Openwrt Router Firmware

[xiaofan]

XCG 11.11 China WiFi router recommendation from XCG.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...z-band-support.6905228/page-90#post-157618382

He includes two Asus China WiFi 6 routers (TUF-AX6000 and TUF-AX4200Q) in the recommendation, both are based on MediaTek Filogic 830 chipset and both are supported by OpenWRT.

Xiaomi AX3000T MediaTek version (not Qualcomm version) is using MediaTek Filogic 820 chipset and it is suppoted by OpenWRT. Netcore N60 is using MediaTek Filogic 830 chipset and it is also supported by OpenWRT.

 

[hwzlite]

Interesting tipbits on MediaTek recently posted a patch on TSMC process "silicon quality" score to OCD about the lower the number, the higher the quality of the chip :

MediaTek recently posted a patch on their feed. The patch is disguised as “cpu freq scaling support”. What it actually does is read calibration data from the silicon (MT7988A in this case), and adjust the operating voltage from nominal values defined in DTS.

The scheme of calibration data is a single scalar so far but could evolve into a sophisticated voltage curve in future models of their SoCs.

Although the software feature is only added recently, the calibration data was burned into your MT7988A from the very beginning of the manufacturing. What’s interesting in a way this data in my opinion is a proxy to silicon quality of your copy of MT7988A.

[ 3.713540] mtk_cpufreq_nvmem_volt_corr: read vbinning value: 6

My educated guess for the range of value in theory can go from 0 to 270 for MT7988A. But TSMC process is very good. In practice, likely max 50.

The lower the value the higher your silicon quality. I believe all people perhaps get a number between 0 and high teens, just because TSMC is so good these days.

Thinking about MTK is getting more sophisticated everyday and the SoC is sitting right inside your BPI-R4. Perhaps it makes you more joyful with its daily use (?)

Have fun.

 

[GlassDoor]

Interesting tipbits on MediaTek recently posted a patch on TSMC process "silicon quality" score to OCD about the lower the number, the higher the quality of the chip :

Saw the patch on mtk sdk kernel 6.12 main tree. Not shifted to 6.12 yet still on 6.6 for my own custom build images.
But I have been running MT7988A at 2.2GHz (stock is 1.8GHz in the dts) without changing/increasing voltages for the last year And it has been rock stable with no significant increase in heat and power draw.

 

[BBCWatcher]

The OpenWrt community has released OpenWrt 24.10.4. See the changelog for full details.

 

[xiaofan]

I remember this Banana Pi R4 Pro was already available for quite some time. Or maybe this news report from cnx-software is the official global release?

https://www.cnx-software.com/2025/1...ges-6x-10gbe-2-5gbe-gbe-ports-wifi-7-support/

Banana Pi BPI-R4 Pro specifications:

• SoC – MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) quad-core Arm Corex-A73 processor @ 1.8GHz with AI-powered packet accelerator called TOPS (Tunnel Offload Processor System)
• System Memory – 8GB DDR4
• Storage
  • 8GB eMMC flash
  • 256MB SPI NAND Flash
  • MicroSD card slot
  • 2x M.2 Key-M sockets for NVMe SSDs (see Expansion section for details)
• Networking
  • 2x 10GbE SFP+ cages multiplexed with adjacent 10GbE RJ45 jacks. Implemented through Aeonsemi AS21010P controllers
  • 4x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet RJ45 ports; note: MaxLinear MxL86252C switch used
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
  • Gigabit Ethernet via FPC connector (Note: connector 30 in photos below)
• USB – USB 3.2 port, USB 2.0 port

 

[GlassDoor]

I remember this Banana Pi R4 Pro was already available for quite some time. Or maybe this news report from cnx-software is the official global release?

https://www.cnx-software.com/2025/1...ges-6x-10gbe-2-5gbe-gbe-ports-wifi-7-support/

Banana Pi BPI-R4 Pro specifications:

• SoC – MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) quad-core Arm Corex-A73 processor @ 1.8GHz with AI-powered packet accelerator called TOPS (Tunnel Offload Processor System)
• System Memory – 8GB DDR4
• Storage
  • 8GB eMMC flash
  • 256MB SPI NAND Flash
  • MicroSD card slot
  • 2x M.2 Key-M sockets for NVMe SSDs (see Expansion section for details)
• Networking
  • 2x 10GbE SFP+ cages multiplexed with adjacent 10GbE RJ45 jacks. Implemented through Aeonsemi AS21010P controllers
  • 4x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet RJ45 ports; note: MaxLinear MxL86252C switch used
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
  • Gigabit Ethernet via FPC connector (Note: connector 30 in photos below)
• USB – USB 3.2 port, USB 2.0 port

i think it a simple case of outdated news.
bpi-r4 pro patches for mtk-sdk which can be applied directly to 24.10 was available months ago.
It also get included in the kernel 6.12 kernel patches as well.

 

[TanKianW]

I remember this Banana Pi R4 Pro was already available for quite some time. Or maybe this news report from cnx-software is the official global release?

https://www.cnx-software.com/2025/1...ges-6x-10gbe-2-5gbe-gbe-ports-wifi-7-support/

Banana Pi BPI-R4 Pro specifications:

• SoC – MediaTek MT7988A (Filogic 880) quad-core Arm Corex-A73 processor @ 1.8GHz with AI-powered packet accelerator called TOPS (Tunnel Offload Processor System)
• System Memory – 8GB DDR4
• Storage
  • 8GB eMMC flash
  • 256MB SPI NAND Flash
  • MicroSD card slot
  • 2x M.2 Key-M sockets for NVMe SSDs (see Expansion section for details)
• Networking
  • 2x 10GbE SFP+ cages multiplexed with adjacent 10GbE RJ45 jacks. Implemented through Aeonsemi AS21010P controllers
  • 4x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet RJ45 ports; note: MaxLinear MxL86252C switch used
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
  • Gigabit Ethernet via FPC connector (Note: connector 30 in photos below)
• USB – USB 3.2 port, USB 2.0 port

You are right. Earlier releases was only available to selected beta testers from bpi. It is only recently that it is available for pre-order.

If you only need a router w/o the wifi 7, it works. But if you need WiFi7, the BE14 WiFi7 add-on card is a disappointment. I expect better wifi with the upcoming OpenWRT Two made by Gl.iNet.​

 

[BBCWatcher]

OpenWrt 24.10.5 is now available. This release adds support for the ASUS TUF-AX4200Q, the Cudy WR3000P (v1), and several other devices. It includes a security fix, although this security issue doesn't seem to be too serious.

 

[BBCWatcher]

The OpenWrt community is working hard to support the Quantum Fiber W1700K, a.k.a. Gemtek MX-W1700K. You can buy these devices for about US$40 on eBay or US$77 on Amazon.com (and then ship them to Singapore via ezShip). It's a Wi-Fi 7 access point, and it may work that way for you using stock firmware. (The stock firmware is technically OpenWrt-based, but this device is from a U.S. ISP and managed by them ordinarily. You may not be able to configure the stock firmware in a usable way.) However, the OpenWrt community is trying to get full, mainline OpenWrt working so that it can be a wireless router. A snapshot OpenWrt build is available. It's not yet in mainline OpenWrt, but as of October the snapshot build started becoming useful.

Here are the basic hardware specifications:

• two 10GBASE-T Ethernet ports
• two 1000BASE-T Ethernet ports
• tri-band Wi-Fi 7
• support for Bluetooth, Matter, Zigbee, and GPS(*)
• Mediatek-based processor and wireless
• 2GB RAM, 512MB flash
• U.S. power supply (obviously), although there are reports it works fine at 220-240 volts/50 Hz with a simple plug adapter

At this bargain price you might want to try one or a couple!

(*) Incredibly, GPS is working in the OpenWrt snapshot build. GPS can be useful to obtain the current time. The other features listed in this bullet are not yet working, and they evidently aren't supported by the stock firmware. But they are available in the hardware, waiting to be tapped.

 

[GlassDoor]

The OpenWrt community is working hard to support the Quantum Fiber W1700K, a.k.a. Gemtek MX-W1700K. You can buy these devices for about US$40 on eBay or US$77 on Amazon.com (and then ship them to Singapore via ezShip). It's a Wi-Fi 7 access point, and it may work that way for you using stock firmware. (The stock firmware is technically OpenWrt-based, but this device is from a U.S. ISP and managed by them ordinarily. You may not be able to configure the stock firmware in a usable way.) However, the OpenWrt community is trying to get full, mainline OpenWrt working so that it can be a wireless router. A snapshot OpenWrt build is available. It's not yet in mainline OpenWrt, but as of October the snapshot build started becoming useful.

Here are the basic hardware specifications:

• two 10GBASE-T Ethernet ports
• two 1000BASE-T Ethernet ports
• tri-band Wi-Fi 7
• support for Bluetooth, Matter, Zigbee, and GPS(*)
• Mediatek-based processor and wireless
• 2GB RAM, 512MB flash
• U.S. power supply (obviously), although there are reports it works fine at 220-240 volts/50 Hz with a simple plug adapter

At this bargain price you might want to try one or a couple!

(*) Incredibly, GPS is working in the OpenWrt snapshot build. GPS can be useful to obtain the current time. The other features listed in this bullet are not yet working, and they evidently aren't supported by the stock firmware. But they are available in the hardware, waiting to be tapped.

you using one already? good catch. it was not on my radar.
just got 2 units on the way. amazon sg ships door to door now.
i had a quick look at progress thus far. seems all working well even wired acceleration from the NPU. current development seems to be on applying NPU on the wireless offload which isn't that important to me. will be using it as AP so the wireless can use all the cpu it wants. Also if the NPU offload is remotely similar to WED offload on mediatek processors, the WED offload actually increases latency a fair bit.
going to spin up my own test builds these two days before the units arrive.

 

[BBCWatcher]

you using one already?

No. I don't currently need any networking equipment.

....going to spin up my own test builds these two days before the units arrive.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[GlassDoor]

No. I don't currently need any networking equipment.

i also don't NEED but backside itchy and it's a good opportunity to migrate entire household to BE from AX.
And at around 110SGD after discount for a tri-band be device based on Airoha AN7581 + Mediatek filogic 680 wireless frontend is a no brainer.

 

[BBCWatcher]

i also don't NEED but backside itchy and it's a good opportunity to migrate entire household to BE from AX.
And at around 110SGD after discount for a tri-band be device based on Airoha AN7581 + Mediatek filogic 680 wireless frontend is a no brainer.

There's a little bit of risk since competent OpenWrt builds are still fresh, but it certainly appears to be a tremendous value if you're looking for a Wi-Fi 7 router that runs OpenWrt. Other people seem to agree: the eBay listings appear to be sold out now. However, tamdo.us still has open box Quantum W1700K units listed for US$58 each (including free shipping to ezShip's warehouse in Oregon). That'll probably work out to roughly S$92 per unit delivered (after ezShip and GST). Tamdo appears to be reputable as far as I can tell, and they accept Google Pay which is helpful.

 

[GlassDoor]

There's a little bit of risk since competent OpenWrt builds are still fresh, but it certainly appears to be a tremendous value if you're looking for a Wi-Fi 7 router that runs OpenWrt. Other people seem to agree: the eBay listings appear to be sold out now. However, tamdo.us still has open box Quantum W1700K units listed for US$58 each (including free shipping to ezShip's warehouse in Oregon). That'll probably work out to roughly S$92 per unit delivered (after ezShip and GST). Tamdo appears to be reputable as far as I can tell, and they accept Google Pay which is helpful.

the caveat is don't expect it to work plug and play. the fact that you need to open the box to access the serial console say just as much.
there are a few builds to reference on which is a good start and there is a PR for adding openwrt support to the device. but as my normal habit, I always ends up as doing a custom build with custom patches off the mainline tree.

I saw some on ebay for like 30+usd. but i must admit I didn't do an extensive search. wasn't looking for absolute rock bottom price but good value for money... and amazon sg's 110 did that for me.

Alternately people could just splash out 1K for those fancy asus raptor whatever... but where's the fun in that?

 

[BBCWatcher]

the caveat is don't expect it to work plug and play. the fact that you need to open the box to access the serial console say just as much.

Yes, currently (at least) you need:

• a Torx T10 screwdriver (that's not too short) to remove one screw
• a spudger to carefully pry open about 10 plastic tabs
• a USB to TTL serial converter with 3 jumper cables for 3 pins (don't connect the VCC pin!)
• some sort of PC, Mac, or other laptop/desktop with an Ethernet port and USB port that you can use to "bootstrap" OpenWrt on the device
• reasonable technical expertise

However, you don't have to worry about preserving the stock firmware since it's only possibly relevant if you have Quantum's Internet service in the U.S.

I don't see any reports yet that anyone has managed to brick their W1700K. Hopefully it stays that way.

there are a few builds to reference on which is a good start and there is a PR for adding openwrt support to the device. but as my normal habit, I always ends up as doing a custom build with custom patches off the mainline tree.

It's not supported in OpenWrt 25.12.0-rc1, so I assume it'll also miss mainline 25.12.0 whenever that's released. But circa 25.12.1 seems realistic. In the meantime there are snapshot and custom build options.

 

[xiaofan]

OpenWRT 24.12.0-rc2 has been released. Looks like we are closer to get official 25.12.0 release. But usually I will wait a bit for things like 25.12.1 or 25.12.2.

BTW, for most users, you should not run RC version of OpenWRT.

https://forum.openwrt.org/t/openwrt-25-12-0-rc2-release-candidate/245014

Target changes
Extend realtek target with support for more switch SoCs like 10G Ethernet switches.
Extend qualcommax target with support for ipq50xx and ipq60xx SoCs.
Added siflower target for Siflower SF21A6826/SF21H8898 SoCs
Added sunxi/arm926ejs subtarget for Allwinner F1C100/200s SoCs

Many new devices added
OpenWrt 25.12 supports over 2180 devices. Support for over 160 new devices was added in addition to the device support by OpenWrt 24.10.

 

[xiaofan]

> Extend qualcommax target with support for ipq50xx and ipq60xx SoCs.

OpenWRT 24.10.5 only have IPQ807x for this target.
https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/24.10.5/targets/qualcommax/

OpenWRT 25.12 will have IPQ50xx and IPQ60xx target
https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/25.12.0-rc2/targets/qualcommax/

Some interesting ones.
Linksys MX2000
Linksys MX5500
Xiaomi AX6000
Linksys MR7350
Linksys MR7500
...

 

[nothinghere]

> Extend qualcommax target with support for ipq50xx and ipq60xx SoCs.

OpenWRT 24.10.5 only have IPQ807x for this target.
https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/24.10.5/targets/qualcommax/

OpenWRT 25.12 will have IPQ50xx and IPQ60xx target
https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/25.12.0-rc2/targets/qualcommax/

Some interesting ones.
Linksys MX2000
Linksys MX5500
Xiaomi AX6000
Linksys MR7350
Linksys MR7500
...

A lot of IPQ50xx targets have unusable WiFi with stock OpenWRT because they only have 256MB of RAM, and the ath11k WiFi requires minimum 512MB RAM. This applies for IPQ60xx and IPQ807x too, even with 512MB it also OOMs occasionally and requires restart to fix, so you can't run it for a week without restarting.

NSS build is required, but the NSS builds on the forum are only made for IPQ60xx and IPQ807x because IPQ50xx's NSS code is very different. This is because the IPQ50xx is an extremely stripped down SoC (dual A53 cores at 1Ghz) that is very reliant on NSS cores for the WiFi to function. Even as a pure router without wireless, the dual A53 cores are very weak.

 

[xiaofan]

OpenWRT NSS build, for IPQ807x and IPQ60xx

https://forum.openwrt.org/t/qualcommax-nss-build/148529
https://github.com/qosmio/openwrt-ipq

 

[xiaofan]

1. GL.iNET vendor firmware version

You can see it uses a mix of QSDK, MediaTek SDK and native OpenWRT.

https://www.gl-inet.com/support/firmware-versions/

2. Official OpenWRT firmware for supported GL.iNET routers

https://openwrt.org/toh/hwdata/gl.inet/start