Version: v2.97 (20120130)
Author: RouterTech Development Team (thechief)
Other contributor(s): mstombs
Testers: Various RT staff & forum members
Category: Router Firmware
Compatible Routers
A list of compatible routers is available in our knowledge base, and also in this user-supplied compatibility information. Please check all the compatibility information before even contemplating an upgrade and remember you should always ask in our forum if unsure. Also see the section below on backing up and compatibility.
Disclaimer & Warning
1. Flashing custom firmwares onto a router is not for novices, as the process may well "brick" the router.
2. You must not flash this firmware onto your router unless you are very familiar with the PC-Tool (or similar) and are competent in using it to un-brick a router.
3. Please take this warning very seriously. If you are not adept at recovering bricked routers, and if you are not familiar with the PC-Tool, then do not install this firmware!
4. Do not even consider installing this firmware without first reading all the documentation supplied with the firmware. If you fail to observe this, then you are entirely on your own.
5. Do not even consider installing this firmware without first running the Router Upgrade Checker (RUC) and following whatever counsel it gives. If you fail to observe this, then you are entirely on your own.
6. Do not even consider installing this firmware unless you have first backed up your router's bootloader environment (i.e., /proc/ticfg/env) to your hard disk. If you fail to observe this, then you are entirely on your own.
Backing up & Compatibility
For ease we recommend you run the Router Upgrade Checker - this will backup your environment, LED config, current config, default config, generate a recovery script for the bootloader environment, and tell you if your router is suitable for this firmware.
Upgrading
Before upgrading you must backup your router config as detailed above and reset to factory defaults.
Please remember to run the Router Upgrade Check BEFORE you upgrade!
If you choose to upgrade via the router's web interface, then you MUST observe the following
- First reset the router to factory defaults before trying to install this firmware.
- When upgrading via the web interface, (particularly for the 1350A wireless firmware) you must wait for at least 7 minutes for the new firmware to establish itself. Do not do anything to the router for at least 7 minutes from the moment the upgrade process starts, and do not interrupt the upgrade process.
- Once your router has been upgraded and be seen to be working you must reset to factory defaults again
The Router Upgrade Checker as described in the backup and compatibility section above can backup your LED config - if you use the Router Upgrade Checker then you can double-check the output by looking in the check*.txt file for data after the "/etc /led.conf" line.
Comprehensive Documentation and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While full documentation is included with every release of our firmware we have also made it available as a separate download below so you can take time to read it before even needing to download a firmware. The router upgrade and firmware FAQs are also hosted online HERE. We recommend you do this as it will give you a chance to properly familiarise yourself with the process and get every angle covered etc.
PC-Tool and repairing / unbricking
Please see this forum topic
Files
Assuming your router is compatible, you just need to download the release that matches your router - if you have wireless and the Adam2 bootloader then you would download "Standard Wireless (Adam2 bootloader)".
Changelog
1. Busybox has been upgraded to v1.19.3.
2. New script: wifi - to start/restart or stop the wireless AP (use with care on 1350A routers; after turning off, you may need to reboot to restart the AP); run with no parameter to see the syntax
3. New script: showmacs.sh - displays all the router's stored MAC addresses
4. Fixed a long-standing bug with WDS "repeater" mode (1350A wireless routers)
5. New script: wds.sh - to setup WDS on a 1350A wireless router; run with no parameter to see the syntax
6. Bug fixes in some scripts (e.g., check_ddns.sh)
7. Some other enhancements
8. Better rationalisation of the documentation, and removal of duplications - scripts and environment variables are listed in features.html; utilities are listed in rt_commands.html
9. New script: minix.sh - an easy way to create a new minix partition (this is just a shell to makemtd.sh)
10. New script: cmd - a command-line shell to cm_cli_ex, to run configuration commands or retrieve configuration values via cm_cli_ex. Pass the script the parameters that you would normally pass to cm_cli_ex, without the need for using echoes and pipes - e.g. cmd "lan0:static:settings/ip" (will show the LAN ip address stored in the router's configuration section - this is functionally equivalent to running the command: echo "lan0:static:/settings/ip" | cm_cli_ex - but with the added advantage that the script will run some useful checks while running)
11. More links from the firmware's web configuration "Help" menu to RouterTech online documentation
12. Changes to adblock.sh and adblock_multi.sh - the arguments "medium" and "xlarge" are no longer supported. This is due to issues with the relevant online lists
Historic Changelog
firmware-faq/history.html
The differences between the standard and the "Lite" versions of the firmware
firmware-faq/#lite
Downloading
The links to our firmware require you to be registered and logged into the site to see and use them. This is to make sure we can provide you with support easily (in this forum) if you need it. When logged in they appear below this post.
Sourcecode
Now also available to download via the forum when logged in
Cross-compiler toolchains for building the firmware from source code
Now also available to download via the forum when logged in.
NOTE: There is no support for compiling the source code. WE WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE CROSS-COMPILER TOOLCHAINS, OR COMPILING THE SOURCE CODE.
BE SURE TO READ ALL THE DOCUMENTATION IN THE FIRMWARE DOWNLOADS BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING WITH THIS FIRMWARE. Otherwise, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.