USRobotics USR5461

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nvram set et0macaddr=00:C0:49:YO:UR:N1 nvram set et0macaddr=00:C0:49:YO:UR:N1
- nvram set il0macaddr=00:C0:49:YO:UR:N1+ nvram set il0macaddr=00:C0:49:YO:UR:N2
nvram set wan_hwaddr=00:C0:49:YO:UR:N2 nvram set wan_hwaddr=00:C0:49:YO:UR:N2
nvram commit nvram commit

Revision as of 19:50, 13 January 2010

Flashing a US Robotics USR5461

Contents


Introduction

The major hardware features of this router are listed in this table. As of now, the reset button on this router is not recognized by DD-WRT. Therefore, in place of the so-called "30/30/30 reset" which requires a fully functioning reset button, other steps will be taken.

DD-WRT versions

This router has only 2MB of flash memory, but its 128K CFE allows either micro or micro-plus builds. See the Firmware Recommendations thread for the latest recommended build. For Brainslayer builds, use the micro generic files. The Eko "NEWD" builds also work well with this router. Do not use "NEWD2" or "VINT".

Preparing to Flash

This instruction page assumes your router is running the stock US Robotics firmware. Please read all of the flashing instructions for the method you wish to use before starting.

Perform the procedures in this section before using either of the two flashing methods below. (The steps within the two methods assume these have been done.)

1. Read the Peacock Thread. There is a lot of background information there to help you understand what is going on, help prevent mistakes (not to mention bricked routers) and help you to know what to do if something goes wrong.

2. Download the desired firmware (you will not have internet access from your PC while flashing the firmware).

3. Connect your PC to a LAN port on the router with a cable (do not flash the router over a wireless connection) and disconnect all other clients.

4. Reset your router to USR Factory Firmware defaults. Hold down the reset button until the LEDs stop cycling and reach a stable pattern for at least 5 seconds (a single LAN LED may occasionally flicker at the end). Release the button. (This method to restore defaults only works for USR factory firmware as of this writing.)

5. The default LAN IP Address of the US Robotics USR5461 factory firmware and CFE is 192.168.2.1. Your computer's network interface will need a Static IP Address on the same network to reliably load DD-WRT onto the router.

On Windows XP, Control Panel/Network Connections/right-click on Local Area Connection icon and select Properties. On Windows Vista, Control Panel/Network and Sharing Center.

Go into the properties of the Local Area Connection/Internet Protocol TCP/IP and set the static IP address.

     IP Address: 192.168.2.101
     Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
     Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1

Click OK

6. Now perform one of the firmware loading methods listed below:

Method 1: tftp

1. Open a command prompt window and type ping -t 192.168.2.1 and hit enter. Leave this window open with the ping running.

2. Start tftp2.exe (windows GUI for tftp)

     Server : 192.168.2.1
     Password :
     File : dd-wrt.v24-12774_NEWD_micro-plus.bin (or whatever the version you downloaded above)

3. Power off the router - the ping reply should start failing

4. Wait for 10 sec and plug power back to the router.

5. This STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT, as soon as you see the FIRST ping reply, click on Upgrade within Tftp2.exe. You will get responses with TTL=100 within a few seconds when the router is powered on. If you see TTL=64 before you clicked Upgrade, you waited too long to start the tftp. (If you miss this step, start from STEP 3 again.)

6. You will see the firmware image is loading to the router. Stop the ping in your command prompt window (^C) after the tftp reports success.

7. Wait 5 minutes after the tftp has completed, regardless of whether the wireless is stable before then. Then cycle the power.

8. Proceed to "After the Flash" below.

You can also flash back the original factory firmware as described above. Just change the file location in Tftp2.exe to point to the factory firmware and start with the current router IP. (Might need a USR factory firmware without the 28-byte "USR0" header; must check this.)

Method 2: upgrading from the web interface

It is also possible to flash DD-WRT for the first time using the upgrade option from the USR firmware's web interface. The trick is to make the DD-WRT firmware file look like a USR firmware file by adding a special header and changing the file extension to .usr such that that the USR firmware will recognize it.

1. Download the header file usr5461_hdr.bin

2. Open a command prompt window and issue the command:

     copy /b usr5461_hdr.bin+dd-wrt_xxxxxxx.bin result_file.usr 

Doublecheck that result_file.bin is exactly 28 bytes longer than the dd-wrt_xxxxxxx.bin file.

3. Open the USR web UI at http://192.168.2.1 in your browser, navigate to the upgrade page and upload the result_file.usr created above.

4. Wait 5 minutes after the upgrade has completed, regardless of whether the wireless is stable before then. Then cycle the power.

5. Proceed to "After the Flash" below.

After the Flash

1. Change the static IP on your PC back to DHCP (automatic):

On Windows XP, Control Panel/Network Connections/right-click on Local Area Connection icon and select Properties. On Windows Vista, Control Panel/Network and Sharing Center.

Go into the properties of the Local Area Connection/Internet Protocol TCP/IP and set

     Obtain IP address Automatically
     Obtain DNS Server Automatically

Click OK. Your PC will be assigned a new IP address on the 192.168.1.x network by the router, which is now running DD-WRT.

Now you must issue commands to configure some unique properties of the USR5461 when running DD-WRT.

2. Go to the command prompt window and issue the command

    telnet 192.168.1.1
    username: root
    password: admin

Now you're in DD-WRT shell.

3. Issue the commands:

    erase nvram
    reboot

This clears the NVRAM in place of the "30/30/30 reset".

4. After the router has rebooted from step 3 above, repeat step 2 above to telnet into the DD-WRT shell again, then issue these commands:

    nvram set et0macaddr=00:C0:49:YO:UR:N1
    nvram set il0macaddr=00:C0:49:YO:UR:N2
    nvram set wan_hwaddr=00:C0:49:YO:UR:N2
    nvram commit
    reboot

where

    00:C0:49:YO:UR:N1 = the lowest MAC listed on the bottom of YOUR router 
    00:C0:49:YO:UR:N2 = 00:C0:49:YO:UR:N1 + 1.

These commands are needed to configure the unique MAC addresses reserved for your router, because DD-WRT on the USR5461 series defaults to a generic (possibly non-unique) MAC.

5. After the router reboots again, you may access the DD-WRT router configuration webpages at DD-WRT's default of http://192.168.1.1. Further configuration options of a more general nature are beyond the scope of this device-specific page.

6. Enjoy!

Forum Threads For More Information

The steps above were gathered from various threads in the dd-wrt forums. These threads in particular contain much helpful information:

[USR5461 compatibility]

[USR 5461]

Thank you to all who contributed. (SiliconWarrior, modervador, others whose forum posts must not go unrecognized.)