OpenWrt Forum Archive

Topic: Update on Linksys WRT1900AC support

The content of this topic has been archived between 16 Sep 2014 and 7 May 2018. Unfortunately there are posts – most likely complete pages – missing.

Post #7251
davidc502
25 Aug 2015, 13:32
redwolf wrote:

I have extensive knowledge of linux, but only a bit of experience with openwrt. I've been running it on a TP-Link TL-WDR3600 for a year or so and have been using vlans on that with great success.

So you recommend RC3 even with the lockups? Is it a very common thing? Does it occur, say, once every 10 minutes or once every week? I realize it's hard to gauge that sort of thing, but I'm trying to get a sense of the frequency.

Also, just curious, regarding the lockups/bugs on v2...is the light at the end of the tunnel visible yet? ;-)

Thanks!

The lock-ups vary. I haven't had one in 7 days, and prior to that 30+ days. However, one or two say it happens every day whilst others go longer, so your results are going to be different yet.

As for v1 or v2, I don't think it makes a difference because users have reported lockups on both. Since the lock-ups are wifi related it makes sense because v2 appears to use the same wifi chip.

hope that helps.

Post #7252
Chadster766
25 Aug 2015, 13:55
nitroshift wrote:

@Chadster766

What driver is McWRT using for the switch? As far as I can remember it's not mvneta, correct?

nitroshift

I think McWRT uses an older version of the same driver "mv_neta".

(Last edited by Chadster766 on 25 Aug 2015, 13:55)

Post #7253
nitroshift
25 Aug 2015, 15:09

@Chadster766

mv_neta.c isn't present in kernel 3.2.40. Is it created by any patch? If so, which patch?

nitroshift

(Last edited by nitroshift on 25 Aug 2015, 15:09)

Post #7254
alirz
25 Aug 2015, 18:44

Well it looks like the last few trunk builds broke "Python-pip" also. It had been working fine for till r46687. I tried the last few builds but it doesnt work anymore. Sometimes i get a feeling that newer trunk builds are becoming more and more buggy.

I get error:

root@OpenWrt:/home/ali# pip
ash: pip: not found
root@OpenWrt:/home/ali# which pip
/usr/bin/pip


Now keep in mind, i include all python stuff as part of my build when i make my custom image. This had been working fine until recently.

Post #7255
clb
25 Aug 2015, 18:57

I've got a v1 with 15.05-rc3 on it, and I'm not getting good performance over 802.11ac

I read here that updating the driver from github may help (https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/m … n/firmware)

but I'm not sure how you do that... is it just a case of copying the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi/88W8864.bin?

Thanks

Post #7256
gufus
25 Aug 2015, 19:29
clb wrote:

I've got a v1 with 15.05-rc3 on it, and I'm not getting good performance over 802.11ac

I read here that updating the driver from github may help (https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/m … n/firmware)

but I'm not sure how you do that... is it just a case of copying the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi/88W8864.bin?

Thanks

Don't use that .bin version. A lot of people report problems with it.

Use this version
https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/commit … b176f39239

Yes

copy the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi

reboot


BTY

WRT1900AC(v1) - Mamba
WRT1900AC(v2) - Cobra
WRT1200AC - Caiman

Use the firmware/88W8864.bin (wifi chip)

I'm not sure what Caiman uses,,

(Last edited by gufus on 25 Aug 2015, 20:59)

Post #7257
alirz
25 Aug 2015, 19:39
gufus wrote:
clb wrote:

I've got a v1 with 15.05-rc3 on it, and I'm not getting good performance over 802.11ac

I read here that updating the driver from github may help (https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/m … n/firmware)

but I'm not sure how you do that... is it just a case of copying the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi/88W8864.bin?

Thanks

Don't use that .bin version. A lot of people report problems with it.

Use this version
https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/commit … b176f39239

Yes

copy the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi

reboot

is that the 10.3.0.3 or the 10.3.0.8 ?

Post #7258
gufus
25 Aug 2015, 19:44
redwolf wrote:

Hi guys. After fighting with Linksys customer support for a week (they shipped me a v1 first) I just received my replacement wrt1900ac v2 today. Is there somewhere I can get up-to-date info on the stability? Should I be using RC3? I really just need basic openwrt stuff with vlan. Any info you can provide is much, much appreciated. Thanks.

wrt1200ac switch layout
https://img.bi/#/4bkp4p7!A-q7YASZZREgfK … QhTypwTQSm

wrt1900ac v1 switch layout
http://www.gypsy-designs.com/port+layout.png

wrt1900ac v2 switch layout (not sure)
http://www.gypsy-designs.com/port+layout.png

Post #7259
gufus
25 Aug 2015, 20:37
alirz wrote:
gufus wrote:
clb wrote:

I've got a v1 with 15.05-rc3 on it, and I'm not getting good performance over 802.11ac

I read here that updating the driver from github may help (https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/m … n/firmware)

but I'm not sure how you do that... is it just a case of copying the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi/88W8864.bin?

Thanks

Don't use that .bin version. A lot of people report problems with it.

Use this version
https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/commit … b176f39239

Yes

copy the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi

reboot

is that the 10.3.0.3 or the 10.3.0.8 ?

Just look at the commits
https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/commits/master

Anything below Commits on Jul 27, 2015 is reported working, I use RC3 with the NEW .bin (Update F/W to version 7.2.8.6.)

Post #7260
clb
25 Aug 2015, 21:02
gufus wrote:
clb wrote:

I've got a v1 with 15.05-rc3 on it, and I'm not getting good performance over 802.11ac

I read here that updating the driver from github may help (https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/m … n/firmware)

but I'm not sure how you do that... is it just a case of copying the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi/88W8864.bin?

Thanks

Don't use that .bin version. A lot of people report problems with it.

Use this version
https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/commit … b176f39239

Yes

copy the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi

reboot


BTY

WRT1900AC(v1) - Mamba
WRT1900AC(v2) - Cobra
WRT1200AC - Caiman

Use the firmware/88W8864.bin (wifi chip)

I'm not sure what Caiman uses,,


Thanks for the info, updated the driver still only getting this:

Signal: -62 dBm   
Noise: -88 dBm   
RX Rate: 216.0 Mbit/s, MCS 13, 40MHz   
TX Rate: 270.0 Mbit/s, MCS 15, 40MHz

Post #7261
gufus
25 Aug 2015, 21:14
clb wrote:
gufus wrote:
clb wrote:

I've got a v1 with 15.05-rc3 on it, and I'm not getting good performance over 802.11ac

I read here that updating the driver from github may help (https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/m … n/firmware)

but I'm not sure how you do that... is it just a case of copying the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi/88W8864.bin?

Thanks

Don't use that .bin version. A lot of people report problems with it.

Use this version
https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/commit … b176f39239

Yes

copy the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi

reboot


BTY

WRT1900AC(v1) - Mamba
WRT1900AC(v2) - Cobra
WRT1200AC - Caiman

Use the firmware/88W8864.bin (wifi chip)

I'm not sure what Caiman uses,,


Thanks for the info, updated the driver still only getting this:

Signal: -62 dBm   
Noise: -88 dBm   
RX Rate: 216.0 Mbit/s, MCS 13, 40MHz   
TX Rate: 270.0 Mbit/s, MCS 15, 40MHz

With AC use 80MHz

Also the 88W8864 chip does not support 160MHz

(Last edited by gufus on 25 Aug 2015, 21:29)

Post #7262
alirz
25 Aug 2015, 21:30

so on this page : https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/5 … n/firmware

Are both 88W8864.bin and 88W8897.bin for wrt1900 ac V1 or they are for different versions V1 and V2 ?

To be honest i dont know about much about development stuff. All i want to do is try the new (10.0.3.8) driver and see if i experience problems also.
On my router i see both files (88W8864.bin , 88W8897.bin) at /lib/firmware/mwlwifi. That leads me to believe that they are for the two WRT1900 V1 and V2 versions ?

Is the driver bin file (regardless of the version of the driver) always named 88W8864.bin ?

(Last edited by alirz on 25 Aug 2015, 21:35)

Post #7263
gufus
25 Aug 2015, 21:44
alirz wrote:

so on this page : https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/5 … n/firmware

Are both 88W8864.bin and 88W8897.bin for wrt1900 ac V1 or they are for different versions V1 and V2 ?

To be honest i dont know about much about development stuff. All i want to do is try the new (10.0.3.8) driver and see if i experience problems also.
On my router i see both files (88W8864.bin , 88W8897.bin) at /lib/firmware/mwlwifi. That leads me to believe that they are for the two WRT1900 V1 and V2 versions ?

Is the driver bin file (regardless of the version of the driver) always named 88W8864.bin ?

All I know..

WRT1900AC(v1) - Mamba
WRT1900AC(v2) - Cobra

Use the 88W8864 chip, I don't know if the 88W8897.bin f/w work with the 88W8864 chip. The 88W8897 chip is different hardware.

Post #7264
nyt
25 Aug 2015, 22:03

I've said it a few times already.   88W8897 is not used in any current routers.  All of the wrt1x00ac devices are using the 88W8864.

Post #7265
gufus
25 Aug 2015, 22:10
nyt wrote:

I've said it a few times already.   88W8897 is not used in any current routers.  All of the wrt1x00ac devices are using the 88W8864.

I wasn't sure what Caiman used.

Thanks for the info smile

Post #7266
gufus
25 Aug 2015, 22:32

@nyt

Is the switch layout the same for the wrt1x00ac devices?

Post #7267
clb
25 Aug 2015, 23:16
gufus wrote:
clb wrote:
gufus wrote:

Don't use that .bin version. A lot of people report problems with it.

Use this version
https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/commit … b176f39239

Yes

copy the file to /lib/firmware/mwlwifi

reboot


BTY

WRT1900AC(v1) - Mamba
WRT1900AC(v2) - Cobra
WRT1200AC - Caiman

Use the firmware/88W8864.bin (wifi chip)

I'm not sure what Caiman uses,,


Thanks for the info, updated the driver still only getting this:

Signal: -62 dBm   
Noise: -88 dBm   
RX Rate: 216.0 Mbit/s, MCS 13, 40MHz   
TX Rate: 270.0 Mbit/s, MCS 15, 40MHz

With AC use 80MHz

Also the 88W8864 chip does not support 160MHz

Thanks again... assuming you're talking about the channel width? If so I'm already using 80MHz

Mode: AC
Channel: auto (40 (5.200 GHz))
Width: 80MHz
Transmit Power: 20dBm  (100 mW)

Any other ideas?

Post #7268
gufus
25 Aug 2015, 23:44
clb wrote:
gufus wrote:
clb wrote:

Thanks for the info, updated the driver still only getting this:

Signal: -62 dBm   
Noise: -88 dBm   
RX Rate: 216.0 Mbit/s, MCS 13, 40MHz   
TX Rate: 270.0 Mbit/s, MCS 15, 40MHz

With AC use 80MHz

Also the 88W8864 chip does not support 160MHz

Thanks again... assuming you're talking about the channel width? If so I'm already using 80MHz

Mode: AC
Channel: auto (40 (5.200 GHz))
Width: 80MHz
Transmit Power: 20dBm  (100 mW)

Any other ideas?

Yes channel width to 80MHz

set your Country Code
Don't use auto

check whats busy
iw wlan1 scan |grep -e SSID  -e 'primary channel' -e signal:

Try a higher channel 144 - 161

I use (63 mW) Transmit Power

whats busy here
root@AC1900M:~# iw wlan1 scan |grep -e SSID  -e 'primary channel' -e signal:
        signal: -69.00 dBm
        SSID: SHAW-3437A0-5G
                 * primary channel: 44
        signal: -96.00 dBm
        SSID: SHAW-212F40-5G
                 * primary channel: 44
        signal: -92.00 dBm
        SSID: OptikTV_10ADC53B
                 * primary channel: 48
        signal: -96.00 dBm
        SSID: SHAW-9D2465-5G
                 * primary channel: 149
        signal: -78.00 dBm
        SSID: SHAW-65500D-5G
                 * primary channel: 149
        signal: -82.00 dBm
        SSID: OptikTV_960B400B
                 * primary channel: 157
root@AC1900M:~#

(Last edited by gufus on 26 Aug 2015, 00:04)

Post #7269
northbound
26 Aug 2015, 00:30
alirz wrote:

so on this page : https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/5 … n/firmware

Are both 88W8864.bin and 88W8897.bin for wrt1900 ac V1 or they are for different versions V1 and V2 ?

To be honest i dont know about much about development stuff. All i want to do is try the new (10.0.3.8) driver and see if i experience problems also.
On my router i see both files (88W8864.bin , 88W8897.bin) at /lib/firmware/mwlwifi. That leads me to believe that they are for the two WRT1900 V1 and V2 versions ?

Is the driver bin file (regardless of the version of the driver) always named 88W8864.bin ?

If you want to try the 10.3.0.8 the latest bot build still has it I don't think Kaloz's revert to 10.3.0.3 worked. Try r46717 NO DON'T just kidding, it is that driver but my best was 7 min. before lock up averaged 5 min on 6 reboots could not catch an error seemed to lock tight.
The good thing is it has Linksys_recovery and 3 poweroff's later I was back on old reliable r46687.

(Last edited by northbound on 26 Aug 2015, 00:37)

Post #7270
LogicoZone
26 Aug 2015, 01:39

I tried to compile the McWRT and it's fine. However, it wouldn't let me change or set the password. I telnet in and got this error when running "passwd" for root.

passwd: /etc/passwd: Read-only file system
passwd: can't update password file /etc/passwd

when run "df", here is the output.

root@McWRT:/# df
Filesystem           1K-blocks      Used Available Use% Mounted on
rootfs                   37888     13684     24204  36% /
/dev/root                37888     13684     24204  36% /rom
devtmpfs                126560         0    126560   0% /dev
tmpfs                   126672       756    125916   1% /tmp
root                    126672        84    126588   0% /tmp/root
overlayfs:/tmp/root     126672        84    126588   0% /tmp/root
overlayfs:/overlay       37888     13684     24204  36% /

Does anyone know what I missed from the configuration of McWRT?

(Last edited by LogicoZone on 26 Aug 2015, 01:40)

Post #7271
alirz
26 Aug 2015, 02:35
northbound wrote:
alirz wrote:

so on this page : https://github.com/kaloz/mwlwifi/tree/5 … n/firmware

Are both 88W8864.bin and 88W8897.bin for wrt1900 ac V1 or they are for different versions V1 and V2 ?

To be honest i dont know about much about development stuff. All i want to do is try the new (10.0.3.8) driver and see if i experience problems also.
On my router i see both files (88W8864.bin , 88W8897.bin) at /lib/firmware/mwlwifi. That leads me to believe that they are for the two WRT1900 V1 and V2 versions ?

Is the driver bin file (regardless of the version of the driver) always named 88W8864.bin ?

If you want to try the 10.3.0.8 the latest bot build still has it I don't think Kaloz's revert to 10.3.0.3 worked. Try r46717 NO DON'T just kidding, it is that driver but my best was 7 min. before lock up averaged 5 min on 6 reboots could not catch an error seemed to lock tight.
The good thing is it has Linksys_recovery and 3 poweroff's later I was back on old reliable r46687.

I do my own custom builds with a lot of other stuff included. Does one of the above links to
github have the bin for the new driver that I could simply put on the router and test it?

I'm also currently running 46687 without any issues. The wifi driver in there is dated August 18th..though the driver version is reported as 10.0.3.8 , I believe that was the time when kialoz had a typo in the commit. I believe I'm still running 10.0.3.0

(Last edited by alirz on 26 Aug 2015, 02:37)

Post #7272
northbound
26 Aug 2015, 03:02

open or edit /lib/modules/3.18.20/mwlwifi.ko and search for 10.3 I read aways back this would tell you the version. In my case it reads "Marvell 802.11ac Wireless Network Driver 10.3.0.3" but this is a bot build of r46687.

Post #7273
davidc502
26 Aug 2015, 03:25

this is what I have....

6<<%s version %s>>
Marvell 802.11ac Wireless Network Driver
10.3.0.3

thanks Northbound. I didn't know it could be read.

Post #7274
alirz
26 Aug 2015, 03:28

I want to try the new driver as it doesn't have all the debug logging enabled. Unless i can disable the debug logs manually in 10.0.3.0 ? Is there a way?

Post #7275
Chadster766
26 Aug 2015, 03:38
LogicoZone wrote:

I tried to compile the McWRT and it's fine. However, it wouldn't let me change or set the password. I telnet in and got this error when running "passwd" for root.

passwd: /etc/passwd: Read-only file system
passwd: can't update password file /etc/passwd

when run "df", here is the output.

root@McWRT:/# df
Filesystem           1K-blocks      Used Available Use% Mounted on
rootfs                   37888     13684     24204  36% /
/dev/root                37888     13684     24204  36% /rom
devtmpfs                126560         0    126560   0% /dev
tmpfs                   126672       756    125916   1% /tmp
root                    126672        84    126588   0% /tmp/root
overlayfs:/tmp/root     126672        84    126588   0% /tmp/root
overlayfs:/overlay       37888     13684     24204  36% /

Does anyone know what I missed from the configuration of McWRT?

I recommend you make an issue in the McWRT repo for more troubleshooting advice.

(Last edited by Chadster766 on 26 Aug 2015, 03:39)