Best approach to keep router up2date but stable

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

Hi,

I installed OpenWRT on my Linksys WRT3200ACS and love it.
I have experience with Debian where I always use the "stable" version to ensure my system keeps running and does not break easily.

For OpenWRT, I realize that I get package updates every few days. Most of them look like "dailys" rather than stable versions. Example:

luci-app-opkg git-20.287.57033-3d52019-1 » git-20.313.59566-7460e9d-1

What is the best approach to keep an OpenWRT router current, yet minimizing the likelihood of breaking something? (On a daily basis, it's my internet router and not playground, so a critical part to get my work done).

Specifically regarding security updates I'd like to have a current system but

How do you manage updates on your router?

PS: My opkg/distfeeds.conf is the original one:

src/gz openwrt_core http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.4/targets/mvebu/cortexa9/packages
src/gz openwrt_kmods http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.4/targets/mvebu/cortexa9/kmods/4.14.195-1-a92a3f5c5bed2671533484c7ace9d5b5
src/gz openwrt_base http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.4/packages/arm_cortex-a9_vfpv3-d16/base
src/gz openwrt_luci http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.4/packages/arm_cortex-a9_vfpv3-d16/luci
src/gz openwrt_packages http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.4/packages/arm_cortex-a9_vfpv3-d16/packages
src/gz openwrt_routing http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.4/packages/arm_cortex-a9_vfpv3-d16/routing
src/gz openwrt_telephony http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.4/packages/arm_cortex-a9_vfpv3-d16/telephony
2
3 Likes
3

To paraphrase you:

  1. In general, do not use opkg online upgrades (opkg update & opkg upgrade)
  2. Instead, watch for new releases. If a new release comes out, flash a complete, new (sysupgrade-compatible) image
  3. Watch the advisories. If there is a security issue for a package that I use, use online opkg to fetch it (but not routinely)

Is this what you were saying?

3 Likes
4

That is correct.

2 Likes