Hello all,

I'm new to OpenWrt and am thinking of purchasing this T-Link TL-WR703N clone with OpenWrt pre-installed:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TL-WR703N-Clone … 0962262634

How easy would it be to create a custom webpage on this with web-cam support?

Thanks.

(Last edited by Wire_Free on 2 Dec 2012, 17:05)

It is a total rip-off!

This is not a clone, it is a TL-WR703N clone PCB only, modified to get serial console access (you see the glued connector on top side?).

It looks like you don't have the plastic case any more, nor the packaging

If you are looking for a plug&play solution and are willing to pay $15 for that, then go for it!

But if you want to save this money (for buying a camera?) and learn something, I suggest first that you search in this forum and the related Wiki: everything is explained, and there are helpful people around!

(Last edited by Squonk on 2 Dec 2012, 18:40)

I can't believe that some party really clone that cheap router !
If they put 64MB flashrom and 128MB ram in it, that maybe worth.

This router only cost US$25 in my location.

There is no hint on any memory upgrade

If you look at the PCB picture, there is no "TP-Link" logo on bottom side, no "CA-F121" + 7-seg datecode in the antenna corner on top side, and the LED is TH... So not a genuine TP-Link!

I am aware of at least these 2:

Mercury MW151RM3G

http://www.ebay.com/itm/itm/290824539715

FAST fwr171-3G

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ITM/290816894991

Everything is possible in China

those are 703n clone, but they claim that it is "re-branded" mr3020,
bcoz it is using mr3020 tplink firmware.
awesome !

I was sure you'd appreciate it

I won't bet on their RoHS/CE/FCC compliance, though!

(Last edited by Squonk on 2 Dec 2012, 20:40)

The reason why I thought the clone exposed board hardware would be appropriate for a first OpenWrt project is because, it's cheap, has OpenWrt pre-installed, the serial interface is accessible and would generally be easy for modding.

Are you suggesting I purchase an original TP-Link TL-WR703N instead?  Would it be more tricky to break-out serial connections?  As a beginner, am I likely to face difficulties with installing OpenWrt?

Where exactly can I find information on creating custom web-pages with embedded web-cam footage on OpenWrt?

Thanks.

(Last edited by Wire_Free on 3 Dec 2012, 23:32)

It all depends on your goal: if you just want to have quickly a camera streaming setup, this would be the easiest solution.

But if you actually want to learn how to do it the hard way, then buying the original and making it yourself is far more rewarding.

As for where to find information, the Wiki is generally a good place to start, then you have to skim the forums, where people already discussed how to set up a camera for streaming.

Regarding the custom web-pages, the entry point much depends on your previous knowledge: if you already know about web  technique (HTML, Javascript), then it is pretty straightforward for simple pages.

For more sophisticated pages involving partial refresh and interactivity and if you know nothing about it yet, try learning about Ajax and study the contents of HTTP headers.

Now, if you want to provide router-side dynamically generated contents, you will have to learn CGI and the language used to generate the dynamic pages on the router:.

If you are using LuCI, then this is Lua, and a good start point is on the corresponding http://www.lua.org web site, where you will find a lot of tutorials.

For LuCI itself, it will be interesting to look at the materials provided at http://luci.subsignal.org/trac, and to study the existing LuCI code itself.

Thanks for your in-depth reply Squonk.  It seems as though I have a lot of reading to do!  I only have C coding experience no server/scripting experience at all.

As you say, I may go for an original TP-Link TL-WR703N however, I'm a abit dubious about the ones on eBay which are shipped from Hong Kong and China?  Some come with dd-wrt preinstalled.

It's good to see a forum like this where members are willing to help!

(Last edited by Wire_Free on 5 Dec 2012, 15:16)

Wire_Free,
I have got one from Hong Kong and 3 from China (all with original Chinese firmware). It can take a while (3 weeks to UK), but the price is right.
Go with original firmware, as flashing from that is well documented and easy.

As Rob said, it can take a while to get one from China/HK, but you can't find them anywhere else, as the TL-WR703N is for the Chinese market only (NOT RoHS/CE/FCC compliant).

This is not the case of the (non-working with OpenWrt because of the small memory capacities) TL-WR702N, and the slightly larger and 2x more expensive TL-MR3020 (supported by OpenWrt).

Make sure when you flash it to use the "squashfs-factory" image, NOT the "jffs2-factory" of "*-sysupgrade": this way, you always have a "failsafe" available in case you screw up your network config, as long as you don't install images from some unknown website.

I am no longer selling these routers on eBay. Please visit my new store/blog at
http://scwks.blogspot.com
with updated info on different firmwares and upgrade methods.
To answer Wire_Free's questions: Madox made an OpenWrt based firmware with webcam support. You can put that firmware on any of the WR703N clones.