LEDE support for EnGenius ESR9850

LEDE seems to support the ESR9850 but the techdata page has a link for sysupgrade firmware only and not factory install: https://lede-project.org/toh/hwdata/engenius/engenius_esr9850

Looking through the download page, there are *kernel.bin and *sysupgrade.bin files but not *factory.bin (device: wl-351): https://downloads.lede-project.org/releases/17.01.3/targets/ramips/rt305x/

So is it actually supported? Thanks!

Some devices only have a sysupgrade image, no factory image.

The dataentry says: LEDE Supported Current Rel: 17.01.3

Regarding the quality of the support: No clue. Until now, nobody bothered to write down installation instructions, and nobody confirmed that the image is really working: https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/engenius/esr9850

Some devices only have a sysupgrade image, no factory image.

Why is that? Can factory image be provided or generated?

Yes, I've seen the openwrt page as well, and the support for the ESR9850 seems spotty/untested.

I've been patiently waiting for years for this device to be supported on some open source firmware, whether openwrt or ddwrt or gargoyle or now LEDE.

I'm contemplating putting this on my 9850, but I was hoping someone else had already done it. I have the latest OEM firmware on it (2.1.3), but I'm looking to add the luci-app-sqm package. The QoS module in the OEM firmware is ok (I actually turn it off), but I want more "direct" control of the buffers.

If you do try it, please post back with your results!

I've all but given up on my 9850, which is EOL and receives no firmware updates (KRACK isn't and won't be patched, etc). If it works with an open source firmware, I may bring it back into service.

The thing I really like about it, even though it's ancient, is that it has gigabit ports on it! There's a lot of newer n/ac routers that don't, and aside from the buffer control, I really like my little box.

There's one mod I've made to it though - I've cut an opening in the top of the box and attached an 80mm fan which runs all the time. After burning through a number of routers, I've found this mod to be extremely valuable. =8o)

So after reading the 4/32 message on the website, I'm thinking I'm not going to do it. It's solid as it is, it's working, and I don't want to brick it. (I've bricked two Samsung laser printers if you can believe it.)

Sorry gang.

Sad, but understandable. It's tough to risk bricking a working device, especially with virtually no available support or unbricking info.

4/32 might be the last nail in the coffin for any hope of third party firmware support for the ESR9850.

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