openwrt/docs/upgrade-to-openwrt-master.md

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

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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

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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)

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Upgrade Methods

Method 1: Web Interface (GL.iNet firmware)

1. Download the sysupgrade file:

   wget https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/openwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
   

2. Verify checksum:

   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)

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Method 2: SSH/SCP (Advanced)

1. Copy file to router:

   scp openwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin root@192.168.8.1:/tmp/
   

2. SSH into router:

   ssh root@192.168.8.1
   

3. Flash firmware:

   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)

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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

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After Upgrade

First Boot

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

2. Default IP: 192.168.1.1

3. Set root password:

   ssh root@192.168.1.1
   passwd
   

4. Install LuCI (Web Interface):

   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)

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Configure Wi-Fi

Via SSH:

# 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

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Download Commands

# 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

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Backup Your Current System

Before upgrading, backup:

# 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 ./

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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

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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

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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.

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Support

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