Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 981 Location: Louisiana, USA
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 13:45 Post subject: WRT32X DD-WRT Installation Procedure
The issue of DD-WRT not being able to flash from the Linksys Venom GUI has been solved thanks to Brainslayer!
Turns out size matters. For whatever reason Linksys (in their infinite wisdom) have put a cap on firmware file size.
A new build will be released today. 6/20/2018-r36168.
Within are two files as always:
FW_WRT32X_1.0.666_DDWRT.img ddwrt-linksys-wrt32x-webflash.bin
You will notice the FW_WRT32X_1.0.666_DDWRT.img is less than half the size of a 'normal' DD-WRT factory-to-dd-wrt file.
*This one will flash from Linksys Venom GUI
If you so choose you can stay on this minimalist DD-WRT installation. It has all the basic functions and works well.
If you want the 'full featured' DD-WRT you will then need to upgrade with:
ddwrt-linksys-wrt32x-webflash.bin
There are two ways to upgrade.
The first and simplest method is to just upload the ddwrt-linksys-wrt32x-webflash.bin in the Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade Sub-Tab.
*This will overwrite the other partition (the one you began on).
The second and slightly more complicated is for those who wish to keep the Stock Venom Firmware on one partition:
Copied from DD-WRT Installation, Upgrade & Basic Setup–Cliff Notes:
Quote:
Trick to Upgrade DD-WRT Firmware without losing current configuration or the need to return to Stock Firmware:
Using Telnet/SSH and the ubootenv set boot_part command (described below) it is possible to upgrade to a newer version of DD-WRT without the need to manually switch back to Stock Firmware Partition. All previously configured settings will remain intact.
1. Use the ubootenv get boot_part command to learn the current Partition in use.
2. Use the ubootenv set boot_part (1 or 2 – the opposite number returned in Step 1) command.
3. DO NOT REBOOT
4. In DD-WRT GUI – Administration Tab – Firmware Upgrade Sub Tab: Upload the new ’dd-wrt webflash.bin’ file for your Router & Hardware Version. MAKE SURE THAT NO RESET IS SELECTED.
5. After Firmware Upgrade is finished the Router will automatically reboot.
*You should now have the new DD-WRT upgrade on the current Partition and OEM Firmware will still be intact on opposite partition.
Once you have flashed/upgraded DD-WRT on your WRT32X BE PATIENT.
Mine took several minutes each time before coming up fully. A reboot of your Modem and a second reboot of your WRT32X may also be necessary. _________________ DD-WRT Installation & Setup TUTORIAL http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=311117
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
I just installed this and upgraded to the full feature version. Installation both times worked like a charm. I'm running into some frustrating bugs. it seems like I can't run 5ghz and 2.4ghz simultaneously. here's my config https://i.imgur.com/b5mdLx7.png
is everything alright? i can only connect to 5ghz if I disable 2.4ghz. when i enable 2.4ghz, 5ghz is no longer available when searching from my laptop or desktop.
also it, it likes to reboot every time i make any changes to wireless, and takes a long time ( about 5min) to do so, and sometimes it will reboot a few times in a row, meaning it's rebooting for 10-15 min.
additionally the advanced tickbox doesn't stay ticked after reboot.
Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 981 Location: Louisiana, USA
Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2018 21:52 Post subject:
Since this is just the beginning of the WRT32X and DD-WRT there are bound to be undiscovered bugs. However, what you're experiencing is probably due to something in your configuration.
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
Since this is just the beginning of the WRT32X and DD-WRT there are bound to be undiscovered bugs. However, what you're experiencing is probably due to something in your configuration.
factory reset fixed a lot of issues. Re: 5ghz wireless being wonky, manuall setting channels and band, EG https://i.imgur.com/1FRKur7.png fixed the issues. Auto config seems to be broken.
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
Thank you very much, I see that it is quite simple except for wanting or not doing the trick to keep the Stock partition.
How is the latest version of DDWRT? Is it worth moving from Stock to DDWRT or what firmware do you recommend? the one that comes from the factory is very basic
Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 981 Location: Louisiana, USA
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 20:06 Post subject:
The latest build works well unless you rely on iOS devices a lot. There's a bug that causes frequent disconnects with Apple mobile devices.
Your best bet would be to try it out, but follow the instructions closely so you don't overwrite the stock Venom firmware. As long as you keep it available on one partition, you can easily switch between stock & open-source firmware.
The WRT32X stock Venom firmware is built on the OpenWrt platform which makes it customizable. What features or functions are you looking for? _________________ DD-WRT Installation & Setup TUTORIAL http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=311117
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
I can not tell you what I'm looking for, I come from an RT-N66U and the truth is that it has many functions, performance graphics, and can see for example the macs of connected equipment.
I imagine that you will agree with me that Venom's firmware is very brief.
As for the change to DDWRT I do not know if then I misunderstood, but I thought that even overwriting the Venom partition could be returned to this without problems from DDWRT Webflash or to return to Stock from DDWRT must do the trick yes or yes?
Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 981 Location: Louisiana, USA
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 22:33 Post subject:
Because of the firmware size restriction the only way to get a complete DD-WRT build onto a WRT32X is to flash twice. If you don't use the above mentioned 'trick' you'll overwrite the stock Venom firmware.
I don't know if Brainslayer has or will even be able to add 'return to factory' support to the WRT32X.
The only reliable method of flashing stock Venom firmware over DD-WRT that I am certain of is via serial USB-TTL cable.
This was posted a while back, but I haven't verified it for myself:
ghoffman wrote:
i've spent a number of hours over the past two weeks trying to get dd-wrt on and off a wrt32x. to summarize:
stock -> ddwrt works by gui (flashes other partition) AND by mtd write (summarized above; pick your partition)
stock-> openwrt/lede works by ssh and sysupgrade (probably works by gui but i didnt try)
openwrt -> stock works by ssh/mtd write.
ddwrt -> stock: i had to enable ssh, then flash both mtd5 and mtd7 partions with stock flat firmware file, AND erase nvram partition (mtd erase nvram), then power cycle router. i cant completely explain why, but i think the ddwrt nvram values make openwrt or stock firmware hang, and issing the 'reboot' command at the ddwrt command line re-writes nvram. anyway, only by completely getting rid od ddwrt could i get back to stock.
so: from stock, you can get lede on one partition and dd-wrt on the other.
from dd-wrt: you have to get rid of dd-wrt remanants everywhere to get back to stock or lede.
the quick way to get back to a 'clean' setup is from serial, using the 'run update_both_images' uboot command. i think by flashing both mtd5 and mtd7 with stock, and earsing nvram, this accomplishes the same thing, without serial access.
short story - it's currently hard to get from dd-wrt back to stock, but it can be done without serial access.
As long as you follow the instructions in this thread carefully you shouldn't have any problems.
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
Spurious, can you get me a printenv from your WRT32X? i'm trying to recover a bricked WRT32x and I have a working console. I'm concerned some of my environment variables are screwed up.
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
I don't know if Brainslayer has or will even be able to add 'return to factory' support to the WRT32X.
The only reliable method of flashing stock Venom firmware over DD-WRT that I am certain of is via serial USB-TTL cable.
Quick question about this, that pops up reading the following thread:
This isn’t as important as it once was as the newer DD-WRT versions have the ability to return to Linksys OEM. Simply upload the Linksys Stock Firmware from DD-WRT GUI Administration Tab – Firmware Upgrade Sub-Tab. (Same as you would upgrade DD-WRT)
Am I missing something? That thread is older than this one, so I'm a bit confused.
Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 981 Location: Louisiana, USA
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:25 Post subject:
The 'return to stock' feature was added to DD-WRT before the WRT32X was released and well before DD-WRT was available for it.
Also, it doesn't always work - especially in the later builds.
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure