
Installing OpenWRT on your GL iNet router can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got some tips to help you through the process.
First, make sure you have the correct firmware version for your router model. The GL iNet GL-MT300A, for example, requires OpenWRT 19.07 or later.
Before you start, it's a good idea to backup your current settings and configuration. This will save you from having to reconfigure everything if something goes wrong during the installation process.
To install OpenWRT, you'll need to download the correct firmware file from the OpenWRT website and then use a tool like TFTP or the GL iNet web interface to upload it to your router.
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Configuration and Setup
To enable button support, create the /etc/hotplug.d/button/00-button script, which can be found at openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/hardware/hardware.button#using_atheros_00-button_uci.
The WAN interface is configured as a DHCP client by default, making it easy to plug the router between an existing router and a computer. This allows both subnets and the Internet to be reachable simultaneously. Alternatively, the new router can be connected to a second physical interface if the computer has another one and routes correctly.
To preserve the config when updating the system, add /etc/hotplug.d/button/00-button as a line on http://192.168.8.1/cgi-bin/luci/admin/system/flash.
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Configuration
To configure your router, start by plugging it between an existing router and your computer, setting it to DHCP client mode. This will allow you to configure the router without disrupting your internet connection.
The WAN interface is configured as a DHCP client by default, so you can easily plug it in and start configuring. If the subnets of the two routers are different, you'll be able to reach both the new router and the internet at the same time.
Alternatively, you can connect the new router to a second physical interface on your computer if it has one and routes correctly. This will give you more flexibility in your setup.
To enable button support, you'll need to create a script in the /etc/hotplug.d/button/00-button directory. This script can be found at the OpenWRT website.
You can add the /etc/hotplug.d/button/00-button script to the list of preserved configurations on your router by adding it as a line on the http://192.168.8.1/cgi-bin/luci/admin/system/flash page. This will ensure that the config is preserved when you update the system.
Note that some buttons, like the reset or WPS buttons, may have preconfigured functionality that you can disable.
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Hardware Switch
To configure the hardware switch, you can use the GL.iNET GL-AR750/GL-MT300N_V2 model as an example. This device features a toggle slider that can be used to switch the VPN client on or off.
To configure the toggle slider, you'll need to run a specific command. For instance, to toggle the VPN client on or off, you can use the following command: run the command to configure the toggle slider.
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LuCi vs. Domino GUI
The Domino GUI is a great option for those who want a more user-friendly interface, especially if you plan to let others use your router.
It's much more intuitive and easier to navigate than LuCi, which can be overwhelming for some users.
The Domino GUI makes complex tasks simple with just a few clicks, whereas LuCi requires dozens of clicks to achieve the same result.
This is especially useful for those who need to configure settings quickly, like when you're on-the-go with a portable router.
Tying configuration settings to a physical switch on the router is also a convenient feature of the Domino GUI.
This can save you time and effort in the long run, especially if you're not a tech expert.
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Network and Security
Network and Security is a crucial aspect of setting up your Gl INET OpenWRT device. To connect to eduroam, a WWPA2-EAP network, you'll need to install the full version of wpad.
This requires a few steps: first, install the full version of wpad by running the command "opkg update; opkg remove wpad-mini; opkg remove wpad-basic; opkg install wpad; reboot" via SSH. Alternatively, you can use the web UI to perform the same actions.
After upgrading wpad, you'll need to configure your wireless settings. Start by scanning for available networks on the web UI at http://192.168.8.1/cgi-bin/luci/admin/network/wireless. Select "Join network" for any "eduroam" connection/AP, and then select the few possible settings as appropriate, entering anything as password for now, and then submit.
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Connect to Eduroam
To connect to Eduroam, you'll need to install the full version of wpad. This involves running the command "opkg update; opkg remove wpad-mini; opkg remove wpad-basic; opkg install wpad; reboot" via SSH.
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The wpad package is crucial for connecting to Eduroam, and upgrading it will ensure a smooth setup process.
After installing the full version of wpad, you'll need to access the web UI and click "Scan" on either WiFi interface. This will help the device identify available networks.
Select "Join network" for any "eduroam" connection/AP and enter your institution's configuration settings. Don't worry too much about the password for now, just submit the form.
Under "Wireless Security", select WPA2-EAP as the encryption method and set the remaining settings according to your institution's Eduroam configuration.
Mango Can't Use Tailscale as Exit Node
You can try using Tailscale as an exit node on your GL.iNet Mango, but it might not work as expected. The issue is that Tailscale doesn't cooperate with the Mango's routing by default.
If you try tailscale up --exit-node=seafile, it will cut off access to local clients connected to the Mango. However, you can add the --exit-node-allow-lan-access flag to restore local access.
But even with this flag, the Mango's local devices won't be able to pass traffic any farther than the Mango itself.
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Tailscale and VPN
Tailscale is a modern VPN that integrates seamlessly with OpenWRT. It's a great alternative to traditional VPNs, which can be cumbersome to set up.
Tailscale uses WireGuard, a fast and secure VPN protocol, to establish secure connections between devices. This makes it ideal for remote access and networking.
One of the key benefits of Tailscale is its ease of use. It eliminates the need for complex VPN configurations, making it a great choice for those new to VPNs.
Openvpn Client
To set up OpenVPN as a client, start by installing the necessary packages, openvpn-openssl and luci-app-openvpn. Reboot and reload the web interface afterwards.
You'll also need to add the VPN's interface to the wan zone by running a specific command, uci add_list firewall.@zone[1].device="tun0"; uci commit firewall; /etc/init.d/firewall restart.
To configure the OpenVPN client, you'll need to get your client config file, a *.ovpn file. This file can be uploaded to the OpenWRT device through the web interface.
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Once uploaded, set the "Enabled" check mark under "OpenVPN instances" and click "Save & Apply". This will activate the OpenVPN client.
To preserve the config when updating the system, add /etc/openvpn/ as a line on http://192.168.8.1/cgi-bin/luci/admin/system/flash.
To enable or disable the VPN from a terminal or script, you can use the following commands: uci set openvpn.${VPN_CONFIG_NAME:?}.enabled=1; /etc/init.d/openvpn reload; uci commit openvpn.
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Tailscale on Mango
You can install Tailscale on your GL.iNet Mango router, which runs OpenWRT 19.
The Tailscale package is only 2.8 megabytes, which is a small size that fits on the Mango's stock firmware.
However, the GL.iNet firmware doesn't have Tailscale packages in its repositories, which can make installation tricky.
But, if you download the latest version of OpenWRT for your Mango from the OpenWRT site, you'll have enough room to install Tailscale and its packages will be available for installation.
The Mango's stock firmware has around 7 megabytes of free space, which is more than enough to install Tailscale.
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To install Tailscale, you can follow the steps outlined in the example, which involves adding a line to the OpenWRT startup script.
This line will run the Tailscale startup script after a 15-second delay, which allows the script to unpack and configure Tailscale properly.
You can also use a USB drive to store your Tailscale configuration and packages, as described in the example.
This approach can be useful if you need to modify the Tailscale startup job without logging in to the Mango.
Here's a list of the steps to install Tailscale on your Mango:
- Download the latest version of OpenWRT for your Mango from the OpenWRT site.
- Add the Tailscale package to the OpenWRT repository.
- Add a line to the OpenWRT startup script to run the Tailscale startup script.
- Configure Tailscale to use an exit node, if desired.
Note that configuring Tailscale to use an exit node can be a bit tricky, as described in the example.
However, with the right configuration, you can use your Mango as an exit node to route traffic through a VPN.
Installation and Troubleshooting
To install OpenWrt on your GL.iNET device, start by checking the OpenWrt Table of Hardware to ensure your model is supported. Download the correct OpenWrt firmware build from their site.
The installation process is relatively straightforward. Download the "Firmware OpenWrt Upgrade" from the table and go to the router's internal updater page to upload the build image. Confirm the checksum and wait for the process to complete.
If you're using a GL.iNET GL-AR750 or GL-MT300N_V2, you can follow the steps below to flash OpenWrt:
- Download the "Firmware OpenWrt Upgrade" from the table on the GL.iNET website.
- Upload the *-sysupgrade.bin as "Flash new firmware image" and confirm the checksum.
- After flashing, visit http://192.168.1.1/ and set passwords and SSH settings.
Note that you may need to uncheck "keep settings" or reset to defaults after flashing, depending on your device and configuration.
The Installation Process
First and foremost, check the OpenWrt Table of Hardware to ensure your device is supported.
To start, download the correct OpenWrt firmware build from their website.
Uploading the build image through the router's internal updater page is a straightforward process.
You'll then have full access to LuCI, the web UI, and SSH for deeper customization.
One of the benefits of OpenWrt is the ability to create split WiFi networks for yourself and guests.
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To access SSHd from WAN, you'll need to create a port forward from TCP/WAN/22 to LAN/any/22.
After flashing, visit http://192.168.1.1/ to set passwords and SSH settings.
If you want to change the IPv4 address of the LAN interface back to 192.168.8.1, you can do so from the network page.
Remember to uncheck "keep settings" before flashing, or reset to defaults after the reboot.
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Wait What's
OpenWrt is a custom, open-source Linux-based firmware for routers. It's a game-changer for anyone looking to unlock advanced features and customization options.
For those new to OpenWrt, it's essentially a replacement for the stock firmware that comes with your router. This upgrade offers a ton of benefits, including:
- Advanced firewall and traffic control
- Built-in VPN support
- Network monitoring tools
- Scheduled tasks, ad blockers, and more
- A full package manager
Having a full package manager is a major plus, allowing you to easily install and manage software just like on a real OS.
Post-Purchase Regrets
Two years ago, installing Tailscale on an OpenWRT router required manual installation, which is no longer the case thanks to the OpenWRT package manager.
I cheated and put the Tailscale binary on a USB flash drive when I set things up two years ago, which turned out to be a clever move.
Having the Tailscale configuration and keys on a USB drive provides a layer of security, as it can be easily removed if needed.
This setup also makes it easy to loan out the router to a friend, as they won't have access to the Tailscale configuration without the USB drive.
The convenience of the OpenWRT package manager is a game-changer, but it's also worth considering the potential benefits of a more manual setup.
In my case, not having to install Tailscale manually has been a blessing, but I'm also glad I didn't have to rely on the package manager from the start.
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