It can be done without console. I did it via SSH, and I believe it can also be done via WebUI and zycast but haven't tested those.
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Indeed I did it via WebUI as I wasn't able to connect to SSH and I was successfully able to install OpenWRT.
I just have a little question now. Is it possible to configure LAN1 port as WAN ? If yes how to do it ?
As I want to install luci on the snapshot but wasn't successful in getting an internet connection when connecting LAN1/WAN to an existing router (outside the range of 192.168.1.0/24).
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I guess you could remove lan1 from br-lan and add it to a new dhcp client wan2 interface like this:
uci set network.@device[0].ports='lan2'
uci set network.wan2=interface
uci set network.wan2.proto='dhcp'
uci set network.wan2.device='lan1'
firewall.@zone[1].network='wan' 'wan6' 'wan2'
But also keep in mind you can use the firmware selector and add packages (e.g. luci) that you need from the get-go into the image, which is probably the best way to get what you want:
https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org
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Thank you for your help, I have done as you suggested. I had only to adapt the last line to the following as it was not working.
uci add_list firewall.@zone[1].network='wan2'
For the other persons who would read this later, you need also to add finally :
uci commit
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I don't wish to sound lazy but there is a great deal of information in this thread which is quite fragmented and difficult to follow.
I just purchased this Router and wondered if there is a more consolidated guide on the process of flashing it with OpenWRT - can I simply download the firmware snapshot and flash it directly via the web ui or do I need to go through the entire process of obtaining root, setting up the build environment, building the rom from source etc?
Sorry if this sounds lazy, I am just trying to figure out the best way of getting this setup and the thread really is quite fragmented.
Thanks in advance.
- No need to build from source, support is merged into main so current shapshot builds are good to go. I suggest using firmware selector if you need to customize packages.
- High level flashing process is to flash initramfs-recovery.bin image, boot into OpenWrt, and then flash sysupgrade.bin image. Further upgrades should use only sysupgrade image.
- I have only tested (i.e. performed once) flashing via root in ssh. To do this follow https://openwrt.org/toh/zyxel/nr7101#from_oem_ssh but using port 22. I've also tested booting from network via boot loader, but that requires serial console and is not recommended unless you have to.
- Others have reported successful flashing via GUI, but I don't know whether that's with root, supervisor, or admin user.
- Zycast (details in other threads) should also work, but I don't think anyone has tested it yet.
If you and/or the others would like to confirm the details and feedback from GUI flashing, then we might have enough to create a wiki page.
EDIT: I've created the wiki page, if anyone wants to contribute the details around GUI flashing, zycast, etc. please go ahead.
3 Likes
This is incredibly helpful, thank you very much.
Only admin and supervisor have access to the router GUI
--
Can any version of the LTE module firmware be used or would it be preferable to update it to a specific version?
I currently have version 12 installed, sent to me directly from Zyxel EMEA technical support
[EG18EAPAR01A12M4G]
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In terms of OpenWrt the modem firmware version doesn't make any difference as the modem is logically a separate USB device and the interface remains the same.
In terms of 4G performance, there is some discussion up in the thread around cell locking and version 13. Personally I've upgraded from 8 to 12 but haven't done a lot of testing as my router is still not in its intended location.
EDIT:
Does that mean admin can flash OpenWrt and root/supervisor password is not needed?
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No, it just means that the "root" user does not have access to the router's WebUI
(so he can't update the router firmware from WebUI)
So you have installed the "official" version of LTE firmware from Zyxel tech support?
I also updated the LTE firmware to version 12
(although Zyxel did not also provide me with the 12>08 downgrade file, if it exists)
I didn't find any modem updates on ZyXEL website but I did find version 12 (both 8->12 and 12->8 files) on NETGEAR website as it seems one of their routers has the same modem. In addition @ncompact has provided 8->13 and 13->8 files that come from Quectel earlier in this thread.
EDIT:
So root password == supervisor password != admin password? And then can admin flash or it needs to be supervisor?
do you have a link?
I haven't found the v.12 files (only the v.11 for LBR20)
Yes (but only the supervisor user have access to zyxel WebUI)
Yes, admin can update the router firmware and LTE module firmware
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Just for your information, I was able to flash the router using WebUI using the couple of username/password at the bottom of the router on the OEM version (sold on Amazon or Zyxel stores).
Then of course, when restarting on OpenWrt I had to connect via ssh using the root login without password, alter the other partition as explained on the commit for this router and then finally launch the sysupgrade command after doing an scp command to send the sysupgrade image.
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Apologies, my bad, I actually have the v11 (the same LBR20 version).
I read that the Netgear version is not suitable because the NG hardware is different from that of Zyxel.
I'm only sorry that the LTE module is not inserted in a removable slot, so that it can be replaced by unscrewing a single screw.
AT+QGMR
EG18EAPAR01A12M4G_01.001.01.001
the Netgear version of the firmware ends like ***M4G_01.200.01.200
Just published the v.12 official update
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Great, they finally decided to publish an official update! 
The only problem is that I don't see a downgrade file, so potentially using this one could be a one way street.
EDIT: Btw, a fun story: when I was upgrading my modem, I forgot to disable watchcat, so my router rebooted like 4 times during the upgrade process, and the modem was still able to complete the upgrade successfully! I wouldn't recommend trying this at home though and I'll certainly take more care the next time around.
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I've just asked (on Zyxel forum) to publish the update from v.12 to v.13
I'm going to ask the same to zyxel tech support too.
May you post the result of that command?
AT+QGMR
I have uploaded the LBR20 v11 firmware to the router. It works fine. I am wondering whether uploading the v12 from Zyxel's site on top of the v11 would work, if I were to decide to go for that? Or I have to downgrade to v8 (with the LBR20 file) and then upload the v12 from Zyxel?
I don't think it would, these updates are all delta updates, so you need very specific ones for upgrade and downgrade.
EG18EAPAR01A11M4G_01.001.01.001
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