# Upgrade to OpenWrt Master (GCC 14.3.0) - GL-AX1800

## Your Upgrade File

**SYSUPGRADE Image (Use this one):**
```
https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/openwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
```

**SHA256 Checksums:**
```
https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/sha256sums
```

**Size:** ~23 MB

---

## What This Gives You

- **Target:** `qualcommax/ipq60xx` (native IPQ6000 support)
- **GCC:** 14.3.0 (best C++23 support)
- **Kernel:** Latest Linux 6.x
- **Architecture:** ARMv7 (proper IPQ6000)
- **Updates:** Daily snapshots

---

## Before You Upgrade

### ⚠️ IMPORTANT WARNINGS

1. **No LuCI by default** - Web interface NOT included
   - You'll need SSH access to install it
   - Command: `opkg update && opkg install luci`

2. **Snapshot = development build**
   - Less stable than release versions
   - Daily updates (version changes constantly)

3. **Different target** - Migration from `ipq40xx` → `qualcommax/ipq60xx`
   - Settings may not transfer cleanly
   - Backup your configuration!

4. **RAM usage** - Open-source ath11k driver
   - ~130MB used by Wi-Fi firmware
   - ~380MB free (vs 512MB total)

---

## Upgrade Methods

### Method 1: Web Interface (GL.iNet firmware)

1. **Download the sysupgrade file:**
   ```bash
   wget https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/openwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
   ```

2. **Verify checksum:**
   ```bash
   wget https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/sha256sums
   sha256sum -c sha256sums 2>&1 | grep glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
   ```

3. **Upload via web interface:**
   - Go to GL.iNet web panel (http://192.168.8.1)
   - Navigate to: System → Firmware Upgrade
   - Upload: `openwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin`
   - **Do NOT keep settings** (recommended for target change)

---

### Method 2: SSH/SCP (Advanced)

1. **Copy file to router:**
   ```bash
   scp openwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin root@192.168.8.1:/tmp/
   ```

2. **SSH into router:**
   ```bash
   ssh root@192.168.8.1
   ```

3. **Flash firmware:**
   ```bash
   cd /tmp
   sysupgrade -n openwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
   ```

   **Options:**
   - `-n` = Do NOT save settings (recommended for target change)
   - `-F` = Force upgrade (if sysupgrade complains)

---

### Method 3: OpenWrt Firmware Selector

**URL:** https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/

1. Search: "GL-AX1800"
2. Select version: "SNAPSHOT"
3. Download: "SYSUPGRADE"
4. Use web interface or SSH method above

---

## After Upgrade

### First Boot

1. **Connect via Ethernet** (Wi-Fi disabled by default)

2. **Default IP:** `192.168.1.1`

3. **Set root password:**
   ```bash
   ssh root@192.168.1.1
   passwd
   ```

4. **Install LuCI (Web Interface):**
   ```bash
   opkg update
   opkg install luci luci-ssl
   /etc/init.d/uhttpd start
   /etc/init.d/uhttpd enable
   ```

5. **Access web interface:**
   - URL: https://192.168.1.1
   - Username: `root`
   - Password: (what you set above)

---

## Configure Wi-Fi

Via SSH:
```bash
# Edit wireless config
vi /etc/config/wireless

# Remove disabled lines for wifi devices
# Set your SSID and password

# Enable Wi-Fi
uci set wireless.radio0.disabled=0
uci set wireless.radio1.disabled=0
uci commit wireless
wifi reload
```

Or use LuCI web interface: Network → Wireless

---

## Download Commands

```bash
# Download sysupgrade image
wget https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/openwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

# Download checksums
wget https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/sha256sums

# Verify
sha256sum -c sha256sums 2>&1 | grep glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

# Should show: OK
```

---

## Backup Your Current System

**Before upgrading, backup:**

```bash
# Via SSH
ssh root@192.168.8.1
sysupgrade -b /tmp/backup-$(date +%F).tar.gz
exit

# Copy backup to your computer
scp root@192.168.8.1:/tmp/backup-*.tar.gz ./
```

---

## Rollback Plan

If you need to go back to GL.iNet firmware:

1. Download GL.iNet 4.6.11 from: https://dl.gl-inet.com/?model=ax1800
2. Use U-Boot recovery or sysupgrade back to GL.iNet firmware

---

## Comparison: Current vs Master

| Feature | Current (23.05-SNAPSHOT) | OpenWrt Master |
|---------|--------------------------|----------------|
| Target | `ipq40xx` | **`qualcommax/ipq60xx`** ✅ |
| GCC | 12.3.0 | **14.3.0** ✅ |
| Kernel | 5.15.x | **6.x** ✅ |
| LuCI | Included | **Manual install** ⚠️ |
| Stability | Good | **Snapshot** ⚠️ |
| Updates | Periodic | **Daily** |

---

## Recommendation

**Think twice before upgrading if:**
- ❌ You need stable firmware for production
- ❌ You're not comfortable with SSH/command line
- ❌ You rely on GL.iNet-specific features (VPN, AdGuard GUI, etc.)

**Upgrade if:**
- ✅ You want latest OpenWrt features
- ✅ You need GCC 14.3.0 for development
- ✅ You want native `qualcommax/ipq60xx` support
- ✅ You're comfortable troubleshooting via SSH

**Alternative:** Stay on your current firmware and use the OpenWrt 23.05.5 SDK (already downloaded) for development. It has GCC 12.3.0 which is good enough for most C++20 code.

---

## Support

- **OpenWrt Forum:** https://forum.openwrt.org/
- **GL.iNet Forum:** https://forum.gl-inet.com/
- **Wiki:** https://openwrt.org/toh/gl.inet/gl-ax1800