Update Firmware

The firmware loaded on the router by default is Openwrt 23.05.4

LAN *Recommended*

Connect any of the LAN ports (Preferably LAN 1) on the router to your USB to Ethernet adapter following this wiring diagram:

Power on the device and wait for it to boot - please note first boot can be over 1 minute. The network activity LED on the connected LAN port will start flashing once the router has booted. If this does not happen try unplugging and re-plugging the USB to Ethernet adapter.

Using this method the router acts as a DHCP server and allocates your network adapter a client IP.

Alternatively you can connect to the CBU-Router Access Point.

Initial Update to OpenWRT

Download Firmware

The firmware has some extra modules included over the default OpenWRT build. These are to enable the USB port (please note, you will still need USB drivers for your device).

You can find the latest default firmware by searching for "HILINK HLK-7628N" here.

Modify Firmware

These settings persist even through a reset to default ensuring there is always a way to restore access.

1) Click the drop down "Customize installed packages and/or first boot script"

Default View

2) Add the following to the box labelled "Installed Packages" ensuring each item has a space between them.

kmod-usb-core kmod-usb2

• kmod-usb-core installs the base USB drivers

• kmod-usb2 is needed to ensure compatibility with the hardware

Packages Added

3) Add the following to the "Script to run on first boot (uci-defaults)" box

uci set wireless.radio0.cell_density='0'
uci set wireless.default_radio0.ssid='CBU-Router'
uci set wireless.default_radio0.encryption='psk2'
uci set wireless.default_radio0.key='CBUnmanned'
uci set wireless.@wifi-device[0].disabled=0

• radio0.cell_density is set top default

• radio0.ssid sets the WiFi AP SSID to "CBU-Router"

• radio0.key sets the WiFi AP Password to "CBUnmanned"

• radio0.encryption sets the WiFi AP Security to WPA2

• wifi-device[0].disabled=0 ensures the WiFi is on by default

Add WiFi Options

4) Request build and wait for "Download an image" to have the output and click "SYSUPGRADE" to download the firmware.

Download Cutom Firmware

You should have a file that resembles the following:

"openwrt-23.05.4-ramips-mt76x8-hilink_hlk-7628n-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin"

Where:

• 23.05.4 is the version number

• ramips is the bootloader type

• mt76x8-hilink_hlk-7628n is the chipset name

• squashfs is the file storage type

• sysupgrade shows its a full firmware release

Connect to the GUI and update Firmware.

Ensure your device is connected as above and power it on.

Boot times can be up to 1 minute.

The device is accessible on 192.168.1.1 from a browser with a gateway of 192.168.1.1.

The default username/password is root/blank

Web interface instructions

1. Navigate to System → Backup / Flash Firmware → Actions: Flash new firmware image.

2. Click Choose File button to select firmware image.

3. Click Flash image... to upload firmware image.

4. Please ensure that no settings are saved

5. Verify firmware image checksum and proceed.
6. Wait until the router comes back online.

Please note that this process can take some time, please leave it powered for 10 minutes once clicking update to ensure the process fully completes.

After you have flashed a generic OpenWRT image its default IP will change to the OpenWRT default of 192.168.1.1 and username/password of root/blank is used.

Please use the new IP and login with a browser and set a password.