##Firmware for Freifunk Bielefeld
The firmware turns a common wireless router into a mesh networking device. It connects to similar routers in the area and builds a Wifi-mesh network but also opens an access point for computers to connect over Wifi. Included is Internet connectivity and a web interface.
To build the firmware you need a Unix console to enter commands into. Install dependencies for the build environment (Debian/Ubuntu):
sudo apt-get install git subversion g++ libncurses5-dev gawk zlib1g-dev build-essential
Build Commands:
git clone git://git.openwrt.org/12.09/openwrt.git
cd openwrt
git clone https://github.com/freifunk-bielefeld/firmware.git
cp -rf firmware/{files,package,feeds.conf.default,.config} .
git am --whitespace=nowarn firmware/patches/*.patch
rm -rf firmware
./scripts/feeds update -a
./scripts/feeds install -a
make defconfig
make menuconfig
Now select the right "Target System" and "Target Profile" for your AP model:
For example, for the TL-WR841ND, select:
- Target System => Atheros AR7xxx/AR9xxx
- Target Profile => TP-LINK TL-WR841ND
Or in case you have the DIR-300, select:
- Target System => <*> AR231x/AR5312
- Target Profile => <*> Default
For other models you can lookup the "Target System" in the OpenWrt hardware table. Your AP model should now be visible in the "Target Profile" list.
Now start the build process. This takes some time:
make
The firmware images are now in the "bin"-folder. Use the firmware update functionality of your router and upload the factory image. The sysupgrade images are for further updates.
- Use "openwrt-[chip]-[model]-squashfs-factory.bin" for the initial flash.
- Use "openwrt-[chip]-[model]-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin" for futher updates.
Many routers have not been tested yet, but may work. Give it a try! :-)