Linksys E4200

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Picchioni (Talk | contribs)
(5GHz Wireless transfer speed)
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Current revision (19:10, 6 March 2018) (edit) (undo)
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(Reverting back to stock firmware)
 
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! Bands ! Bands
| 3 x 3 | 3 x 3
 +|-
 +! Radio wl0
 +| Broadcom 4718 (SoC)
 +|-
 +! Radio wl1
 +| Broadcom 4331 Intensi-fi Single-Chip 802.11n Transceiver
|- |-
! Switch ! Switch
Line 39: Line 45:
|} |}
-Radio wl0 is Broadcom 4718 (SoC)+= Flashing =
- +
-Radio wl1 is Broadcom 4331 Intensi-fi Single-Chip 802.11n Transceiver+
- +
-== Flashing ==+
=== Warnings === === Warnings ===
 +'''These instructions are for E4200 version 1 ONLY!''' Version 2 has a marvel chipset and is NOT supported
-* The E4200 is very sensitive to the nvram size. The only safe nvram size identified for this router is an nvram size of 60kB. Recovery from a firmware with the wrong nvram size requires use of a jtag cable to erase the nvram.<sup>1</sup>+* The E4200 uses '''nv60k''' builds, '''do NOT flash nv64k nor generic builds.'''
 +* To upgrade stock firmware to DD-WRT, use the Flashing procedure below. Only use trailed builds (with ''E4200'' in the file name) to avoid bricking.
 +* '''AFTER''' initial flash, only use trailed OR '''nv60k''' builds - NOT nv64k nor generic builds.
 +* K3X is recommended once you are running dd-wrt - '''only use a trailed build to flash from K26 to K3X'''
 +** Newer K3X builds may not have a nv60k.bin build, in this case use the trailed build for upgrades
 +** Recovery from firmware with the wrong nvram size requires use of a JTAG cable to erase the nvram.<sup>1</sup>
 +* The E4200 works very well with most newer builds >32XXX, see [https://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Index:FAQ#Where_do_I_download_firmware.3F Where do I download firmware?] for links.
 +** Read model-specific and New Build threads before flashing different firmware
 +* The E4200 dissipates a good deal of heat at the stock 100 mW transmit power
 +** ''Ensure adequate cooling'' or reduce transmit power to 40-50 mW.
-* Support for the E4200 is still very much a work in progress at this time, outstanding issues reported have included WAN stability, and both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Radio stability.+===Initial Flash===
 +To install DD-WRT, perform these steps from the stock Linksys GUI:
 +# Read all of the required [http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51486 Peacock announcement].
 +# Disconnect any Ethernet cables from router and PC, and disable PC wireless.
 +# [[Hard reset or 30/30/30|Reset]] the router.
 +# Connect Ethernet cable from a LAN port (not the Internet port) of the router to PC doing the flash.
 +# Wait for router to boot up, and then for PC to get DHCP address from the router.
 +# Open router GUI (192.168.1.1) in Web browser on PC.
 +# Flash an E4200-specific mini build; e.g., [ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2013/05-27-2013-r21676/broadcom_K26/dd-wrt.v24-21676_NEWD-2_K2.6_mini-e4200.bin '''21676 trailed initial flash build for E4200''']
 +#* <font color=red>'''Do NOT use a "nv60k" build for the initial flash'''</font>; only use a trailed build, such as above.
 +#* '''21676 is a stable, recommended build for the E4200''', but ''only use the mini version'', since ''larger versions have the [http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/content/heartbleed-dd-wrtdd-wrt-online-services dangerous Heartbleed vulnerability]''. If you need more functionality than mini, upgrade to a newer build, see [https://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Index:FAQ#Where_do_I_download_firmware.3F Where do I download firmware?] for links.
 +# Wait for flashing process to complete, ''then wait 3 more minutes''.
 +# [[Hard reset or 30/30/30|Reset]] the device after it has successfully updated.
 +# Wait for router to boot up, then log into DD-WRT Web interface (192.168.1.1).
 +#* If the browser GUI login does not display, clear the browser cache.
-=== Flashing Process ===+===Upgrading===
 +* To upgrade to other builds AFTER installing DD-WRT, ONLY flash nv60k (or trailed) builds<br>
 +<font color=red>'''WARNING:''' Flashing anything else may result in a brick, as noted above</font>
 +# Select the build of your choosing from the the following link: [https://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Index:FAQ#Where_do_I_download_firmware.3F Where do I download firmware?]
 +#After the initial flash of a K26 build, you can upgrade to K26 mega build or K3X mega (broadcom_K3X folder). K3X mega is the recommended build version for this router, and supports SFE accelerated NAT after build 33006.
 +# Follow the same flashing procedure as you used for the initial flash
-* Perform these steps when flashing from the stock linksys GUI:+===Reverting to stock firmware===
 +You can always revert back to stock firmware.
 +* Download the latest E4200 firmware from the Linksys website.
# Disconnect all cables and wireless clients. # Disconnect all cables and wireless clients.
# Perform a 30/30/30 reset on the device. # Perform a 30/30/30 reset on the device.
-# Flash the latest E4200 specific mini build (dd-wrt.v24-<build number>_NEWD-2_K2.6_mini-e4200.bin) to the router.+# Login and select the stock firmware file and flash, make sure to select "reset to defaults" on the drop down menu when flashing.
# Wait approximately 5 minutes for the flashing process to complete. # Wait approximately 5 minutes for the flashing process to complete.
# Perform a 30/30/30 after the device has successfully updated. # Perform a 30/30/30 after the device has successfully updated.
-# Flash to larger build of your choosing (Mega, Big, std_usb_nas, OpenVPN, VoIP.) 
-#* '''WARNING''' Only flash -nv60k builds, flashing anything else to the router will brick it as noted above (dd-wrt.v24-<build number>_NEWD-2_K2.6_<build type>'''-nv60k'''.bin) 
-# If flashing to another build always perform a 30/30/30 '''before and after''' flashing. 
-== Wireless-N Configuration ==+= Wireless-N Configuration =
-* As is explained in [http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless-N_Configuration '''http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless-N_Configuration'''] make sure that you use AES security for your wireless N network. Do not use TKIP or the wireless speed will revert to the g standard and that would be a pity. AES+TKIP is also allowed.+* As is explained in [http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless-N_Configuration '''Wireless-N Configuration'''] make sure that you use '''AES''' with '''WPA2''' security for your wireless N network. Do not use TKIP or the wireless speed will revert to the g standard and that would be a pity. (AES+TKIP is also allowed but not recommended.)
-* Both the 2.4 and 5GHz Radios run at a stock transmitting power of 100mW, decreasing the transmitting power to a value between 40 & 50mW has seemed to help stability.+* It is recommended to set:
 +** 2.4 GHz radio to "NG-Mixed".
 +** 5 GHz radio to "NA-Mixed".
-=== 5GHz Wireless transfer speed ===+* Both 2.4 and 5 GHz Radios run at a stock transmitting power of 100mW. Decreasing the transmitting power to a value between 40 & 50mW may help stability, especially if the router has poor cooling.
-These are suggestions that are being recommended inside the E4200 forums thread to improve wireless performance on the 5GHz radio.+
-When WMM is enabled speed will drastically decrease. When disabled normal speeds are achieved. +
-Recommendation from LiteUp! and basmaf+
-* Disable WMM Support+
-* Enable Frame burst+
-* Set Afterburner to Auto (this will only have an effect if your wireless clients use Broadcom radios)+
-* Highest transfer rates are being achieved on Upper channel 161 +
-* '''Be patient, let SNR settle down before testing speeds.'''+
-== References ==+= References =
# [http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=86316&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=210|Linksys e4200 build thread] at dd-wrt forum # [http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=86316&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=210|Linksys e4200 build thread] at dd-wrt forum
# [https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=699190&fcc_id='Q87-E4200'|<nowiki>FCC</nowiki> disclosures ] # [https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=699190&fcc_id='Q87-E4200'|<nowiki>FCC</nowiki> disclosures ]
 +
 +[[Category:Linksys]]

Current revision

Contents

[edit] Hardware Specifications

Image:e4200.jpg


CPU Broadcom BCM4718
CPU Speed 480 MHz
Flash ROM 16 MB
Macronix MX25L12845E
RAM 64 MB
Radios 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
WLAN Support a/b/g/n
WLAN Max Speed 300mbps (2.4 GHz) & 450mbps (5 GHz)
Antenna Location Internal (x6)
Bands 3 x 3
Radio wl0 Broadcom 4718 (SoC)
Radio wl1 Broadcom 4331 Intensi-fi Single-Chip 802.11n Transceiver
Switch 4x GigE + 1 WAN
Broadcom 53115
IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab
USB 1x USB 2.0

[edit] Flashing

[edit] Warnings

These instructions are for E4200 version 1 ONLY! Version 2 has a marvel chipset and is NOT supported

  • The E4200 uses nv60k builds, do NOT flash nv64k nor generic builds.
  • To upgrade stock firmware to DD-WRT, use the Flashing procedure below. Only use trailed builds (with E4200 in the file name) to avoid bricking.
  • AFTER initial flash, only use trailed OR nv60k builds - NOT nv64k nor generic builds.
  • K3X is recommended once you are running dd-wrt - only use a trailed build to flash from K26 to K3X
    • Newer K3X builds may not have a nv60k.bin build, in this case use the trailed build for upgrades
    • Recovery from firmware with the wrong nvram size requires use of a JTAG cable to erase the nvram.1
  • The E4200 works very well with most newer builds >32XXX, see Where do I download firmware? for links.
    • Read model-specific and New Build threads before flashing different firmware
  • The E4200 dissipates a good deal of heat at the stock 100 mW transmit power
    • Ensure adequate cooling or reduce transmit power to 40-50 mW.

[edit] Initial Flash

To install DD-WRT, perform these steps from the stock Linksys GUI:

  1. Read all of the required Peacock announcement.
  2. Disconnect any Ethernet cables from router and PC, and disable PC wireless.
  3. Reset the router.
  4. Connect Ethernet cable from a LAN port (not the Internet port) of the router to PC doing the flash.
  5. Wait for router to boot up, and then for PC to get DHCP address from the router.
  6. Open router GUI (192.168.1.1) in Web browser on PC.
  7. Flash an E4200-specific mini build; e.g., 21676 trailed initial flash build for E4200
    • Do NOT use a "nv60k" build for the initial flash; only use a trailed build, such as above.
    • 21676 is a stable, recommended build for the E4200, but only use the mini version, since larger versions have the dangerous Heartbleed vulnerability. If you need more functionality than mini, upgrade to a newer build, see Where do I download firmware? for links.
  8. Wait for flashing process to complete, then wait 3 more minutes.
  9. Reset the device after it has successfully updated.
  10. Wait for router to boot up, then log into DD-WRT Web interface (192.168.1.1).
    • If the browser GUI login does not display, clear the browser cache.

[edit] Upgrading

  • To upgrade to other builds AFTER installing DD-WRT, ONLY flash nv60k (or trailed) builds

WARNING: Flashing anything else may result in a brick, as noted above

  1. Select the build of your choosing from the the following link: Where do I download firmware?
  2. After the initial flash of a K26 build, you can upgrade to K26 mega build or K3X mega (broadcom_K3X folder). K3X mega is the recommended build version for this router, and supports SFE accelerated NAT after build 33006.
  3. Follow the same flashing procedure as you used for the initial flash

[edit] Reverting to stock firmware

You can always revert back to stock firmware.

  • Download the latest E4200 firmware from the Linksys website.
  1. Disconnect all cables and wireless clients.
  2. Perform a 30/30/30 reset on the device.
  3. Login and select the stock firmware file and flash, make sure to select "reset to defaults" on the drop down menu when flashing.
  4. Wait approximately 5 minutes for the flashing process to complete.
  5. Perform a 30/30/30 after the device has successfully updated.

[edit] Wireless-N Configuration

  • As is explained in Wireless-N Configuration make sure that you use AES with WPA2 security for your wireless N network. Do not use TKIP or the wireless speed will revert to the g standard and that would be a pity. (AES+TKIP is also allowed but not recommended.)
  • It is recommended to set:
    • 2.4 GHz radio to "NG-Mixed".
    • 5 GHz radio to "NA-Mixed".
  • Both 2.4 and 5 GHz Radios run at a stock transmitting power of 100mW. Decreasing the transmitting power to a value between 40 & 50mW may help stability, especially if the router has poor cooling.

[edit] References

  1. e4200 build thread at dd-wrt forum
  2. FCC disclosures