Unable to netboot Mikrotik hAP ac2

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

Procedure: https://openwrt.org/toh/mikrotik/common
I am running stock RouterOS, and the RouterBoard spec is:

  • Model: RBD52G-5HacD2HnD
  • Revision: r3
  • Serial Number: HG609KDMGK7
  • Firmware Type: ipq4000L
  • Factory Firmware: 6.49.11
  • Current Firmware: 6.49.15
  • Upgrade Firmware: 6.49.15

Debian 12 desktop, running tftpd-ha
IP on Ethernet set to 192.168.88.9
no wifi

root@Artel:/srv/tftp# netstat -lunp | grep 69 
udp        0      0 0.0.0.0:69              0.0.0.0:*                           2731/in.tftpd       
udp        0      0 0.0.0.0:631             0.0.0.0:*                           2692/cups-browsed   
udp6       0      0 :::69                   :::*                                2731/in.tftpd       
root@Artel:/srv/tftp# ls
openwrt-23.05.3-ipq40xx-mikrotik-mikrotik_hap-ac2-initramfs-kernel.bin

Twice I tried to start netboot from http://192.168.88.1/webfig/#System:RouterBOARD.Settings and twice it booted as OEM.

I am lost. I am not very proficient in router configurations, and I do not even know where to start looking for a fix. Please kindly help me.

2

don't know if it applies to your scenario, but did you see the top page version warnings ?

3

Yes, but I decided to give it a try anyway, as someone mentioned 6.47.? working ok.

Now, do I have a way to bypass the netboot base and install openWRT straight away? For debricking I have installed OEM netboot utility and have the key and the firmware saved. So I can take the risk.

4

I switched my hAPac2 over to current OWRT a few months ago.

I was on 6.49.x . Yes there are posts out to there that insist on 6.47 but I had no issues. I did cheat by using my wife's windows machine to migrate.

Edit: using the Tiny pxe server as described in your procedure link

Edit2: Hang on, I converted my fleet of 4 AP's and do remember hunting for an ancient ROS. One of my devices was 1st gen wapAC, using the ath79 soc. Sorry I didn't document it properly. But for ipq4019 you should be fine.

5

Use TinyPXE server, I flashed my hAP ac2 this way.
As in the manual: "The (Windows) TFTP Software Tiny PXE https://labalec.fr/erwan/?page_id=958 is able to do BOOTP (without DHCP) and is reportet to do well with Mikrotik Devices."

6

I have successfully used the method based on dnsmasq as given at https://openwrt.org/toh/mikrotik/common#to_test-drive_openwrt_netboot_the_initramfs_file