TomatoUSB

I read here:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Tomato_Firmware/Installation_and_Configuration

Excerpt…

Installing on an ASUS WL-520gU

Installing from OEM firmware

Installing Tomato firmware from OEM firmware may need a little massaging to get it on the device.

1. If the device has OEM firmware version 3.x or later, then you need to revert it to a pre-3.x version, first (download from support.asus.com.tw).

2. Downloading and unpack the "ND" version of Tomato firmware, rename the file to "WL520gu_2.0.0.9_EN.trx".

3. Use the OEM menus to update the firmware with the renamed Tomato file.

Once installed, you can load any other firmware file without these machinations, using the config menu item to load new (or old) versions of firmware, including OEM versions.

End Excerpt…

My WL-520GU is running ASUS firmware Version 3.0.1.3_RU (ASUS WL-520GU firmware in English/Russian). This is the latest ASUS WL-520GU firmware I can find that supports English.

Q1. Do I really need to downgrade the ASUS firmware below 3.x as stated in the Wikibooks post above to install Tomato-USB? I see no reference to this requirement on the Tomato site (sparse documentation) or here on the Tomato-USB site (searched site, Wiki, and Forum).

Q2. I have put the likes of DD-WRT on this WL-520GU in the past. I seem to remember doing this with Pumpkin TFTP server/client (http://kin.klever.net/pumpkin) from WinXP-Pro. And I can easily revert to ASUS firmware via the (wonderful) restore button on the WL-520GU also via TFTP. Will this also work with Tomato-USB.

Q3. I have seen scattered on the Internet that Installing the likes of Tomato-USB may require clearning NVRAM content (via The Tomato-USB WebGUI?) If I do this will I also clobber the (what I assume is) the native ASUS WL-520GU's bootloader that works with the Restore switch on the back panel.

I plan to first try a K24 version of Tomato-USB which this page:

http://tomatousb.org/doc:build-types

Implies all K24 Tomato-USB versions will work with the WL-520GU (this is build 54 at post-time).

It's been a long time since I put third-party firmware into this WL-520GU, but I'm having problems with NTP (IP/UDP port 123) port forwarding with the ASUS firmware. And it seems Tomato-USB is the best option to try as an alternative.

Sorry for the long post. Any replies are much appreciated.

David

Hi David,

I can't answer any of the questions directly, but I can probably provide some clarity, as I've just attempted (successfully) exactly the same thing on the same router (WL-520GU), and have dealt with some of the same questions as you.

I had no luck installing via the web interface. I've seen a couple references to the idea that you have to downgrade to pre-3.x, but doing so still didn't help me much. However, it was easy to downgrade, and I tried it. You can find any firmware versions you need here: http://www.asus.com/Networks/Wireless_Routers/WL520gU/#download

After trying a number of times to get the web interface to install, I ended up falling back to tftp, and it worked a charm — if you're basically comfortable with simple command-line apps. Sounds like you are.

I successfully installed the K24 "Ext" build (the K26 versions are unfortunately mostly too large for the WL-520GU's 4Mb, so you can't get all the features with K26), and have attached a USB hub with a printer and mass storage device for my home network — was easy, after the firmware hassles. Download here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/tomatousb/files/K24/tomato-NDUSB-1.28.8754-Ext.rar/download

Some quick attempts to answer your questions, and then a brief howto based on what I did (using the Linux tftp client):

Q1: I suspect that if you use tftp, you won't have to downgrade your firmware first. However, I've only done it from a 2.x firmware, so I can't say for sure. Doesn't hurt to downgrade first, IMHO.

Q2: Yes, assuming your tftp client is roughly equivalent to the one I used. I assume that the firmware revert will still work with Tomato-USB, but haven't tried.

Q3: Not sure. I haven't intentionally cleared NVRAM (I did mess around with the recover button a lot before getting it working, so may have done so accidentally — I did reset some settings at one stage). I don't know if the bootloader still works, but I'm hoping the same as you ;-) However, after getting Tomato-USB running, I haven't touched any NVRAM settings, and it works fine.

--- Here's my HOWTO: ---

Note: also attempted this on my WL-520GC router, but there's not enough flash space
for Tomato. There is a version of DD-WRT that works, however.

1. Unplug the router, then hold down the "restore" button on the back (you'll need a pen or something) and plug it in while holding "restore". Continue holding "restore" until the power light begins to flash slowly.

2. Connect your PC's wired network interface with a static IP (no DHCP)

3. tfpt into the router:
> tftp 192.168.1.1

4. Upload the firmware.
> binary # This is essential for it to work
> put tomato-NDUSB-1.28.8754-Ext.trx
tftp should respond something like "Sent 3748224 bytes in 14.7 seconds"

Now wait — see next point. There is no visual indicator that the upgrading is finished, but it definitely takes much longer than the tftp transfer.

5. After tftp's response, wait a FULL FIVE ACTUAL MINUTES (if you don't, you might brick your router, although I think it actually just goes back to restore mode. No guarantees!)

6. Repower your router, and reconnect your wired interface the normal way (eg auto/DHCP). Now you should be able to connect to 192.168.1.1 and use Tomato's web interface, and set up wireless etc. Don't forget to set your passwords & wireless security ;-)