Linksys E8450 (aka. Belkin RT3200)

The Linksys E8450 is a dual‑band 4×4 IEEE 802.11n/ax router based on MediaTek MT7622BV for 2.4 GHz and MediaTek MT7915E (Filogic 615) for 5 GHz. It has five Gigabit Ethernet ports, one USB 2.0 port, 128 MiB SPI‑NAND Flash (2k+64) and 512 MB DDR3 RAM.

Linksys E8450 Belkin RT3200
Linksys E8450 Belkin RT3200

Supported Versions

Refer to the OpenWrt supported versions data for details on firmware compatibility with this device.

Hardware Highlights

Refer to the hardware highlights data for details on CPU, RAM, flash, and network capabilities.

Before You Begin

When installing OpenWrt your router’s flash layout is reorganized for improved reliability. The stock firmware uses the FIP layout—a rigid scheme vulnerable to ECC errors—while converting to a UBI layout creates flexible volumes that better manage errors and wear.

*Why Move to UBI?*

  • Enhanced error handling (better bad block management)
  • Dynamic management of flash space
  • Simplified recovery from critical errors (e.g. OKD)

*Relevant Partitions for Recovery*

  • Non‑UBI (FIP) Layout:
    • mtd2 (Bootloader) – critical for booting
    • mtd4 (Factory) – contains factory settings
    • mtd10 (rootfs) – holds the main system image (mounted at /rom )
    • mtd11 (rootfs_data) – stores configuration/overlay data (mounted at /overlay )
  • UBI Layout:
    • ubi0_2 (ubootenv) – bootloader environment settings
    • ubi0_4 (recovery) – dedicated recovery volume
    • ubi0_5 (fit) – combined firmware image
    • ubi0_7 (rootfs_data) – configuration/overlay data

Installation and Upgrade Procedures

Important: Users already running OpenWrt 23.05.x or older, or snapshots from before 2024-02-15 must re‑run the installer to move the fip and factory partitions into UBI volumes. Upgrading to release 23.05.4 does NOT require this.

Note: Since 2021-08-27, the default vendor flash layout (non‑UBI) can no longer be maintained because of factory ECC errors.

*Step 1: Identify Your Router’s Current State*

  • [ ] My router is new and/or running the stock, unmodified firmware.

  Go to: Scenario 1 – Installation from Stock Firmware

  • [ ] My router is already running OpenWrt.

  Go to: Scenario 2 – Upgrade on an Existing OpenWrt Installation

Scenario 1 – Installation from Stock Firmware

Condition: Your router is new and/or running the stock firmware (FIP layout; see Glossary).

Procedure: 

1. **Download the UBI Installer:**  
   Obtain *ubi‑initramfs‑recovery‑installer.itb* from the official repository.
2. **Flash the UBI Installer:**  
   Use the vendor’s web interface (or your preferred method) to upload and flash the installer. (Ensure a stable power supply.)
3. **Conversion to UBI:**  
   Allow the installer to convert the fixed FIP layout into a flexible UBI layout.

  *Important: Do not interrupt this process to avoid bricking your device.* 

4. **Complete OpenWrt Setup:**  
   Follow the on‑screen prompts to finish the initial setup.

Scenario 2 – Upgrade on an Existing OpenWrt Installation

Condition: Your router is already running OpenWrt.

'Which version of OpenWrt is installed?'

  • [ ] I am running OpenWrt 23.05.4 or later (or a snapshot released after February 15, 2024).

  Go to: Case A – Newer OpenWrt Sysupgrade

  • [ ] I am running OpenWrt 23.05.x or a snapshot from before February 15, 2024 (non‑UBI layout).

  Go to: Case B – Upgrade from Older OpenWrt

Case A – Newer OpenWrt Sysupgrade (23.05.4 or Later / Post‑2024-02)

1. **Perform a Regular Sysupgrade:**  
   Use LuCI or the command line to flash the new sysupgrade image.  
   (No conversion is needed if your flash layout is already UBI.)

Case B – Upgrade from Older OpenWrt (23.05.x or Pre‑2024-02)

1. **Prepare Your System:**
   * Backup your configuration.
   * (Optional – **To Preserve Your Configuration**): SSH into your router and run:
     
     <nowiki>

uci set system.@system[0].compat_version=2.0 uci commit 

     </nowiki>
2. **Modify Your Backup:**  
   Remove files such as <code>/etc/config/ubootenv</code> and <code>/etc/fw_env.config</code>.
3. **Re‑Run the UBI Installer:**  
   Download and flash *ubi‑initramfs‑recovery‑installer.itb* to convert to full UBI.
4. **Flash the New Sysupgrade Image:**  
   After rebooting into recovery, flash the desired sysupgrade image.
5. **Restore Configuration (Optional):**  
   Re‑apply your configuration if you preserved it.

Installation Table: ROM Images and Flash Layout

Below is the table detailing the vendor’s ROM (non‑UBI) flash layout. (This information is provided for reference.)

Linksys E8450 vendor flash layout
Layer0 raw SPI NAND flash memory chip (2k+64) 128 MiB
Layer1 mtd0 Preloader 512 KiB mtd1 ATF 256 KiB mtd2 Bootloader 512 KiB mtd3 Config 512 KiB mtd4 Factory 1 MiB – mtd5 devinfo 128 KiB mtd6 s‑env 128 KiB – mtd7 bootseq 128 KiB – mtd8 Kernel1 30 MiB mtd12 Kernel2 30 MiB mtd13 mfg
Layer2 – – mtd9 kernel 2560 KiB mtd10 rootfs 28160 KiB mtd10 kernel 2560 KiB mtd10 rootfs 28160 KiB –
Layer3 – – – mtd11 rootfs_data 25600 KiB – mtd11 rootfs_data 25600 KiB –
mountpoint – – – /rom – /overlay –
filesystem – uImage.FIT SquashFS JFFS2 –

</WRAP BOX>

Post‑Installation and Configuration Tips

After installation or upgrade:

  • Set your root password (use the passwd command).
  • Adjust network settings (e.g., set the Wi‑Fi country code; see Wi‑Fi Country Code Guide).
  • Review performance tuning options (CPU governor, beam forming, hardware offloading such as WED).
  • Consult additional guides as needed.

Recovery Procedures (OKD)

If your device is affected by the OpenWrt Kiss of Death (OKD), follow these steps.

Determining Your Flash Layout

Your recovery method depends on your flash/partition layout. In general, there are three cases:

  • Case 1: Non‑UBI OEM Layout – Running the original OEM (non‑UBI) firmware.
  • Case 2: Partial UBI (FIP‑in‑MTD) Layout – An earlier installer (≤1.0.x) left fip in the MTD layout.
  • Case 3: Full UBI (FIP+Factory UBI) Layout – A recent installer (≥1.1.x) fully converts flash to UBI volumes.

How to Proceed

  • [ ] I know my OpenWrt version and installer history.

  Go to the appropriate recovery procedure below.

  • [ ] I cannot remember my OpenWrt version or installer history.

  Go to: Guided Flash Layout Determination

Guided Flash Layout Determination

1. Log in via SSH and run:  
   <nowiki>grep "(release)" /dev/mtd0ro</nowiki>
2. Review the output:
   * [ ] **My firmware date is from prior to 2021‑08‑27** &gt; likely a Non‑UBI OEM Layout

  Go to: Case 1: Recovery Procedure (Non‑UBI OEM Layout)

  • [ ] My firmware indicates a TF‑A version between 2.9 and a v2.10 build with a suffix of “-1” or “-2” &gt; likely a Partial UBI (FIP‑in‑MTD) Layout

  Go to: Case 2: Recovery Procedure (Partial UBI (FIP‑in‑MTD) Layout)

  • [ ] My firmware indicates a v2.10 build with a suffix of “-3” or later &gt; likely a Full UBI (FIP+Factory UBI) Layout

  Go to: Case 3: Recovery Procedure (Full UBI (FIP+Factory UBI) Layout) 

3. If still uncertain, consult your installer logs or check LuCI’s system log.

Case 1: Recovery Procedure (Non‑UBI OEM Layout)

Explanation: This layout is the original vendor (all‑MTD) configuration. Devices here typically run OEM firmware or very old OpenWrt versions and are more vulnerable to OKD.

Recovery Steps: 

1. To revert to stock operation, use the vendor’s web interface to reflash OEM firmware.
2. Alternatively, run the UBI installer to convert your flash layout to UBI.

  *(Note: Conversion on an unresponsive device may require additional recovery measures.)*

Case 2: Recovery Procedure (Partial UBI (FIP‑in‑MTD) Layout)

Explanation: This results from using an earlier installer (≤1.0.x) that only partially converts flash, leaving the fip partition in the MTD layout.

Recovery Steps: 

1. Backup any accessible configuration via SSH.
2. Re‑run the UBI installer to complete the conversion to full UBI.
3. After conversion, flash the appropriate sysupgrade image.
4. Restore your configuration if needed.

Case 3: Recovery Procedure (Full UBI (FIP+Factory UBI) Layout)

Explanation: Using installer versions ≥1.1.x, both the fip and Factory partitions are fully integrated into UBI volumes. Devices here generally run OpenWrt 24.x or recent snapshots.

Recovery Steps: 

1. Verify your bootloader environment by running:  
   <nowiki>grep "(release)" /dev/mtd0ro</nowiki>
2. If the output shows a problematic TF‑A version (e.g. v2.9 or v2.10 with suffix “-1” or “-2”), follow the recommended steps to reflash BL2 (preloader.bin) with the fixed version.
3. Detailed reflashing instructions are available in the linked forum threads and guides.

Note: These recovery procedures should only be attempted if your device is clearly affected by OKD. Always ensure a stable power source.

Technical Reference: Flash Layouts

*Vendor (FIP) Flash Layout:*

  • Physical Flash: 128 MiB SPI‑NAND Flash (2k+64)
  • Key partitions:
    1. mtd0: Preloader (512 KiB)
    2. mtd1: ATF (256 KiB)
    3. mtd2: Bootloader (512 KiB)
    4. mtd3: Config (512 KiB)
    5. mtd4: Factory (1 MiB)
    6. mtd5: devinfo (128 KiB)
    7. mtd6: s‑env (128 KiB)
    8. mtd7: bootseq (128 KiB)
    9. mtd8: Kernel1 (30 MiB)
    10. mtd12: Kernel2 (30 MiB)
    11. mtd10: rootfs (28160 KiB) – mounted at /rom (read‑only, typically SquashFS)
    12. mtd11: rootfs_data (25600 KiB) – mounted at /overlay (writable, typically JFFS2)

*OpenWrt UBI Flash Layout (after conversion):*

  • Physical Flash: 128 MiB SPI‑NAND Flash (2k+64)
  • Initial partitions:
    1. mtd0: bl2 (512 KiB)
    2. mtd1: UBI container (127.5 MiB)
  • Inside the UBI container (logical volumes):
    1. ubi0_0: fip
    2. ubi0_1: factory
    3. ubi0_2: ubootenv
    4. ubi0_3: ubootenv2
    5. ubi0_4: recovery
    6. ubi0_5: fit
    7. ubi0_6: boot_backup
    8. ubi0_7: rootfs_data
  • Mountpoints:
    1. /rom for the system image (typically SquashFS)
    2. /overlay for writable data (typically UBIFS)

OEM Easy Installation

For users wishing to try OpenWrt temporarily (or revert to vendor firmware), see: 

[[https://github.com/dangowrt/linksys-e8450-openwrt-installer|OpenWrt UBI Installer for Linksys E8450 and Belkin RT3200]]

*Note:* Flashing the non‑UBI firmware via the vendor web UI is supported for trial purposes only.

Additional Hardware and Boot Information

  • Hardware Details and Serial/JTAG Ports:

Refer to the relevant Hardware documentation.

  • Installer Video:

Installation video of Web and Serial action

  • OpenWrt Bootlogs and Tags:

See the Bootlogs section below.

Post Install Tips & Performance Tuning

Change WiFi Country Code

Before enabling SSIDs, set the appropriate Wi‑Fi country code (see Country code for Wi‑Fi operation).

Beam Forming and BSS Coloring

Enabled by default since this commit (v23.05.0). *For advanced tuning, edit /etc/config/wireless as described in related guides.*

CPU Governor and Frequency Tuning

To restore the MediaTek default governor: 

<nowiki>echo userspace > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpufreq/policy0/scaling_governor</nowiki>

Add this command to /etc/rc.local to persist across reboots.

Wireless Ethernet Dispatch (WED) HW Acceleration

For additional acceleration on wireless traffic, refer to the WED instructions in the related documentation.

Bootlogs, Installer Video, and Tags

Installer Video

{{media:linksys:linksys-e8450-installer.gif?direct|Installation video of Web and Serial action}}

OpenWrt Bootlog

[Insert complete bootlog output here – refer to the detailed bootlog from the original file]

Tags

How to add tags

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  • Last modified: 2025/02/21 16:52
  • by one-hoopy-frood