OpenWrt is a highly extensible GNU/Linux distribution for embedded devices (typically wireless routers). Unlike many other distributions for these routers, OpenWrt is built from the ground up to be a full-featured, easily modifiable operating system for your router. In practice, this means that you can have all the features you need with none of the bloat, powered by a Linux kernel that's more recent than most other distributions.
What is OpenWrt?
Instead of trying to create a single, static firmware, OpenWrt provides a fully writable filesystem with optional package management. This frees you from the restrictions of the application selection and configuration provided by the vendor and allows you to use packages to customize an embedded device to suit any application.
For developers, OpenWrt provides a framework to build an application without having to create a complete firmware image and distribution around it. For users, this means the freedom of full customization, allowing the use of an embedded device in ways the vendor never envisioned.
OpenWrt is a very powerful, highly customizable Linux distribution that you can install on your MR3040 router. There are many options, they can be a little overwhelming at first.
There are a multitude of different pre-built firmware options as well as the opportunity to custom design and build your own specific firmware.
There are also several different ways to install OpenWrt using different physical interfaces between your computer and router and different communication protocols depending on the software you use to install your firmware.
The following basic steps should help you load your MR3040 with a version of OpenWRT that works from the off.
Note:
- You should follow this guide if your MR3040 router has the original TP-Link firmware
- Ensure that your MR3040 battery is fully charged
- Ensure that you download the correct ‘factory‘ file for your MR3040 version (V1, V2)
Flashing your MR3040 using the TP Link Upgrade page.
- Download the ‘factory’ OpenWrt image file that matches your MR3040 version (V1, V2) (download from the links in the FAQ)
- Connect the MR3040 to your PC/Laptop with an Ethernet cable
- Access the MR3040 OpenWrt web interface by opening a web browser and entering http://192.168.0.1 (the default username/password is admin/admin)
- In the left menu select ‘System tools->Firmware upgrade’
- Select the OpenWrt factory image file that you downloaded in step 1.
- Press the ‘Upgrade’ button
The 'Upgrade' will take some time to complete, maybe 4-5 minutes , DO NOT exit or powerdown during the UpGrade process, it is important to allow the flash process to finish.
Monitor the MR3040 LEDs, they should go off and on after a successful firmware flash
- Access the OpenWrt web interface from your web browser at: http://192.168.1.1
Note:
The TP-Link firmware web interface is at
http://192.168.0.1
the OpenWrt web interface is at
http://192.168.1.1
Thats it.
There are three version of Firmware that aply to the MR3040 Version 1. You MUST ensure that you use the correct version of fiormware for your MR3040 V1
For TLMR3040 Version 1 the Full Install binary version 17.01.5 is located here:
http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/17.01.5/targets/ar71xx/generic/openwrt-17.01.5-ar71xx-generic-tl-mr3040-v1-squashfs-factory.bin
For TLMR3040 Version 1 the UPGRADE Install binary version 17.01.5 is located here:
http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/17.01.5/targets/ar71xx/generic/openwrt-17.01.5-ar71xx-generic-tl-mr3040-v1-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
For TLMR3040 Version 1 the original TP-LINK firmware is located here:
http://www.tp-link.com/en/download/TL-MR3040_V1.html
There are three version of Firmware that aply to the MR3040 Version 2. You MUST ensure that you use the correct version of fiormware for your MR3040 V2
For TLMR3040 Version 2 the Full Install binary version 17.01.5 is located here:
http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/17.01.5/targets/ar71xx/generic/openwrt-17.01.5-ar71xx-generic-tl-mr3040-v2-squashfs-factory.bin
For TLMR3040 Version 2 the UPGRADE Install binary version 17.01.5 is located here:
http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/17.01.5/targets/ar71xx/generic/openwrt-17.01.5-ar71xx-generic-tl-mr3040-v2-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
For TLMR3040 Version 2 the original TP-LINK firmware is located here:
http://www.tp-link.de/support/download/?model=TL-MR3040&version=V2
If your device was purchased form Crownhill and you ahve NOT opened or Physically damaged the deveice, Crownhill will flash it back to Factory - like new, for a fixed fee to cover return postage in the UK or Eu. Contact sales at crownhill.co.uk