Quantum Fiber W1700k support

frauhottelmann · September 24, 2025, 12:25pm

I also just ordered via amazon.

frollic · September 24, 2025, 1:08pm

OT here, but I've used similar services going back 15+ years, zero issues.
Only once did I have a package stuck in transit, but it was due to COVID.

OpenWRT-fanboy · September 24, 2025, 7:42pm

It’s not the most important issue, but there appears to be a performance regression. I’m getting 3.19Gb/s on kernel 6.12 and 3.31Gb/s on kernel 6.6.

@andrewjlamarche Are you still getting 4.46?

duo8 · September 25, 2025, 12:34am

Anyone with one of these, can you check what size the DC barrel jack is?

hurrian · September 25, 2025, 2:13am

It's just the usual 12V 5.5x2.5mm barrel jack, nothing special.

sppmaster · September 26, 2025, 8:40pm

What is the max Tx power of this device?

stangri · September 26, 2025, 8:45pm

@frollic mentioned this thread on reddit, so I expect more people will come and ask. Is there a concise guide on how to flash it (including locations of serial port pins) and an available image (if it’s not in snapshots yet)?

frollic · September 26, 2025, 8:48pm

github.com/openwrt/openwrt

airoha: add support for Gemtek W1700K

Commit by

andrewjlamarche - airoha: add support for Gemtek W1700K

main ← andrewjlamarche:w1700k

This commit adds support for Gemtek (Centurylink/Lumen/Quantum Fiber) W1700K. D…evice specification -------------------- SoC Type: Airoha AN7581 RAM: ESMT M16U8G16512A (2GB) Flash: Winbond 25N04KVZEIR (512MB) Ethernet: 2x gigabit via AN7581, 2x 10g via RTL8261N Wi-Fi: MT7996 - BE19000 LEDs: 1 LED, power/status Button: Reset USB ports: None Bootloader: U-Boot 2014.04-rc1 (Jun 12 2024 - 08:14:34) AXON 2.0 Fan: 1x controlled by Nuvoton NCT7511Y This device is pretty useless with the stock firmware and wastes a lot of space on the flash. Therefore, the partitions have been restructured to make better use of the space and also utilizes UBI for the rootfs and overlay. As a result, reverting to the stock firmware is not documented here, though it is possible by writing back the vendor firmware to 0x600000 and restoring the default bootcmd to `flash imgread 2048`. The following steps can be used to install OpenWrt. Connect to serial console. There is a Torx T10 screw underneath the QR code printed onto the label. Then, pry between the gray and white plastic, starting by the ports on the back. There are clips arount the entire device. Starting closest to the screw next to the UART header, TX - GND - VCC - N/A - RX. The bootloader can be interrupted by pressing any key. If you do not wish to make a backup, skip to Configuring Bootloader for Openwrt. Rooting Stock FW (for making backups, recommended): - Boot the router and watch serial console until presented with failsafe mode. Enter it (f + enter). - mount_root - Change the root password (passwd). - Open /etc/config/axon_platform_manager and set sshServerEnable, localAccessEnable and remoteAccessEnable to 1. - Search for "SSH". You'll find a long string with 3 matches such as Enabled%25252c1%25252cSSH%Drop. Change any instances of "Disabled" preceeding SSH to "Enabled" and any instances of "Drop" to "Accept" that follow SSH. Same for "Local SSH" and "Remote SSH". - Set /etc/config/dropbear to: config dropbear option PasswordAuth 'on' option RootPasswordAuth 'on' option Port '22' - Reboot. - Connect 10g WAN port to existing network and SSH in with the password you set. - SSH into rooted stock fw. - dd off each /dev/mtdX partition and save to your computer Configuring Bootloader for OpenWrt: The bootloader's default bootcmd will only run a signed image. However, we can still bootm our own image from flash. - setenv bootflag 0 - setenv one flash read 0x600000 0x1000000 \$loadaddr - setenv two "; bootm" - setenv bootcmd "$one$two" - setenv one - setenv two - saveenv Booting OpenWrt initramfs and installing: - Set your computer's IP address to 192.168.0.205. - Run a TFTP server providing the initramfs image. - Power on the device and enter U-Boot menu. - tftpboot 0x89000000 openwrt-airoha-an7581-airoha_an7581-gemtek-w1700k-initramfs-uImage.itb - bootm 0x89000000 * Note: The ethernet driver is flaky and may drop packets before loading the initramfs. A small initramfs is recommended, and it may take several tries to successfully load the image via TFTP. - The sysupgrade image can be flashed now, via LuCI or the cli. Signed-off-by: Andrew LaMarche <andrewjlamarche@gmail.com>

this part is in the 1st post.

frauhottelmann · September 27, 2025, 7:49am

Once the PR is merged I'll create a wiki page.

KOA · September 27, 2025, 2:26pm

MLO working on this device?

OpenWRT-fanboy · September 27, 2025, 5:48pm

The community is hard at work getting the last major issue resolved and I am confident we will have this device completely functional in short order. Yay!

It is still early days for WiFi 7 support in Openwrt, but having said that, this device is super cheap and works incredibly well. If you want the best Openwrt AP, this is it. If you want the best Openwrt router, this is highly competitive. If the limited ports are a problem, add a switch.

Nonetheless, there are some minor issues (mostly unrelated to the device itself) that need to be addressed:

Each radio exposes all three bands, but only one works

You must choose 2.4G for radio0, 5G for radio1, and 6G for radio2.

To bring up 6G, you must use WPA3-SAE security

If you choose the wrong security options, the 6G band will not work. @systemcrash wrote a fix months ago, but never committed it: https://github.com/openwrt/luci/issues/7553

6G doesn’t work in the United States

The gory details are here: https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/issues/18079

TLDR: The FCC rules on 6G are somewhat complicated. Rather than engage with this complexity, the upstream maintainers essentially just turned 6G off.

To workaround this, you need to either select Japan or fix the regulatory database. @rmandrad tried to fix this the right way and was shot down. If you just want this to work, like I do, you can just edit the database and recompile.

Looking to liberate your newly acquired W1700K? Compiled initramfs, sysupgrade, and hacked regulatory database are available here: https://github.com/OpenWRT-fanboy/w1700k

KOA · September 27, 2025, 6:02pm

Pakistan(where my devices are located) has approved both wifi 7 and 6GHz. Dont know if it was added in database though.

hurrian · September 28, 2025, 3:04am

Just finished testing this on my "production" W1700Ks, with the following results:

Regdom "KR", 5GHz channel 116, 6GHz channel 37 -> OK
Regdom "KR", 5GHz channel 36, 6GHz channel 77 -> Doesn't work 
> daemon.notice netifd: radio2 (3775): command failed: Not supported (-95)
Regdom "KR", 5GHz channel 36, 6GHz channel 13 -> Doesn't work
> daemon.notice netifd: radio2 (3775): command failed: Not supported (-95)

All AP's otherwise work in standalone AP mode, so there's likely some bug somewhere. MLO support only really became usable in OpenWrt a few days ago, so some testing is definitely needed. It sure doesn't help that as far as I'm aware, MT7996 is the only MLO-capable AP chipset supported so far.

OpenWRT-fanboy · September 28, 2025, 3:15am

Just a total shot in the dark here, but note that channel 37 is a PSC, while 13 and 77 are not.

It’s always preferable to use PSC in 6G.

olek210 · September 28, 2025, 2:38pm

@hurrian Can you share full working MLD config?

danpawlik · September 28, 2025, 3:09pm

~~Example one, but for BPi-R4~~

hurrian · September 28, 2025, 3:12pm

I used this (SSID and passwords changed), and in my MLO setup I did not use 2.4G:

config wifi-device 'radio0'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path 'soc/1fc00000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
        option radio '0'
        option band '2g'
        option channel '1'
        option htmode 'EHT20'
        option country 'KR'
        option cell_density '0'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio0'
        option device 'radio0'
        option network 'lan'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'OpenWrt_2G'
        option encryption 'psk2+ccmp'
        option key 'password'

config wifi-device 'radio1'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path 'soc/1fc00000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
        option radio '1'
        option band '5g'
        option channel '116'
        option htmode 'EHT80'
        option country 'KR'
        option cell_density '0'

config wifi-device 'radio2'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path 'soc/1fc00000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
        option radio '2'
        option band '6g'
        option htmode 'EHT160'
        option country 'KR'
        option cell_density '0'
        option channel '37'

config wifi-iface 'ap_mld'
        list device 'radio1'
        list device 'radio2'
        option mlo '1'
        option network 'lan'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'OpenWrt_MLD'
        option encryption 'sae'
        option key 'password'
        option ocv '0'

olek210 · September 28, 2025, 4:19pm

Interesting. This configuration does not work for me. I have a new image based on commit.
Log:

root@OpenWrt:~# logread | grep hostapd
Sat Sep 27 14:36:59 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Set MLD config: [ "ap-mld0" ]
Sat Sep 27 14:37:00 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Reload all interfaces
Sat Sep 27 14:37:01 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Set new config for phy phy0.0:
Sat Sep 27 14:37:01 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Remove MLD interface ap-mld0
Sat Sep 27 14:37:14 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Set new config for phy phy0.0: /var/run/hostapd-phy0.0.conf
Sat Sep 27 14:37:14 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Remove MLD interface ap-mld0
Sat Sep 27 14:37:14 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Restart interface for phy phy0.0
Sat Sep 27 14:37:14 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Configuration file: <inline> (phy phy0.0) --> new PHY
Sat Sep 27 14:37:14 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Configuration file: Reading configuration file '<inline>'
Sat Sep 27 14:37:14 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Configuration file: Reading configuration file '<inline>'
Sat Sep 27 14:37:14 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: phy0.0-ap0: interface state UNINITIALIZED->COUNTRY_UPDATE
Sat Sep 27 14:37:14 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: phy0.0-ap0: interface state COUNTRY_UPDATE->ENABLED
Sat Sep 27 14:37:14 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: phy0.0-ap0: AP-ENABLED
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Set new config for phy phy0.1:
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Remove MLD interface ap-mld0
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Set new config for phy phy0.1: /var/run/hostapd-phy0.1.conf
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Remove MLD interface ap-mld0
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Restart interface for phy phy0.1
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Configuration file: <inline> (phy phy0.1) --> new PHY
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Configuration file: Reading configuration file '<inline>'
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Enabling beacon protection as IEEE 802.11be is enabled for this BSS
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Configuration file: Reading configuration file '<inline>'
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Enabling beacon protection as IEEE 802.11be is enabled for this BSS
Sat Sep 27 14:37:15 2025 daemon.err hostapd: Failed to create interface ap-mld0: -23 (Too many open files in system)
Sat Sep 27 14:37:16 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: ap-mld0: interface state UNINITIALIZED->COUNTRY_UPDATE
Sat Sep 27 14:37:16 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: ap-mld0: interface state COUNTRY_UPDATE->HT_SCAN
Sat Sep 27 14:37:16 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Set new config for phy phy0.2:
Sat Sep 27 14:37:16 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Remove MLD interface ap-mld0
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.err hostapd: Could not set channel for kernel driver
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.err hostapd: Interface initialization failed
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: ap-mld0: interface state HT_SCAN->DISABLED
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: ap-mld0: AP-DISABLED
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Set new config for phy phy0.2: /var/run/hostapd-phy0.2.conf
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Remove MLD interface ap-mld0
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Restart interface for phy phy0.2
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Configuration file: <inline> (phy phy0.2) --> new PHY
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Configuration file: Reading configuration file '<inline>'
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Enabling beacon protection as IEEE 802.11be is enabled for this BSS
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Configuration file: Reading configuration file '<inline>'
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Enabling beacon protection as IEEE 802.11be is enabled for this BSS
Sat Sep 27 14:37:17 2025 daemon.err hostapd: Failed to create interface ap-mld0: -23 (Too many open files in system)
Sat Sep 27 14:37:18 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: ctrl_iface exists and seems to be in use - cannot override it
Sat Sep 27 14:37:18 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: Delete '/var/run/hostapd/ap-mld0' manually if it is not used anymore
Sat Sep 27 14:37:18 2025 daemon.err hostapd: Failed to setup control interface for ap-mld0
Sat Sep 27 14:37:18 2025 daemon.err hostapd: ap-mld0: Unable to setup interface.
Sat Sep 27 14:37:18 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: ap-mld0: CTRL-EVENT-TERMINATING
Sat Sep 27 14:37:18 2025 daemon.err hostapd: hostapd_free_hapd_data: Interface ap-mld0 wasn't started
Sat Sep 27 14:37:18 2025 daemon.notice hostapd: hostapd.add_iface failed for phy phy0.2 ifname=ap-mld0

danpawlik · September 28, 2025, 7:58pm

this one works.:

NOTE: just to be aware, image needs to contain:

CONFIG_WIFI_SCRIPTS_UCODE=y
CONFIG_PACKAGE_iwinfo=y

# probably also this
CONFIG_PACKAGE_wireless-tools=y

config wifi-device 'radio0'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path 'soc/1fc00000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
        option radio '0'
        option band '2g'
        option channel '1'
        option htmode 'EHT20'
        option country 'DE'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio0'
        option device 'radio0'
        option network 'lan'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'OpenWrt'
        option encryption 'none'

config wifi-device 'radio1'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path 'soc/1fc00000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
        option radio '1'
        option band '5g'
        option channel '124'
        option htmode 'EHT160'
        option country 'DE'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio1'
        option device 'radio1'
        option network 'lan'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'OpenWrt'
        option encryption 'none'

config wifi-device 'radio2'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path 'soc/1fc00000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
        option country 'DE'
        option radio '2'
        option band '6g'
        option channel '37'
        option htmode 'EHT160'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio2'
        option device 'radio2'
        option network 'lan'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'OpenWrt'
        option encryption 'none'


config wifi-iface 'wifinet0'
        list device 'radio1'
        list device 'radio2'
        option mlo '1'
        option network 'lan'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'Testowo'
        option encryption 'sae'
        option sae_pwe '2'
        option key 'test1234test'
        option ieee80211w '2'
        option ocv '2'
        option log_level '1'

iw:

root@OpenWrt:~# iw dev
phy#0
        Interface phy0.2-ap0
                ifindex 19
                wdev 0x5
                addr 00:58:28:40:10:62
                type AP
                multicast TXQ:
                        qsz-byt qsz-pkt flows   drops   marks   overlmt hashcol tx-bytes        tx-packets
                        0       0       0       0       0       0       0       0               0
                Radios: 2
        Interface ap-mld0
                ifindex 18
                wdev 0x4
                addr 00:58:28:40:10:62
                ssid Testowo
                type AP
                multicast TXQ:
                        qsz-byt qsz-pkt flows   drops   marks   overlmt hashcol tx-bytes        tx-packets
                        0       0       0       0       0       0       0       0               0
                MLD with links:
                 - link ID  1 link addr 00:58:28:40:10:62
                   channel 124 (5620 MHz), width: 160 MHz, center1: 5570 MHz
                Radios: 1 2
        Interface phy0.1-ap0
                ifindex 17
                wdev 0x3
                addr 00:58:28:40:10:72
                ssid OpenWrt
                type AP
                channel 124 (5620 MHz), width: 160 MHz, center1: 5570 MHz
                txpower 26.00 dBm
                multicast TXQ:
                        qsz-byt qsz-pkt flows   drops   marks   overlmt hashcol tx-bytes        tx-packets
                        0       0       0       0       0       0       0       0               0
                Radios: 1
        Interface phy0.0-ap0
                ifindex 15
                wdev 0x1
                addr 02:58:28:40:10:62
                ssid OpenWrt
                type AP
                channel 1 (2412 MHz), width: 20 MHz, center1: 2412 MHz
                txpower 20.00 dBm
                multicast TXQ:
                        qsz-byt qsz-pkt flows   drops   marks   overlmt hashcol tx-bytes        tx-packets
                        0       0       0       0       0       0       0       0               0
                Radios: 0

but, when I connect to it, device reboots. Tomorrow will check via UART what’s going on.

hurrian · September 28, 2025, 10:14pm

I was testing with this commit (though wireless wise it should be identical to your build): link

I have also found some other issues while testing MLD:

The same config, doesn't work on some of my other W1700Ks (this really puzzles me)
After around 8 hours or so, wireless hangs and must be restarted. Zero errors in dmesg.