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| inbox:toh:xiaomi:xiaomi_mi_router_4a_gigabit_edition [2022/06/19 17:19] – [Alternative firmwares for 4A Gigabit] add link to dropbox mirror bill888 | inbox:toh:xiaomi:xiaomi_mi_router_4a_gigabit_edition [2024/02/12 13:41] – [Hardware Highlights] revert Version change bill888 |
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| <WRAP important 100%>**Warning.!!** This hardware not same with **[[toh:xiaomi:mi_router_4a_mir4a_100m|Mi Router 4A 100m]]** don't brick your router </WRAP> | <WRAP important 100%>**Warning.!!** This hardware not same with **[[toh:xiaomi:mi_router_4a_mir4a_100m|Mi Router 4A 100m]]** don't brick your router </WRAP> |
| |
| <WRAP important 100%>**Warning** Xiaomi is currently shipping Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition devices without proper shielding since 2020. Be aware that those might cause problems due to radio interferance. Nevertheless, it's flashable.</WRAP> | <WRAP important 100%>**Warning** Xiaomi is currently shipping Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition devices without proper shielding since 2020. Be aware that those might cause problems due to radio interference. Nevertheless, it's flashable.</WRAP> |
| | |
| | <WRAP important 100%>**Warning 05/2022** Some differences have been observed with chinese model made in Sept 2021. Serial input may require modification [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/observations-on-xiaomi-mir4ag-newer-firmware/127373|Click Link]] </WRAP> |
| | |
| | <WRAP important 100%>**Warning 10/2022** Xiaomi is currently shipping v2 of the 4A Gigabit Edition, it's identifiable by fw version 2.30.20, and the name when assigned an IP from a DHCP (not your ISPs) via the WAN port, MiWiFi-R4AV2. This model **cannot** be flashed with Openwrt. [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/support-for-xiaomi-router-ac1200-rb02/124962|Click Link]] |
| | </WRAP> |
| |
| <WRAP important 100%>**Warning 03/2022** OpenWrt will not work on units with the Eon EN25QX128 16MB flash chip at this time. [[:inbox:toh:xiaomi:xiaomi_mi_router_4a_gigabit_edition#unable_to_install_openwrt_to_new_r4ag|Click link]] There are no reported issues with Winbond or GigaDevice flash chips fitted to earlier manufactured units. | |
| Other differences have also been observed with chinese model made in Sept 2021 [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/observations-on-xiaomi-mir4ag-newer-firmware/127373|Click Link]] </WRAP> | |
| |
| The Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition is an indoor wireless router based on the MediaTek MT7621 SoC, with three 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports (2xLAN + 1xWAN), dual band 802.11bgn+ac (dual radio) WiFi and four external non-detachable antennae. It is offered with either Chinese firmware, or Global International firmware. | The Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition is an indoor wireless router based on the MediaTek MT7621 SoC, with three 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports (2xLAN + 1xWAN), dual band 802.11bgn+ac (dual radio) WiFi and four external non-detachable antennae. It is offered with either Chinese firmware, or Global International firmware. |
| |
| {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi_mi_router_4a_gigabit_edition_transparent.png?200|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition}} | {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi_mi_router_4a_gigabit_edition_transparent.png?200|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition}} |
| | |
| | ===== How to tell the different versions apart ===== |
| | There are multiple versions of the Xiaomi Mi Router 4A, International and Chinese and the method used to install OpenWRT differs. The SKU printed on the box differs according to the year of manufacture. This table is an intent to list them all so as to avoid bricking. |
| | |
| | ^ Model | Mi Router 4A (MIR4A) || | | | | |
| | ^ <color #ffaec9>Alternate model name</color> | R4AC || R4AG |||| |
| | ^ Version | 100M || Gigabit |||| |
| | ^ Target market | [[https://openwrt.org/toh/xiaomi/mi_router_4a_mir4a_100m#photos|Chinese]] | //International?// | Chinese | International | International | ¿? | |
| | ^ SKU | DVB4222CN | DVB4230GL | DVB4218CN | DVB4224GL | ¿? | ¿? | |
| | ^ Firmware | | | | 2.28.132 | [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/observations-on-xiaomi-mir4ag-newer-firmware/127373/3|2.28.84]] | 2.20.30 | |
| | ^ Firmware language | | English | Chinese | //English?// | | | |
| | ^ Label language | | English | Chinese | //English?// | | | |
| | ^ PCB marking code | M49 R0101 | ¿? | M43 R0101 | | [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/observations-on-xiaomi-mir4ag-newer-firmware/127373/3|M43 R0201]] | | |
| | ^ Year available | //[[https://openwrt.org/toh/xiaomi/mi_router_4a_mir4a_100m#info|2019]]?// | | 2019 | | 2021 | //2022?// | |
| | ^ Other notes | | | 2019 model is shielded | unshielded since 2020 | | | |
| ===== OpenWrt support ===== | ===== OpenWrt support ===== |
| |
| The device is the same as MIR3G v2 and is supported as per the [[https://git.openwrt.org/?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commit;h=522d5ff42835f7ad01c090b9ea1863f5d56b91d3|Git Commit]]. | <!-- ToH: { |
| | "source": "json", |
| | "dom": "t", |
| | "paging": false, |
| | "shownColumns": ["brand", "model", "version", "supportedcurrentrel", "oemdevicehomepageurl", "forumsearch", "deviceid"], |
| | "filterColumns": {"model": "^Mi Router 4A \\(MIR4A\\)$", "version": "^Gigabit Edition$"} |
| | } --> |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | The device is the same as MIR3G v2 (which is supported as per the [[https://git.openwrt.org/?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commit;h=522d5ff42835f7ad01c090b9ea1863f5d56b91d3|Git Commit]]), but explicit support was added in commit [[commit>?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commit;h=a51e46e543ef2e923fb97fb092d04355dfca7d7d|a51e46e543ef2e923fb97fb092d04355dfca7d7d]]. |
| | |
| | The new EON/cFeon EN25QX128A chip support was added by "[[commit>?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commit;h=d7876daf6552a9f39bd5e0bf50b554e9406ec275|generic: add support for EON EN25QX128A spi nor flash]]". It is supported starting from 22.03.3 and 21.02.6 stable releases. |
| | |
| |
| For installing OpenWrt there are the following methods: | For installing OpenWrt there are the following methods: |
| * **Using a firmware exploit** (Does not require extra hardware): for instructions follow the [[https://github.com/acecilia/OpenWRTInvasion|OpenWRTInvasion repository]]. | * **Using a firmware exploit** (Does not require extra hardware): for instructions follow the [[https://github.com/acecilia/OpenWRTInvasion|OpenWRTInvasion repository]]. |
| <WRAP important 100%> **Warning.!!** snapshot build may brick your router if you use this method, You need to custom firmware server to older or more stable build.</WRAP> | <WRAP important 100%> **Warning.!!** snapshot build may brick your router if you use this method, You need to custom firmware server to older or more stable build.</WRAP> |
| A Video guide for this method can be found here:[[https://youtu.be/VxzEvdDWU_s|External Link]] | A Video guide for this method can be found here:[[https://youtu.be/SLbkce-M2nE|External Link]] |
| |
| * Using a chip programmer (Requires extra hardware): requires reading the stock firmware directly from the SPI flash chip (e.g., using a chip programmer), modifying the flash memory dump and writing it back to the SPI flash. For instructions follow [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-r4ag-r4a-gigabit-fully-supported-but-requires-overwriting-spi-flash-with-programmer/36685|this post on the OpenWrt forum]]. | * Using a chip programmer (Requires extra hardware): requires reading the stock firmware directly from the SPI flash chip (e.g., using a chip programmer), modifying the flash memory dump and writing it back to the SPI flash. For instructions follow [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-r4ag-r4a-gigabit-fully-supported-but-requires-overwriting-spi-flash-with-programmer/36685|this post on the OpenWrt forum]]. |
| </code> | </code> |
| | |
| ===== Notes on firmware exploit procedure ===== | ==== Installation via Software exploit ==== |
| |
| * get stok | The OpenWRTInvasion is an exploit that allows to get a shell access to the router. You will be able to connect with Telnet, SSH and FTP. Then you can upload OpenWrt image and overwrite the stock firmware. |
| * connect xiaomi router to the internet in the wan port | |
| * connect through cable in the lan port | Find the instructions in the [[https://github.com/acecilia/OpenWRTInvasion|OpenWRTInvasion repository]] and a video guide can be found here: [[https://youtu.be/VxzEvdDWU_s|Installing OpenWrt on the Xiaomi 4A, 4C, 3Gv2, 4Q, miWifi 3C and debrick method OLD VERSION]] or a new version [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLbkce-M2nE|Installing OpenWrt on the Xiaomi 4A, 4C, 3Gv2, 4Q, miWifi 3C and debrick method New 2022]]. |
| * enter 192.168.31.1 | |
| * configure device | === Notes on firmware exploit procedure === |
| | Some instructions that may help you: |
| | |
| | * To get stok |
| | * Reset router if necessary to restore default settings. |
| | * Connect computer to Ethernet LAN port. |
| | * Connect Xiaomi router to the internet with the wan port |
| | * Open in a browser http://192.168.31.1 |
| | * Configure device |
| * select language, accept terms | * select language, accept terms |
| * put a wifi password (that is the admin password) | * Enter a wifi password (that is the admin password) |
| * go to 192.168.31.1 and enter the root password | * go to http://192.168.31.1 and enter the root password |
| * when you are in, your link changed and now it have a part with something similar to ''stok=3700b146c87e45fea51170f87f47d34c'' | * when you are in, your link changed and now it have a part with something similar to ''stok=3700b146c87e45fea51170f87f47d34c'' |
| * ''git clone https://github.com/acecilia/OpenWRTInvasion'' | * ''git clone https://github.com/acecilia/OpenWRTInvasion'' |
| |
| <code>Could not open mtd device: OS1 | <code>Could not open mtd device: OS1 |
| Can't open device for writing! </code> | Can't open device for writing!</code> |
| |
| You can run ''cat /proc/mtd'' to check the flash layout. In this case, your router is having a different flash layout and you should not proceed with the installation using mtd. | You can run ''cat /proc/mtd'' to check the flash layout. In this case, your router is having a different flash layout and you should not proceed with the installation using mtd. |
| <color #ed1c24>**Warning:**</color> Use at your own risk. | <color #ed1c24>**Warning:**</color> Use at your own risk. |
| |
| If you are unable to use a linux computer, there is an alternative to use Microsoft Windows 10 utilising the same exploit, to install OpenWrt onto 4A Gigabit router. Scroll to the bottom of this wiki page for 'Alternative firmwares for 4A Gigabit'. | If you are unable to use a linux computer, there is an alternative to use Microsoft Windows 10 utilising the same exploit, to install OpenWrt onto 4A Gigabit router. Scroll to the bottom of this wiki page for 'Microsoft Windows installation instructions for R4A Gigabit' section. |
| | |
| | See section at bottom of this device page which refers to the english [[:inbox:toh:xiaomi:xiaomi_mi_router_4a_gigabit_edition#microsoft_windows_installation_instructions_for_r4a_gigabit|**Quick Guide to installing OpenWrt firmware for Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Giga version.PDF**]] contained in the Dropbox link for instructions. |
| | |
| |
| Refer to the english **Quick Guide to installing OpenWrt firmware for Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Giga version.PDF** contained in the Dropbox link for instructions. | |
| |
| ===== Installation ===== | ===== Installation ===== |
| /* stable release table - used instead of previous snapshot table */ | /* stable release table - used instead of previous snapshot table */ |
| ---- datatable ---- | <!-- ToH: { |
| cols : Model, Versions, Supported Current Rel, Firmware OpenWrt Install URL_url, Firmware OpenWrt Upgrade URL_url, Firmware OEM Stock URL_url, Device Techdata_pageid | "source": "json", |
| headers : Model, Version, Current Release, Firmware OpenWrt Install, Firmware OpenWrt Upgrade, Firmware OEM Stock, Technical Data | "dom": "t", |
| align : c,c,c | "paging": false, |
| filter : Brand=Xiaomi | "rotate": true, |
| filter : Model=Mi Router 4A (MIR4A) | "shownColumns": ["model", "version", "supportedcurrentrel", "firmwareopenwrtinstallurl", "firmwareopenwrtupgradeurl", "firmwareoemstockurl", "deviceid"], |
| filter : Version=Gigabit Edition | "filterColumns": {"brand": "^Xiaomi$", "model": "^Mi Router 4A \\(MIR4A\\)$", "version": "^Gigabit Edition$"} |
| ---- | } --> |
| |
| **OpenWrt Factory Firmware:** Use this file the first time you flash OpenWrt onto the router - i.e. use with the above mentioned exploit / install method. \\ | **OpenWrt Factory Firmware:** Use this file the first time you flash OpenWrt onto the router - i.e. use with the above mentioned exploit / install method. \\ |
| **OEM Stock Firmware:** The above mentioned exploit provides a stock firmware image in its repository.\\ | **OEM Stock Firmware:** The above mentioned exploit provides a stock firmware image in its repository.\\ |
| |
| | ==== Flash Layout ==== |
| | This is the Flash layout under the 2.28.62 OEM firmware, after using OpenWRTInvasion to get //root// access. |
| | |
| | ^ Xiaomi Mi Router 4A (100M, Chinese version) Flash Layout ||||||||||| |
| | ^ Layer0 | [[wp>Serial Peripheral Interface Bus|spi]]0.0: [[https://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/download/1151510/GIGADEVICE/GD25Q127CSIG.html|25Q127CSIG]] 16384KiB |||||||||| |
| | ^ Layer1 | mtd0 **//ALL//** 16384KiB |||||||||| |
| | ^ Layer2 | mtd1 **//Bootloader//** 192KiB | mtd2 **//Config//** 64KiB | mtd3 **//Bdata//** 64KiB | mtd4 **//Factory//** 64KiB | mtd5 **//crash//** 64KiB | mtd6 **//cfg_bak//** 64KiB | mtd7 **//overlay//** 1024KiB | mtd8 **//OS1//** 13312KiB || mtd10 **//disk//** 1536KiB | |
| | | **Layer2 boundaries** | 0x0000000-0x0030000 | 0x0030000-0x0040000 | 0x0040000-0x0050000 | 0x0050000-0x0060000 | 0x0060000-0x0070000 | 0x00070000-0x00080000 | 0x00080000-0x00180000 | 0x00180000-0x00e80000 || 0x00e80000-0x01000000 | |
| | ^ Layer3 | | | | | | | | //firmware_partition// 1856KiB | mtd9 **//rootfs//** 11456KiB | | |
| | | **Layer3 boundaries** | | | | | | | | 0x0180000-0x0350000 | 0x0350000-0x0e80000 | | |
| | ^ Size in KiB | 192KiB | 64KiB | 64KiB | 64KiB | 64KiB | 64KiB | 1024KiB | 1856KiB | 11456KiB | 1536KiB | |
| | ^ Name | **//Bootloader//** | **//Config//** | **//Bdata//** | **//Factory//** | **//crash//** | **//cfg_bak//** | **//overlay//** | **//firmware_partition//** | **//rootfs//** | **//disk//** | |
| | ^ <color magenta>mountpoint</color> | //none// | //none// | //none// | //none// | //none// | //none// | ''/etc''''/data''''/mnt'' | //none// | ''/'' | | |
| | ^ filesystem | //unknown// | //unknown// | //unknown// | //unknown// | //unknown// | //unknown// | [[docs:techref:filesystems#JFFS2]] | | [[docs:techref:filesystems#SquashFS]] | [[docs:techref:filesystems#JFFS2]] | |
| | |
| | ***Note*** The partitions "mtd1 **//config//**", "mtd5 **//caldata//**", "mtd6 **//unkown//**" and "mtd8 **//caldata_copy//**" contain vendor specific raw (without filesystem) config values about your router, like WiFi calibration data, MAC addresses, etc. It's a good idea to [[docs:guide-user:installation:generic.backup|make a backup from them]]. |
| | |
| | ***Note2*** You can check mtd partitions of your router yourself by using commands "''cat /proc/mtd''" and "''dmesg''". Refer to [[https://www.mail-archive.com/kernelnewbies@nl.linux.org/msg02774.html|this link]]. |
| ===== Debricking ===== | ===== Debricking ===== |
| Using Mi Wifi Repair tool: | Using Mi Wifi Repair tool: |
| [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-r4ag-r4a-gigabit-fully-supported-and-flashable-with-openwrtinvasion/36685/747|Using MIWIFIRepairTool.x86]] | [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-r4ag-r4a-gigabit-fully-supported-and-flashable-with-openwrtinvasion/36685/747|Using MIWIFIRepairTool.x86]] |
| [[http://www1.miwifi.com/miwifi_download.html|Mi Wifi download]] | [[http://www1.miwifi.com/miwifi_download.html|Mi Wifi download]] \\ |
| | [[https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/436e57a5e2daf1c5b4ece8851a7b7517c1fbc9e69acba8fac3806aa160f251b5/detection|Numerous antivirus tools report Mi Wifi Repair Tool (files date stamped January 2019) identify it as a 'Potentially Unwanted App'. Unclear whether there is a genuine threat or it is a 'false positive'.]] |
| | \\ |
| [[https://www.dropbox.com/s/bwkc11ntp2t8ryc/How%20to%20use%20MIWIFIRepairToolx86.pdf?dl=0|PDF guide]] | [[https://www.dropbox.com/s/bwkc11ntp2t8ryc/How%20to%20use%20MIWIFIRepairToolx86.pdf?dl=0|PDF guide]] |
| [[https://www.dropbox.com/s/p5p7fdieh0wh1dw/How%20to%20use%20MIWIFIRepairToolx86.pdf?dl=0|PDF guide - Mirror]] | [[https://www.dropbox.com/s/p5p7fdieh0wh1dw/How%20to%20use%20MIWIFIRepairToolx86.pdf?dl=0|PDF guide - Mirror]] |
| Hoddys Guide | Hoddys Guide |
| [[https://hoddysguides.com/xiaomi-debrick-tools-all/#google_vignette|Link to Hoddys Guide]] | [[https://hoddysguides.com/xiaomi-debrick-tools-all/#google_vignette|Link to Hoddys Guide]] |
| [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxzEvdDWU_s|Youtube guide here]] | [[https://youtu.be/SLbkce-M2nE|Youtube guide here]] |
| |
| Zorro Router debrick method: [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-r4ag-r4a-gigabit-fully-supported-but-requires-overwriting-spi-flash-with-programmer/36685/678|forum info here]] | Zorro Router debrick method: [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-r4ag-r4a-gigabit-fully-supported-but-requires-overwriting-spi-flash-with-programmer/36685/678|forum info here]] |
| |
| ===== Hardware Highlights ===== | ===== Hardware Highlights ===== |
| ---- datatable ---- | <!-- ToH: { |
| cols : Model, Versions, CPU, CPU MHz, CPU Cores_numcores_,Flash MB_mbflashs, RAM MB_mbram, WLAN Hardware, WLAN 2.4GHz, WLAN 5.0GHz, Ethernet 100M ports_, Ethernet Gbit ports_, Modem, USB ports_ | "source": "json", |
| header : Model, Version,SoC,CPU MHz,CPU Cores,Flash MB,RAM MB,WLAN Hardware,WLAN2.4,WLAN5.0,100M ports,Gbit ports,Modem,USB | "dom": "t", |
| align : c,c,c,c,c,c,c,c,c,c,c,c,c | "paging": false, |
| filter : Model=Mi Router 4A (MIR4A) | "rotate": true, |
| filter : Version=Gigabit Edition | "shownColumns": ["model", "version", "cpu", "cpumhz", "cpucores", "flashmb", "rammb", "wlanhardware", "wlan24ghz", "wlan50ghz", "ethernet100mports", "ethernet1gports", "modem", "usbports"], |
| ---- | "filterColumns": {"model": "^Mi Router 4A \\(MIR4A\\)$", "version": "^Gigabit Edition$"} |
| | } --> |
| |
| |
| Here are pictures of the **chinese** version which ships with chinese language firmware v2.x. The earliest **Global** international model is labelled the '**Giga**' version (SKU: DVB4224GL, Model R4A) which shipped with v2.28.132, upgradable to v3.0.x. A revised Global international model is labelled the '**Gigabit**' version shipped with v3.x firmware. | Here are pictures of the **chinese** version which ships with chinese language firmware v2.x. The earliest **Global** international model is labelled the '**Giga**' version (SKU: DVB4224GL, Model R4A) which shipped with v2.28.132, upgradable to v3.0.x. A revised Global international model is labelled the '**Gigabit**' version shipped with v3.x firmware. |
| |
| ^ Retail box (chinese)| {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-case.jpg?0x250|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition retail box}} | | ^ Retail box (chinese) | {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-case.jpg|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition retail box}} | |
| ^ Top view| {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-top.jpg?0x250|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition top view}} | | ^ Top view | {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-top.jpg|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition top view}} | |
| ^ Rear view| {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-back.jpg?0x250|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition rear view}} | | ^ Rear view | {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-back.jpg|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition rear view}} | |
| ^ Bottom view (chinese)| {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-bottom.jpg?0x250|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition bottom view}} | | ^ Bottom view (chinese) | {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-edition-bottom.jpg|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition bottom view}} | |
| | ^ Label (R4A Giga, first international version) | {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-giga-global-label.jpg?600|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Giga label view}} | |
| | ^ Label (R4A Gigabit, revised International version) | {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-global-label.jpg?600|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Giga label view}} | |
| |
| //**BOARD**// | //**BOARD**// |
| |
| If the ethernet plugs will not latch properly into the RJ45 sockets, the solution is to modify the case as shown below\\ | If the ethernet plugs will not latch properly into the RJ45 sockets, the solution is to modify the case as shown below\\ |
| {{:media:xiaomi:4ag-rj45mod.jpg?400|}}\\ | {{media:xiaomi:4ag_rj45mod.jpg?400|}}\\ |
| To prevent accidental damage to the 'fragile' blue & black RJ45 sockets, the PCB can be slid slightly to one side, and the | To prevent accidental damage to the 'fragile' blue & black RJ45 sockets, the PCB can be slid slightly to one side, and the |
| sockets taped over to block dust. Use a square file to carefully carve out the notch in the white ABS case. | sockets taped over to block dust. Use a square file to carefully carve out the notch in the white ABS case. |
| ===== Notes ===== | ===== Notes ===== |
| |
| ==== Alternative firmwares for 4A Gigabit ==== | ==== Alternative firmware for R4A Gigabit ==== |
| <WRAP important 100%>**<color #ed1c24>Warning: Use at your own risk</color>**</WRAP> | <WRAP important 100%>**<color #ed1c24>Warning: Use at your own risk. |
| |
| Historically, the wireless bridge (AP-client) option offered by Padavan firmwares for other supported routers is far easier to configure and more effective than using Relayd in OpenWrt. It is known some Mediatek devices using Relayd may suffer from slow upload speeds. [[flyspray>2816|FS2816]] | Do not install Padavan firmware on later models with Eon or CFeon flash chips. Also not for latest v2 model. Padavan has been tested on very early 'Giga' 2019 model. </color>**</WRAP> |
| |
| There is a useful russian forum post hosting scripts for flashing alternative Padavan firmware or OpenWrt onto 4A Gigabit (R3Gv2) using Windows 10. The post was created by **OlegLOM**. | For a quite long time, there is an alternative firmware called "**Padavan**". |
| [[https://4pda.to/forum/index.php?showtopic=988197&st=0#entry95240419|Link to 4pda.to forum]] | |
| |
| As the pda.to forum can be difficult to log in for non-russians, the files dated upto September 2020, have been conveniently copied/archived to this dropbox folder. Google translations are included in PDFs. | For Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition, the Padavan firmware is based on the deprecated [[wp>Linux_kernel_version_history#Releases_3.x.y|Linux kernel version 3.4.113]] that has reached EOL as of October 2016. Despite that this is rather outdated firmware, it is very popular in Russia and some other countries mainly due to its stability, open source code, and convenient ru interface, which is suitable even for non-advanced users, albeit potentially vulnerable due to the lack of updates and security patches. There is a community of enthusiasts that still produces fixes and custom builds for this firmware. The most popular fork for this firmware with a stable version can be found in this repository: [[https://github.com/hanwckf/rt-n56u|Github link]]. |
| [[https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yis1ih40vfpfj9p/AACgEKJhdbFioCS3GkEPnSz3a?dl=0|Link to dropbox]] | |
| [[https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d3alxc4hi9hb2g6/AABqBbPWrVdJ3XE5SaGqh8AWa?dl=0|Link to dropbox mirror]] | |
| |
| Please study the ENGLISH instructions contained in the dropbox folder for most up to date instructions: | On the russian '4pda' forum, there are Windows scripts for flashing the alternative Padavan firmware on the Xiaomi 4A Gigabit (R3Gv2). In addition to being able to flash alternative firmware, these scripts can be reused for flashing OpenWrt. The original post with details and instructions can be found here: [[https://4pda.to/forum/index.php?showtopic=988197&st=0#entry95240419|Link to 4pda.to forum]] |
| |
| -- **Quick Guide to installing OpenWrt firmware for Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Giga version 1.1.PDF** | ==== Microsoft Windows installation instructions for R4A Gigabit ==== |
| | <WRAP important 100%>**<color #ed1c24>Warning: Use at your own risk. |
| |
| | Successfully tested by a number of OpenWrt users for Giga and Gigabit models.</color>**</WRAP> |
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| | Windows-based scripts that are provided in the '4pda' forum **allow to flash OpenWrt into Xiaomi 4A Gigabit (R3Gv2) on the Windows 10 PC** via Windows command prompt. These scripts use OpenWRTInvasion vulnerability method too. The original instructions for this process are available in this post: [[https://4pda.to/forum/index.php?showtopic=988197&st=0#entry95240419|Link to 4pda.to forum]] |
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| | **Note**: the files with instructions from this forum (dated upto September 2020) were translated to English and uploaded to this dropbox folder: |
| | [[https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yis1ih40vfpfj9p/AACgEKJhdbFioCS3GkEPnSz3a?dl=0|Link to dropbox]]. [[https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d3alxc4hi9hb2g6/AABqBbPWrVdJ3XE5SaGqh8AWa?dl=0|Link to dropbox mirror]] |
| | * The PDF guide in the dropbox folder contains the most up to date instructions: |
| | * -- **Quick Guide to installing OpenWrt firmware for Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Giga version 1.1.PDF** |
| |
| ==== 100mb WAN port negotiation issues ==== | ==== 100mb WAN port negotiation issues ==== |
| |
| |
| ==== Unable to install OpenWrt to new R4AG ==== | ==== Unable to install OpenWrt to new R4A 'Gigabit' edition ==== |
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| | **<color #ed1c24>Update (2023)</color>**: EON EN25QX128 flash chip is supported starting from 22.03.3 and 21.02.6 stable releases. |
| [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-r4a-gigabit-upgrade-to-squashfs-sysupgrade-bin-from-initramfs-kernel-bin/122334/25|New EON EN25QX128 flash chip found in Chinese Language firmware model]] | [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-r4a-gigabit-upgrade-to-squashfs-sysupgrade-bin-from-initramfs-kernel-bin/122334/25|New EON EN25QX128 flash chip found in Chinese Language firmware model]] |
| [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-4a-3-gigaport-cannot-flash-openwrt-21/122878|Second reported case found in Chinese Language firmware model]] [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/new-xiaomi-4c-cannot-install-openwrt-flash-chip-changed-to-en25qx128a/|Same flash chip (EON EN25QX128A, ID 1c7118) found in a new 4C]] | [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/xiaomi-4a-3-gigaport-cannot-flash-openwrt-21/122878|Second reported case found in Chinese Language firmware model]] [[https://forum.openwrt.org/t/new-xiaomi-4c-cannot-install-openwrt-flash-chip-changed-to-en25qx128a/|Same flash chip (EON EN25QX128A, ID 1c7118) found in a new 4C]] |
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| [[https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/issues/9442|Issue: 9442]] | [[https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/issues/9442|Issue: 9442 - xiaomi-4a-gigabit-edition has a new flash which is EN25QX128@44Mhz cause a endless reboot]] |
| | [[https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/pull/9635|Add support for Eon flash chip]] |
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| | You can determine which flash chip is fitted by inspecting the markings on the 8 legged chip which is near the DC power socket. It is just about visible by looking through the holes in the bottom of the case, or by opening the case. \\ |
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| | {{media:xiaomi:xiaomi-mi-router-4a-gigabit-flashchip.jpg?300|Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit flash chip}} |
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| You can determine which flash chip is fitted by inspecting the markings on the 8 legged chip which is near the DC power socket. It is just about visible by looking through the holes in the bottom of the case, or by opening the case. | As of August 2022, devices with global international v3.x firmware with manufacture date of 2022, and devices with chinese firmware from later half of 2021 have so far been found to contain the Eon flash chip. The manufacture date may be found on the barcode label attached to the cardboard shipping box. |
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| The Debrick instruction for the MiWiFiRepairToolx86 can be used to restore Xiaomi stock firmware on these devices fitted with Eon flash chip. | The Debrick instruction for the MiWiFiRepairToolx86 can be used to restore Xiaomi stock firmware on these devices fitted with Eon flash chip. |