before setting up my router with openwrt, I thoroughly went through the guide at https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer_c6u_v1_eu and did exactly as the instructions recommend.
However, there is a part of the guide I am not sure I understand completely.
To quote: Before setting up this router, do NOT connect it to the internet. Prevent it from activating the TP-Link cloud feature. Connect a cable using an ethernet LAN port to a computer with a ethernet port.
My question is, what happens if the TP-link cloud feature is activated before flashing openwrt? If something (I suppose bad) happens, does it happen only for the C6U or any other TP-link router? I did not find similar recommendation in other TP-link guides for openwrt.
That has separate upgrade train, most notably web ui is served from oem cloud, and the whole thing does not resemble original fw train.
Small chance bootloader recovery is still intact and even smaller it accepts the oem cluod free image.ymmv (and amend wiki if succesful)
I should clarify that I have not encountered any problem myself as I avoided connecting the router to the internet before flashing openwrt. The reason I am asking the question is that I am curious to know what would happen for instance in the case one buys a second-hand tp-link router where the cloud feature was enabled.
I would also like to mention that I am not very experienced, so the answer is quite difficult for me to understand. Apologies if this is annoying for more experienced users, but I have no idea what upgrade train means. Also, I have troubles understanding how the bootloader is involved and how it would be smaller (compared to what?). Does this mean that openwrt cannot be installed normally, but only via recovery (tftp)?
Maybe I should rephrase my question. I am interested to know in simple practical terms what would change if TP-link cloud feature was already enabled on a router and how it would affect the procedure to install openwrt.
"cloud" firmware is different from normal one that all administration is done via cloud service.
Likely you will not be able to regain any control of such 2nd hand device (if it costs 2 bucks you can try restoring non-clod software)