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Topic: OpenWrt on Netgear DG834GT - no wireless!

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Post #1
bobMuk
23 Aug 2010, 12:34

Hi all

I've sucessfully installed using openwrt-DG834GT_DG834PN-squashfs-cfe.bin from /backfire/10.03.1-rc1/brcm63xx (and had the same result with openwrt-96348GW-10-squashfs-bccfe-cfe.bin from /backfire/10.03-rc3/brcm63xx)

However there's no wifi showing up.  In the wifi section of the web interface it says "This section contains no values yet" and there's no options.  Looking through the boot log it looks like the wifi card isn't being detected.

The board reports itself as 96348GW-10 so I'm pretty sure I'm using the right image.... and I've read elsewhere that others have seemingly had this board's wifi working.

Is there some quirk that I'm missing?
/etc/config/wireless is empty... I tried populating it but it made no difference.

Has anyone had the DG834GT working?  (note it's very different to the DG834G)
If not, any suggestions?

Here's the full output from boot-time:

CFE version 1.0.37-5.11 for BCM96348 (32bit,SP,BE)
Build Date: Tue Apr  4 10:20:27 CST 2006 (root@localhost.localdomain)
Copyright (C) 2000,2001,2002,2003 Broadcom Corporation.

Initializing Arena.
Initializing Devices.
internal_open
bcm6348enet: init_emac
CPU type 0x29107: 256MHz, Bus: 128MHz, Ref: 32MHz

Total memory used by CFE:  0x80401000 - 0x8051C940 (1161536)
Initialized Data:          0x80418650 - 0x804192F0 (3232)
BSS Area:                  0x804192F0 - 0x8041A940 (5712)
Local Heap:                0x8041A940 - 0x8051A940 (1048576)
Stack Area:                0x8051A940 - 0x8051C940 (8192)
Text (code) segment:       0x80401000 - 0x80418644 (95812)
Boot area (physical):      0x0051D000 - 0x0055D000
Relocation Factor:         I:00000000 - D:00000000

Board IP address                : 192.168.1.1:ffffff00
Host IP address                 : 192.168.1.100
Gateway IP address              :
Run from flash/host (f/h)       : f
Default host run file name      : vmlinux
Default host flash file name    : bcm963xx_fs_kernel
Boot delay (0-9 seconds)        : 1
Board Id Name                   : 96348GW-10
Psi size in KB                  : 16
Number of MAC Addresses (1-32)  : 2
Base MAC Address                : 00:18:4d:60:fb:36
Ethernet PHY Type               : Internal
Memory size in MB               : 16

*** Press any key to stop auto run (1 seconds) ***
Auto run second count down: 0
Code Address: 0x80010000, Entry Address: 0x80010000
Decompression OK!
Entry at 0x80010000
Closing network.
Starting program at 0x80010000
Linux version 2.6.32.16 (openwrt@ampere) (gcc version 4.3.3 (GCC) ) #1 Mon Aug 9 10:18:34 PDT 2010
Detected Broadcom 0x6348 CPU revision b0
CPU frequency is 256 MHz
16MB of RAM installed
registering 37 GPIOs
board_bcm963xx: CFE version: unknown
bootconsole [early0] enabled
CPU revision is: 00029107 (Broadcom BCM6348)
board_bcm963xx: board name: 96348GW-10
Determined physical RAM map:
 memory: 01000000 @ 00000000 (usable)
Initrd not found or empty - disabling initrd
Zone PFN ranges:
  Normal   0x00000000 -> 0x00001000
Movable zone start PFN for each node
early_node_map[1] active PFN ranges
    0: 0x00000000 -> 0x00001000
Built 1 zonelists in Zone order, mobility grouping off.  Total pages: 4064
Kernel command line: root=/dev/mtdblock2 rootfstype=squashfs,jffs2 noinitrd console=ttyS0,115200
PID hash table entries: 64 (order: -4, 256 bytes)
Dentry cache hash table entries: 2048 (order: 1, 8192 bytes)
Inode-cache hash table entries: 1024 (order: 0, 4096 bytes)
Primary instruction cache 16kB, VIPT, 2-way, linesize 16 bytes.
Primary data cache 8kB, 2-way, VIPT, no aliases, linesize 16 bytes
Memory: 13284k/16384k available (2138k kernel code, 3100k reserved, 455k data, 140k init, 0k highmem)
Hierarchical RCU implementation.
NR_IRQS:128
Calibrating delay loop... 254.97 BogoMIPS (lpj=509952)
Mount-cache hash table entries: 512
NET: Registered protocol family 16
board_bcm963xx: not enough mac address
registering PCI controller with io_map_base unset
registering PCI controller with io_map_base unset
bio: create slab <bio-0> at 0
pci 0000:01:1e.0: CardBus bridge, secondary bus 0000:02
pci 0000:01:1e.0:   IO window: 0x8008000-0x80080ff
pci 0000:01:1e.0:   IO window: 0x8008400-0x80084ff
pci 0000:01:1e.0:   MEM window: 0x38000000-0x3fffffff
PCI: Enabling device 0000:01:1e.0 (0000 -> 0003)
Switching to clocksource MIPS
NET: Registered protocol family 2
IP route cache hash table entries: 1024 (order: 0, 4096 bytes)
TCP established hash table entries: 512 (order: 0, 4096 bytes)
TCP bind hash table entries: 512 (order: -1, 2048 bytes)
TCP: Hash tables configured (established 512 bind 512)
TCP reno registered
NET: Registered protocol family 1
audit: initializing netlink socket (disabled)
type=2000 audit(0.238:1): initialized
squashfs: version 4.0 (2009/01/31) Phillip Lougher
Registering mini_fo version $Id$
JFFS2 version 2.2. (NAND) (SUMMARY)  © 2001-2006 Red Hat, Inc.
msgmni has been set to 25
io scheduler noop registered
io scheduler deadline registered (default)
gpiodev: gpio device registered with major 254
gpiodev: gpio platform device registered with access mask FFFFFFFF
bcm63xx_uart.0: ttyS0 at MMIO 0xfffe0300 (irq = 10) is a bcm63xx_uart
console [ttyS0] enabled, bootconsole disabled
console [ttyS0] enabled, bootconsole disabled
bcm963xx_flash: 0x00400000 at 0x1fc00000
bcm963xx: Found 1 x16 devices at 0x0 in 16-bit bank
 Amd/Fujitsu Extended Query Table at 0x0040
number of CFI chips: 1
cfi_cmdset_0002: Disabling erase-suspend-program due to code brokenness.
bcm963xx_flash: Read Signature value of CFE1CFE1
bcm963xx_flash: CFE bootloader detected
bcm963xx_flash: CFE boot tag found with version 6 and board type 96348GW
bcm963xx_flash: Partition 0 is CFE offset 0 and length 10000
bcm963xx_flash: Partition 1 is kernel offset 10100 and length dff00
bcm963xx_flash: Partition 2 is rootfs offset f0000 and length 300000
bcm963xx_flash: Partition 3 is nvram offset 3f0000 and length 10000
bcm963xx_flash: Partition 4 is linux offset 10000 and length 3e0000
bcm963xx_flash: Spare partition is 2a0000 offset and length 150000
Creating 5 MTD partitions on "bcm963xx":
0x000000000000-0x000000010000 : "CFE"
0x000000010100-0x0000000f0000 : "kernel"
mtd: partition "kernel" must either start or end on erase block boundary or be smaller than an erase block -- forcing read-only
0x0000000f0000-0x0000003f0000 : "rootfs"
mtd: partition "rootfs" set to be root filesystem
mtd: partition "rootfs_data" created automatically, ofs=2A0000, len=150000
0x0000002a0000-0x0000003f0000 : "rootfs_data"
0x0000003f0000-0x000000400000 : "nvram"
0x000000010000-0x0000003f0000 : "linux"
bcm63xx_enet MII bus: probed
bcm63xx_wdt started, timer margin: 30 sec
Registered led device: adsl-fail
Registered led device: ppp
Registered led device: ppp-fail
Registered led device: power
Registered led device: stop
TCP westwood registered
NET: Registered protocol family 17
802.1Q VLAN Support v1.8 Ben Greear <greearb@candelatech.com>
All bugs added by David S. Miller <davem@redhat.com>
VFS: Mounted root (squashfs filesystem) readonly on device 31:2.
Freeing unused kernel memory: 140k freed
Please be patient, while OpenWrt loads ...
- preinit -
Press the [f] key and hit [enter] to enter failsafe mode
- regular preinit -
switching to jffs2
mini_fo: using base directory: /
mini_fo: using storage directory: /overlay
- init -

Please press Enter to activate this console. bcm63xx_enet bcm63xx_enet.0: attached PHY at address 1 [Broadcom BCM63XX (1)]
eth1: link forced UP - 100/full - flow control off/off
device eth1 entered promiscuous mode
br-lan: port 1(eth1) entering forwarding state
Compat-wireless backport release: compat-wireless-2010-07-13-4-g04898a5
Backport based on wireless-2.6.git v2.6.35-rc6-48432-gdce358e
cfg80211: Calling CRDA to update world regulatory domain
roboswitch: Probing device eth0: Failed to enable switch
roboswitch: Probing device eth1: found a 5325! It's a 5350.
cfg80211: World regulatory domain updated:
    (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp)
    (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
    (2457000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
    (2474000 KHz - 2494000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
    (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
    (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Broadcom 43xx driver loaded [ Features: PL, Firmware-ID: FW13 ]
PPP generic driver version 2.4.2
ip_tables: (C) 2000-2006 Netfilter Core Team
NET: Registered protocol family 24
nf_conntrack version 0.5.0 (209 buckets, 836 max)
CONFIG_NF_CT_ACCT is deprecated and will be removed soon. Please use
nf_conntrack.acct=1 kernel parameter, acct=1 nf_conntrack module option or
sysctl net.netfilter.nf_conntrack_acct=1 to enable it.



BusyBox v1.15.3 (2010-07-11 15:57:41 PDT) built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.

  _______                     ________        __
 |       |.-----.-----.-----.|  |  |  |.----.|  |_
 |   -   ||  _  |  -__|     ||  |  |  ||   _||   _|
 |_______||   __|_____|__|__||________||__|  |____|
          |__| W I R E L E S S   F R E E D O M
 Backfire (10.03.1-rc1, r22556) --------------------
  * 1/3 shot Kahlua    In a shot glass, layer Kahlua
  * 1/3 shot Bailey's  on the bottom, then Bailey's,
  * 1/3 shot Vodka     then Vodka.
 ---------------------------------------------------
root@OpenWrt:/#

EDIT: Forgot to mention, the wifi works fine when running stock Netgear or DGTeam firmware.

(Last edited by bobMuk on 24 Aug 2010, 20:05)

Post #2
bobMuk
25 Aug 2010, 13:08

If nobody has any specific knowledge of the DG834GT, does anyone have any general pointers as to what I should be looking for?

Any help would be appreciated!

Post #3
bulanula
1 Feb 2011, 01:40

LOL, it does not work for me either with same router !

Post #4
yawlhoo
1 Feb 2011, 01:56

Maybe you need to install some packages?

Post #5
bulanula
1 Feb 2011, 16:56

Sure, like what ???

Post #6
yawlhoo
1 Feb 2011, 17:40

Well, it's gonna be difficult to say.  The trunk images I install for my Dockstar are very bare of functionality, and I don't get wireless going until I get a hell of lot of packages aboard.  Looking at the list for the dockstar which has working wireless I see packages crda, iw,  libiwinfo, wireless-tools, etc. etc.  The question is, how much of this is compiled into the DG834GT base image you installed.

Post #7
bulanula
1 Feb 2011, 20:48

Yes, that sounds like a very plausible scenario, yawlhoo. So, you suggest I see which of the above packages are installed ?

(Last edited by bulanula on 1 Feb 2011, 20:48)

Post #8
yawlhoo
1 Feb 2011, 23:03

More or less.  For example, I can see that the packages directory:

http://downloads.openwrt.org/backfire/1 … /packages/

has, for example,

iw_0.9.19-1_brcm63xx.ipk
wireless-tools_29-4_brcm63xx.ipk

etc., suggesting that these aren't part of the image.  But then I am not sure of this, since I don't run this router myself.

Post #9
fyi
2 Feb 2011, 12:50

Netgear DG834GT - OpenWrt Wiki

Wireless: Atheros AR2414 MiniPCI (802.11bg)

I think you should install ath5k (AR5005GS/AR2414) driver.

Post #10
bulanula
2 Feb 2011, 19:08

fyi,

Should that not be installed by default ???

When I do "lsmod" I strangely get the b43 driver but this router has the Atheros card so it is very confusing. I always assumed that the wireless driver was already included in the firmware. fyi, do you have a DG834GT as well as I saw you on another DG834GT thread etc.

Post #11
kms
2 Feb 2011, 19:20

Hi,

I got my DG834GT wireless working yesterday with latest trunk

I set the Target System to Broadcom BCM63xx and  Target Profile  to  (Atheros WiFi (default)

once the image is flashed into the  DG834GT I logged in on serial port and did . . .

# vi /etc/config/wireless and comment out the line

option disabled 1

Rebooted and tried

# iwlist scan

All working ok and also  I can connect two PC's to the new wan "Openwrt" and ping between them. My only problem at the moment is that I can't get the ethernet working yet

Post #13
kms
3 Feb 2011, 01:44

I had no luck with any of those pre-compiled images  they always gave me the following kernel panic

VFS: Cannot open root device "mtdblock2" or unknown-block(0,0)
Please append a correct "root=" boot option; here are the available partitions:
Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(0,0)

Try using my image here if you like, it works for me.

http://ibiza.to/openwrt-DG834GT_DG834PN … fs-cfe.bin

Just tftp it to the DG834GT , boot it and vi /etc/conf/wireless so it reads

-----------------------------------------------------
config wifi-device  wifi0
        option type     atheros
        option channel  auto

        # REMOVE THIS LINE TO ENABLE WIFI:
        #option disabled 1

config wifi-iface
        option device   wifi0
        option network  lan
        option mode     ap
        option ssid     OpenWrt
        option encryption none
----------------------------------------------------

reboot and you should have wifi working

Hope this is of help.

Post #14
bulanula
3 Feb 2011, 19:34

Very good to know kms !

However I am unsure about TFTP as I am using NFTP and have not seen mention of TFTP anywhere concerning the DG834GT. I know how to put it in recovery mode where the lights flash alternatively. Is there a way to enable TFTP firmware flash like on the Linksys that I do not know of ???

THANKS !

Post #15
kms
3 Feb 2011, 22:20

You can probably load my image in the same way as you have been loading the pre-built ones.  Using Recovery mode and the Netgear firmware recovery tool didn't work for me.


To use tftp you need to run flashimage which is a CFE console comand which will retrieve and flash an  image from a tftp server.

1. wire up the serial port via a level shifter and connect to a terminal emulator (115200 8N1)
2. boot the router and (very) quickly press enter to get yourself a CFE> prompt
3.  CFE> flashimage 192.168.1.253:openwrt-DG834GT_DG834PN-squashfs-cfe.bin  (where 192.168.1.253 is running a tftp server)

It's all at http://wiki.openwrt.org/oldwiki/OpenWrt … ar/DG834GT

Post #16
bulanula
4 Feb 2011, 20:06

OK, good to know, kms !

Thanks for the information.

Post #17
pepar
21 Mar 2011, 03:18

Thank you guys for this thread.

Did you get EVERYTHING (modem included) working?

I am planning on putting Backfire on my DG834GT in a couple of weeks (please see https://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php … 15#p131215 )

kms: did you get ethernet working? Does 'everything' work w. the SVN version?
bulanula: thanks for updating the wiki. Are you using the Netgear kernel because of the modem? What about nftp (vs. available tftp)?
I have the FRench version of the device, are you aware of any problems/differences?

TIA
L8r, PEP

(Last edited by pepar on 21 Mar 2011, 03:23)

Post #18
bulanula
21 Mar 2011, 16:44

ADSL does not work.

Post #19
kms
22 Mar 2011, 20:19

Pepar - No I've not revisited the problem since my last post here. Wifi fine but still no Ethernet. I hope to be taking another look at the problem this week, will post any findings here.

Post #20
bulanula
23 Mar 2011, 21:09

To be honest, I do not really use the wireless or the modem on my DG834GT, so OpenWRT is just fine for me. The only bad thing is that the roboswitch is not programmable for things like VLANs etc.

Post #21
nookbg
31 Mar 2011, 23:19

all work with openwrt-96348GW-generic-squashfs-cfe.bin /http://downloads.openwrt.org/backfire/10.03.1-rc4/brcm63xx/openwrt-96348GW-generic-squashfs-cfe.bin/    you have to download MAD WIFI pack from kmod-madwifi_2.6.32.25+r3314-4_brcm63xx.ipk   /http://downloads.openwrt.org/backfire/10.03.1-rc4/brcm63xx/packages/kmod-madwifi_2.6.32.25+r3314-4_brcm63xx.ipk  /
for /etc/config/wifi

config wifi-device  wifi0
        option type     atheros
        option channel  auto

        # REMOVE THIS LINE TO ENABLE WIFI:
        #option disabled 1

config wifi-iface
        option device   wifi0
        option network  lan
        option mode     ap
        option ssid     OpenWrt
        option encryption none


for NETWORK

config 'switch' 'eth0'
        option 'vlan0' '1 2 3 4 5*'
        option 'vlan1' '0 5'

config 'interface' 'loopback'
        option 'ifname' 'lo'
        option 'proto' 'static'
        option 'ipaddr' '127.0.0.1'
        option 'netmask' '255.0.0.0'

config 'interface' 'lan'
        option 'type' 'bridge'
        option 'ifname' 'eth1'
        option 'proto' 'static'
        option 'netmask' '255.255.255.0'
        option 'nat' '1'
        option 'ipaddr' '192.168.0.10'
        option 'dns' ''
        option 'gateway' '192.168.0.254'

config 'interface' 'wan'
        option 'ifname' 'eth0'

http://vavilon.net/images/Image1.jpg
led for wifi is ppp
Best Regards

(Last edited by nookbg on 1 Apr 2011, 02:30)

Post #22
bulanula
1 Apr 2011, 19:28

Thank you for this VERY useful information !

Post #23
mrmustermann
10 Apr 2011, 10:41

I also tried installing Backfire on the router, but i only can access it via serial console or LUCI, not with telnet. any ideas on how to solve this problem?
And my wifi config file is also empty hmm

(Last edited by mrmustermann on 10 Apr 2011, 11:41)

Post #24
bulanula
11 Apr 2011, 15:34

That is what happened to me as well, mrmustermann.
I just left it like this.

Post #25
mrmustermann
11 Apr 2011, 17:31

Mh, but there has to be a solution! I followed the instructions on the wiki site. Did you try kms's image?