Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 14:53 Post subject: Failed on Firmware 1.1.42.174776
egc wrote:
Linksys EA 6900 Install Guide
The Linksys EA 6900 is a dual core Arm Cortex A9 based router clocked at 800 MHZ. Version 1.0 was introduced in 2013, version 1.1 in 2014. This Router is comparable with the likes of the ASUS RT-AC68U and sports 128 MB flash NAND and 256 MB Ram memory it has 3 external antennas for a 3x3 Wi-Fi mimo, gigabit Ethernet and a USB 3.0 port.
This router is supported by DD-WRT, but there are some caveats. This routers has a bug in the CFE (a CFE is comparable to the BIOS of a PC). Due to this bug NVRAM size cannot go over 32 KB.
Furthermore models with newer firmware, which are purchased after mid 2016, are possibly locked down and cannot be upgraded with 3rd party firmware like DDWRT.
If you have a very simple set up, NVRAM size will stay below 32 KB. There are however workarounds to beat or mitigate this bug which are described below.
If you intend to flash your router, first read the sticky threads in the forum: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=83cfd9791ad751578e6c7705e33fc9ae especially the Peacock thread, this gives general information how to flash etc.
For DD-wrt 1/2:
[browserofchoice] 192.168.1.1 for linksyssmartwifi.com, check both boxes.
password=admin (if it never loads one of the screens unplug router, reboot computer, plug back in)
Troubleshooting tab, diagnostics tab, restore previous firmware button
If it asks for a file, give it linksys-ea6900-webflash.bin and skip to the next paragraph
If not, hold off on clicking yes. Open two cmd prompts. In one type Ping 192.168.1.1 -t
press enter on this one to let it ping, at the end it should say ttl=64
In the other just type tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put "C:\linksys-ea6900-webflash.bin"
(linksys-ea6900-webflash.bin being the file which is used for initial flashing, see below))
Back to the router webui click yes and the router will reboot.
Wait until the 4th or 5th line of ttl=100 in the ping cmd window to press enter on the tftp cmd window
If the tftp window says success after 45s or so continue to cfe
Otherwise if ttl=64 unplug the router and replug to try to tftp again when ttl=100 in the ping window
(up arrow in the cmd window to retry old commands)
Another possible solution is to downgrade linksys firmware as reported by @Bronzemaxell at page 7 of this thread: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=291230&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=90
Timing is critical so you probably need a lot of retries but it is confirmed to work.
The linksys stock firmware for downgrading is attached to this post (FW_EA6900_1.1.42.161129_prod_DDWRT_upgrade.img). The procedure for downgrading is also covered in the attached DDWRT EA6900 Upgrade CFE instructions By Crashman and EGC.doc file
Before flashing always reset to factory defaults, do not use the 30-30-30 method for resetting or the "erase nvram" command, this can brick your router, use reset to factory defaults from the webGUI.
So Reset to factory defaults first via the Linksys webGUI and flash the initial DD WRT build from the Linksys webGUI.
As this router has a dual boot setup you should probably repeat this procedure so that both partitions have the DD-WRT firmware, otherwise the router will revert back to stock firmware if there is a lock up. (for further reading see: https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_EA6900)
If everything works you can flash the latest build, either the builds made by BrainSlayer which can be found at: ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2016/, go to the latest build and search for the Linksys EA 6900, or you can use the modified builds from Kong (recommended, Kong and Brainslayer use the same repository but Kong only supports a subset of routers see: http://www.desipro.de/ddwrt/K3-AC-Arm/Supported%20Models).
Kong’s latest builds can be found at: http://www.desipro.de/ddwrt/K3-AC-Arm/ you must use the dd-wrt.v24-K3_AC_ARM_STD.bin which is the large file at the bottom of that page.
How to mitigate the 32KB bug
The first method is to try to stay under 32KB NVRAM size by disabling the services you do not need, on the services tab disable ttraf Daemon, do not use SSH (the generated key uses a lot of NVRAM, if you have to use SSH reset to factory defaults afterwards). Only keep Telnet enabled. If you do not use 5GHz disable this also.
The second method removes empty NVRAM variables. You can remove the empty NVRAM variables by telnetting into your router (the login username is always: root) and execute the following two commands:
for line in `nvram show | grep =$ `; do var=${line%*=}; nvram unset $var; done nvram commit
You can set the first line: “for line in `nvram show | grep =$ `; do var=${line%*=}; nvram unset $var; done” without the quotes in your startup script at the Administration/Commands tab so that after a reboot your NVRAM size stays low.
(If you try to run it directly from the Administration/Commands tab then you will get an error, because the special characters must then be preceded with escape characters)
The third method is flashing an alternative CFE build by XVortex with this CFE you can use more than 32 KB for your NVRAM settings. There are some drawbacks though, flashing with this CFE alters your router considerably, among other things the partition scheme is altered, resembling an Asus RT-AC68U (partition scheme can be checked with the following command from telnet: cat /proc/mtd) so you lose the dual boot setup.
You also loose an USB 3.0 port (confirmation wanted).
There is also some controversy about the wireless MAC addresses there are reports that the wireless MAC addresses are the same for 2.4 and 5 GHZ (of course WAN and LAN have a different address). Although being the same both wireless LAN’s are reported to work, so perhaps it is not a problem (confirmation wanted, possible problems with throughput, AP isolation/Bridging, VLAN?).
By resetting with the WPS button (see below), the appropiate MAC addresses are restored and the WL0 and WL1 have different MAC addresses.
The original procedure for flashing the XVortex CFE (thanks to @Cybrnook) is no longer in operation (thanks to @wurts_leg on page 11 for pointing this out and finding alternative sources).
So attached you can find the procedure for upgrading the CFE:DDWRT EA6900 Upgrade CFE instructions By Crashman and EGC.doc
This procedure is a modification from the guide of @Crashman ( https://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php?threads/xvortex-or-advancedtomato-on-ea6900-v1-v1-1-without-32k-bug-renew.74084/ )
Stable builds
There is no such thing as a "stable" build, all builds are beta. Stability is also dependend on the configuration/settings you use, so what is rock solid for me can be unstable for you.
That said, some builds are more "stable" than others.
The last builds using linux Kernel 3 from Kong are regarded as very stable.
I have never had problems with Kong's build 29620M, so if you are looking for a "stable" build, that is the one I recommend, but 29300M is also regarded as very stable.
The first K4 build wich was stable for me was Kong's 30430M.
Further builds with good mileage (all kong's builds): Kong 30465M, Kong 30700M, 30840M, 30910M (openVPN 2.3), 31160M (openVPN 2.4), 31525M, 31870M, 32170M, 33435M, 33525M, 33770M (KRACK patch), 34320 (reset to default), 35030M, 35530M (03/25/2018), 35550M 03/28/2018
When using stock CFE with dual boot you can control which partition you want to boot from see page 9 of this thread.
For best wireless throughput you have to use the following security settings: WPA2 personal with AES encryption.
Recovery procedure
If you have the Xvortex CFE and everything fails you can try to recover your router with the ASUS recovery tool: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC3200/Rescue_2000.zip?_ga=1.34867747.34011434.1452269489. Basically this is a TFTP based method.
To recover:
1. Unplug the wireless router from the power source.
2. Hold the Reset button at the rear panel and simultaneously replug the wireless router into the power source. Release the Reset button when the Power LED at the front panel flashes slowly, which indicates that the wireless router is in the rescue mode.
3. Set a static IP on your computer and use the following to set up your TCP/IP settings:
IP address: 192.168.1.x
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
4. Execute Rescue.exe from the download
5. Specify a firmware file, then click Upload
Quote:
For DD-wrt 1/2:
[browserofchoice] 192.168.1.1 for linksyssmartwifi.com, check both boxes.
password=admin (if it never loads one of the screens unplug router, reboot computer, plug back in)
Troubleshooting tab, diagnostics tab, restore previous firmware button
If it asks for a file, give it linksys-ea6900-webflash.bin and skip to the next paragraph
If not, hold off on clicking yes. Open two cmd prompts. In one type Ping 192.168.1.1 -t
press enter on this one to let it ping, at the end it should say ttl=64
In the other just type tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put "C:\linksys-ea6900-webflash.bin"
(linksys-ea6900-webflash.bin being the file which is used for initial flashing, see below))
Back to the router webui click yes and the router will reboot.
Wait until the 4th or 5th line of ttl=100 in the ping cmd window to press enter on the tftp cmd window
If the tftp window says success after 45s or so continue to cfe
Otherwise if ttl=64 unplug the router and replug to try to tftp again when ttl=100 in the ping window
(up arrow in the cmd window to retry old commands)
Another possible solution is to downgrade linksys firmware as reported by @Bronzemaxell at page 7 of this thread: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=291230&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=90
Timing is critical so you probably need a lot of retries but it is confirmed to work.
The linksys stock firmware for downgrading is attached to this post (FW_EA6900_1.1.42.161129_prod_DDWRT_upgrade.img). The procedure for downgrading is also covered in the attached DDWRT EA6900 Upgrade CFE instructions By Crashman and EGC.doc file
My EA6900 V1.1 is flashed with the DD-WRT r23158 using Linksys webGUI and I re-flashed DD-WRT r23158 again using DD-WRT webGUI.
My Linksys EA6900 now has the DD-WRT installed.
Can I now flash with the newer BrainSlayer DD-WRT firmware or I still have to install Xvortex CFE in order to upgrade the newer DD-WRT?
I intend to stay with DD-WRT and do not intend the router to become an Asus router.
Joined: 18 Mar 2014 Posts: 5919 Location: Netherlands
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2020 8:50 Post subject:
Mat Salleh wrote:
My EA6900 V1.1 is flashed with the DD-WRT r23158 using Linksys webGUI and I re-flashed DD-WRT r23158 again using DD-WRT webGUI.
My Linksys EA6900 now has the DD-WRT installed.
Can I now flash with the newer BrainSlayer DD-WRT firmware or I still have to install Xvortex CFE in order to upgrade the newer DD-WRT?
I intend to stay with DD-WRT and do not intend the router to become an Asus router.
Any help will be appreciate.
You can upgrade to a newer build, but you have to stay below 32K nvram usage, see the second post of this thread.
I have flashed the Router EA6900 with a newer DD-WRT r37882 firmware using CFE miniWeb server.
Do I still have to reset and clear the NVRAM after flashing to the newer DD-WRT firmware?
I have flashed the Router EA6900 with a newer DD-WRT r37882 firmware using CFE miniWeb server.
Do I still have to reset and clear the NVRAM after flashing to the newer DD-WRT firmware?
From 23158 to 37882? Normally a good idea to reset, but if you're not having any issues, don't worry about it. Is this setup as a primary gateway router? If so you should enable SFE on the Basic Setup page (unless maybe you're using QoS). Also, you should really be using at least build 41662 for the GTK rekey fix. Or just flash the latest build, for that matter, after reviewing the appropriate build thread. _________________ #NAT/SFE/CTF: limited speed w/ DD#Repeater issues#DD-WRT info: FAQ, Builds, Types, Modes, Changes, Demo#
x64 OPNsense 20.7|FT2020.4: EA6900v1.1@1GHz, F7D8302@532|DD 44062: DIR-810L, WNDR4500v2 & 4000@533,
R6300v1, RT-N66U@663, E1500@353, WRT54G{Lv1.1,Sv6}@250|OpenWRT 19.7.3: RT-ACRH13, R6220, WNDR3700v4
I have flashed the Router EA6900 with a newer DD-WRT r37882 firmware using CFE miniWeb server.
Do I still have to reset and clear the NVRAM after flashing to the newer DD-WRT firmware?
From 23158 to 37882? Normally a good idea to reset, but if you're not having any issues, don't worry about it. Is this setup as a primary gateway router? If so you should enable SFE on the Basic Setup page (unless maybe you're using QoS). Also, you should really be using at least build 41662 for the GTK rekey fix. Or just flash the latest build, for that matter, after reviewing the appropriate build thread.
Thank you jwh7 for your reply. I will flash with the newer firmware then. At the moment, I am just going to use it as an ethernet switch and wireless access point.
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 10:55 Post subject: EA6900 V2
Hi guys,
I recently got a new EA6900 and as it turns out it was the newer EA69900 V2. Although I thought that it wouldn't be possible, I flashed to 1.1.42.16... without luck. Flashing process went well but the router didn't boot up, so I had to reset....
My question: is there a way to get dd-wrt on it or should I send it back?
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 6970 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 12:49 Post subject: Re: EA6900 V2
jimmi4u wrote:
Hi guys,
I recently got a new EA6900 and as it turns out it was the newer EA69900 V2. Although I thought that it wouldn't be possible, I flashed to 1.1.42.16... without luck. Flashing process went well but the router didn't boot up, so I had to reset....
My question: is there a way to get dd-wrt on it or should I send it back?
Thanks a lot!
jim
EA6900 v2 is a MediaTek, not currently supported by DD-WRT.
Joined: 18 Mar 2014 Posts: 5919 Location: Netherlands
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 13:17 Post subject: Re: EA6900 V2
kernel-panic69 wrote:
jimmi4u wrote:
Hi guys,
I recently got a new EA6900 and as it turns out it was the newer EA69900 V2. Although I thought that it wouldn't be possible, I flashed to 1.1.42.16... without luck. Flashing process went well but the router didn't boot up, so I had to reset....
My question: is there a way to get dd-wrt on it or should I send it back?
Thanks a lot!
jim
EA6900 v2 is a MediaTek, not currently supported by DD-WRT.
