This is a step by step instruction on how to flash your TP-Link 1043ND v1.8+routers for those on Maxis FTTH to use an open firmware, OpenWRT, specifically those purchased circa July 2012. The reason why the later versions don't/wouldn't work is because TP-Link has programmed the bootloader to disable the WAN port if it detects another firmware variant aside from its original one. So even though you've done all the steps to the letter, it will still be a futile effort.

A work around has been found to circumvent this.

1. Restore it to a previous firmware where the bootloader doesn't disable the WAN port
2. Flash it to a factory firmware on OpenWRT
3. Perform a firmware upgrade on OpenWRT.

Props are given to KLSeet in providing the initial guidance and a pic of the TP-Link Web Console page as I've flashed my router from the stock firmware to its current state.

Firstly, download these 3 files:

Doesn't really matter which LAN port you're plugged in to (though some would argue anything but LAN port 1) but it is important to use the right browser. For some apparent reason, Chrome doesn't play well with the flashing process. So I'd recommend Firefox instead for this exercise.

Okay, now that you have the 3 files the first thing you should do now is to head to 192.168.1.1 (make sure you've done a hard reset/factory default via the back reset pin or via the Web Console) on your TP-Link router.

Default username: admin
Default password: admin

Go to System Tools > Firmware Upgrade tab
Click Browse and use the first file you downloaded, TP Link Pre 1.8 FW
Click Upgrade to to start flash



Wait for the upgrade to finish. Do not power off!

Once you've flashed it, head on to the Web Console @ 192.168.1.1

Default username: root
Default password: <blank>



Go to System > Backup / Flash firmware
Restore backup > Choose File
This is the second file you downloaded, OpenWRT - Factory



Again, wait for it to finish the upgrade.

Once you've flashed it, head on to the Web Console @ 192.168.1.1

Default username: root
Default password: <blank>



Go back to the System > Backup / Flash firmware
Restore backup > Choose File
This is the third file you downloaded, TP Link - System Upgrade

Ta-daaa, now your TP-Link 1043ND has it's WAN port enabled. The VLAN configuration for Maxis FTTH on this router are aplenty but will do up another tutorial if required. A good place to start is to check out KLSeet's page on the configuration for OpenWRT. Though it's for UniFi, the gist of it remains the same.

Note: Try this at your own risk! It has worked for me and many others but accidents do happen! Eg. power trip, corrupted file, etc.

This post has been edited by sayboon: Jun 18 2022, 10:51 PM

Looks great. maybe i should give it a try

For ~RM150, this is the most PLC (peng leng cheng) gigabit router around, so far. You should definitely give it a go.

Update
--------

DONE!!!!!!!!! It is working

Bro,
Steady la you. Well done!

No prob la, just sharing my knowledge. Everyone wins

I'd like to highlight for those that have already on OpenWRT you will need to 1st flash it back to this firmware 1st http://www.tp-link.com.my/resources/softwa...82817292310.zip

before flashing it to the German firmware.

This link will confirm what i say http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wr1...iginal.firmware

because the German firmware contains the boot loader which will brick the device if you flash it from OpenWRT to prevent it you have to use one firmware with out the word 'Boot' on the filename

This post has been edited by benlye: Aug 25 2012, 10:18 AM

Looks great anyway , kudos for prepping the tutorial with step-by-step instructions

Really cool man. thanks for sharing ur knowledge

By the way guys, just want to ask, in the market currently which model is the most cheapest to go beside TP-LINK ?

Any idea or suggestion ?

This post has been edited by jacky1678: Aug 27 2012, 10:06 AM

For wireless gigabit router that's supports 3 digit VLAN tagging, it's still TP-Link 1043ND.

thanks dude.


This post has been edited by jacky1678: Aug 28 2012, 07:58 PM

Hi,

i was successful upgrade all the flash. but now i am cracking my head to connect to my Maxis FTTH. can you please teach how to configure it?

thank you.

here

But before you go there..

since u've done this method. you can use port 1, which is the wan port

for the 3rd imaged.. (meaning the 1st openwrt image)

under Vlan ID 1
port 2,3, 4,5 select untagged
port 1 select off

Under Vlan ID11
port 1 select tagged
port 5 select off



This post has been edited by benlye: Aug 30 2012, 06:09 PM

Which fiber modem are you using? If it's the Fiberhome one, there's nothing much you can do as it uses a dedicated console connection to configure it. However, if you're lucky enough to be using the Huawei's one then benlye's method will work.

Maybe I should get the Huawei one too on my own, what do you reckon @benlye?

This post has been edited by sayboon: Aug 31 2012, 11:18 AM

Ok ady, i manage to configure the vlan 621 for WAN port. they are manage to access the internet now. but the connection not stable, frequent disconnect and hang. now swap back to Maxis Thomson. beside that http://my.asus.com/Networks/Wireless_Routers/RTN66U/ also support maxis home fiber but also not stable. always disconnect

Hmm, so you don't face any disconnections when you're on the Thomson router? There is a common and known problem at the moment with Maxis where the DNS servers just dies intermittently for those with public IPs. From my last update with them, they're still fixing it but with no timeline.

Not sure if configuring the primary and secondary DNS to OpenDNS or Google's DNS would help, but you can try.

I'm also wondering if this will solve the router issue.
This router issue is huge because yeah you will have speed (10mb) but what is the point if the router keeps on dying?
I need a stable internet for work.

How come Maxis/Unifi looks so complicated to use?
I am an IT noob and with Streamyx we just have to switch the modem on/off.
Why is there a firmware and all that for Maxis/Unifi?

i sign up this package middle of june, but facing disconnection every hour, since i lodge the report to MCMC, the maxis finally taking serious of my case. i don think they do their job in preventing that.

in my side what i do is:
1. change the MaxisBB user to superadmin
2. disable remote assistance
3. activateUPnP and activate Extended security at game & application sharing page
4. firewall all make sure disable
5. in wireless config part, i use channel 11(what the Maxis ask me to set), default is set to auto.
6. use public ip address

7. normally i will watch PPS and use the bit torrent, by default the port will be 50000++, i set it all to be use port 80.

then the connection quite stable already. now concurently 4 user watch pps in the same time with no problem of disconnection.

* but i figure out when the thomson router up time near 48 hour it will disconnect. or the thomson router data transferd reach 20GB/20GB it will disconnect.

hope you can try this settting on your site.

---

Added on August 31, 2012, 1:57 pmthe disconnection also will happen near 48 hour or the total data send and received near 40GB in 2 days. i was try 4 user watch pps and youtube in for 2 days. the disconnection happen during it reach its data capacity limited

This post has been edited by chingloong83: Aug 31 2012, 01:57 PM

Thanks for the info chingloong, glad to know it's not the consumer's fault. Hopefully maxis will wise up and fix this prob soon!!

Apology first as I quite noob in this matters. For clarification...If I buy the latest V1.9 of the TP-LINK 1043 then I need to do the following steps.

Steps :

1. FLASH as suggested by Benlye

2. Flash the german version

3. Flash Open wrt (FACTORY)

4. Finally TP LINK upgrade.

please confirm and thanks