Upgrade your ADSL Modem Router with Routertech Firmware

March 11, 2012 by Ajitesh Madai 41 Comments

This is a comprehensive tutorial for installing RouterTech Custom Firmware on your modem router.This tutorial is generic i.e. following this tutorial you can install the firmware on any routertech compatible router.This was made based on the documentation provided by RouterTech.org website. Lot of thanks to the Routertech Team.

RouterTech firmware is an open source Linux-based firmware for ADSL modem routers which have Texas Instruments AR7* chipsets.

Before you install you can take a demo of features supported by Routertech firmware here.

It supports routers from manufacturers like Dlink, Linksys, Acorp, Sofecom, Solwise & many more.See RouterTech Compatibility List for more. This list is identified by Routertech.org team.If your router is based on same chipset family there is a high possibility that your router supports the firmware even if it’s not listed (My Dlink GLB 502T router is not).

UPGRADING THE ROUTER FIRMWARE IS A RISKY PROCEDURE.

THE ROUTER MAY BE RENDERED USELESS IF THE PROCEDURE IS NOT FOLLOWED CAREFULLY.

YOU HAVE BEEN FORE WARNED.

Step 1) Checking Compatibility and Determining Correct Firmware – Do not Skip this step

Separate firmwares are provided by RouterTech for different chipsets,boot-loaders and flash ROM sizes.We have to use this utility to identify whether our router is compatible and to find the correct firmware for your router. It will backup your router environment in case it gets bricked during the upgrade process. Checking for compatibility will not harm your router, if it does not complete it means your router is not compatible.

[For Windows 7 users only : You have to enable telnet to proceed as it is turned off by default in Windows 7. Procedure here : Enable Telnet in windows 7]

1. Download Router Update Checker (RUC)
2. Set Static IP address to your PC.
3. Run RUC with following settings:

• Router’s IP Address : 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.2 ( or anything depending on your router). This is the address where you can access the Routers Web Interface through a browser.
• Telnet Username : root (Default). The telnet username is sometimes different from the username you specify on the web interface.
• Telnet Password : *Password which you use to log into the router here * (Default is “admin” or “Admin” ). If you don’t know the default password you can see here.
• No. of Ethernet Ports : Check the No. of Ethernet Ports on the back of your router.
• Router Description : *Provide your router name here* (or select from drop down list if present).

4. Now Click “Check My Router” and let it take its time.

If the check does not complete then your router is not compatible with R0uterTech firmware. Do not continue with the further part of the tutorial. Your router may be compatible with other custom firmwares such as DD-WRT, OpenWrt, Tomato etc

If the check successfully completes it will show a windows similar to this :

The Latest : routertech-*your_chipset*-*bootloader*-*no_of_ports*-*release_date*.ZIP represents the firmware compatible with your router. Lite version take less memory by having lesser features.Differrences here

Also Please take note of the values marked in red :

RUC will generate files env_*routername*.txt & check_*routername*.txt.Backup this files to a safe folder.It will be required in case your router gets bricked.

Step 2) Downloading the correct latest firmware

Now depending on your results you have to download the correct routertech firmware.No Mistakes at this step.

1. First you need to create a account at Routertech.org forum. (You can only see the firmware download links only after you have completed the registration and logged in)

2. Log into the forum and then visit this thread.Firmware ZIP files are attached at the end of the post there.

3. Download the firmware ZIP as suggested by RUC (the release date on the file may change depending on latest release). Save and Extract.

The ZIP contains :

• 4mb_flash folder <– Contains 4mb firmware for ROM size of 4MB

|
|—>annexB folder <– Contains 4MB Annex B Firmware
|—>RouterTech_3.6.0D_*date*_*ver*_*chip*-*port*_*bootloader*-4mb-flash_firmware.upgrade.img <– 4 MB Annex A Firmware

• annexB folder <– Contains 2MB Annex B firmware image.
• docs folder <– Contains detailed documentation
• led folder <– Files for configuring your router LEDs
• RouterTech_3.6.0D_*date*_*ver*_*chip*-*ports*_*bootloader*_firmware.upgrade.img <– 2MB Annex A firmware image

You need to flash 2MB or 4MB (Annex A or Annex B) firmware image depending on your router.Keep in mind the correct image file.

Step 3) Flashing the router with firmware.

1. First you need to set your router to factory defaults.Generally routers have a small button behind,press it with a pen for a few seconds until all the lights go off.The router will then restart.
2. Download latest Router Repair Tool (RRT). Save and Extract
3. Run RRT.

On “Details” tab set the following :

• Router Description :*Provide your router name here*
• Router IP address : 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.2 ( or anything depending on your router).
• Telnet username :root (Default)
• Telnet password : Admin (This is the Routertech default password)
• Flash Rom Size : Select as given by RUC (Values Marked in Red Box)
• BootloaderType : Select as given by RUC
• Network Adapter : Select the one to which the router is connected

Goto “Repair” Tab and Press “Initiate Connection”

Switch Off Your Router and only then Click OK.

Now when it prompts Switch on the Router.

It will connect to the routers bootloader.

Click the “Wizard” on top menu

Select “Un-brick the router” & “Import Settings” (This will fill the settings automatically from the previous pages) –>Next

Verify the Settings.– >Next

Click “Try to Discover ROM size ” & “Try to Discover Bootloader Size

” Tick “Single Image” –> Next

Select image file location.(The one you kept in mind before). –>Finish

Now wait for the firmware to get downloaded to your router. Do not touch or try to access the router.

After the process has successfully completed wait for 5 minutes for the firmware to settle down.

Step 4 )After Flashing firmware

Again reset the router to Factory defaults.

Try to access your Routers page. 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.2 ( or anything depending on your router).

If you can see the RouterTech page then the firmware update is successful ….Yayy!!

Go to “Setup”–>”Modem”–>Select “Multi_Mode” –>Apply.

Sometimes is may happen that your LED lights may not work properly.You can fix it by doing this.

Now configure your connection and enjoy the newer-better firmware.

If you cannot access the Router Page, Repeat Flashing Firmware Procedure (Step 3 ) again. Also you can visit the Routertech Upgrade Procedure or Routertech FAQ.

If you are sure that your router has been bricked then check here.

GOOD LUCK WITH FLASHING !!!

PLEASE COMMENT IF YOU FIND THIS TUTORIAL HELPFUL.

Updated on 11/5/2012

–Included Direct links and Included more Details