WGR614L vs KWGR614 vs WGR614?

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February 18, 2008 02:16 AM

Categories: WGR614L Open Source Router

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Jeff Liebermann

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Joined: 02/18/2008

What's the differences between the WGR614L, the KWGR614, and the off the shelf WGR614 which is currently at v9 hardware revision level? The model numbers are sufficiently similar that I suspect that the hardware may be similar or identical?

Also, the Open Source document for the KWGR614 requires the installation of a 4 ping JTAG header and RS-232 interface circuitry. Will this also be necessary in the WGR614L?

Discussion: Add a Comment | Comments 1-12 of 12 | Latest Comment

Nachi

NETGEAR

February 18, 2008 1:18 PM

All of these routers WGR614L, KWGR614, and WGR614v9 all are fine wireless routers - and you are not likely to see much of a difference in a normal usage scenario. Featurewise all 614 routers are similar and gives a consistent look, feel and behavior.

Check out this blog about the differences between KWGR614 and WGR614L.

WGR614v9 are infact very similar to WGR614L except that WGR614L has double the flash than that of WGR614v9 and thats a great help in running many open source firmware. Hope this answers your questions.

Jeff Block

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February 19, 2008 11:02 AM

What is the difference between the 614v8 and the 614v9? As I understand it, the WGR614v8 was renamed to the WGR614L when it went to production. Is this correct?

Jeff Liebermann

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February 19, 2008 11:09 AM

Thanks. It answers some of the questions. The different wireless chips (Broadcom versus Realtek) means seperate firmware versions for each router. I want to throw the WGR614v9 into the picture because I suspect the price will be much lower than the others due to increased sales and availability. Half the RAM is a problem, but not fatal for applicaitions that don't require obscure features. I've used DD-WRT mini and micro distributions on some limited RAM/Flash WRT54G v5 and v6 routers with tolerable results. Ideally, the comparison and features list should include earlier WGR614 versions (v1 thru v9) for those wanting to use these routers with open source firmware.

For example, I was hoping for a more detailed internal features list, such as the WRT54G list at:
http://www.linksysinfo.org/forums/showthread.php?t=47124

I can determine much of this information from the FCC Type Certification reports and internal pictures. Is there a list of FCC ID numbers for all the various WGR614 hardware versions?

My question on the availability of the JTAG port and connector is important because soldering is a skill that many users lack. If one is epxected to solder a header and build an interface board in order to control the router, methinks it will be too much for many users. I was wondering if the KWGR614 and the WGR614L, which are designed for user modifications, includes the JTAG port and possibly the interface card.

Nachi

NETGEAR

February 19, 2008 3:55 PM

Thanks!

For WGR614 series v1 through v6 you can get details at http://www.seattlewireless.net/NetgearWGR614

WGR614v7 is most likely an Atheros based router. Unfortunately I haven't got much info about that yet.

FCCID for WGR614L is PY306400057. v8, v9 and WGR614L has similar hardware but only difference is in memory and firmware and of couse it may be possible to run stripped down version of firmwares onto the v9 routers.

I also like your idea about the tear down reports and we need to dig a little deeper into that. Will definitely appreciate some help here.

Serial console and JTAG is really useful only for developers/programmers. Unfortunately the JTAG and Console connectors are not present in these hardwares. Soldering the pin headers are needed to get the console and/or JTAG access. For the serial connectors though - you can use this FTDI-TTL232R-3v3 USB cable which is easy to use (you may need to take out the female crimp pins from the housing. You will not need to build an interface boards as such. The bootloader itself does include support for tftp server which can be used to flash the board other than the Web based UI.

Peter Redmer

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February 19, 2008 7:06 PM

There's a lot of new information out there on the new WGR614L, take a look:

WGR614L Data Sheet

WGR614L Open Source Guide

WGR614L Software Specs

WGR614L Hardware Specs

Hopefully these will help you further!

Pete

Peter Redmer
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Jeff Liebermann

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February 19, 2008 11:18 PM

Now, we're getting somewhere.

FCC ID page for the WGR614L is here. Some of the chip numbers are visible on the internal photos. The two photos of a single screw are ummm....rather odd.

The SeattleWireless page is extensive, full of useful clues, but rather disorganized when compared to the LinksysInfo page. I don't know how much I can contribute to the effort as I only have a WGR614v6 and possibly a v3 router. I also don't have the time but will try to help with some photos and some reverse engineering.

The various docs on the WGR614L are also useful, but rather sparce. Hopefully, those will improve over time.

I'm tempted to ask for a schematic or block diagram, but that might be asking too much.

The lack of a JTAG port connector is not a problem. I just wanted to determine if it's going to be on the production version. Presumably, the bulk of these initial units will go to developers (and hackers) who will need this connector.

Reading the SeattleWireless pages, the presence of TFTP and telnet servers will be a huge help in installing the firmware images and recoverying from the inevitable unbootable firmware builds.

Thanks again.

Borage

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March 19, 2008 4:57 PM

It would be interesting to know what the throughput is on the new router. I tested my KWGR614 and it cannot be any faster on a 10/100 Mbit/s interface.

ankur

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May 3, 2008 2:09 PM

I have a WGR614 v7 router, is it possible to run DD-WRT on it ? .. Actually WGR614L is supported for DD-WRT, but I am unable to find any information on this router for any custom firmwire.

Any support will be greatly appreciated.

SouvikGhosh

NETGEAR

May 6, 2008 4:30 AM

I guess, you will not be able to run DD-WRT on it. Most likely this is a atheros based router and on the contrary DD-WRT is for the Broadcom based platform.

Peter Redmer

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June 16, 2008 11:37 AM

We've just published an article by BrandonC showing how to recover the WGR614L router using a serial console and cable. I thought this may be of interest to those participating in this thread!

You can find the article here:

Recover Your WGR614L Using A Serial Console & Windows

Peter Redmer
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netmonkey

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June 30, 2008 8:48 PM

I have a Netgear WGR614v5. Is there any open source firmware that I can use? Im hoping to find one that will log the bandwidth that I use on my network.

Any suggestions?