an upgrade with predelivered backup is more convenient for me than a total format then reinstall and configuring everything from scratch or important the backup from a tar.gz-file
No. That’s what the big red boxes are telling you.
I don’t know if keeping setting from 21.02 to 25.12 works at all. But if it was, the way to go would be going every major version in between, so 21.02 => 22.03 => 23:05 => 24.10 => 25.12.
I’m not saying you can do that. I’m saying if it’s possible to go from 21.02 to 25.12 while keeping settings, the step-by-step path would be the way to go.
Honestly? Get a better (with more flash memory and RAM) device.
Yes, but that's not possible. Your image is already larger than the available flash memory (6,4 MB vs 5,875 MB).
Maybe, if you use the firmware selector and try to omit some packages (don't ask me which) you might get an small enough image. But even then you shouldn't try to use your backup file, because it will almost certainly brick your device due to incompatibilities.
How likely is it that the existing security vulnerabilities could become a problem for me? Assuming that with the newest original TP‑Link firmware I would be even worse off. last tp-link firmware RE450(DE)_V2_211029
In short: a direct upgrade won’t work due to the partition size change. You need to flash a minimal transition image first, then install the full firmware.
My question was that if the NSA can access my webcam or if only my neighbor can access my RE450 because the problem is not WAN-related but LAN-related.
Dont do it! It will kill your RE-450. It killed mine (no fail safe possible, never seen before). I didnt know why they released this version, after they dropped this device for version 22. For vulnerability reasons.
It will be a one time update. Afterwards, they will drop it again. No further updates.
After the flash fails and the device won’t go into failsafe mode, for several times (over lightly shifted initialisation moments, it always blinks a few seconds after power on, then all leds off, even lan port leds, but there was a “connection” to lan port, with no ip assigned), i opened the device, searching for the SOP8 memories, for using SOP8-Clip and CH341a flash device. The 8 MByte one is a “unknown chip” (TP-Link is using over production period differend chips :D, so the wiki is wrong, no Winbond 25Q64JVSIQ, it is for me a XMC QH64AHIG), not supported by Neoprogrammer. Later i tried to replug the only ufl pigtail (wifi antenna) i removed and the outer frame of the female connector bended (by this angle (the cable is very short) you need a special insertion device, with a angled grip). The housing could not be closed properly anymore, regardless of using the ifixit mini opener (triangled) with no force. So i threw it away. It goes to the bin.
It has a uboot access but you need to access with serial port. also have to solder bridges on r69 (and maybe r64, dont remember). Also it´s uboot expects slightly different commands, but in the end I managed to revive mine. (had it in the drawer for 5 years)
