Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:35 Post subject: Samsung CY-SWR1100 - Installing firmware using USB/TFTP
The stock firmware for the Samsung CY-SWR1100 is v1.00 released in late 2010. The last known update is v1.00b32 with web UI reporting: 1.00 Tue 21 Feb 2012
The CY-SWR1100 utilises the same RaLink SoC which can be found in the Asus RT-N56u. Custom firmware originally developed and maintained by 'Padavan' for the Asus RT-N56u, has made its way onto the Belkin N750 and Samsung routers thanks to work by 'radmir'.
It is easy to flash firmware onto the Belkin N750 F9K1103 v1. Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to use the normal GUI to replace the stock firmware on the Samsung router.
The only current method to install Padavan's firmware onto the CY-SWR1100, is with a little help by using a serial USB cable. This thread provides guidance and pictures on how to achieve this using Windows.
Warning: Perform these tasks at your own risk. You will not be able to return to the original stock Samsung firmware. Risk of damage to equipment is also possible.
Update (7 Sep 2014): SWR1100_3.0.3.8-084_base.trx may be unreliable when using external USB storage devices.
You need to be logged into this forum to be able to view the numerous pictures attached to this thread.
You will need:
The new firmware can currently be obtain from this web page
https://app.box.com/s/2wxyv4cjdgd52m4a1wzd
Only use the .trx files which begin with SWR1100.
I used SWR1100_3.0.3.8-084_base.trx
If you are considering buying a serial TTL USB cable, search on eBay for 'PL2303 usb to rs232 TTL', there seems to be quite a lot of these inexpensive USB adapters on sale.
However, if you considering this USB cable option it is very important to find one which is specifically 3.3v TTL compatible. Some designs may have hard wired 5v TTL outputs. The higher voltage could damage the router.....
The very latest Prolific driver installed by Windows Update may not work with a lot of counterfeit PL2303 adapters. However, the 2008 driver attached to this thread is compatible with the adapter in Windows 7 32 bit.
There also seems to be a new generation of USB adapters which use the newer PL2303TA chip. It is Windows 8/8.1 compatible. Search on eBay for "PL2303TA usb TTL". These appear to be compatible with 1.8v - 3.3v TTL circuits too. The leads also provide a dedicated 5v power supply output which is not required.
I purchased and briefly tested one such USB cable (blue plastic body) in loop back mode. The open circuit voltage measured on TxD lead was 3.30v. It is compatible with the latest Prolific driver from Windows Update running on Windows 8.1 laptop. The old 2008 driver also appeared to work.
I can also confirm the PL2303TA adapter worked perfectly with PUTTY to access the console of a second CY-SWR1100, and many other routers I subsequently purchased to 2022.
I found when I manually installed this older 2008 driver on a Win7 and Win8 PC, Windows automatically updated the driver to the very latest from Prolific. Device manager reported the driver was not working for a very cheap serial TTL USB adapter I was evaluating. I rolled back to the older driver through Device Manager, and the adapter started working.
If the PL2303 adapter is correctly installed, you should see it in Device Manager. You can also change the COM port number within Device Manager.
Tip: To confirm the USB adapter is working, connect the Tx and Rx wires of the adapter together. If you then use PUTTY (see later), anything you type should be echoed back onto the console screen.[url][/url]
Last edited by bob8 on Wed Jul 27, 2022 12:23; edited 57 times in total
To unclip the top cover, there are 8 tabs which need to be released. If you look through the gap on the 'underside' of the Samsung, you will just about be able to see where the locking tabs protrude.
The following photos show the locations for where the tabs from the cover engage in the slots in the case. Use a metal spudger and use it to carefully press the tabs inwards towards the centre of the router while you try to pry the top cover away from the unit. Unclip the tabs in the order shown in the photo.
Last edited by bob8 on Tue Oct 07, 2014 12:10; edited 2 times in total
I temporarily soldered some short thin wires onto the JP1 solder pads of the Samsung. The PL2303TA usb adapter could then be plugged into the Samsung. Remove the neighbouring antenna and cable to avoid burning it while soldering.
You should only use the Tx, Rx and Gnd solder pads.
The normal wiring convention is the Tx from the USB adapter is wired to the Rx solder pad. Rx from the USB adapter is wired to the Tx solder pad.
Do NOT use the 3.3v solder pad. If you wire USB adapter's own 3.3v and/or 5v dedicated outputs to this solder pad, you may damage the Samsung or the USB adapter.
Attach the USB adapter into the Samsung, but do NOT plug the USB adapter into the PC. Now power up the router and confirms it boots up normally.
Last edited by bob8 on Wed Jul 27, 2022 12:26; edited 6 times in total
Connect your PC to the Samsung router, ideally using a hardwired ethernet connection. Confirm you can see the router at its factory default IP address of 192.168.0.1
You need to set up a static IP address on your Windows PC. Use 192.168.0.10 for example.
Now plug serial-TTL USB adapter into both the PC and the router.
Switch on the router and check it boots up normally. Two bright blue LEDs should light up immediately. If you see no activity from the Samsung, switch off the Samsung immediately. Recheck the wiring to the Samsung.
If all is okay, you are ready to establish a console connection to the Samsung.
Just launch the PUTTY program you downloaded to start using it.
Click on the Serial menu in bottom left of the screen and then edit the settings.
Apparently, flow control should be set to 'None' as shown in the photo, but I forgot to change it from the default 'XON/XOFF' setting. I only just noticed my mistake while writing this post. I didn't observe any negative effects with the wrong setting.
When you click on the 'Open' button, a console will now appear and hopefully there is readable text appearing on screen coming from the Samsung. Switch the Samsong off and on again and you should see the bootloader messages etc.
If Putty does not do anything when you press the Open button and you just hear a 'ding', click the Session link in top left of the window and try the Open button from the main screen.
If you encounter issues getting any response from the Samsung, then you may need to look at wiring, particularly if you are using a Nokia CA-42 cable. Some suggestions are provided in the thread:
Please choose the operation:
1: Load system code to SDRAM via TFTP.
2: Load system code then write to Flash via TFTP.
3: Boot system code via Flash (default).
4: Entr boot command line interface.
7: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via Serial.
9: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via TFTP.
You choosed 2
You may be prompted to press Y to continue.
Next, you will be prompted to enter the following details:
device IP = 192.168.0.1
server IP = 192.168.0.10
filename = 084base.trx
You may recall earlier in this thread I had renamed SWR1100_3.0.3.8-084_base.trx to 084base.trx.
Quote:
2: System Load Linux Kernel then write to Flash via TFTP.
Warning!! Erase Linux in Flash then burn new one. Are you sure?(Y/N)
Please Input new ones /or Ctrl-C to discard
Input device IP (192.168.0.1) ==:192.168.0.1
Input server IP (1.1.1.67) ==:192.168.0.10
Input Linux Kernel filename (david/tftp_wrgnd07_bravo_bwg4200.bin) ==:084base.trx
The firmware will now be uploaded to the Samsung router. You will probably see the following appear on the PUTTY console.
Quote:
Using Eth0 (10/100-M) device
TFTP from server 192.168.0.10; our IP address is 192.168.0.1
Filename '084base.trx'.
Loading: #################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
#################################################################
################################Got ARP REQUEST, return our IP
#################################
##################################### done
Bytes transferred = 7175792 (6d7e70 hex)
Erase linux kernel block !!
From 0xBC050000 To 0xBC72FFFF
Please choose the operation:
1: Load system code to SDRAM via TFTP.
2: Load system code then write to Flash via TFTP.
3: Boot system code via Flash (default).
4: Entr boot command line interface.
7: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via Serial.
9: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via TFTP. 0
3: System Boot system code via Flash.
## Booting image at bc050000 ...
Image Name:
Created: 2014-08-21 18:43:51 UTC
Image Type: MIPS Linux Kernel Image (lzma compressed)
Data Size: 7175728 Bytes = 6.8 MB
Load Address: 80000000
Entry Point: 802bec80
Verifying Checksum ... OK
Uncompressing Kernel Image ... OK
Starting kernel ...
LINUX started...
THIS IS ASIC
Linux version 3.0.102 (padavan@hms) (gcc version 4.4.7 (GCC) ) #1 Thu Aug 21 22:23:58 MSK 2014
Finally, remove the static IP address from your computer.
The samsung router should assign a new DHCP address to your computer and you will be able to access the router's web page at its new IP address 192.168.1.1
Default username / password are admin / admin
Future firmware updates can be applied via the normal GUI method.
Last edited by bob8 on Wed Jul 27, 2022 12:47; edited 10 times in total
I've briefly compared the wireless performance of the stock firmware against the new Padavan firmware.
In summary, the 5 GHz wifi in 20/40 MHz mode is not very good on the Samsung. The signal is stronger than my existing router. But the link speed reported by Windows can fluctuate wildly if my laptops are not in the same room as the Samsung router - the wireless speeds are generally much lower. The new Padavan firmware doesn't alter this wifi behaviour.
The used Belkin N750 f9k1103 v1 (stock and Padavan) 5 GHz wifi fairs a bit better. Strong signal but link speeds still fluctuate wildly when in a different room.
My three laptops use Intel 6200 and 5300 wifi cards so this could be a factor.
Last edited by bob8 on Fri Nov 14, 2014 14:25; edited 2 times in total
I'm encountering a problem with the USB socket when using SMB Server. I have tested a variety of different usb storage devices from a Kingston Traveller G3 USB2 pen drive, Western Digital 3.5" desktop USB2 hard drive (green) and an ancient Maxtor 3.5" desktop USB2 hard drive (not green). I've put some video files on these drives. All exhibit the same symptoms.
When I try to play (read) the files, and perform an action such as hopping to a later time index in the video, it can cause the USB to disconnect.
The system log reports the USB disconnect. The drive does subsequently remount, but the drive name also changes from sda, to sdb etc
I've repeated the same test using a Belkin N750 running BN750DB_3.0.3.8-084_base.trx
It seems to work fine on Belkin in a brief test.
Quote:
Sep 7 13:13:00 kernel: usb 1-1: new high speed USB device number 53 using rt3xxx-ehci
Sep 7 13:13:00 kernel: usb 1-1: New USB device found, idVendor=0d49, idProduct=3200
Sep 7 13:13:00 kernel: usb 1-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
Sep 7 13:13:00 kernel: usb 1-1: Product: Maxtor 3200
Sep 7 13:13:00 kernel: usb 1-1: Manufacturer: Maxtor Corporation
Sep 7 13:13:00 kernel: usb 1-1: SerialNumber: UA093TVC
Sep 7 13:13:00 kernel: scsi50 : usb-storage 1-1:1.0
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: scsi 50:0:0:0: Direct-Access Maxtor 3200 0344 PQ: 0 ANSI: 4
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] 625142448 512-byte logical blocks: (320 GB/298 GiB)
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg0 type 0
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] Write Protect is off
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] Mode Sense: 17 00 00 00
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] No Caching mode page found
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] No Caching mode page found
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 7 13:13:04 usb_modeswitch: no rule for device 0d49:3200
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sda: sda1
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] No Caching mode page found
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 7 13:13:04 kernel: sd 50:0:0:0: [sda] Attached SCSI disk
Sep 7 13:13:05 kernel: ufsd: use builtin utf8 instead of kernel utf8
Sep 7 13:13:06 kernel: ufsd: sda1 without journal
Sep 7 13:13:11 Samba Server: daemon is started
Sep 7 13:14:08 Samba Server: daemon is started
Sep 7 13:14:10 Samba Server: daemon is started
Sep 7 13:14:12 Samba Server: daemon is started
Sep 7 13:14:18 Samba Server: daemon is started
Sep 7 13:14:19 Samba Server: daemon is started
Sep 7 13:14:20 Samba Server: daemon is started
Sep 7 13:14:21 Samba Server: daemon is started
Sep 7 13:14:27 Samba Server: daemon is started
Sep 7 13:16:41 kernel: usb 1-1: USB disconnect, device number 53
Sep 7 13:16:41 kernel: usb 1-1: new high speed USB device number 54 using rt3xxx-ehci
Sep 7 13:16:41 kernel: usb 1-1: New USB device found, idVendor=0d49, idProduct=3200
Sep 7 13:16:41 kernel: usb 1-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
Sep 7 13:16:41 kernel: usb 1-1: Product: Maxtor 3200
Sep 7 13:16:41 kernel: usb 1-1: Manufacturer: Maxtor Corporation
Sep 7 13:16:41 kernel: usb 1-1: SerialNumber: UA093TVC
Sep 7 13:16:41 kernel: scsi51 : usb-storage 1-1:1.0
Sep 7 13:16:44 kernel: scsi 51:0:0:0: Direct-Access Maxtor 3200 0344 PQ: 0 ANSI: 4
Sep 7 13:16:44 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] 625142448 512-byte logical blocks: (320 GB/298 GiB)
Sep 7 13:16:44 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg0 type 0
Sep 7 13:16:44 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] Write Protect is off
Sep 7 13:16:44 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode Sense: 17 00 00 00
Sep 7 13:16:44 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page found
Sep 7 13:16:45 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 7 13:16:45 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page found
Sep 7 13:16:45 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 7 13:16:45 kernel: sdb: sdb1
Sep 7 13:16:45 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page found
Sep 7 13:16:45 usb_modeswitch: no rule for device 0d49:3200
Sep 7 13:16:45 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 7 13:16:45 kernel: sd 51:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI disk
Sep 7 13:16:45 kernel: ufsd: use builtin utf8 instead of kernel utf8
Sep 7 13:16:46 kernel: ufsd: sdb1 without journal
Sep 7 13:16:51 NTP Client: Synchronizing time to pool.ntp.org.
Sep 7 13:16:53 NTP Client: System time changed, offset: 0.513042s
Sep 7 13:17:34 kernel: usb 1-1: USB disconnect, device number 54
Sep 7 13:17:35 kernel: usb 1-1: new high speed USB device number 55 using rt3xxx-ehci
Sep 7 13:17:35 kernel: usb 1-1: New USB device found, idVendor=0d49, idProduct=3200
Sep 7 13:17:35 kernel: usb 1-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
Sep 7 13:17:35 kernel: usb 1-1: Product: Maxtor 3200
Sep 7 13:17:35 kernel: usb 1-1: Manufacturer: Maxtor Corporation
Sep 7 13:17:35 kernel: usb 1-1: SerialNumber: UA093TVC
Sep 7 13:17:35 kernel: scsi52 : usb-storage 1-1:1.0
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: scsi 52:0:0:0: Direct-Access Maxtor 3200 0344 PQ: 0 ANSI: 4
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] 625142448 512-byte logical blocks: (320 GB/298 GiB)
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg0 type 0
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] Write Protect is off
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] Mode Sense: 17 00 00 00
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] No Caching mode page found
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] No Caching mode page found
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 7 13:17:38 usb_modeswitch: no rule for device 0d49:3200
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sdc: sdc1
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] No Caching mode page found
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] Assuming drive cache: write through
Sep 7 13:17:38 kernel: sd 52:0:0:0: [sdc] Attached SCSI disk
Sep 7 13:17:39 kernel: ufsd: use builtin utf8 instead of kernel utf8
Sep 7 13:17:40 kernel: ufsd: sdc1 without journal
Sep 7 13:19:57 kernel: usb 1-1: USB disconnect, device number 55
One obvious thing I did not try, was to reboot the Samsung and retest the SMB server. The router had been running for over 40 hours before I started using the SMB server and witnessed the above issue.
I then tried 072, 082, 084 and 078 in this order and did not witness any USB disconnects in briefest of testing. I have left 078 on the Samsung as it uses a different 3.4.3 kernel. It appears Padavan builds 079 and later use an earlier 3.0.3 kernel for better performance, but I don't think all the bugs have been ironed out.
Using 078, I had no problems setting it up as an 'AP Client'. Desktop PC ethernet wired to Samsung. The SWR1100 connects via 5 GHz wifi to my existing dual band router. Works just great.
I've connected my old USB laser printer to the Samsung, and LPR printing from Windows 7/8 works fine.
Last edited by bob8 on Sun Nov 23, 2014 6:00; edited 1 time in total
I've also successfully flashed another CY-SWR1100 using SWR1100_3.4.3.7-078.trx firmware with aid of a newly acquired PL2303TA usb cable. I had to log into the router and perform a factory reset because the DHCP server did not appear to be working initially, but this may have been because I had turned off the DHCP server when it had stock Samsung/Dlink firmware installed.
Last edited by bob8 on Sun Jan 11, 2015 5:33; edited 5 times in total
I've been using my Samsungs in AP-Client (Client Bridge) mode with LPR printing and they work brilliantly with 078 and more recently with 088_base. My old tower PC, USB laser printer, and an IPTV box now connect via 5 GHz wireless to my main router. The Samsungs are switched off when these devices are not being used btw.
I installed 088_DLNA onto one Samsung to evaluate. Eventually succeeded in getting DLNA working with a HP 32GB flash drive formatted to FAT32, and played a 20 minute video through my Sony W705B smart TV. I also enabled windows (samba) sharing and FTP share.
Unfortunately, when I tried to watch another video later, the flash drive appeared to have dismounted and remounted. The mount point had changed from sda1 to sdb1, and the volume name as seen by the Samsung had also changed from 'HP32' to 'AiDisk_b1'. I could no longer access the shares.
I reformatted the HP flash drive to NTFS but then found the Samsung cannot seem to see the HP32 volume or any of its folders via the GUI for Windows sharing. I am able to create new folders using the GUI but cannot seem them.
The miniDLNA media server also appears to have created the .DMS folder and written files.db and minidlna.log files to it.
There is clearly an unresolved issue with USB storage support. (See also my earlier post).
===========================
I also managed to compare the 5 GHz wireless performance of three different routers recently. These routers were located in a room at the front of the house, and speedtest.net results were obtained using a laptop fitted with Intel 6200 wireless card located in the garden at the back of the house. Distance between router and laptop was perhaps less than 20m.
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 18:25 Post subject: Samsung CY-SWR1100
Hi there, I've bought a Samsung CY-SWR1100 router. I understand that I can load Padavan's custom firmware as per this thread. However, I wanted to know whether I can load the latest version too as listed in https://bitbucket.org/padavan/rt-n56u/downloads
And if so, which one out of the latest, such as *base, *full, *nano and so on. Or on the other hand are the compatible versions limited to the ones listed in https://app.box.com/s/2wxyv4cjdgd52m4a1wzd