DLink DIR-853 A3

is that sarcasm or forgotten as-is situation?

  • Linksys WRT 1900/3200/32X Series has an ugly switch bug in v22 that wont get fixed before OpenWRT 23.XX gets released.
  • thanks to Linksys and NXP sales deals, the WRT WiFi BLOB was left incomplete, buggy, unmaintained, abandoned closed source. From OpenWRT user perspective, the clear all time winner of the shi**y wifi award.
2 Likes

I am aware of the issues, by the way which Router do you recommend for OpenWRT that won't break the bank.

Pico, you have link to that switch bug?

No Broadcom is still lightyears ahead of anyone on that front :smile:

1 Like

I vaguely remember comments about the 22.03 Linksys WRT switch/hub issue in several threads.

Best thread I could find on quick search:

Check the OpenWrt mailing list for December.

So, Pico u r saying that OpenWRT on Linkysis routers are dead?

Linksys WRT Wifi driver development would required closed source firmware BLOB updates that only the vendor can provide, but has stopped to do so around 2017. It is a FullMac driver, so the closed source driver controls all of the WiFi. The only opensource adaptable part is, the driver loader can be adapted to newer kernels.
No WPA3, and several Wifi parameters theoretically available via Luci/Uci should not be customized, to keep its WiFi stable. There are some constraints to be aware if wrong country settings are used or if the 3rd radio gets enabled, otherwise overall WiFi TX power will be reduced. And some WiFi clients (e.g. ESP32 based) are instable in general.

On top, Linksys WRT under OpenWRT had bad luck twice in a row: In addition to these vendor-caused Wifi driver issues, 21.02.x Wifi had additional stability issues for many users compared to v19. And now 22.03.x has reduced performance due to the switch bug.
Full performance on a recent kernel requires moving to 22snapshot or waiting for v23 and hoping for the best.

but lets not highjack this thread for Linksys, as this thread is meant to focus on D Link 853 a3.

1 Like

Sure you have 2 optios:

First is to Download the DIR-853 source code form DLink (the first version) and in it Dlink left a 32bit binary called "imgcrypt" . you can use it to encrypt any firmware using the command this way

LD_LIBRARY_PATH=. ./imgcrypt dir-1360-fac.bin  openwrt-dir-1360-a1-22.03.2-enc.bin

The second one is to use "after compiling" this wonderful tool created by S-2. Unfortunately it never made it to openwrt (ou can follow the discussion on github) but it does work

EDIT: You can update the normal openwrt image from tftp and it should just work. Just make sure you are using the "Factory" image downloaded from openwrt

Reply by Kar200, show the original thread will survive and continue.

So, i have WRT3200, should running on stock now, last firmware released in 2020. So, should flash it with OpenWRT or DD-WRT ???

What are you recommendation for device in hand i.e. WRT3200 or another device with full compatibility without the usual proprietary drama.

Awaiting your reply.

mvebu: Disable devices using broken mv88e6176 switch. This affects the following devices:

What does above mean?

Kar200

  • D-Link DIR-825 B1: Add factory image recipe
  • D-Link DIR-825-B1: Expand rootfs

What does it translate to ? for DIR 825 users?

DIR-825-B1 changes
the ath79 version never had the factory image so now it has
not sure why it was removed in ar71xx ether tho
you can use image this from the netgear firmware or recovery interface

the expanded rootfs is just that. It now add the unused flash to the usable flash
the old ar71xx had a FAT image that used the same flash just in a different way

you can just sysupgrade to this version same as normal
if you nee to use the factory file
I found the easiest way is to install the old Netscape web browser (AOL) on windows 10
as the boot loader like lots of dlinks is very picky on what it works with

1 Like

Your WeTransfer link expired. If you don't mind, can you link where to get this source code with the imgcrypt you mentioned? Or can you elaborate how to use S-2's tool? I only see C files in that commit, do I have to compile it?

Hi Karim
can you please help to flash the dir 853 A3 router i flashed to PADAVAN firmware that you shared but i could not get how to update to stock firmware (DIR-853-A3-Stock-Dec.bin)
is there any clear instruction or video step by step that how to build SSH connection for those who dont have it background and want to live their almost dead etisalat routers
thanks

Hi @oxwivi

This should be the link
https://dlink-gpl.s3.amazonaws.com/GPL1700193/DIR853A2_V1.00B03.tar.gz

The file is in the source/tools folder.
As mentionned it is a 32bit binary so you need to have 32bit support availble in the linux distro you use.

The command posted above needs to be run within the folder itself (as it contains the libcrypt so file). It should encrypt the firmware.

For the other tool I have not been able to compile it outside the openwrt tree (due to noobness)

1 Like

Hi @ansal . These instructions should work to move from Padavan to any other firmware.

Just make sure it is a decrypted firmware (openwrt or other)

1 Like

hi there thanks for support, i have dir 853 A3, i had etisilat stock firmware. i was able to successfully flash https://www.mediafire.com/file/z8jmmfz6nwbw1ys/openwrt-21.02.0-rc2-ramips-mt7621-dlink_dir-853-a3-squashfs-factory-enc.bin/file by web interface.
after i tried flashing DIR-853-A3-Stock-Dec.bin from Padvan Plus Stock. from openWRT interface. now router is not able to boot, and keeps stuck in bootloops.

Router Picture bootloops : https://ibb.co/X8X47gN
how to fix this issue ?

sir currently i am using your padavan version. how do i install openwrt in my dlink dir-853 a3 router?

1 Like

How do i use openwrt?

Hello everyone! Just bought 2 DIR-853 routers and trying to setup seamless WIFI at my home.
All works well except 5GHz, only 2.4GHz works fine.
Whatever i am trying, i am unable to let it works. Looks like it is disabled or what.

cat /etc/config/wireless

config wifi-device 'radio0'
	option type 'mac80211'
	option path '1e140000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
	option cell_density '0'
	option htmode 'HT40'
	option country 'AE'
	option hwmode '11g'
	option channel 'auto'

config wifi-device 'radio1'
	option type 'mac80211'
	option hwmode '11a'
	option path '1e140000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0+1'
	option cell_density '0'
	option htmode 'HT40'
	option channel '36'
	option txpower '9'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio1'
	option device 'radio1'
	option network 'lan'
	option mode 'ap'
	option encryption 'psk2'
	option key '359359359'
	option ieee80211r '1'
	option ft_over_ds '0'
	option ft_psk_generate_local '1'
	option ssid 'Arkadii'
	option dtim_period '3'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet1'
	option device 'radio0'
	option mode 'ap'
	option ssid 'OpenWrt-ark'
	option network 'lan'
	option encryption 'psk2'
	option key '359359359'

What should i do? Any suggestions?