This chapter mainly explains the content: basic usage of OpenWRT firmware to modify wireless name and password.
1. What is OpenWRT firmware
Here is a brief introduction to the origin of OpenWRT. Back in the day, Linksys (acquired by Cisco) released a wireless router product called WRT54G/GS, which was a classic product. However, the core software of this product was developed based on the GPL license, which follows open-source standards. In 2002, someone discovered that they had secretly used Linux code but had not adhered to the GPL agreement to open-source it. Under various pressures, Cisco was ultimately forced to release the source code for Linksys WRT54G, which became the foundation for various third-party router firmwares such as dd-wrt, Tomato, Gargoyle, OPNsense, PFSense, and Asus’s asuswrt project, among many others. OpenWRT was also improved based on this code. The first version of OpenWRT was released and open-sourced by a genius from Belarus, and later OpenWRT was rewritten based on a mature version of Linux and has continued to develop to this day. Currently, many firmwares based on OpenWRT have been developed, such as Pandora firmware, and most of the domestic smart router market is basically based on OpenWRT’s secondary development.
2. Advantages and disadvantages of OpenWRT: Here, we will focus on the user experience without discussing the advantages and disadvantages during compilation.
Disadvantages of OpenWRT: It is very difficult for beginners to get started; the interface is relatively complex, and the entry threshold is quite high. Many novice users struggle to understand the basic internet settings, let alone other more complex functions. In terms of drivers, almost all are open-source, which leads to some performance aspects not being as good as closed-source alternatives.
3. Since the interface of OpenWRT is quite similar, we will take mleaf’s OpenWRT CC v1.6 version as an example: currently, I think this firmware with Gargoyle QOS is the best, very stable.
Default configuration of OpenWRT CC v1.6 firmware:
Management address: 192.168.2.1
Login password: root/admin
1. After logging into the router, the following main interface appears as shown:
2. Select the “Wireless” setting menu in the “Network” section as shown below:
3. It should be noted that the rate around 300 is for the 2.4G module, and around 800 is for the 5G module as indicated in the following image:
4. Select the network card module for which you need to modify the wireless name and password, and click the modify button on the right, which will bring up the wireless network configuration page as shown below:
5. Since the page cannot be fully displayed, please drag the mouse to the bottom as shown in the following image, where the interface configuration page is shown: the ESSID that needs to be modified is the wireless name.
After modifying the wireless name, click on the “Wireless Security” page and set it as shown below:
6. Once the settings are completed, click the “Save and Apply” button at the bottom right to take effect.
