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| docs:guide-quick-start:factory_installation [2018/08/13 17:05] – LEDE -> OpenWrt; toh_fwdownload does now also show snapshot downloads. tmomas | docs:guide-quick-start:factory_installation [2018/08/13 17:31] – [Flash the firmware] tmomas |
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| - On the [[toh:views:toh_fwdownload|Table of Hardware: Firmware downloads]] page, locate your specific device. If you are a newcomer, use the stable release version for your first-time device installations. Do not initially use a (clearly marked) develop/snapshot version from other subfolders. This ensures that you get the easiest possible first-time OpenWrt installation experience. | - On the [[toh:views:toh_fwdownload|Table of Hardware: Firmware downloads]] page, locate your specific device. If you are a newcomer, use the stable release version for your first-time device installations. Do not initially use a (clearly marked) develop/snapshot version from other subfolders. This ensures that you get the easiest possible first-time OpenWrt installation experience. |
| - When you have located your device in this list, click on the "View/edit data" link of the device record. This will open a new page with several details for your specific device. We recommend to bookmark that page, as it has lots of helpful information about your router. | - When you have located your device in this list, click on the "View/edit data" link of the device record. This will open a new page with several details for your specific device. We recommend to bookmark that page, as it has lots of helpful information about your router. |
| - On this device-specific **Techdata** page, at the bottom locate the line called **"Firmware OpenWrt Install URL"** that links to a downloadable file called **"...factory.bin"** or **"...factory.img"** file. | - On this device-specific **Techdata** page, at the bottom locate the line called **"Firmware OpenWrt Install URL"** that links to a downloadable file called **"...factory.bin"** or **"...factory.img"** file.\\ Please mind that only 30% of all supported devices have "factory" in their installation image name. The other 70% have different names. |
| - Download this file. | - Download this file. |
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| ==== Troubleshooting ==== | ==== Troubleshooting ==== |
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| * If you can only find a OpenWrt "sysupgrade.bin" file, but no "factory.bin" firmware file, a device-specific custom installation procedure is required (Assuming your device does not already have an older LEDE or OpenWrt version installed). You can find custom installation instructions at the following locations: | * If you can not find "factory.bin" firmware file (true for 70% of all supported devices), a device-specific custom installation procedure is required (Assuming your device does not already have an older LEDE or OpenWrt version installed). You can find custom installation instructions at the following locations: |
| - On the OpenWrt Techdata page of the device, check the fields "Forum Topic URL" and "Comment" for any external links or comments regarding custom installation procedures. | - On the OpenWrt Techdata page of the device, check the fields "Forum Topic URL" and "Comment" for any external links or comments regarding custom installation procedures. |
| - Look for the corresponding device page in the older OpenWrt wiki, if that has any custom installation descriptions (Eventually older OpenWrt info will be migrated to the OpenWrt techdata pages). | - Look for the corresponding device page in the OpenWrt wiki, if that has any custom installation descriptions. |
| - Search the OpenWrt forum for existing discussion threads about the device name or open a new topic in the OpenWrt forum, asking for instructions. | - Search the OpenWrt forum for existing discussion threads about the device name or open a new topic in the OpenWrt forum, asking for instructions. |
| * If you can't find your device in the Table of Hardware, you can consult the [[https://forum.openwrt.org/c/installation|"Installing and Using OpenWrt" Forum]] for help. You can also try [[docs:guide-quick-start:alternate-directory-search|alternative ways to locate OpenWrt firmware images.]] | * If you can't find your device in the Table of Hardware, you can consult the [[https://forum.openwrt.org/c/installation|"Installing and Using OpenWrt" Forum]] for help. You can also try [[docs:guide-quick-start:alternate-directory-search|alternative ways to locate OpenWrt firmware images.]] |
| * If you have accidentally browsed the generic OpenWrt download folders to locate your device, you might see some more download files matching your device. Ignore those other files for your device: you only want the "...**factory**.bin" of "...**factory**.img'' file. | |
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| ===== Verify the downloaded firmware file ===== | ===== Verify the downloaded firmware file ===== |
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| - Connect to the device via Ethernet cable (Only fallback to wireless, if the device has no Ethernet connection options) | - Connect to the device via Ethernet cable (Only fallback to wireless, if the device has no Ethernet connection options) |
| - Ensure that the OpenWrt firmware file that you are about to flash, matches your router model and is called **"....factory.bin"**, as you will use it to modify a vendor's **factory** firmware towards OpenWrt. | - Ensure that the OpenWrt firmware file that you are about to flash, matches your router model and is called **"....factory.bin"** (only true for 30% of all supported devices; **70% of devices have different image names**, see above), as you will use it to modify a vendor's **factory** firmware towards OpenWrt. |
| - Log into the device's admin web interface and locate the device-specific firmware installation function. Follow the device-specific instructions of your manufacturer's user guide for installing firmware and use this to install the "...factory.bin" firmware file of OpenWrt. | - Log into the device's admin web interface and locate the device-specific firmware installation function. Follow the device-specific instructions of your manufacturer's user guide for installing firmware and use this to install the "...factory.bin" firmware file of OpenWrt. |
| - Wait while the device writes the firmware image to its flash memory. This can take several minutes (the Device Page may state an expected time for this process). At the end, the device will reboot automatically. | - Wait while the device writes the firmware image to its flash memory. This can take several minutes (the Device Page may state an expected time for this process). At the end, the device will reboot automatically. |