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toh:linksys:ea3500 [2018/07/02 08:37] – [Tags] It is a 2WNIC device so add TAG wutjetoh:linksys:ea3500 [2020/12/19 18:56] – [Tags] danitool
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 ==== Introduction ==== ==== Introduction ====
  
-The EA3500 is very similar to the [[toh:linksys:ea4500| Linksys EA4500]] in design, but less horsepower under the hood. Like the EA4500, the EA3500 has a dual firmware layout: working and backup partitions. Unless you manually choose which partition by doing a manual uboot/tftp install, firmware flashes occur on the backup partition and the EA3500 shall reboot from the backup partition following from a firmware flash. The backup partition becomes the new working partition when the reboot was successful. The former working partition becomes the new backup partition.+The EA3500 is very similar to the [[toh:linksys:ea4500| Linksys EA4500]] in design, but it has less horsepower under the hood. 
  
-As of LEDE 17.01 no special build is needed. However the LEDE 17.01 release cannot directly be upload to the stock firmware. The OpenWRT 15.05 needs to be uploaded first, see [[https://bugs.openwrt.org/index.php?do=details&task_id=505| this LEDE forum post]].+==== Dual firmware ==== 
  
-Note that the 17.01 does not have the kmod-gpio-button-hotplug package included by defaultmaking it impossible to activate fail safe modeIt is therefore highly recommended to install kmod-gpio-button-hotplugLater versions have this package included by default.+Like several other Linksys devices, the EA3500 has a dual firmware layout: working and backup partitionsUnless you manually choose which partition by doing a manual uboot/tftp install, firmware flashes occur on the backup partition and the EA3500 shall reboot from the backup partition following from a firmware flash. The backup partition becomes the new working partition when the reboot was successful. The former working partition becomes the new backup partition. There is a useful Luci app that show which partition is currently booted: luci-app-advanced-rebootsee the [[https://github.com/openwrt/luci/blob/master/applications/luci-app-advanced-reboot/README.md | readme]] for more information.
  
-Below all firmware versions that have worked to some degree on the EA3500 are listed for historical purposes+<del>As of LEDE 17.01 no special build is needed. However the LEDE 17.01 and later releases cannot directly be uploaded to the stock firmware. This [[https://archive.openwrt.org/snapshots/trunk/kirkwood/generic/openwrt-kirkwood-linksys-audi-squashfs-factory.bin | OpenWRT version 15.05]] needs to be uploaded first, see [[https://bugs.openwrt.org/index.php?do=details&task_id=505| this LEDE forum post]].</del>
  
-=== To New Users === +Current snapshot (Oct 23 2019factory image can be flashed from stock firmware's web interface.
-Especially with trunk images, building yourself takes a little longer, but is usually more reliable, produces higher quality firmware (crypto acceleration etc...), fully customizable, rewarding, educational, and a lot easier than it sounds. It is recommended you give it a shot before using the snapshots. Either way, if something goes wrong their should be a backup factory firmware partition (unless you previously flashed over it) to still give you a working router. Even if that gets nuked as well, getting down and dirty with uboot over a serial connection is not difficult either and the OpenWrt wiki has detailed instructions to walk you though. USB/TTL serial cables or breakout boards for that process are inexpensive but does require basic soldering skills and willingness to open up the case. However, don't let all this talk of possible issues with using trunk discourage you from using OpenWrt. The extra features and capabilities are well worth it.+
  
-To learn more about building images, check out: +Note that the 17.01 does not have the kmod-gpio-button-hotplug package included by default, making it impossible to activate fail safe mode. It is therefore highly recommended to install kmod-gpio-button-hotplug. Later versions have this package included by default. 
-  -[[ docs:guide-developer:build-system:start|OpenWrt's build system – About]] + 
-  -[[docs:guide-developer:build-system:install-buildsystem|OpenWrt build system – Installation]] +Below all firmware versions that have worked to some degree on the EA3500 are listed for historical purposes.  
-  -[[docs:guide-developer:build-system:start|OpenWrt build system – Usage]]    +
  
 ==== Versions ==== ==== Versions ====
  
-=== Trunk - Recommended ===+=== Trunk - Deprecated (use release 17.01 or later) ===
   * Fully supported as of [[https://dev.openwrt.org/changeset/47458|r47458]]   * Fully supported as of [[https://dev.openwrt.org/changeset/47458|r47458]]
   * Build yourself or use snapshots   * Build yourself or use snapshots
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 The ''factory.bin'' image can be flashed from the Linksys interface. Upgrading between OpenWrt images is done with the ''sysupgrade.tar'' image. Of course TFTP is always an option :-) The ''factory.bin'' image can be flashed from the Linksys interface. Upgrading between OpenWrt images is done with the ''sysupgrade.tar'' image. Of course TFTP is always an option :-)
- 
-== Downloadable Links == 
- 
-Snapshots from https://downloads.openwrt.org buildbots 
- 
-  *[[https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/trunk/kirkwood/generic/openwrt-kirkwood-linksys-audi-squashfs-factory.bin|factory.bin]] - for installing from Linksys factory firmware, serial/tftp, etc... 
-  *[[https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/trunk/kirkwood/generic/openwrt-kirkwood-linksys-audi-squashfs-sysupgrade.tar|sysupgrade.tar]] - for upgrading existing OpenWrt firmware 
-  *[[https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/trunk/kirkwood/generic/sha256sums|SHA256 Hashsums]] 
  
 === Chaos Calmer - Deprecated === === Chaos Calmer - Deprecated ===
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 ==== TFTP Flash ==== ==== TFTP Flash ====
  
-If you don't have the web ui (bricked,old CC version without sysupgrade, etc...); or you simply prefer having more control over the flashing process, then flashing using TFTP is your answer. It is pretty straight forward and, especially now that the EA3500 is supported in trunk, easy without requiring a bunch of custom uboot environmental variables.+If you don't have the web ui (bricked,old CC version without sysupgrade, etc...); or you simply prefer having more control over the flashing process, then flashing using TFTP is your answer. It is pretty straight forward and, especially now that the EA3500 is supported, easy without requiring a bunch of custom uboot environmental variables.
  
 For more info about TFTP flashing see ->  [[docs:guide-user:installation:generic.flashing.tftp]] For more info about TFTP flashing see ->  [[docs:guide-user:installation:generic.flashing.tftp]]
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   -Stop Bits: 1   -Stop Bits: 1
  
-Once connected, plug in the router and break uboot by pressing any key immediately at boot. Have a tftp server running on a machine with the //openwrt_image_factory.bin// in the correct directory for sharing via TFTP. Connect it up to a **lan** port on the router, set all the correct variables in uboot (usually just //setenv ipaddr// and //setenv serverip//) for retrieving the firmware. Flash with the commands below, they are assuming you are using a trunk or other fully supported firmware version: +Once connected, plug in the router and break uboot by pressing any key immediately at boot. Have a tftp server running on a machine with the //openwrt_image_factory.bin// in the correct directory for sharing via TFTP. Connect it up to a **lan** port on the router, set all the correct variables in uboot (usually just //setenv ipaddr// and //setenv serverip//) for retrieving the firmware. Flash with the commands below, they are assuming you are using fully supported firmware version: 
  
 To flash the 1st boot partition, make sure //boot_part '1'// and //bootcmd 'run nandboot'// is set and use: To flash the 1st boot partition, make sure //boot_part '1'// and //bootcmd 'run nandboot'// is set and use:
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 Below is an illustration of a standard 3.5mm minijack being used as an external serial port connection. It fits nicely in a space by the power supply input on the back. I just picked up the female connection and a male connector at Radio Shack, however much better deals can be found online. Below is an illustration of a standard 3.5mm minijack being used as an external serial port connection. It fits nicely in a space by the power supply input on the back. I just picked up the female connection and a male connector at Radio Shack, however much better deals can be found online.
  
-{{ media:linksys:linksysea3500-serial-connector.png }}+{{ media:linksys:ea3500_serial-connector.png }}
  
 ==External Antennas==  ==External Antennas== 
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 Each radio has 3 internal antennas with UFL jacks so adding some pigtails with RP-SMA jacks on the outside is straightforward. Here is the best location I found to mount them. Everything fist nicely. Each radio has 3 internal antennas with UFL jacks so adding some pigtails with RP-SMA jacks on the outside is straightforward. Here is the best location I found to mount them. Everything fist nicely.
    
-{{media:linksys:linksysea3500-board-mods.png }} +{{media:linksys:ea3500_board-mods.png }} 
-{{media:linksys:linksysea3500-external-ant-mod.png }}+{{media:linksys:ea3500_external-ant-mod.png }}
  
 ==== JTAG ==== ==== JTAG ====
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 ===== Tags ===== ===== Tags =====
 [[meta:tags|How to add tags]] [[meta:tags|How to add tags]]
-{{tag>GigabitEthernet FastEthernet 4NIC 2WNIC 5Port USB kirkwood 64RAM 64Flash ARM}}+{{tag>kirkwood 64Flash 64RAM GigabitEthernet FastEthernet 4NIC 2WNIC 5Port USB ARM dual_firmware}}
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