How to install DDWRT on a Netgear R8000 (Tathagata rev27261)

15 posts / 0 new
Last post
Paint
Paint's picture
How to install DDWRT on a Netgear R8000 (Tathagata rev27261)
Please note, I am using the myopenrouter versions of DD-WRT for the Netgear R8000 without any issues over the last year. 
 
It is imperative that you follow these instructions exactly. 
 
If you do not, you may have issues with NVRAM settings not resetting properly. 
 
In addition, this tutorial assumes you have DD-WRT already installed on your R8000 and you have a JFFS drive setup via USB
 
This guide was written for the K3_R8000_1-Jul-2015.chk file. 
 
Instructions (please follow these at your own risk):
 
Backup Settings (optional):
If you are moving from an older build of DD-WRT, please backup your NVRAM settings via this how-to:
The preferred.sh file will be used to restore your settings later. 
 
In addition, I recommend taking screenshots of all of your DD-WRT Web GUI screens for reference as well as saving the output of the following command:
nvram show > /jffs/nvram_all.txt
 
 
Clear out NVRAM:
**IMPORTANT** This will delete all of your DD-WRT settings to default. 
This is required in order to correct issues from past builds 
(I.E correct the old MAC address issue of 00:00:00:00:00:02, etc)
**IMPORTANT** The steps below fixed my issues and will also fix your issues if you follow them exactly!
 
2. Login to DD-WRT
3. Go to Adminstration -> Factory Defaults
4. Click Yes and apply settings
5. Once the router reboots, reenble SSH via Services (Secure Shell section) and the Remote Access section on the  Adminstration -> Managment Tab 
6. Login via SSH and run  the following two commands:
      erase nvram
      reboot
7. Once the router reboots, enable SSH again via step 5. 
8. Go to http://192.168.1.1 and login to DD-WRT
9. Go to Adminstration -> Firmware Upgrade
10. Choose to Reset to Default settings after upgrade and select the K3_R8000_1-Jul-2015.chk file from your local storage
11. Click upgrade and wait 10 minutes until your the lights on your router have calm down
 
Restore Settings:
1. Restore your settings in Services -> USB so that you properly have your USB drive mounted. 
2. Login via SSH
3. Navigate to the location of your backup settings. Run the *.preferred.sh file via bash to restore most of your settings. 
4. Reboot router via ssh: reboot
5. Once the router is back up, restore all of your other settings via the DD-WRT Web GUI (use your screenshots for reference)
6. Follow these settings to get your Wireless Networks running at the highest speed: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=939897#939897
Please note, WL2 is my main AC network (866mpbs), WL1 is my NG-Mixed network, and WL0 is another AC network (non-bridged and slower than WL2 which is a bug)
 
Please see the screenshot below for any questions of setup (attachment to this thread)
7. Enjoy your new R8000!
 
Additional:
 
Overclock & Optimize Some NVRAM settings.
Run the following settings from SSH or Telnet as root:
 
nvram set clkfreq=1200,800
nvram set wl2_atf=1 
nvram set wl0_atf=1 
nvram set wl1_atf=1 
nvram commit && reboot
gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi Paint,

Hi Paint,

Great comments and instructions!

I tried to overclock R8000 running the latest dd-wrt build from Tathagata. 

nvram set clkfreq=1200,800 => After running this command I checked it with nvram show | grep clkfreq and got response showing the clkfreq has been changed to 1200,800

However after router came back on following nvram commit && reboot => still shows clkfreq = 1000

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks a lot

Paint
Paint's picture
I wish I could edit my

I wish I could edit my original post. 

You should also run the following command to change the overclocking setting in the gui: nvram set overclocking=1200

I am pretty sure the GUI settings are ignored when I checked the minicom dmesg log on booting, but I could be wrong. 

 

To be safe, run the following commands:

nvram set clkfreq=1200,800
nvram set overclocking=1200
nvram set wl2_atf=1 
nvram set wl0_atf=1 
nvram set wl1_atf=1 
nvram commit && reboot

 

Also, step 6 for my restore instructions should be the following:

 

6. Follow the wireless settings in the attachment below along with only the advanced settings from here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=939897#939897 
 
Please note, WL2 is my main AC network (866mpbs), WL1 is my NG-Mixed network, and WL0 is a NA network (which actually gets 866mpbs as well!!!). 
 
I also recommend using inSSIDer to search your local wireless frequencies. Choose channels that do not overlap with anyone. This is easier on AC and NA frequencies, but harder for legacy networks since there are less channels and more routers). 
 
Remember to play with the Extension Channel drop-down box in order to occupy unused frequencies (stick to 1, 6 or 11 on legacy networks). Always choose save, before applying settings. Your new channels will appear in the Wireless Channel drop-down after changing the Extension Channel for that network, so it is important to choose a new frequency (never use auto) 
 
Please see the screenshot below for any questions of setup (attachment to this thread) 
Mojolacerator2
Mojolacerator2's picture
Just an FYI, it doesn't

Just an FYI, it doesn't always work. Tried again, and still have trouble with my browser reaching the internet when connected to any of the 3 radios on the R8000. KONG's build of March 7 works much better.

Paint
Paint's picture
That is odd. It is probably

That is odd. It is probably because the WAN MAC address changes between builds, even if temporarily, which causes issues with your ISP getting a new DHCP public IP address. 

 

Kong builds work quite well, as I have used them in the past, so for each their own. I enjoy this build on my R8000 at the moment. 

Paint
Paint's picture
Try running these commands

Try running these commands instead.

nvram set clkfreq=1200,800
nvram set overclocking=1200
nvram set wl2_atf=1
nvram set wl0_atf=1
nvram set wl1_atf=1
nvram commit && reboot

Mojolacerator2
Mojolacerator2's picture
well............no go. it is

well............no go. it is very wierd.

Both my access points connect, and the ssid's on them have no problem connecting to the internet.

Anything connected to the R8000 via ethernet, I have no problem geting to the internet. 

Connect to any of the wireless ssid's on the R8000, I get an IP address, but cannot connect to the interent.

Flash back to KONG's build, no problem whatsoever.

Go figure.

 

 

Paint
Paint's picture
interesting. I guess stick

interesting. I guess stick with the Kong build! Given my vlan setup, I dont have any issues with this build

siqueira
siqueira's picture
Hello Paint,

Hello Paint,

Could you make a more detailed step-by-step, especially on SSH?

I'm not familiar with it, like how to connect; what is the default user/pword?

Also, is it possible to follow the steps above without having DD-WRT previously installed? I still have the original/factory firmware from netgear. For instance, if I'm installing over the original firmware, should I erase nvram the same way?

 

Thanks.

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi Paint,

Hi Paint,

Because I cannot get any feedback from other people include Kong, I'd like to ask you as you might know the answer:

1. Kong latest build is from March 7, 2015

2. Before this build has been posted on Myopenrouter site - someone posted the link to the repository - http://www.desipro.de/ddwrt/K3-AC-Arm/

3. When installing this build - I've got  Firmware: DD-WRT v24-sp2 (03/07/15) kongac

4. However, once I installed the build posted now as Kong latest build from March 7, 2015 on MyOpenRouter Download/R8000 - that is a header I'm getting on the web console => Firmware: DD-WRT v24-sp2 (02/26/15) kongac

5. Unfortunately, the one from desipro site does not see the second 5Ghz interface, however timestamps are confusing

6. I also ran compare by content on those 2 files - they are different

So could you (or anyone who knows this) can confirm that the latest Kong build for R8000 from March 7, 2015 has timestamp of February 26, 2015 on the header?

If that is not a case and I'm using the wrong code (actually downloaded from the site) - could someone point me to the right one?

That is highly important for me as my router crashes and i need to reboot it at least 5 times before it comes to the life and pingable

Thanks a lot for your help and understanding,

Gennadi

 

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi Siqueira,

Hi Siqueira,

Please forgive me if I didn't correctly understood your question to Paint...

You are asking for the way to take brand new Netgear router with stock firmware release and flash dd-wrt release on it?

If that is a case - see this link -> http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation

That will explain the basic of all flashing mechanism. On top of that use Paint's specific recommendattions

 

Hope I could help

Paint
Paint's picture
Hi Siqueria, 

Hi Siqueria, 

Please see the attached video from a simple search on google for "enable ssh on ddwrt" 

This is one of of the many resources I have found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-cT-pu4Aig

A search on google will also provide basic ssh commmands and how-to's, which are way better than anything I could write up. 

Good luck!

 

Paint
Paint's picture
I can confirm the latest

I can confirm the latest build for the R8000 that I am aware of from KONG is the release from March 7th, 2015. 

KONG's FTP is located here: http://desipro.de/ddwrt/K3-AC-Arm/

Lastly, all DDWRT builds are slightly different depending on who was the developer who compiled it. More information can be found by searching Google or the DDWRT forums in regards to this. 

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Thanks a lot, Paint, for your

Thanks a lot, Paint, for your quick response

Have you tried to load Kong release on R8000? The one from Kong FTP?

Strange but once I loaded it - didn't see my second 5Ghz interface, but only wl0 and wl1 (2.4)...

I will go again with wiping out nvram and loading it again

 

Thanks

Mojolacerator2
Mojolacerator2's picture
I am running Kongs build, you

I am running Kongs build, you have to pick a wireless channel for the 5ghz radio, you cannot leave channel on "auto".

I couldn't see it either until I picked a channel. Hope that helps.