT loco M2 x2 - airOS

Broadcom
Linksys EA6400 - Gateway, QoS
Asus N66U - AP
Netgear WNDR3700v3 - not used
MediaTek
UBNT EdgeRouter X - switch
Brett Glass
DD-WRT User


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 3:11    Post subject: Reply with quote
Tried all three of the files in that archive. They did not work. GUI would not accept them, and when I got them into the router using TFTP (the file name requested from my TFTP server was wr940nv6_tp_recovery.bin) the router would never fully boot. It simply reset itself repeatedly. More analysis must be needed, which is why I am offering hardware, photos, etc. As for hooking up a serial cable: I have plenty of level converter chips around. Just need to know where on the circuit board to hook up. Might need to tack solder some wires if there is no header. Do not know whether native firmware produces any useful messages, or if any of those DD-WRT images will before the system crashes and reboots.
ian5142
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 23 Oct 2013
Posts: 2318
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 3:27    Post subject: Serial Reply with quote
Post Pictures of the top side of the board here (attach them in a zip file).

They must be high-quality (>8MP) and in focus.

I should be able to find the serial port on the board for you.

Note: the port is 3.3V logic, not 12V RS232 logic.

Several chips that I know work are: MCP2200, FTDI FT232, and Prolific PL2303.

_________________
Before asking a question on the forums, update dd-wrt: Where do I download firmware? I suggest reading it all.
QCA Best WiFi Settings


Some dd-wrt wiki pages are up to date, others are not. PM me if you find an old one.

Atheros:
Netgear R7800 x3 - WDS AP / station, gateway, QoS
TP-Link Archer C7 v2 x2 - WDS Station
TP-Link TL-WDR3600 v1 - WDS Station
TP-Link 841nd v8 - NU
D-Link 615 C1/E3/I1 x 7 - 1 WDS station
D-Link 825 B1 - NU
D-Link 862L A1 x2 - WDS Station
Netgear WNDR3700v2 - NU
UBNT loco M2 x2 - airOS

Broadcom
Linksys EA6400 - Gateway, QoS
Asus N66U - AP
Netgear WNDR3700v3 - not used
MediaTek
UBNT EdgeRouter X - switch
Brett Glass
DD-WRT User


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 1:42    Post subject: Reply with quote
Here are photos of the board and the chips on it; they should be detailed enough for you to make out the numbers. I do not know if the stock firmware will send out any useful messages on its serial port. But if it seems as if this would be useful I believe I have an Exar SP3232EH or two floating around the workshop.
Brett Glass
DD-WRT User


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 19:10    Post subject: Reply with quote
P.S. - If you compare these photos to the ones at https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wr940n (on the OpenWRT site), you'll see that the board layout is similar to that of V4.0, but with substantial cost reductions. (Among other things, there's only ONE LED in the whole unit, which serves as the WAN LED! There are none for the LAN ports or Wi-Fi.) The OpenWRT page suggests that the serial port will not work unless one creates solder bridges on the board and perhaps adds a pullup to the RX line.

Last edited by Brett Glass on Thu Mar 29, 2018 3:13; edited 1 time in total
Brett Glass
DD-WRT User


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 2:49    Post subject: Reply with quote
More info on this model. Searched the Web and found this conversation on the LEDE project forum:

https://forum.lede-project.org/t/support-for-tp-link-tl-wr940n-ver-6-0/10442

Their diffs from v4 to v6 are here:

https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/pull/635

(click on the "files changed" tab). They also posted working images at

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yeCikuvqEQlFRLM2qiXu6eSbNr5lUVeF?usp=sharing

Maybe a peek at their conversation and/or their code will help! The good news is that they seem to have made only minor tweaks to their v4 code and images. The changes mostly seem to involve the LED(s) - perhaps the v4 code toggles a PIO line that crashes the v6 - but also include a new signature for the binary.
Brett Glass
DD-WRT User


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Fri Mar 30, 2018 23:05    Post subject: Reply with quote
Any chance that one of the developers could compile a DD-WRT image based on the information in my previous posting? The router is sitting and gathering dust until I can replace the TP-Link firmware, which is famously insecure.
ian5142
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 23 Oct 2013
Posts: 2318
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Fri Mar 30, 2018 23:21    Post subject: SVN Ticket Reply with quote
Did you create a ticket on the SVN timeline: http://svn.dd-wrt.com/timeline
_________________
Before asking a question on the forums, update dd-wrt: Where do I download firmware? I suggest reading it all.
QCA Best WiFi Settings


Some dd-wrt wiki pages are up to date, others are not. PM me if you find an old one.

Atheros:
Netgear R7800 x3 - WDS AP / station, gateway, QoS
TP-Link Archer C7 v2 x2 - WDS Station
TP-Link TL-WDR3600 v1 - WDS Station
TP-Link 841nd v8 - NU
D-Link 615 C1/E3/I1 x 7 - 1 WDS station
D-Link 825 B1 - NU
D-Link 862L A1 x2 - WDS Station
Netgear WNDR3700v2 - NU
UBNT loco M2 x2 - airOS

Broadcom
Linksys EA6400 - Gateway, QoS
Asus N66U - AP
Netgear WNDR3700v3 - not used
MediaTek
UBNT EdgeRouter X - switch
Brett Glass
DD-WRT User


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 2:05    Post subject: Reply with quote
I just did. Wasn't aware that it existed.
Brett Glass
DD-WRT User


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 4:16    Post subject: Reply with quote
No response to the ticket after a week. Is there something else I should be doing to get this version incorporated into the next build?
ian5142
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 23 Oct 2013
Posts: 2318
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:54    Post subject: SVN Ticket Reply with quote
Now you just keep closing and reopening until Brainslayer or Kong notices. tatsuya46 has about 20 bug tickets open and some of them have been open since last October.

It takes time, support without the router on hand is not always forthcoming.

_________________
Before asking a question on the forums, update dd-wrt: Where do I download firmware? I suggest reading it all.
QCA Best WiFi Settings


Some dd-wrt wiki pages are up to date, others are not. PM me if you find an old one.

Atheros:
Netgear R7800 x3 - WDS AP / station, gateway, QoS
TP-Link Archer C7 v2 x2 - WDS Station
TP-Link TL-WDR3600 v1 - WDS Station
TP-Link 841nd v8 - NU
D-Link 615 C1/E3/I1 x 7 - 1 WDS station
D-Link 825 B1 - NU
D-Link 862L A1 x2 - WDS Station
Netgear WNDR3700v2 - NU
UBNT loco M2 x2 - airOS

Broadcom
Linksys EA6400 - Gateway, QoS
Asus N66U - AP
Netgear WNDR3700v3 - not used
MediaTek
UBNT EdgeRouter X - switch
Brett Glass
DD-WRT User


Joined: 16 Jul 2010
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 14:24    Post subject: Reply with quote
Offered to send 'em the router. No answer yet.

ETA: This is going to be important, because Micro Center, Fry's, Best Buy, Newegg, and Amazon have sold out the older versions of the TL-WR940 and are now selling this one exclusively. If the developers don't start posting files that can be loaded onto this version, newly bought routers of this model will no longer be able to run DD-WRT.
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