[SOLVED](Troubleshooting) Installing OpenWRT on a Dynalink DL-WRX36

[Oliumen]

Yesterday I attempted to install OpenWRT onto a router.
While I succeeded and the router does indeed have OpenWRT SNAPSHOT installed, as I see it every time I ssh into the unit now, it refuses to hold any settings changes I give it.

You can see my progress here...

[SOLVED] Installing OpenWRT on the Dynalink DL-WRX36

[Dynalink DL-WRX36 Front] [Dynalink DL-WRX36 Back] OpenWRT entry for the Dynalink dl-wrx36 https://openwrt.org/toh/dynalink/dl-wrx36 Link to the Backup Configuration File That has SSH enabled as per the guide. If you are going to use the pre-configured router config file that enables SSH (recommended), you can download that from the forum. Enable SSH on the router (choose either bullet point a OR bullet point b): Upload the pre-configured router config file that you downloaded in Part…

I thought I got it but, I am having issues.

Every time I reboot the router, all the files are reset. I change the unit's ip to 192.168.1.3, so it can slot into my current network as a dumb ap but again, every time I unplug power to reboot it and get it to operate with that ip so it can slot in, it just reverts back to 192.168.1.1 and causes a conflict with the current 192.168.1.1 router. I turn off DHCP, as the main router has it I don't need this AP to also perform the same function causing conflict, and I reboot the router only to find it's back on and doesn't hold any of the settings I am giving it. I set a password for root, I reboot and it doesn't hold any of the settings or anything.

I am aware to save file changes with vi I have to hit esc, :wq, enter, for those changes to right to the file. But even if I write changes, they are immediately reverted when I reboot.

Where did I make a mistake?
How can I address this?
What am I unaware of that I should be aware of that is causing this issue?

[frollic]

Are you still booting from the usb flash drive?

[Oliumen]

The USB flash drive is not plugged in anymore. So no.

Afternoon Frollic.

[frollic]

Does the openwrt image by any chance say you're running an initramfs, when you log on?

[Oliumen]

This is login screen with ssh.

[frollic]

Update using the sysupgrade image at https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=23.05.5&target=ipq807x%2Fgeneric&id=dynalink_dl-wrx36

[Oliumen]

Ok. Give me a bit. Away from desk.

[Oliumen]

Got it. Works great now. Thank you. I guess the guide just told us to use the wrong image.

Following the guide up to that point and then installing the sysupgrade image works.

For those who don't know how to upgrade via terminal. There you go.
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/installation/sysupgrade.cli

I am going to configure everything and see if it holds everything after a reboot.

[Oliumen]

It works, it reboots and holds settings now.

I only have one last question before I close out this topic.

It shows I have 4 radios, 2 are inoperable and listed as generic, the others are the qualcomm radios. Is this normal for this device? Since it's still under development with the OpenWRT firmware?

Thanks in advance.

[dave14305]

Could be config crud left over when changing from snapshot to 23.05. Did you reset to defaults since flashing 23.05?

[Oliumen]

@dave14305

Did you reset to defaults since flashing 23.05?

No. I simply flashed the 23.05.5 image and started setting things up. Should I reset?

[dave14305]

I would, before you get too far in customizing.

[Oliumen]

Are you referring to this button in LuCi?

Just wanted to be sure before I do it. I configured everything but I am open to re-configuring it again as I only made minor changes, namely just changing the IP from .1 to .3 so it can slot into my current network as an AP and I did the typical things recommended in the OpenWRT bridged ap guide, like disabling DHCP on the AP, Firewall on the AP, pointing the AP to the gateway at .1, point the ap to the dns servers on .1, etc.

OpenWRT Bridged AP Over Ethernet Guide.
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/wifiextenders/bridgedap

[frollic]

You can run firstboot from ssh.

[Oliumen]

Done.

[frollic]

Then reboot.

[Oliumen]

Done.

[Oliumen]

There we go. Thanks guys. The Router is fully operational and works great. I even have access to channels I wasn't able to access before with my other AP, which has significantly cleaned up my wireless signal, next to no interference anymore as none of my neighbors seem to have a device capable of broadcasting on the channels I am on now.