OpenWrt for Linksys EA9500 v1.0/v1.1
First time Installation
US Model:
Linksys secure-signs the firmware for this router, hence it is not possible to install using Factory UI.
So, this router requires a serial cable connected to the router. On boot, interrupt the boot by Ctrl+C and enter CFE prompt. Make sure tftp server is running. Download tftpd sever from here. Detailed instructions here. Disassembly instructions here
From CFE prompt execute following. Where 192.168.1.10 is where your tftp server is running.
flash -noheader 192.168.1.10:/openwrt.trx nflash0.trx
Also you may want to reset partial boots and boot partition using
nvram set bootpartition=0 && nvram set partialboots=0 && nvram commit
NOTE: This router has two copies of firmware. The router switches between one or the other after three consecutive partial boots. You can force a partial boot by turning off router 10 seconds after booting.
Once you have installed Lede on one partition, leave the second partition on Factory firmware. this way you can dual boot into Openwrt or Factory.
Non-US EA9500 Model First Flash This
- 2020-12-19 Flash from Linksys UI. Once in OpenWrt, flash to both partitions using these instructions. If it boots into Linksys, use 2020-11-23 alternate instead.
Full Builds
- 2021-02-15 Kernel v5.4.98. Perform factory reset if possible.
- 2020-11-23 Kernel v5.4, swconfig driver instead of DSA. Please factory reset after installing.
- 2020-01-02 Supersedes Dec 31st build. Kernel v 4.19.91, Read wifi instructions below
-
2019-06-19 Kernel v4.19.52
-
2019-03-15 Kernel v4.19.25, hardware tagging, Congestion Control
Revert to Factory EA9500_Factory.trx
- Flash from CFE:
flash -noheader 192.168.1.10:/EA9500_Factory.trx nflash0.trx
flash -noheader 192.168.1.10:/EA9500_Factory.trx nflash0.trx2
- Flash factory from ssh
mtd write /tmp/EA9500_Factory.trx firmware
mtd write /tmp/EA9500_Factory.trx failsafe
Wifi Instructions:
- Make sure to set country code: United States: US, World: EU
- 5Ghz Radios:
- radio0 and radio2 - stick to 40Mhz bandwidth
- radio0 stick to lower bands (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)
- radio2 stick to higher bands (136,140,144,153,157,161,165)
Source
Package list based on