Updating OpenWRT packages routine

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

Hi everyone,
I have OpenWrt 21.02.0 running since it came out and it was my first encounter with OpenWrt. I also run Wireguard, AGH and VPN routing on it and it runs well. At the same time, I would like to keep the packages updated. I found some thread, but those were rather old, so wanted to ask: What are your updating/upgrading routines. I read that blindly applying opkg updates is not recommended.

Thanks in advance for some guidance!

2

21.02.2 was just released yesterday. This is the best way to keep up to date, including the kernel and all security patches available at the time of release.

Upgrading packages (via the CLI opkg upgrade command or the LuCI Upgrade... button) can result in major problems. It is generally highly discouraged, unless you know what you are doing or if there is specific instruction to do so.

3

Thanks! Will check out how to update the overall firmware. I assume this does not update all packages installed in addition (e.g. for me Wireguard or AGH), correct?

4

It will actually erase all of your user installed packages (by necessity). However, attended sysupgrade will evaluate your currently installed packages, automatically create a custom image that includes everything, then download and install it on your router.

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5

So I would need to reinstall and reconfigure everything manually (in case I do not use the attendee sysupgrade). Or is it possible to hold this in a backup? Or does the backup include the “older” firmware then?

6

The backup contains your configuration files, but no packages.

There is an option in 21.02 that allows you to backup a list of installed packages, which can then make it easier to manually reinstall the packages you were using previously.

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7

Got it! The attended sysupgrade looks good and seems the right thing for me! Can I install it on the OpenWRT router or does it need to be on a different server?

8

It works on the OpenWrt router directly :slight_smile:

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9

This was like a chat conversation, thanks so much for helping!

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