TP-Link Archer D50 how install OpenWrt

[Dejavu]

Hi everyone, I have been looking for two hours on how to install openwrt on the Tp-link Archer D50 V1, this certainly does not want to be a criticism, but it is only to underline my commitment before asking for advice.
There are many things that I have not understood and I thank all those who will have the patience to read. https://openwrt.org/toh/hwdata/tp-link/tp-link_archer_d50_v1

1. The image factory.bin is not shown on the router specification page, only * .squashfs-sysupgrade.bin. Now I have read in several help pages that not all devices have the factory image (ok only 30%) others have other names or are missing, in other pages is written that you can use the sysupgrade.bin if the factory.bin is missing .bin, in others it is written that sysupgrade is only for those who have already installed Openwrt.
   Others say that factory.bin is used for GUI installation from original OEM software. I was also very lucky to find a page to automatically download the firmware: https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=21.02.1&target=ath79%2Fgeneric&id=tplink_archer-d50-v1 Unfortunately the puzzle becomes even more difficult, you should only load initramfs-kernel.bin in Tftp server which is loaded into memory, from there you can install sysupgrade.bin.
   What should I do?

2. Although I have a lot of confusion about the firmware to install, regarding the tftp server (where do I determine if you don't need the tftp client instead?) To load the image there should be some simple steps. According to the technical page I can use the U-boot TFTP Recovery system.

1. Connect to the device via Ethernet cable (Only fallback to wireless, if the device has no Ethernet connection options)
2. Ensure that the OpenWrt firmware file that you are about to flash, matches your router model and is called "… .factory.bin" (only true for 30% of all supported devices; 70% of devices have different image names, see above), as you will use it to modify a vendor's factory firmware towards OpenWrt.
3. Log into the device's admin web interface and locate the device-specific firmware installation function. Follow the device-specific instructions of your manufacturer's user guide for installing firmware and use this to install the “… factory.bin” firmware file of OpenWrt.
4. Wait while the device writes the firmware image to its flash memory. This can take several minutes (the Device Page may state an expected time for this process). At the end, the device will reboot automatically.
5. The new firmware has been installed.

3. In addition to these points there is however a special page for U-boot TFTP Recovery, so I hope to follow the procedure step by step. https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/installation/generic.flashing.tftp

(Furthermore: It is recommended to download the tftp server which is reported to have malware, here: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/installation/generic.flashing.tftp#windows here the report: https://www.joesandbox.com/analysis/524512/0/html This may be a false positive, but it is not a good solution to use this tool to upload the image for a router. However I downloaded from Solarwind just to be safe.)

I am disheartened because I need help and advice already at the beginning of this procedure, I do not dare to think about the after.

Thanks

[anon89577378]

See these instructions for TFTP UART installation -

https://git.openwrt.org/?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commit;h=f5d2c91415a68f554815860d574145644fc31c16

I have used TFTPD for years with no issue.

https://pjo2.github.io/tftpd64/

[Carves]

I looked at previous releases and it appears that your device got its first firmware starting in version 19.07.8. So if you go here

https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.8/targets/ath79/generic/

and scroll half way down. You will see these two files

tplink_archer-d50-v1-initramfs-kernel.bin
tplink_archer-d50-v1-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

Now, I'm not familiar with an initramfs-kernal.bin files, but is it a possibility that this is the file that needs to be installed first for your device ?

[anon89577378]

The flash instructions in the posted link says the correct firmware file is openwrt-ath79-generic-tplink_archer-d50-v1-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

[Dejavu]

Thanks OldNavyGuy, I had seen it, a somewhat laconic explanation, but luckily on the web there are dozens of guides and videos on how to activate Uart connections.
According to the technical page it seems to be possible to flash the devices without using the serial port. (see photo above) In fact, for convenience, I would opt these steps in order:

1. Tftp via Ethernet
2. Tftp via serial Uart
3. Flash with Jtag
4. change Router

(It's probably as you say, it's easier to switch to Uart connection. Also because it's not clear on the router page if it works over Ethernet or if there is a need for a tftp client or server. There is two methods: (there is a comma between them):

[U-Boot TFTP recovery],
[U-Boot TFTP + serial recovery]

(thought without controversy / flame)
The fact that that Tftpd tool works doesn't mean that there is no bad code inside. Of course, many will think that using Windows is already a condemnation in itself.

Thank you again for specifying which image to use.

@Carves, thanks for the reply and for the solidarity.