Current OpenWrt version 18.06.2 on Carambola2 Ath9k or Ath10k support

For Developers
1

Hello,

I will migrate default OpenWRT (an older version) to most current one (18.06.2) on my Carambola2 boards. I am worried about the Carambola2 module (which contains AR9331) does not support mesh networking in 18.06.2 version. I have used ath9k driver for mesh networking. How can I check current version OpenWRT 18.06.2 support ath9k or not. It maybe migrate to ath10k driver. And If I am not wrong, AR9331 chip does not support the ath10k driver. could you please clarify the this point?

Thank you.

2

I would use master or snapshot (or the just-branched openwrt-19.07) due to the following, recent commit:

commit 64493d42b4
Author: Rytis Zigmantavičius <redacted@8devices.com>
Date:   Thu Apr 11 19:31:23 2019 +0300

    ath79: add support for 8devices Carambola2 development board
    
    Specifications:
    - Atheros AR9331 (400 MHz)
    - 64 MB of RAM (DDR2)
    - 16 MB of Flash (SPI)
    - 1T1R 2.4 Wlan (AR9331)
    - 2x 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
    - 3x LEDs, 1x gpio button
    - 1x USB 2.0, 5V
    - UART over usb, 115200n8
    
    Upgrading from ar71xx target:
    - Put image into board:
        scp openwrt-ath79-generic-8dev_carambola2-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin \
            root@192.168.1.1/tmp/
    - Run sysupgrade
        sysupgrade /tmp/sysupgrade.bin
    
    Upgrading from u-boot:
    - Set up tftp server with sysupgrade.bin image
    - Go to u-boot (reboot and press ESC when prompted)
    - Set TFTP server IP
        setenv serverip 192.168.1.254
    - Set device ip from same subnet
        setenv ipaddr 192.168.1.1
    - Copy new firmware to board
        tftpboot 0x81000000 sysupgrade.bin
    - erase flash
        erase 0x9f050000 +${filesize}
    - flash firmware
        cp.b 0x81000000 0x9f050000 ${filesize}
    - Reset board
        reset
    
    Signed-off-by: Rytis Zigmantavičius <redacted@8devices.com>
    [wrapped long line in commit description, whitespace and art address
     fix in DTS, keep default lan/wan setup, removed -n in sysupgrade]
    Signed-off-by: Petr Štetiar <redacted>
3

I want to upgrade the default OpenWRT version to the most current version in Carambola2. But I am worried about the WLAN driver support and version. I think Carambola2 use the ath9k WLAN driver, right? Is there ath9k WLAN driver in the most current OpenWRT version (18.06.2)? I am worried about the 18.06.2 version does not contain the ath9k? For instance If 18.06.2 contain the ath10k, then Carambola2' s WLAN would not work. Because ath10k driver does not support the AR9331 chip. To sum up, can I build a mesh network with Carambola2 boards by using the most current OpenWRT (18.06.2) version?

4

Both 18.06 and master have both drivers, as they apply to different hardware.

I wouldn't try any advanced networking with 18.06, given how much things have improved and changed.