OpenWrt for N810
 

So, I decided to fetch and build a fresh trunk for my router and while I was waiting and looking around the source tree to see what's new (as one does) noticed this (changelog).

There are also a few more details here.

Apparently it comes with an up-to-date kernel (2.6.35.4) including KEXEC support!

This target isn't included in the snapshot builds and my own build box is going to be busy for a while, but in the meantime has anyone else tried it?

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Update: It boots, and KEXEC works :-)

X didn't start, but that's probably something wrong with my build. The console works, but fn doesn't which means some essential characters like / can't be entered. So I couldn't try to configure WiFi, bluetooth etc and see how they worked.

If anyone wants to give it a go, there are some steps omitted in the above link. Before menuconfig copy feeds.conf.default to feeds.conf (and optionally edit it to enable package feeds of interest). Then run "./scripts/feeds update" followed by "./scripts/feeds install xserver-xorg" (and whataver other packages you want to include - use "./scripts/feeds list" to see what's available).

It's possible you may also have to run "make tools/install" if the build fails complaining it couldn't find some host-side tool.

If all goes well the results of the build will be in bin/omap24xx. You don't really need to flash the kernel, a simple "flasher-3.5 -k bin/omap24xx/openwrt-omap24xx-zImage -l -b" will do for trying it out.

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Got a bit further with some help from mbuesch (menuconfig doesn't produce a working Xorg for some reason).

Is it inappropriate to get excited by seeing this?

It's not quite ready for end-users, but wireless works so I can ssh in and do stuff (the X keymap is worse than the console, not even ctrl works).

But first things first: charging. Stskeeps, can you point me to whatever magic you used to get the initfs bme working in Mer? I can only get as far as starting it (chrooted, obviously) and watching it segfault here :-(

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Sorry for the noob question but, what kind of advantage could it bring to our beloved N810?

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

What, hack value isn't enough? ;-)

More seriously, it's a very lightweight distribution originally aimed at access points, routers and such but lately receiving some GUI attention for things like the Ben NanoNote, OLPC XO and the Openmoko Freerunner.

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Wow this looks really cool. I like the stuff in the patches directory, gives a hint of the capabilities for people like us who cant try this out right now.

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

what was needed to get Xorg to run, i've built this rootfs and kernel and was stuck on the same problem... oh and how did you configure your wifi so you could ssh?

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Not quite sure, I just asked mbuesch for a copy of his working .config and used that (attached), but I haven't gone over the diff from the menuconfig-produce one yet (it's quite large).

Even with this the build failed in a few places. I had to add libusb-1.0 to gpsd's PKG_BUILD_DEPENDS and disable gpxview & nfs-utils, YMMV. In case it matters the successful build was at r23088.

Once you boot, X will start with a black root window and nothing else, which may look like it's broken if you expect to see the classic root weave pattern or a mouse pointer for example. Apparently you can autostart clients via /etc/config/x11 but I don't know the details yet. Setting $DISPLAY and starting stuff from an ssh session works of course.

By modifying the rootfs /etc/config/wireless on a PC before putting it in the N810. You need to remove the "option disabled 1" line, and set the ssid and encryption details.

BTW, it will use a 00:02:ee:c0:ff:ee MAC address by default (that's also in a range registered to Nokia but is nothing like the address used under Diablo). That's something to watch out for if for instance you have MAC filters on your AP or reject unknown clients on your DHCP server. Dropbear is started automatically at boot time.

Oh, and USB is not currently working so spare yourself the trouble of trying to set up a USB console or networking.

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Does this mean that there is an open source wifi driver for the N810?

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Oh yeah, there has been for quite a while now :-) The stlc45xx driver was announced by Kalle Valo just over two years ago and presented at the Berlin summit, then it was moved to the staging tree with kernel 2.6.30 and eventually merged with bits of p54 to form p54spi (in mainline now).

It's kinda sad that this isn't more widely known, it's one of the n8x0s' best success stories IMHO.

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Part two of my question; Does this open source driver support Monitor mode / Injection ;)

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

I haven't tried it myself, but http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/p54#working suggests yes to both.

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Enough?? Yes!!

But the actual hack value of my N900 is enough for me.

Sometimes I would really want less hack value and more telephone and PDA.

I could control spaceships with my N900 but I can't simply manage my contacts without a ****ing mess.

GOD BLESS THE BLUES!!

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Yeah, well, then OpenWrt probably isn't the distribution you're looking for.

Let's please not turn this thread into another N900-bashing one, especially since it has nothing to do with the N900 in the first place.

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Very scary/exciting patch: N810 battery management.

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Yet more reason to open Diablo's BME!

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Scary. But might work?

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

Dunno, I won't be able to try it for a few hours at least, plus I'm a bit wary (having already sacrificed the webcam while trying hand-rolling mainline kernels a while ago) - new N810s seem impossible to find these days...

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

So how functional is it at this point I see there are quite a few patches in the openwrt repo now? Has anyone tried this on an n800 (which I have) they are pretty cheap on ebay now ~50-60 bucks.

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

I am wondering if anyone have ever achieved the use of n810 as a wireless bridge.
If so, could you point me out in the right direction for a tutorial on that?:D?
Please assume that I already follow the tutorial on:

http://bues.ch/cms/hacking/n810-openwrt.html

and I am expecting in the best case scenario something like:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge

I am guessing that the board of the N810 would make for a powerful and smart router.... Only concern is the battery life being reduced by keeping it connected to charger all the time (Currently owned 4.2 charging stations only produce 300 mah so no viable mod there...)

Long life to all devices... including the n810...

Re: OpenWrt for N810
 

I spent a little time and got this distro back to the point where it will build, install and boot. Still needs work, but it seems like a very nice starting point for an open source, lightweight N810 OS distro.

Andy