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Recently, I picked up a machine with mt7621 to play around with, aiming to modify it into a verification router for my dormitory, which led to the compilation of this firmware version. This firmware is relatively simple and differs from the x86 version of CatWrt, as it only includes a few plugins from the Lean LEDE original version, with everything else relying on custom software sources for installation. Even the storage space should not be fully compiled in, otherwise, it will be quite sluggish.
In terms of wireless routers, this firmware is still quite good and can meet lightweight application needs, suitable for small environments and not for those who love to tinker. Even if you want to tinker, there are compiled software sources available.
This firmware is based on Lean LEDE pulled from the repository Nov 20, 2022 58692d5!
Featured Features#
- Stronger stability
- Full support for IPv6
- Minimalized source code
- Rich plugin extensions
- MTK closed-source wireless driver
- Supports hardware acceleration and full cone NAT high-performance mode
Configuration#
Default IP 192.168.1.4
User root
Password password
You can also use the default settings without modification; if your network was previously on a different subnet, please modify accordingly below.
Automatically Enable Wi-Fi#
Due to the characteristics of the closed-source firmware, wireless can only be turned on in this way, and the following methods are recommended.
Script#
Enter the CatWrt backend, go to System - Startup Items - Local Startup Script, and insert /sbin/mtkwifi up before exit 0.
Complete script:
/sbin/mtkwifi up
exit 0
Scheduled Task#
In System - Scheduled Tasks, enter 0 * * * * /sbin/mtkwifi up as a scheduled task.
Complete scheduled task:
0 * * * * /sbin/mtkwifi up
Information#
Architecture MediaTek MT7621 ver:1 eco:3 x 4
Firmware Version OpenWrt R22.12.1 / LuCI Master (git-22.339.26541-ba1f838)
Kernel Version 5.4.226
Download#
⚠️ The firmware is for students to learn and exchange technology only; please do not use it for illegal purposes.
File location v22.12/mt7621
You need to download squashfs-sysupgrade.bin and initramfs-kernel.bin (New Router 3 does not need to download kernel)
- Xiaomi AC2100 is
catwrt-v22.12-ramips-mt7621-xiaomi_mi-router-ac2100-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin - Redmi AC2100 is
catwrt-v22.12-ramips-mt7621-xiaomi_redmi-router-ac2100-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin - New Router 3 is
catwrt-v22.12-ramips-mt7621-d-team_newifi-d2-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
123 Cloud Disk#
https://www.123pan.com/s/K1HSVv-fCLV3
Extraction code: miao
Tianyi Cloud Disk#
https://cloud.189.cn/web/share?code=ANJRRf77fIRb
Access code: ano9
China Mobile Cloud Disk#
https://caiyun.139.com/m/i?0H5CJW3okkD2l
Extraction code: aApn
Github#
You can git clone to a local server to deploy the software source server, welcome to Star
https://github.com/miaoermua/CatWrt/releases/tag/CatWrt-v22.12-mt7621
Supports multi-threaded downloads, requires network environment support
Flashing#
If your breed flashing firmware section only has rootfs and kernel options and not the firmware options shown in the picture, CatWrt is temporarily unsupported.
Xiaomi/Redmi AC2100#
Before flashing, you need to have the Breed unbricking firmware; I won't demonstrate how to unlock it here.
For Xiaomi, you cannot use the online update method due to insufficient memory. Connect the router's LAN port with a network cable, use a toothpick to press the reset button while plugging in the power for 3 seconds, wait for the System and Internet lights to turn on simultaneously, and when the System light starts flashing blue slowly, you can enter the Breed backend.
At this point, open 192.168.1.1 on your computer to see the Breed interface. If the page does not appear, it may be that your computer did not automatically obtain DHCP. I can access this Breed like this; click the Windows icon in the lower left corner and type Control Panel, press Enter, open Control Panel - View Network Status and Tasks, select Ethernet - Properties - Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) - Properties.
Select "Use the following IP address" and fill in:
IP Address:
192.168.1.2Subnet Mask:
255.255.255.0Default Gateway:
192.168.1.1
Click OK, return to the webpage and refresh to see Breed, select Environment Variables Edit, click Add, fill in the field with xiaomi.r3g.bootfw and the value with 2, then save;
Select System Update, scroll to the firmware section, choose the file, select your initramfs-kernel.bin firmware, open it, click Upload, and then click Update;
Change the static address back to DHCP, enter the system, go to System - Backup/Upgrade, and then update the complete sysupgrade package. Not updating will cause the reboot configuration to be lost because the kernel package is a read-only system!
New Router 3#
For New Router 3, it seems quite simple and does not require entering Breed; I will not provide the Breed link here (because I bought one with the Breed unbricking firmware already installed).
There are several methods:
- Upgrade online through the system terminal;
- Manually upload firmware upgrade through System - Backup/Upgrade;
- Upgrade through Breed.
You can try online upgrade;
sysupgrade -v https://github.com/miaoermua/CatWrt/releases/download/CatWrt-v22.12-mt7621/catwrt-v22.12-ramips-mt7621-d-team_newifi-d2-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
If there are many configurations, please manually download (do not save configurations), manually upload firmware upgrade through System - Backup/Upgrade;
Or enter Breed to directly flash the complete sysupgrade package. If it prompts incompatibility, you need to download the kernel base package, then flash the kernel base package, enter the system, go to System - Backup/Upgrade, and then update the complete sysupgrade package. Not updating will cause the reboot configuration to be lost because the kernel package is a read-only system!
Usage#
You need to manually add custom software sources; I have compiled some common plugins, including network acceleration, remote control, etc., completely according to the soft routing method of adding software.
Due to the relatively weak CPU and memory, adding too many random plugins will grab system resources, causing the router system to lag, which is why this firmware is so streamlined.
After a simple benchmark, it achieved 160Mbps under xtls, while the strong encryption version could only reach 38Mbps.
For details, see CatWrt Extension Application Installation, Universal Across All Ecosystems
Help#
Firmware support is not perfect, and bugs are inevitable. If you encounter problems, please leave a comment below or join the group for inquiries. If you use my firmware, simple consultations are welcome, and if it's paid, that would be even better. I won't respond to issues with others' firmware!
- Treat the author to milk tea: Sponsor
- CatWrt QQ Group (for problem handling): 669190476
- Telegram Group: Miao Er's Exchange
Feel free to leave comments and encouragement ( ´･･) ﾉ (._.`)
This article was synchronized and updated to xLog by Mix Space. The original link is https://www.miaoer.net/posts/network/catwrt-v22.12-mt7621