Mvebu firmware: random MAC address

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

On Marvell boards, the ethernet MAC address may be stored in an SPI Flash var ethaddr.

Espressobin boards in particular do this. After flashing an updated firmware (u-boot + arm-trusted-firmware) such as OpenWRT's, added in pull/3442, users are instructed to reset to default env with

> env default -a
> env save

This erases the ethaddr SPI Flash var where the MAC address is stored, resulting in a random MAC assignment on each reboot:

Warning: neta@30000 (eth0) using random MAC address

This causes various problems such as the need to subsequently reboot the upstream (garbage) cablemodem in order to get a DHCP address assignment.

The first link above describes the issue and its resolution but it's not very discoverable. We should add this info to the OpenWRT wiki pages for espressobin/marvell.

CC: @dhewg

1 Like
2

The wiki pages are editable. If you are familiar with the issue and know the resolution why haven't you updated the wiki page?

3

@RaylynnKnight I'm seeking input from other community members to try to make sure the wiki info is as correct and useful as possible.