Hello, does anyone have the AccessPoints SonicPoint ACe (Model APL26-0AE) running with Openwrt?
Hi, Do You still have this device? I prepared initial support for it. You cant try to boot image the image I prepared: http://tmn505.github.io/openwrt/openwrt-ath79-generic-dell_apl26-0ae-initramfs-kernel.bin.
These instructions won't flash it permanently, so after reboot the device will boot in safemode.
Instructions:
- Prepare TFTP server with OpenWrt initramfs-kernel image.
- Connect to one of LAN ports.
- Connect to serial port.
- Hold the reset button (small through hole on side of the unit),
power on the device and when prompted to stop autoboot, hit any key.
The held button can now be released. - a) If Your setup has DHCP sever, rename file to 7E002A0A.img if
connected to "lan1" port, or 7F002A0A.img if connected to "lan2",
then run:
dhcp
or
b) If You're using static addresses, first adjust "ipaddr" and
"serverip" addresses in U-Boot environment, then run following
command:
tftpboot $fileaddr <openwrt_initramfs-kernel_image_name> - After succesful download, execute:
bootm $fileaddr - Wait about 1 minute for OpenWrt to boot.
Almost everything works. The remaining bits are: not working Tool, WiFi LEDs and failure to format overlay on flash from OpenWrt.
Pretty old - but any motion on this?
Hello , your initramfs working stable. I am from Ukraine , use it with "ppoe" internet , run wifi 2.4 ghz AP and 5ghz . working well , but electric is gone.... and.... end..... can you build sysupgrade , i try ....spent 2 days and nothing ......
The patch adding support has been posted to ML ath79: add support for Dell SonicPoint ACe APL26-0AE. After it's pulled in, the images will be available in OpenWrt download section. Installation instructions are in commit message, please read it carefully.
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The patch has been accepted.
Images are here: https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/ath79/generic/
Installation instructions are here: https://git.openwrt.org/?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commit;h=f7f8099aa3ae551df14b3b2bac332a80e861a690
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Thanks @tmn505. Your work is handy to take advantage of the good hardware of the APL26-AE in a standalone mode.
My APL26-AE has installed the firmware SonicOS 8.8.0.0-21o. I registered an account on mysonicwall.com but I can't find any SonicWall access point model in the download section. Is there another way to obtain the firmware upgrade file to align with your version (SonicOS 9.0.1.0)?
I think to have access to all firmware version You would need active license for that device. Anyway, if the "Firmware Version" and especially the "ROM Version" are older than the one mentioned in installation instruction, I think the procedure should succeed. Just try to boot initramfs instead of sysupgrade image from OpenWrt snapshots dir (issue bootm 0x80060000 right after tftp command from installation instruction). After booting You can dump full flash memory image to be on a safe side and send it to me so I can compare the header with the newer version. Or, send the firmware You can download from mysonicwall to me, so I can test the installation procedure with it.
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Hey @tmn505, I installed OpenWrt on the APL26-AE following your guide and tips. However, I couldn't back up the original SonicOS firmware. I tried booting the initramfs instead of the sysupgrade image from the OpenWrt snapshots, and it worked well, but I had to skip the bootm 0x80060000 command right after the tftp command due to the board restarting.
ath> bootm 0x80060000
## Booting image at 80060000 ...
Image Name: MIPS OpenWrt Linux-6.6.44
Created: 2024-08-06 19:52:05 UTC
Image Type: MIPS Linux Kernel Image (lzma compressed)
Data Size: 6349180 Bytes = 6.1 MB
Load Address: 80060000
Entry Point: 80060000
Verifying Checksum at 0x80060040 ...OK
Uncompressing Kernel Image ... ERROR: LzmaDecode.c, 543
Decoding error = 1
LZMA ERROR 1 - must RESET board to recover
I encountered a warning after running the boot command and installing the LuCI web UI.
I had to flash the sysupgrade image from the OpenWrt snapshots using the LuCI web UI to resolve this.
I'll install the AP during the following months.