Kernel 6.x for Linksys WRT3200ACM

Feature Requests
1

Hi

Can we please know if the WRT3200ACM and its associated mvebu tree models will get the Linux 6.x kernel for use?

I do understand that the code for the hardware that this router uses may not be maintained anymore. But its a powerful router and is excellent when used with the openwrt firmware on it.

I have a MR8300 and it uses the 6.1.x kernel in its openwrt firmware and that is great. It would be nice to have this on the WRT3200 as well.

Thanks

2

These builds are still available and being maintained.

If you don’t build your own, the only public builds for these builds running on 6.1 kernel AFAICT can be found on this
Community Build,
or here

1 Like
3

Kernel v6.1 has already been added as KERNEL_TESTING quite a while ago, and apparently runtime tested on two similar cortex a9 based mvebu devices. This sounds good for this target, and unless there are known issues with the other subtargets, it may be time for switching the default from v5.15 to v6.1 soon, so probably file a pull request with the change - and test it on whatever mvebu hardware you have.

3 Likes
4

The community build linked in my post has been in use on all the cortexa9 mvebu targets since it was cherry-picked 8/6/23.

Although I haven’t used these builds, I’ve been building for my WRT1900ACS on 6.1 since then as well. I’ve seen no indications of any issues with this target on 6.1.

5

Thanks for this. Does this have options to save the existing config and use it when we do upgrades whenever they are released?
Also, I use some packages like sqm/adblock etc. Will all of these work with this firmware release?
Since this will be a daily use for everything, need to know these things before I jump into it on the 3200ACM.

6

These builds are not built from a forked repo. They use the standard OpenWrt build system.

Cloned from OpenWrt master/main (SNAPSHOT), uses the same feeds repos, and sysupgrade can be used. Nothing out of the ordinary for anyone building an OpenWrt SNAPSHOT firmware.

You will see no difference. You will find the same packages as what you will find in any official OpenWrt build.

Because these devices employ a dual firmware capability, worse case scenario allows you to simply switch back to your current working config.

The main caveat is that these are Snapshot builds which means you need to ensure you add your Packages as soon as possible before kernel updates fubar any packages with kernel dependencies.

Edit: wrong model cited. mamba (WRT1900AC V1) and venom (WRT32X) builds have their kernel partition resized to 4MB and 6MB respectively.
What Release are you currently running on your WRT3200ACM? The reason I ask is because your device had a kernel size update that might require re-flashing a factory image.

7

Hi

Thanks for replying and clearing the doubts.

I last used this router about 2 months ago. Currently using a MR8300.

I think the 3200ACM should be on some version of the current official snapshot which is available from https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/mvebu/cortexa9/

Please let me know if this may require a flash of the factory image as you said.

8
  • There is not kernel partition size change on the rango, so factory is not required.
  • There is a known outstanding issue with software flow offload, DNU.
  • I just opened PR14511 to change default kernel on target. If/when pushed the snapshots will change.
  • As another build option, you can find 6.1 images off the link of my avatar or github account.
2 Likes
9

Hi
Thanks to your replies. I have now installed the 6.1.x based firmware on my WRT3200ACM and am now using it.

How do we report issues on this? Please let me know. Also, when will this be made available in the snapshot builds on the openwrt website?

Thanks for all your help so far.

10

That depends I guess. If you installed the community build, report them in the dedicated forum otherwise just post under the appropriate forum categories.

The Pull Request noted by @anomeome can be followed to track it’s progress by clicking the link provided.

1 Like
11

Ok thanks. Can I have the link to the dedicated forum so that I can reach out if need be? Also in this firmware does the second 5Ghz channel work or is it still not usable as in the 5.x kernel firmware.

12

https://forum.openwrt.org/t/divested-wrt-no-nonsense-hardened-builds-for-linksys-wrt-series

As far as I can tell on my WRT1900ACS, yes.

Based on the latest commits, wpa3 w/5g was stable over the 5 days I tested, but YMMV. (I have no other wifi networks to contend with here - only my own local interfaces populate the spectrum).