Adding OpenWrt Support for GL.iNet GL-BE3600 (WiFi 7 Router)

For Developers
1

Hi OpenWrt Community,

I'd like to bring attention to a new WiFi 7 router from GL.iNet, the GL-BE3600.

Product Link: https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-be3600/

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This looks like an interesting device, especially given GL.iNet's history of using OpenWrt-based firmware on their products, which sometimes makes official OpenWrt support easier down the line.

Key Specifications (from product page):

  • SoC: Qualcomm Quad-core @ 1.1GHz (Specific model like IPQxxxx not listed, but likely IPQ5312 platform)
  • RAM: 1GB DDR4
  • Flash: 512MB NAND
  • Wireless: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Tri-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz)
    • Speeds listed imply potential chipsets, but specific WiFi chip models (e.g., QCNxxxx) are not explicitly mentioned on the main page.
  • Ethernet:
    • 2 x 2.5Gbps Ports (Configurable WAN/LAN)
  • USB: 1 x USB 3.0 Port
  • Stock Firmware: Likely based on OpenWrt, as is typical for GL.iNet.

Discussion Points & Questions:

  1. Existing Efforts: Is anyone aware of any ongoing work or attempts to port official OpenWrt to this device?
  2. Hardware Identification: Does anyone have more specific details about the exact Qualcomm SoC and Wi-Fi chipsets used? This is crucial for determining compatibility and required drivers.
  3. Target/Subtarget: Given the likely Qualcomm platform, which existing OpenWrt target/subtarget (e.g., ipq807x, ipq957x, or perhaps a newer one) would this device potentially fall under?
  4. WiFi 7 Support: How mature is WiFi 7 (802.11be) support within OpenWrt currently, especially regarding the necessary Qualcomm drivers (ath12k?)? What are the expected challenges?
  5. GL.iNet Stock Firmware: Can the stock firmware provide any useful information (e.g., bootloader access, partition layout, initial device tree source)? Usually, GL.iNet devices are relatively open.
  6. General Feasibility: What are the community's initial thoughts on the feasibility of getting official OpenWrt support for this hardware?

I'm creating this topic to gauge interest and gather information. If anyone gets this device and is willing to share boot logs, dissection photos, or technical details, it would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to any insights or discussion!

Thanks,
[anyidea]

2

You can find the full teardown here. https://www.acwifi.net/30816.html

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I speculate that it will take a lot of effort to get qcom/ath12k routers to get wifi 7 support. Even mtk/mt76's support for wifi 7 chips are in the early stages.

1 Like
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you have to make tests for ath12k module, it should work :slight_smile:
actually only those cards are supported:

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4

Sure. I also know some external wireless cards are already supported by ath12k. But wifi 7 routers use a set of chips and you have to make sure each one is driven correctly, especially if you care about hardware offload.

Have we seen qcom start working on this regard?

5

Hi! As I'm not that aware of how openwrt gets into "new" devices.

Do you by chance know if new radios from athXk family typically receive "basic" support by OpenWRT from the very first day that is later expanded to a full feature set?

On practice, what's the chance of BE3600 to be supported from "day 1-2" by OpenWRT with WiFi6 mode? that later will be expanded to WiFi7 (once ath12k is properly supported).