Custom firmware build for R9000

[Voxel]

The drop outs I've seen were on the latest stock firmware and it seemed to occur at a pretty decent distant from the router (2 floors difference) and when the family is all on their devices from that room. It may have to do with load.

I'm also using the same SSID for both 2.4 and 5 ghz, so that could be part of the issue as well. But when I open up the status window, I can tell the radios have actually went down and restarted. It's strange. I never had this issue at all with the R7000. It was pretty rock solid, even from a much greater distance.

I know that problem with a stock firmware. But I had in my mind my build 1.0.4.4HF-HW. According to my tests and tests of others it has no dropouts. At least 52 hours ;-)

Voxel.

 

[dafergu2]

Voxel,

It looks like they reset again (I have your latest installed). I'll keep my eye on them, but this is even on a low load. The main systems I use for work are using eth0 directly, so I didn't even notice the reset. No one else is at the house to put load on the system either.

I do have a TV with chrome cast integrated in it and I read about them doing bad things to networks while in sleep mode. Think that could be the culprit? At the very least, though, it shouldn't cause the radios to reset and not on both bands right?

Anything I can do to help debug?

 

[Voxel]

I do have a TV with chrome cast integrated in it and I read about them doing bad things to networks while in sleep mode. Think that could be the culprit? At the very least, though, it shouldn't cause the radios to reset and not on both bands right?

I do not think that your TV could be the reason. Well. I do not know. Currently no dropouts with my R9000 (since it was enabled by schedule at 07:00am). I am not sure. If there are such problems IMO it is inside QCA firmware. I do not think you (or me) can debug it. It is proprietary firmware w/o sources etc....

Voxel.

 

[Phoenix]

I see different versions like HF or HF-HW

How do I know which one I need for my router?

 

[Voxel]

I see different versions like HF or HF-HW

How do I know which one I need for my router?

You can use any of them. HF-HW is recommended for users who intend to use OpenVPN.

Voxel.

 

[radioout]

I am looking forward to this firmware. But I can't seem to install it. I posted on the NG forum and I was told this would be the better place. I have also posted on MOR- I've been a member for years...

Anyways, when I try to install the R9000-V1.0.4.5HF-HW to my X10, it times out and the connection resets. Sometimes, it will partially upload, maybe 10% or so and then it drops. I've rebooted the X10 and my CM1000 modem. Any thoughts?

 

[kamoj]

Anyways, when I try to install the R9000-V1.0.4.5HF-HW to my X10, it times out and the connection resets. Sometimes, it will partially upload, maybe 10% or so and then it drops. I've rebooted the X10 and my CM1000 modem. Any thoughts?

Try another web-browser, and off the anti-virus.
(I take for granted you downloaded the file from Voxel download, and unzipped it without errors.)
What is your current firmware?

 

[radioout]

I've tried turning off AV/Firewall and using multiple browsers.

My current firmware is stock 1.0.4.2.

 

[kamoj]

I've tried turning off AV/Firewall and using multiple browsers.
My current firmware is stock 1.0.4.2.

Set the router in Router mode (Not AP or so).
Switch off the WiFi and Connect your computer with a cable directly to LAN port 1.
Disconnect WAN (cable to modem) and all other LAN and USB cables.
Then reset the R9000, logon and try again.
Also please take screen shots to show what you mean with "times out" and "connection resets" and ""it drops".

 

[Voxel]

Sometimes, it will partially upload, maybe 10% or so and then it drops.

I face something like this sometimes. It happens because of the browser cache. Try to clear the cache of the browser. Then close your browser and run it again and try to flash.

Voxel.

 

[radioout]

Thanks. I will try this. TBH, I never would have thought of that!

 

[saki2fifty]

I'm aware that you have not modified the Parental Controls function, so maybe this question can be answered, or not.

Just bought the R9000 and am about to set it up later on today. My current setup is the R7800/DDWRT with my clients dns pointing to my local PiHole DNS/ad filter server, with per device logging and i'd like to keep using it with the new router.

I want the stock functionality. I want Parental Controls. And I want to use my DNS Pihole server. Will the R9000 Parental Controls stop functioning (per device) if I redirect my DHCP clients to the PiHole for dns (pihole dnsmaq points back to the router)? Has anyone ever tried this or have suggestions on how to configure?

 

[Voxel]

And I want to use my DNS Pihole server. Will the R9000 Parental Controls stop functioning (per device) if I redirect my DHCP clients to the PiHole for dns (pihole dnsmaq points back to the router)?

I cannot say concretely, it is necessary to try and debug your environment.

Voxel.

 

[Fawad Lateef]

Hi @Voxel

I just got this R9000 router and wanted to play with custom firmware where I can have my own changes, application/programs and stuff added. I played with OpenWRT before for Linksys WRT3200ACM router and really confused about this router.

From where I can get the source-code for R9000? And I flashed your firmware and its still have Netgear Genie interface. So you got netgear firmware and modified it to run on R9000?

Thanks

 

[Voxel]

From where I can get the source-code for R9000?

My changes for R9000:

https://github.com/SVoxel/R9000

And I flashed your firmware and its still have Netgear Genie interface. So you got netgear firmware and modified it to run on R9000?

Yes. It is modified stock firmware. Many changes but GUI is rather original.

Voxel.

 

[Fawad Lateef]

My changes for R9000:

https://github.com/SVoxel/R9000



Yes. It is modified stock firmware. Many changes but GUI is rather original.

Voxel.

Thanks for replying @Voxel . Just few more questions:

I believe your above repo source is compilable like openwrt or you have some script to compile and setup environment?

From where you got R9000 Netgear source-code? Or its standard openwrt with reversed engineer things from you?

Thanks in advance

 

[Fawad Lateef]

Thanks for replying @Voxel . Just few more questions:

I believe your above repo source is compilable like openwrt or you have some script to compile and setup environment?

From where you got R9000 Netgear source-code? Or its standard openwrt with reversed engineer things from you?

Thanks in advance

I found the Netgear GPL code from here (https://kb.netgear.com/2649/NETGEAR-Open-Source-Code-for-Programmers-GPL) but really need your answer about compiling the sources and have a working image (ideally from your repo). So just need points about toolchain and how I can setup to get started compiling.

 

[Voxel]

Thanks for replying @Voxel . Just few more questions:

I believe your above repo source is compilable like openwrt or you have some script to compile and setup environment?

From where you got R9000 Netgear source-code? Or its standard openwrt with reversed engineer things from you?

Thanks in advance

Well, few questions but a bit long story.

My repo uses GPL source codes published by NETGEAR on NETGEAR site

https://kb.netgear.com/2649/NETGEAR-Open-Source-Code-for-Programmers-GPL

I’ve downloaded (yet in Feb 2017) GPL source codes of the stock firmware version 1.0.1.36. I did not have this R9000 unit yet , the last was sent me later in Jun 2017 by NETGEAR Guy (thanks to him). So I started to prepare my very first release using FULL source codes of 1.0.1.36 (start of my job was end of Feb 2017). I.e. changing what was already done by me for R7800 and using my own optimal compiler options and my toolchain.

But later (Mar 2017) NETGEAR has replaced ALL their GPL for R7500/R7800/R9000 (including even old releases) cutting off the key packages with e.g. binary QCA drivers, some kernel objects etc. I.e. currently if you even download 1.0.1.36 from NETGEAR site you will get such castrated version and after your compilation and flashing you will get brick instead of router. But I had original version with FULL sources so I used and use it for my builds (adding missed packages). Reason of such NETGEAR action is not clear to me, probably they very dislike my job.

On the other hand I do use GPL officially published by NETGEAR and legally downloaded from their public downloads. So I do not violate any laws and rules. But to avoid any problems my repo contains only packages I change and I do not publish the packages they cut off (BTW it is not so for R7800 because I’ve published FULL version before NETGEAR start to remove packages and it has no sense to remove these packages for me).

So no reverse engineering, I use GPL source codes officially downloaded in past from NETGEAR site, it is not standard OpenWRT, I perform compilation of source codes (using my version of toolchain and my host tools and my compiler options and my changes in updating packages).

Voxel.

 

[Fawad Lateef]

Well, few questions but a bit long story.

My repo uses GPL source codes published by NETGEAR on NETGEAR site

https://kb.netgear.com/2649/NETGEAR-Open-Source-Code-for-Programmers-GPL

I’ve downloaded (yet in Feb 2017) GPL source codes of the stock firmware version 1.0.1.36. I did not have this R9000 unit yet , the last was sent me later in Jun 2017 by NETGEAR Guy (thanks to him). So I started to prepare my very first release using FULL source codes of 1.0.1.36 (start of my job was end of Feb 2017). I.e. changing what was already done by me for R7800 and using my own optimal compiler options and my toolchain.

But later (Mar 2017) NETGEAR has replaced ALL their GPL for R7500/R7800/R9000 (including even old releases) cutting off the key packages with e.g. binary QCA drivers, some kernel objects etc. I.e. currently if you even download 1.0.1.36 from NETGEAR site you will get such castrated version and after your compilation and flashing you will get brick instead of router. But I had original version with FULL sources so I used and use it for my builds (adding missed packages). Reason of such NETGEAR action is not clear to me, probably they very dislike my job.

On the other hand I do use GPL officially published by NETGEAR and legally downloaded from their public downloads. So I do not violate any laws and rules. But to avoid any problems my repo contains only packages I change and I do not publish the packages they cut off (BTW it is not so for R7800 because I’ve published FULL version before NETGEAR start to remove packages and it has no sense to remove these packages for me).

So no reverse engineering, I use GPL source codes officially downloaded in past from NETGEAR site, it is not standard OpenWRT, I perform compilation of source codes (using my version of toolchain and my host tools and my compiler options and my changes in updating packages).

Voxel.

Thanks Voxel for detailed reply.

One (hopefully) final question: From above description I assume that WLAN driver and other missing packages you used in your distribution are from R7800 repo? Or not? Just asking to understand if its worth spending time to try to build working image by my own or not.

 

[Voxel]

I assume that WLAN driver and other missing packages you used in your distribution are from R7800 repo? Or not?

Not of course. As I said I used GPL sources of 1.0.1.36 for R9000. Not anything from R7800. I do not use binaries from one router to use with other router. Only source codes. And BTW binaries are rather incompatible (R9000 vs R7800).

In Feb 2017 the sources of 1.0.1.36 (R9000) were OK for building workable FW for R9000. No cut off yet.

Voxel.