Hi everybody!

I've been playing around with my TL-MR3420 v2.1 with OpenWRT for a few months already. I'm trying to make an "ultimate download machine" without using my main PC with this little machine - BitTorrent, aria2, eMule/aMule, or MLDonkey...

Did anybody here trying this sort of thing?

I believe you've bricked it. See this post:
If this is the case, then you may need a serial console cable to debrick it (if the uboot partition is still working).

Else, you may need to send back to manufacturer (for warranty), asking them to flash for u. Or asking around if anybody have a flash programmer to flash the chip with a working firmware.

This post has been edited by iOnicStorm: Apr 28 2013, 11:07 PM

No worry, debricking isn't difficult. First, check that if OpenWRT safe mode is still working:

1. Turn off then on.
2. Wait until the System LED lit up (2nd from left) and flashing slowly.
3. If System LED start blinking slowly already, quickly press & release the reset button at the back.
4. If System LED blinking fast.... Congratulations! OpenWRT safe mode could be working!
5. Next, plug in LAN cable from computer to WAN port (blue one) on your TL-MR3420 v2.1
6. Manually set IP of LAN port on your computer to 192.168.1.2
7. Start command prompt on your Windows machine, type: ping 192.168.1.1

If you get something like: Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=63
Then telnet to it & proceed to upload & flash the correct firmware.

Space limitation can be easily overcome with Rootfs on External Storage (extroot). The main constraint I came across now isn't with storage space, but with the limited RAM soldered onboard... planning on upgrading it to 64 MB... Ahhh... my soldering skill
This is a little capable machine, although a bit old, but is well supported by OpenWRT and Gargoyle firmware.
Check this out: OpenWRT Built for TP-Link WR1043ND
By adding USB hubs (USB 2.0), you can do more with OpenWRT. For e.g:
1. Wireless surveiliance camera
2. USB bluetooth
3. More USB WiFi adapters, connecting to some other AP's (station mode) and acting as an AP at the same time, WDS, etc ...and... aircrack-ng
4. USB audio - play mp3 music wirelessly! See this youtube video
5. Many other uses, as long as there's OpenWRT driver support for the hardware!

PS: Theoretically USB 2.0 can support up to 128 devices connected at once, with hubs!

Yes, if you use some power/current hungry devices such as USB 3G modem... and no, if you don't (e.g. flash drive + usb bluetooth).

Getting things done under Linux (i.e OpenWRT) isn't as straightforward as it is on Microsoft Windows. It needs more works and reading. It's not that hard if you're willing to learn. And it's quite rewarding if you do so.

I believe you're using ROOter firmware (Huntsman?). And I think this firmware may "assume" user to have only *ONE* USB port and *NOT* using an external hub, so the 3G modem can only exist on USB 1-1 location. When you plug the modem into a port on the external hub, the address change (maybe USB 2-1 or something). The scripts on the firmware failed to recognize this and making you think that the hub isn't working, but in fact it's recognized by the kernel.

How do we know that? Use PuTTY or whatever SSH/telnet software to log into your router, and check with the command:

Or (Check before & after pluging in your devices)
Or even better (if you've enough space):

Solution? Use other firmware & do the customization on your own.

This post has been edited by iOnicStorm: Apr 30 2013, 12:51 AM

OpenWRT.org provides only bare minimal firmware images which are really meant for advanced users to customize their own systems. It's not newbies friendly. It comes by default without LuCI web-interface, and USB 3G modems not working by default. You must know what you really want and capable of customizing it to cater to your needs.

Newbies should start with other properly configured firmware images, such as OpenWRT Attitude Adjustment 12.09-rc1 from openwrt-id.org, or ROOter firmware (which is for 3G/4G internet)

PS: All firmwares mentioned have some bugs. Use at your own risk! Gather enough information or asking around before flashing!!

Yes, there's no official support for TL-MR3420 v2.x from OpenWRT Attitude Adjustment 12.09 final yet!

I'm now using an unofficial build. So far, I've found only 3 working images, other than the OpenWRT trunk snapshot (which is buggy, I can't get the USB working yet )

Interesting...

May I know what U use for monitoring bandwidth? I mean the lower-right floating icons, just below "Save" button (on MS Windows?). Thanks in advance.

OK thanks. Sorry for OT.

This post has been edited by iOnicStorm: May 9 2013, 12:24 AM

- EDITED -

Already been discussed in V1 thread.

This post has been edited by iOnicStorm: May 9 2013, 12:26 AM

ROOter firmware packs everything in the 4MB flash memory so that users need no extra hard works in order to use high speed 3G/4G internet out-of-the-box. Or, you can flash the vanilla OpenWRT image, which left users with over 1MB+ space on the JFFS2 partition, but require some hard works on the users' side, in order to get it working. Your choice.


Nice observation!

I think this could be due to how wear leveling, journaling and compression in actions on the JFFS2 file system, where OpenWRT Linux writes its configuration data on (/etc/config).

The Flash Memory used on the router is a kind of Memory Technology Device (MTD), which is a totally different beasts than the traditional magnetic storage we're familiar with. It has limited write cycles (usually a few thousand to 10,000+ writes per block). It requires special file system support in order to use it efficiently, and also to extend it's working life-span.

When users "save" their "settings", configuration data is written to the JFFS2 partition, where "old" data is deleted, and "new" data is written to different blocks. The "deleted" blocks are not actually deleted but being marked as "invalid". That's why users will see a decrease in space over time, due to wear leveling and journaling. But after a reboot, the space is claimed back, where some "recycling" mechanism kicks in.

I'm no Linux guru though. This is just my hypothesis based on my understanding of information on the Internet. Correct me if I'm wrong.

TP-Link is good for average users for it's price, but by no means the best. If you want the best, and can afford it, go for IEEE 802.11AC routers if possible, for that's the future...

Yes, it's achievable. I did that with my Nokia Symbian phone. For Android, refer here: The USB Port: An Overview, and then usb.tethering.

But, why the hassle? As your Android alone can do that already without a router! Just install an app to turn it into a mobile wireless hotspot. Search with these keywords: "android wireless hotspot", "Android SoftAP", "wireless access point android", etc.

PS: Though, in either case, your phone will run hot, I meant VERY HOT after running for just a few minutes. And the battery can only "tahan" for a few hours of continuous usage, after which it requires a recharge. Or, you can charge it while using it at once... and so, your phone will get hotter even more! This is not good for your phone for long term usage...

This post has been edited by iOnicStorm: Jul 2 2013, 10:58 PM

Yes, 802.11AC is still in its "draft" standard. Better wait until it goes "final" next year for better compatibility in the future.

For now, 802.11n is good for most users for its price-to-performance-ratio.

As for older devices, new standards' always have backward-compatibility. So, it's not a problem if a G is connected to an AC device. Just that it's stuck at max. 54 Mbps and has no use for those new features (but at least you get better range & Rx sensitivity on 802.11AC devices becoz' of MIMO, i.e. wider coverage), but it's still working, albeit the old way.

802.11n devices can have up to 4T4R MIMO and achieve max. 900 Mbps (2.4 GHz + 5.8 GHz concurrently). Whereas 802.11AC can have up to EIGHT antenna and aggregate capacity of 6.77 Gbit/s (see Wikipedia for details)... Making even gigabit ethernet pale in comparison.

Current middle-to-high-end Androids mostly equipped with dual-band WiFi (2.4 GHz + 5.8 GHz), and if your routers can support them, this may put them to good use. And not to mention new devices are coming...

802.11AC routers could suit users with extra bucks to spend and demanding "future-proof", with no worry of "upgrade" for at least 3-5 years to come...

Though, it's recommended to wait for the 802.11AC standard goes final next year.

This post has been edited by iOnicStorm: Jul 6 2013, 10:52 AM

TP-Link has just come up with a new 802.11AC router in it's products line-up, it's called Archer C7.

It's true that 5 GHz band has less penetration power, but many people are eyeing it's benefit of being less crowded over 2.4 GHz band, meaning less interference, especially to folks living in dense urban area.

Interference may cause a turtle-crawling connection speed, or even worst, frequent disconnection...

Alright, conclusion: 802.11ac isn't yet a mature product, don't buy yet...

For now, just drool over the future possibilities... Peace...

This post has been edited by iOnicStorm: Jul 7 2013, 12:55 PM

It's been discussed in previous post:
http://www.ofmodemsandmen.com/index.html

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/router_openwrt

This post has been edited by iOnicStorm: Jul 9 2013, 08:13 PM

Simple answer: no. As Huntsman / ROOter is a heavily customized version of OpenWRT with the purpose of getting the best speed out of a 3G/4G connection, a print server is not directly related to the objective. Unless you're into compiling your own ROOter firmware...

Though, this could still be accomplished using a vanilla OpenWRT image (Attitude Adjustment v12.09), with self-customization. No need compilation, just install any required packages and configure. A LuCI app (web-interface) is available. Tutorials / guides / documentation are available on OpenWRT.org and also on the net. Consult your favorite search engine with keywords such as "openwrt print server" for further information, if you're interested.

OpenWRT / Linux is all about having fun with customization and D.I.Y.

Alternatively, if you don't want spending time on this, consider buying some ready made products, by forking out a bit more. TP-Link has dedicated print server devices, so do other vendors. Also, Asus made some pretty nice routers with USB port(s), coming with print server function with app they provided, which is very easy for end users - just download & install. (The cheapest Asus router with USB port I found on Lelong is RT-N13U, RM 159)

... is the discussion off-topic?

D-Link DWM-156 is not yet in the supported list of modem on ROOter firmware.
Maybe try other modem which is in the list?

My bad... Just found out that ROOter firmware support Android USB tethering out of the box.

MR3420 could have generated some serious RF interference to 3G signal causing the connection speed drops to a crawl. That's becoz' MR3420 (v1 or v2) have no shielding inside.

My observation is: after turning the router on, I found that my (analogue) TV signal / picture quality of some channels (that require a booster) get distorted apparently (white snow, blurring...). But after turning the router off, it's good again... That mean the router could possibly producing some high frequency interference signal when in operation.

This is a MR3420 V1 circuit board, no metal shielding:


For comparison, this is a TP-Link WR1043ND board with a metal shielding on the RF module:


The metal shield works as a Faraday cage to shield the RF module from outside interference, and also prevent the RF signal from getting out (without the antenna).

That's it. We get what we paid for!

This post has been edited by iOnicStorm: Jul 14 2013, 06:27 PM