Mesh/OpenWRT

OpenWRT installation

Web interface method

• Power on router and let it boot.
• Press and hold power button for 30 seconds.
• Wait for router to reboot.
• Connect to the access point using LAN.
• Go to web interface, e.g. http://192.168.1.1/

If this doesn't work, look up the reset method for your specific router.

• Find the firmware upgrade page.
• On your computer, download the firmware.

Different versions are here.

The snapshots directory has recent development versions.

If you have a WRT54G you probably want this one assuming 12.09 (attitude adjustment) is the most recent stable version.

• Upload the firmware using the web form and wait for the router to reboot.

TFTP method

This requires that the router has a TFTP server enabled. Type these commands with the router powered off, then power on the router and it should work.

tftp 192.168.1.1
binary
rexmt 1
timeout 60
trace
tftp> put firmwarefile.bin

OpenWRT configuration

Logging in and setting root password

Telnet into the device:

telnet 192.168.1.1

If it asks for a password use 'passwd' (without the quotes).

Set a root password on the router:

passwd

Verify that you can log in using ssh from your computer:

ssh root@192.168.1.1

If you can ssh into the router, disable telnet:

rm /etc/rc.d/S50telnet

Enabling TFTP

You should always do this. It makes it easier to upgrade the firmware and recover from serious problems.

CAUTION: This will reboot your router.

nvram set boot_wait=on
nvram set boot_time=10
nvram set wait_time=10
nvram commit && reboot

Enabling wifi

OpenWRT has wifi disabled per default.

uci set wireless.@wifi-device[0].disabled=0 uci commit wireless