This tutorial guides you through the installation of OpenWRT using a bash script, executed via a web browser interface of the BL-100/BL-201 router. This installation method is beginner-friendly as it can be done solely through the router's web interface without the need for command line access.
Contents
Installation Steps
💡 IMPORTANT:
Ensure the router is connected to the internet, either through LAN or its built-in LTE modem.You can use local webserver if has no internet, but you need to make sure the network can access your local webserver
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Access the router's web interface by typing its IP address.
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Log in to the dashboard.
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Navigate to the
/adm/system_command.shtmlpage.
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In the command input box, enter the following command and press Enter.
make sure its http because https is not supported, thats why origila tutorial is using http proxy.
wget -O- http://ghuseraccess.000webhostapp.com/?file=openwrt-install.sh | shor
wget -O- http://your-local-webserver-lan-ip/fw-bl100-bl201-openwrt/openwrt-install.sh | shto make your local webserver, use xampp or laragon, clone the repository below, then update the bash file to get both of the required file from your local server.
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The view will change, showing installation logs. Please wait, as the installation usually takes 3 - 5 minutes.
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Once the installation is complete, a "Rebooting" message will appear, and the router will restart on its own.
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After the restart, the router will automatically enter OpenWRT.
You can try to ping the router wait until it has reply. Then you can open 192.168.1.1 on new tab if its not refreshing, this process a bit long so dont be affraid. If ping replied ok, but browser display something like missing css, then you need to clear browser cache. Press 12 to open dev tools, then hard reload the page (i think its ctrl + f5)
sometimes you need to reboot the device manually for the first time. Just make sure you wait long enough for the installation to be finished first, 5 minutes should be enough.
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Access it using the IP address 192.168.1.1. Log in with Username: root and Password: root.
Clear cache/hard reload in Chrome developer mode if the Bolt interface persists.
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Successful login to OpenWRT! Installation is complete
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That concludes the OpenWRT installation tutorial on the Bolt BL-100/BL-201 router
[Optional] Upgrade OpenWRT Version to 23.05.1 (immortalWRT)
The version provided by the above script is Chaos Calmer (OpenWRT 15.05.1). To update to the latest version as of the update date of this article, the recommended firmware for BL-100/BL-201 is immortalWRT.
ImmortalWRT Download link here
- To upgrade to version 23.05.1, download the ImmortalWRT sysupgrade from my repository or directly from the source above.
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Perform the upgrade via LuCI > System > Backup/Flash Firmware. In the "Flash new firmware image" input field:
!! CAUTION.
Uncheck the "keep configuration" option to remove default configurations.
Ensure access to the device is through the LAN port, not the WAN port. Accessing via the WAN port won't detect a successful upgrade, as default settings change, and the WAN port doesn't provide DHCP.
make ping to 192.168.1.1, this will help you to take notice whenever the upgrade is finished. When finished, reply will comeback
- Press the proceed button and wait a few minutes (5-15m); do not reboot the device, or it may become bricked.
- If successful, the address 192.168.1.1 will refresh to the immortalWRT login page. This part takes long time (maybe can be 5-15m). so be patient. If still has no ping reply after adquate long time, try to reattach the lan cable from the dhcp port/your laptop
[Optional] Set permanent Mac address usign breed
this version of breed used here is already set static mac, but if you will use multiple BL201, you need to change the mac so no mac conflict will happen
https://notes.javalatte.xyz/how-to-set-permanent-mac-on-bolt-bl-201/
REPOSITORY
repo https://github.com/akzn/fw-bl100-bl201-openwrt
original tutorial https://radito.github.io/posts/bd5a426b-d8e8-4ab6-a30f-4e0e58664933/