Linksys EA8300 upgrade to 23.xx

Installing and Using OpenWrt
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Hi All,

I learned that 23.xx images cannot be installed on an EA8300 unless the kernel partition size increased. The issue and its resolution is documented here: https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/ea8300#upgrading_openwrt_from_22035_into_23xx_or_snapshot_images

I completed the first step, did set the kernsize bootloader variable to 500000. I'm on 22.03.6 now, and want to upgrade to 23.xx.

I'm a bit confused on the next step though. The referred doc says I need to flash a factory.bin. But also in the very next section it says I can use a sysupgrade.bin.
Which one do I need? Would flashing a factory.bin preserve my router settings, or would I need to set it up again?

Also it says "Do NOT perserve the current settings, as the newer versions have DSA support wish is incompatible with the swconfig previous arquitecture", which is also confusing to me. Wasn't DSA introduced in 21.02? As I'm already on 22.3, would I be able to preserve settings?

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You should not preserve your settings when upgrading because DSA was not fully introduced to IPQ40xx until 23.05.x.

This recent post by @badulesia may answer your questions.
https://forum.openwrt.org/t/linksys-ea8300-and-dual-partition-solved/181357/3

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3

Hi.

Use the sysupgrade file, as in any upgrading.

DSA was indeed introduced in 21.02 but for a few targets. Ipq4xx have received DSA with 23.05. Converting a device to DSA means that you must reconfigure it from scratch.

To summarize, you must upgrade by using the sysupgrade file, and DO NOT keep settings.

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Thank you! It all make sense now.

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Thanks! Interesting thread, cleared up a few things for me.

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I have an old EA6350 v3.

I've just completed the following quick tests.

I had been booting 22.03.5 off one partition and OEM fw was resident on the other partition.

I installed 22.03.6 sysupgrade.bin overwriting OEM fw.
Adjusted the kernsize boot variable, and rebooted.
I installed 23.05.2 factory.bin keeping no Settings. Router booted fine. Speed test ok via ethernet.

I then cycled power switch 3 times to revert back to booting from 22.03.6.
I installed 23.05.2 sysupgrade.bin keeping no Settings. Router booted fine. Speed test ok via ethernet.

I then flashed latest OEM fw using LuCI. Router booted into Linksys GUI.
Flashed OEM firmware again from the GUI.

Installed 22.03.5 factory.bin.
Changed the kernsize boot variable back to original value, and restored my old settings.

Cycled the power switch 3 times.
Router booted up Linksys OEM fw. Installed 22.03.6 factory.bin

Changed the kernsize boot variable.
Upgraded from 22.03.6 to 23.05.2 using sysupgrade.bin overwriting OEM fw, keeping No Settings. Router booted fine. Speed test ok via ethernet.

Conclusion
It would appear both 23.05.2 factory.bin and sysupgrade.bin seem to work when upgrading from 22.03.6 for EA6350 v3.

fwiw, I've inspected the revision history MR8300, EA8300 and EA6350 v3 device pages. As far as I can tell, the MR8300 was first device page out of these three, to include instructions for installing 23.05 using factory.bin. I think it was edited by @badulesia in May 2023 ? The EA8300 followed in August 2023 and EA6350 v3 in December 2023 by different authors who may have used MR8300 device page as source.

There may be a lost explanation for why 23.05 factory.bin had to be specifically used in the past, perhaps related to snapshots at the time?

Update: Later forum post and LuCI sysupgrade message stipulating use of factory.bin

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Yes.
In version 22.03.3 was added the ability to flash both the factory and the sysupgrade files, and also the Linksys firmware.

I did it :wink:

I guess it's a misunderstanding. As far as I remember, the ability to flash factory image was done simultaneously for the three devices. It's not mandatory at any point to flash a factory image. I remember testing factory, sysupgrade and OEM images successfully, for stable and snapshot.

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