Help for a Network Wimp

[Sarrow]

Way over my head here...

I have used Meteobridge happily for several years using a TP Link 3020. After a 2 year health related hiatus, I have been trying to set up my weather station again, intending to upgrade my license. But the router has clearly died. After trying the prescribed steps again and again, it tantalizingly connects with Meteobridge, randomly and rarely, and then disconnects again after 5-10 minutes. Since it was >5 years old, I tried to replace it and got a WR902AC, v 3.8, not realizing the complex procedure for flashing the new unit. Now I have spent hours trying to reflash without success. I copied the firmware file (the one from January 2020) to my tftpboot folder and created a secondary IP address (on my MBP) at 192.168.0.225. But, nothing happens when I try to flash. Not sure how to start the tftp server on my MBP. I downloaded TFTPServer and it shows that the service is stopped. I am stuck. Tried online suggestions for starting the server, and nothing happens.

This is all way over my head in terms of familiarity with networking tasks like this. I realize I will need to purchase a new license for the new router. Can anyone offer any help? I am using a MBP late 2017 running Catalina, have a Davis Vantage Vue, and all was well.

Can anyone rescue a newbie like me?

Thanks,

Steve

[BigAlT]

Look at this article on how to run a tftp server on a Mac
https://rick.cogley.info/post/run-a-tft ... n-mac-osx/

[Sarrow]

Thanks for the excellent resource. I already feel less alone! I followed all the Mac configuration steps with no problem. But, sorry, I am getting stuck at the

"Get firmware file from tftpd"

It differs by each device you’re upgrading, but typically you would set these:

Method of upgrade: select tftp usually.
IP address of tftpd server. This is the IP of your mac.
Name of firmware file. Enter the exact name, getting the case exactly right.

Then there is usually a way to “execute” the transfer by a command or menu. Once the firmware is transferred and loaded, your device will usually restart." step.

Should this be done by the TP-Link control panel? I am not seeing any request for the IP address or indication of the file transfer. I think I am being really stupid and missing something blazingly obvious...

I appreciate your help!

Steve

[BigAlT]

See my latest post

[Sarrow]

Yes, I had tried that, but even after doing all of the steps to configure the TFTP server from Terminal from the webpage you suggested, it says that I need to start the TFTP server. There is a button for this on the GUI and mashing on it does nothing...There is nothing in the help info with the app to suggest what to do in this case.

Thanks

[BigAlT]

Try this:
https://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0001247

Or try this application : http://kin.klever.net/pumpkin#.XoOhpC8idvJ

You’ll have to stop the built in Mac TFTP server first.

[BigAlT]

Apparently, there is no TFTP support in OSX Catalina. From looking on the web, the only TFTP server that works on Catalina is Transfer: https://www.adriangranados.com/apps/transfer. It costs $10 but has a 7 day free trial. Give it a shot.

[Sarrow]

Thanks again for hanging in there with me. It seems that many things don't work with Catalina.

I have downloaded Transfer, but it has no instructions whatever, either with the App or online. I copied the firmware file into the Transfer folder, and then, not sure what to do.

I have spent so much time on this without making a bit of headway; this is very discouraging.

[BigAlT]

On the download page for transfer there is a contact link with the developer. Ask him how to use his software to do the transfer. I’ve never used it so not sure what you need to do. You might explain what you’re using it for and you’re an TFTP novice.
If worse comes to worse get a TL-MR3020 (version 3.x) which costs around $30.00 on eBay which has a downloadable preconfigured TFTP server for use with virtual box ( a Linux emulator ) which is a free download and is available for the Mac. The downloadable server is available on the Meteobridge Wiki.

[BigAlT]

I think your best bet is to get a TL-MR3020 (version 3.x) and download the preconfigured server and virtual box as explained in the wiki. It doesn’t appear that the Mac TFTP server can be configured to upload the firmware to the WR902AC v3 directlly since all of the upload instructions on the Wiki are for using a PC running Linux which on the Mac will require virtual box in any event. Since you’re not a Linux user, installing it on a virtual box on your Mac and learning to use it to Install the firmware on your WaR902AC seems far beyond your pay grade.

[admin]

One root cause of flashing problem can be that TP-Link has two versions of the new v3 routers out these. On expects TFTP host to be 192.168.0.225 the others 192.168.0.66. There is no way to decide from the outside. It is bound to which uboot version is used, but this needs to have a serial console soldered to the PCB of the device.
So try both to rule out using a wrong TFTP server IP.

[BigAlT]

Try these procedures:

1. Go to network settings on your Mac.
2. Turn off Wi Fi.
3. Highlight Ethernet.
4. Click the Advanced Button.
5. On the TCP/IP menu change configure IPv4 from using DHCP to Manually.
6. Make the IPv4 Address 192.168.0.66 and the Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
7. Push the OK button.
8. Connect the WR902AC to the LAN port on your Mac with an Ethernet Cable.
9. Start the Transfer Program you downloaded and copy the meteobridge-tl-wr902v3-v1.3.bin file that you've downloaded to the upper transfer window making sure that is the only file shown in the top box. The Transfer Program should show the manual IPv4 address you just set on the lower left side of the program window.
10. Connect the WR902AC to the Ethernet port on your Mac with an Ethernet cable.
11. On your WR902AC Press the reset button behind the pin hole named "RESET" with a paper clip and wait 15 seconds and then release the button.
See if the Transfer program shows the file being uploaded.
If not, change the manual IPv4 address to 192.168.0.225 as in steps 3 to 7 above. Verify that the window of the Transfer Program shows the new IPv4 address . If not, close the Transfer program and restart it again. Then try step 11 again.

If this procedure doesn’t work, then

1. Download the "...tft-recovery.bin" image from https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wr902ac_v3
2. Rename that file to "tp_recovery.bin"
3.In the Transfer Program upper window delete the meteobridge-tl-wr902v3-v1.3.bin file that you've previously copied to the upper transfer window and then copy the tp_recovery.bin file that you downloaded and changed the name of to the upper transfer window making sure that is the only file shown in the top box. The Transfer Program should show the manual IPv4 address you last set on the lower left side of the program window.
4. On your WR902AC Press the reset button behind the pin hole named "RESET" with a paper clip and wait 15 seconds and then release the button. See if the Transfer program shows the file being uploaded. If not try changing to the other manual IPv4 address as mentioned in steps 3 to 7.
The TP-WR902AC v3 will then (eventually) reboot into OpenWrt. It appears that OpenWrt defaults to 192.168.1.1, so if you have another router at that address it may get stomped on. Log into that via a web browser and use the browser-based firmware update to select the meteobridge-tl-wr902v3-v1.3.bin file that you've previously downloaded. The process is described at https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-quick-st ... grade.luci

If all goes well, you will (hopefully, finally) have a working Meteobridge

I believe that this is the correct procedure since it is the WR902AC which actually starts the upload when you perform the reset procedure as described. If it works or not go back to your network settings and turn on WiFi so your internet will function again.

[Sarrow]

Thanks to each of you. I haven't had a chance to use these new suggestions with all of the COVID issues going on. I will try the suggested procedures. Thanks for helping me feel less alone!

Steve

[Sarrow]

You wer both correct about needing to use the alternate IP address if 192.168.1.1. So Transfer worked in getting the bin file to the router (what a miracle!). But now I can't log on to the router. As you warned, my home router is at 192.168.1.1. Sorry, I am not smart enough to know how to resolve this conflict with Open Wrt. Any advise?

Thanks,

Steve

[Sarrow]

Wow, lots of typos late at night after spending a lot more screen time on these issues. I meant to say:

You were both correct about needing to use the 192.168.0.66 setting for the router. After making the change, the tftp upload worked for the very first time after about 10,000 attempts.

So now I am down to the last step of your procedure and I am stuck yet again. Transfer confirms the upload of the .bin file to the router. Now the WR902AC is sitting there with 2 steady green lights. It does not show up on the list of wifi SSIDs. I can't log onto the web UI. As you warned, there could be a conflict that my main home wifi router has an IP of 192.168.1.1, which you said might conflict with Open Wrt default.

So, I don't know what to try now. Again, I apologize for my lack of familiarity with the principles and language here and appreciate your patience and persistent effort.

Thanks,

Steve