I haven't updated my Archer C7 v2 for a long time and noticed that there were some changes in the kernel: 21.02.1-ath79-generic-tplink_archer-c7-v2 uses version 5.x, while on my current version (18.06.1-ar71xx -generic-archer-c7-v2), still 4.9.120 (I built it myself with the rfkill fix 
). Can I install sysupgrade firmware without any problems, or should I install factory firmware to update the kernel? As I noticed, there are no more ar71xx firmwares, only ath79, and I have ar71xx firmware on my router.
You'll need to first do a sysupgrade from 18.06 to 19.07...18.06 to 21.02 is not supported
ath71xx was deprecated in 19.07, and replaced with ath79.
Then, do a sysupgrade from 19.07 to 21.02.
Backup your configs at each step.
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So, there is no point in installing a factory firmware? Should I save my settings or do a clean install? I read that some routers had problems with Wi-Fi after restoring the settings (perhaps this is due to the migrating to ath79)
No need to use factory firmware for the C7 v2 (which is what I run).
Due to the changes from swconfig to DSA, I clean installed from 19.07 to 21.02, and used the 19.07 configs as a reference.
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Ok, thank you, I'll do the same. I will update to 19.07 with saving the setting and to 21.02 as a clean install
By the way, should I choose 19.07 ar71xx or ath79?
Use the ath79 image.
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The intermediate step of flashing 19.07 is not necessary, the configs can't be kept either way (migrating from ar71xx to ath79).
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From the 21.02.0 release thread...
Upgrading to 21.02.0
Sysupgrade can be used to upgrade a device from 19.07 to 21.02, and configuration will be preserved in most cases.
- Sysupgrade from 18.06 to 21.02 is not supported.
That applies more to retaining the configuration (which isn't an option in this case either way, due to the ar71xx --> ath79 migration) than the sysupgrade functionality (you'll need --force and -n either way) itself. You don't need to flash intermediate firmware versions here (and that also applies to even older base firmware versions). Obviously going the long way round won't 'hurt' either, but it's not required.
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