Adding OpenWrt Support for Netgear RAX120 (Nighthawk AX12)

[lytr]

There is an unresolved issue and the image has the wrong header:

Adding OpenWrt Support for Netgear RAX120 (Nighthawk AX12)

Thanks for your response, what happens is that the last snapshots with the web-ui-factory.img image (by initramfs if there is no problem) when uploading the image give an error and describe that the image does not correspond to the device Trying for example with the image that a user shows above , it works but when performing the sysupgrade the following error occurs and it restarts Then I reverted the mentioned commit and the syupgrade is done successfully (I owe you the log, sorry) G…

[KeepingItCuttingEdge]

I tried a couple older snapshot builds and the current ones from Releases · AgustinLorenzo/openwrt @AgustinLorenzo and they also didn't work.

Could someone be so kind to post one I can get this over to OpenWRT from the web ui?!?!

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[ExarKun]

Like I said before, the ONLY image that I found that works for for OEM Web UI are from AgustinLorenzo, (May 15, 2024), After that, just do a upgrade with the latest snapshot from Luci

[KeepingItCuttingEdge]

OK, thanks for the info on initial web ui flash of the https://github.com/AgustinLorenzo/openwrt/releases/tag/ipq807x-nsswifi-mesh-2024-05-15-1908 build!

Loaded his latest NSS snapshot build and the WiFi was AWFUL. Tried the latest OpenWRT snapshot and same horrible WiFi performance. Is this the situation for the current development of this device? Meaning I should go back to stock or is this an issue that has just shown up in recent builds?

Maybe I should go back to my Xiaomi AX3600 on OpenWRT... MUCH better performance.

THANKS

[sss]

try following Adding OpenWrt Support for Netgear RAX120 (Nighthawk AX12) - #421 by villahed94

[ExarKun]

Hi guys...

Now testing 24.10.0-rc2 (r28161-ea17e958b9). Downloaded Web-UI-Factory image, didn't work from OEM firmware. Now trying the old way upgrade to see if radios works in this version. I will keep you posted, since this is going to take a while.

Wish us luck....

[ExarKun]

Ok, finished the old path upgrade (AgustinLorenzo 2024-05-15 Web-UI factory image) sysupgrade to 24RC2, update OPKG (no APK), installing my packages and finally NO RADIOS (there are 5, none of them work). So, mission failed.

I don't know if this is useful but i copied part of the kernel log, keeps looping:

Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] qcom-q6v5-wcss-pil cd00000.q6v5_wcss: fatal error received:
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] QC Image Version: QC_IMAGE_VERSION_STRING=WLAN.HK.2.9.0.1-02146-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] Image Variant : IMAGE_VARIANT_STRING=8074.wlanfw.eval_v2Q
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964]
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] DalChipInfo.c:289 Chip Major Version mismatch between Hardware:0x1 and Software:0x2
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] param0 :1, param1 :2, param2 :zero.
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] Thread ID      : 0x00000078  Thread name    : sys_m_smsm  Process ID     : 0
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] Register:
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] SP : 0x4b5bf500
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] FP : 0x4b5bf508
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] PC : 0x4b107f58
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] SSR : 0x00000008
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] BADVA : 0x00020000
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] LR : 0x4b1076f4
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964]
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] Stack Dump
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] from : 0x4b5bf500
Fri Dec  6 09:38:51 2024 kern.err kernel: [  979.798964] to   : 0x4b5bf640

So, this is it for me. I won't be going back to OEM firmware since it's a hassle to start over. I am pretty sure that someone will fix this soon enough, so I will wait for just one more sysupgrade.

Cheers!

[sss]

have to opened issue in github for rc2?

[KeepingItCuttingEdge]

Anyone tried the December 11th snapshot build for radio performance? I just did and it it's still BAD. And my internet speed 120Mbps. (Rural area.)

VERY low signal and the power settings for the 5GHz radios aren't right in OpenWRT.

My mobile phones and tablets/iPads don't even SEE the 5GHz networks.

[sss]

i suggest you install rc2 version, and report back to https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/issues/17214

[villahed94]

Does the cal-ahb substitution STILL need to be made??!
I thought it should have been fixed by now, it was supposed to be a temp fix.

[sss]

yes, still needed i believe.

[KeepingItCuttingEdge]

Before I update the files in my router, is this still relevant or have the files been updated?

[KeepingItCuttingEdge]

OK, I substituted the files posted by @villahed94 and got the single 5GHz radio working.

Refer to his post: Adding OpenWrt Support for Netgear RAX120 (Nighthawk AX12) - #421 by villahed94

THANKS for the tip!

Wish someone could find the 'trick' to get the other radio working... This is SUCH a great router and they can be bought for a reasonable price (Got mine for $73 on Amazon -- bought 3 and ONE was a V2. Sent the other 2 back.). The problem is finding the V2. Netgear doesn't list V1/V2 on the router itself, nor the box which makes buying them a challenge, because you have to look in the web interface to see the version.

I have been using a Xiaomi AX3600 for several years now and it's been GREAT. This is basically the same thing in a different package. MUCH better appearance -- more streamlined and not the 5 antennae sticking up.

NOTE: Had to delete luci and add it back to see the NETWORK tab. Was a bit frustrated for a minute but figured it out. Haha

[villahed94]

Changing the cal-ahb is enough to fix the 5G power issues. However the default board definition is flawed and doesn't allow 160MHz with either of the 2 5G radios.
The board2.bin file is a generic one that allows usage of 160MHz. I remember @BrainSlayer mentioning how those flags are configured.

[sss]

I just flashed 24.10.0-rc4 on my RAX120v2 via the web UI for the first time and replaced the ath11k firmware as recommended. Everything seems to be working well so far.

However, I have a few questions:

1. I noticed that the stock firmware's /lib/firmware/IPQ8074 directory contains several .bin files with the exact same file size as cal-ahb-c000000.wifi.bin. Could the stock firmware be more stable because of this?
2. If firmware patching is required, why isn't it included directly in the OpenWrt firmware?
3. Both radio0 and radio2 work fine at 80MHz, but I can't get 160MHz to work. Also, why does radio2 have a limited number of channel options?
4. Does the Multi-Gig port work? (I haven’t tested it myself yet.)

Thank you!

[sss]

do you know which driver is better? qca-wifi or ath11k?

[ExarKun]

Hello again and happy New Year for all of you guys!

I upgraded my RAX120 v2 from rc2 to rc4 via LuCI and, besides being seamless, this time radios didn't even show in LuCI, no Wireless section on Network tab. I tried replacing the files as @villahed94 said but there is no cal-ahb-c000000.wifi.bin in that directory

I copied the files anyway but no change. I tried removing and reinstalling LuCI, no change (obviously).

I also tried today's snapshot, no difference. What I haven't tried is updating from OEM firmware, will let you know in a while, working on it

If this helps, here it is the system log: doing it over and over:

Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] qcom-q6v5-wcss-pil cd00000.q6v5_wcss: fatal error received:
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] QC Image Version: QC_IMAGE_VERSION_STRING=WLAN.HK.2.9.0.1-02146-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] Image Variant : IMAGE_VARIANT_STRING=8074.wlanfw.eval_v2Q
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406]
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] DalChipInfo.c:289 Chip Major Version mismatch between Hardware:0x1 and Software:0x2
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] param0 :1, param1 :2, param2 :zero.
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] Thread ID      : 0x00000078  Thread name    : sys_m_smsm  Process ID     : 0
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] Register:
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] SP : 0x4b5bf500
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] FP : 0x4b5bf508
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] PC : 0x4b107f58
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] SSR : 0x00000008
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] BADVA : 0x00020000
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] LR : 0x4b1076f4
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406]
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] Stack Dump
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] from : 0x4b5bf500
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406] to   : 0x4b5bf640
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.062406]
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.120883] remoteproc remoteproc0: crash detected in cd00000.q6v5_wcss: type fatal error
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.143081] remoteproc remoteproc0: handling crash #2269 in cd00000.q6v5_wcss
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.151117] remoteproc remoteproc0: recovering cd00000.q6v5_wcss
Mon Jan  6 00:55:34 2025 kern.info kernel: [ 1100.193855] remoteproc remoteproc0: stopped remote processor cd00000.q6v5_wcss
Mon Jan  6 00:55:35 2025 kern.info kernel: [ 1100.541067] remoteproc remoteproc0: remote processor cd00000.q6v5_wcss is now up
Mon Jan  6 00:55:35 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.541970] qcom-q6v5-wcss-pil cd00000.q6v5_wcss: fatal error received:
Mon Jan  6 00:55:35 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.541970] QC Image Version: QC_IMAGE_VERSION_STRING=WLAN.HK.2.9.0.1-02146-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1
Mon Jan  6 00:55:35 2025 kern.err kernel: [ 1100.541970] Image Variant : IMAGE_VARIANT_STRING=8074.wlanf

See ya!

[ExarKun]

It's funny how memory works. I forgot COMPLETELY on how to revert back to OEM, although I did it a month or so ago. Had to read the Unbrick section again. So, no problems with that.

But the thing is, nothing changed, no wireles section on Network, no response on uci show wireless on ssh

Maybe I am doing something wrong (have no clue on what) because @sss said that he did the same as me (upgrading from OEM)

BTW, my Multi-Gig worked out of the box although no LED (2.5Gbps)

Any help will be welcomed

Cheers!

[rolfba]

I am having problems installing any Openwrt build on my RAX120v2.

I can successfully flash most web-ui factory img file, and after a reboot i get the initramfs recovery mode with openwrt.

But no matter which sysupgrade build i seem to flash, it results in my router booting, then rebooting in an endless loop.

If i try to ping it constantly, i can see that it comes up, replies to 3-4 pings, then crashes/reboots.

Am i doing anything wrong?

I had to flash back to netgear V1.2.9.52 using the tftp method to get my router back working.

What was also weird was that all my netgear firmware settings were still there after the tftp flash, even though i flashed sysupgrade with "dont keep settings".