OpenWRT support for MikroTik hAP ax³ (C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD)

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hello OpenWRT Community,

I would like to inquire whether it is possible to get OpenWRT running on the MikroTik hAP ax³ (C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD) and whether there is any ongoing development or interest in supporting this device. Since OpenWRT already supports the **MikroTik hAP ac³ (RBD53iG-5HacD2HnD), I was wondering if the ax³ could be a candidate for OpenWRT as well.

:one: RouterOS v7 Compatibility Issues

As far as I know, OpenWRT does not currently support RouterOS v7 devices, and the hAP ax³ ships with RouterOS v7 by default.
Unlike older MikroTik devices, downgrading to RouterOS v6 is not possible on the hAP ax³.

:two: Similarities to MikroTik hAP ac³

OpenWRT already supports the MikroTik hAP ac³ (RBD53iG-5HacD2HnD), which is somewhat similar in design.
However, the hAP ax³ uses a different CPU (ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.8 GHz) and supports Wi-Fi 6, so it is unclear whether the hAP ac³ image could be adapted.

:three: Lack of OpenWRT Target

The MT7621, IPQ40xx, and similar MikroTik devices have OpenWRT support, but I couldn't find any discussion regarding the MikroTik hAP ax³ (C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD).
I’m unsure whether it would be possible to extract bootloader details, run OpenWRT in an experimental environment, or flash custom firmware.

2

If you manage to {net}boot any openwrt on oem v7 bootloader...

1 Like
3

Do yourself a favour and go with a device that is already fully supported by OpenWrt right now.

If this hardware, based on your description, is theoretically supportable is unclear at best - and Mikrotik is never on the easy side. Should you still want to go forward with this, be aware that the actual development to get it supported would be all yours, as you are the only one with this particular device on the desk. Adding support for new devices is possible, but a rather steep learning curve with an open result, so -again- do yourself a favour and go with something fully supported, unless you know what you're getting into and are in search for a new hobby for the next 1-6 months.

1 Like
4

Check out Mikrotik RouterOS v7.x and OpenWrt sysupgrade - #78 by pen

If you don't own the ax3 step away from Mikrotik as it's currently a dead end.