NOTE: Requires K2.6 -nv60k, Do not flash anything else. NOTE: During configuration or flashing a device, the only things that should be hooked to the device is the computer and power.
Specs
This section is in need of cleanup!
Platform
Serial Num. = 01C10C
FCC ID = Q87-E4200
CPU Type = Broadcom BCM4718
MIPS Rev = ?
CPU Speed = 480Mhz
Bus = ?
Flash Type = SPI Flash
Flash Chip = Macronix MX25L12845E/ Winbond W25Q128BV
Flash Size = 16MB
Max Firmware Size = ?
RAM Size = 64MB
RAM Chip = Hynix
nvram Size = 60kb
Switch = Broadcom BCM53115
Port-based vlan = ?
802.1q vlan = ?
Ethernet Port Count = 1-10/100/1000-WAN 4-10/100/1000-LAN
Wired Standard = IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab
boot_wait = ?
bootloader = CFE
Flash Card Socket/Type = No
SD/MMC Mod Support = No
MiniPCI slots = No
PoE = No
Power = 12V/2A
Color of LEDs = top-front 2x White/ back 5x Yellow, 5x Green
Size = 1
USB = 1x USB 2.0
Serial Port = Yes
JTAG Port = Yes (2x connector 2.3 standard)
Supported by TJTAG/Version =
Special Features = ?
Radio (wl0)
Wireless Radio = Broadcom BCM4718 (SoC)
WLAN DSP processor = ?
Antenna Connector Type = Internal
Wireless Standard = IEEE 802.11b/g/n
WiFi Operating Frequency = 2.4GHz (2 x 3)
802.11n = up to 300Mbps
802.11g = 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54Mbps
802.11b = 1, 2, 5.5, 11Mbps
Radio cor_rev = ?
Radio Capabilities = ?
Radio (wl1)
Wireless Radio = Broadcom BCM4331 Intensi-fi Single-Chip
802.11n Transceiver
WLAN DSP processor = ?
Antenna Connector Type = Internal
Wireless Standard = IEEE 802.11a/n
WiFi Operating Frequency = 5GHz (3 x 3)
802.11n = up to 450Mbps
802.11a = 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54Mbps
Radio cor_rev = ?
Radio Capabilities = ?
The E4200 is very sensitive to the nvram size. The only safe nvram size identified for this router is an nvram size of 60kB. Recovery from a firmware with the wrong nvram size requires use of a jtag cable to erase the nvram.1
Support for the E4200 is still very much a work in progress at this time, outstanding issues reported have included WAN stability, and both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Radio stability.
Flashing Process
Perform these steps when flashing from the stock linksys GUI:
Disconnect all cables and wireless clients.
Perform a 30/30/30 reset on the device.
Flash the latest E4200 specific mini build (dd-wrt.v24-<build number>_NEWD-2_K2.6_mini-e4200.bin) to the router.
The E4200 specific mini builds are also -nv60k builds, they just aren't labeled as such.
Wait approximately 5 minutes for the flashing process to complete.
Perform a 30/30/30 after the device has successfully updated.
Flash to larger build of your choosing (Mega, Big, std_usb_nas, OpenVPN, VoIP.)
WARNING Only flash -nv60k builds, flashing anything else to the router will brick it as noted above (dd-wrt.v24-<build number>_NEWD-2_K2.6_<build type>-nv60k.bin)
If flashing to another build always perform a 30/30/30 before and after flashing.
If dd-wrt 17084 and up is already on the router, builds with nv60k in the name can be used for upgrade.
Reverting
DD-WRT
You can always revert back to stock firmware.
Download the latest E4200 firmware from linksys site.
Disconnect all cables and wireless clients.
Perform a 30/30/30 reset on the device.
Login and select the stock firmware file and flash, make sure to select "reset to defaults" on the drop down menu when flashing.
Wait approximately 5 minutes for the flashing process to complete.
Perform a 30/30/30 after the device has successfully updated.
JTAG/Serial Info
JTAG
JTAG Pinouts
This section is in need of cleanup!
JTAG Recovery
This section is in need JTAG Recovery Instructions!
Serial
Serial Pinouts
This section is in need of cleanup!
Hyper terminal Setup in Windows XP
In Windows XP, Click Start Button - All Programs - Accessories -
Communication - HyperTerminal
Enter a name for the connection, Click ok
Choose com port you adapter is plugged into, Click ok
Set:
Bits per second = 115200
Data Bits = 8
Parity = none
Stop bits = 1
Flow control = none
Click ok
Click File - Save As, and select a place to save it to so you
don't have to enter the settings again.
Putty Setup in Windows XP
After installing putty, run it
Serial line = The COM port your using for serial (ie. COM3)
Speed = 115200
Click on Serial under Connection
Serial line to connect to = same as above (Serial line)
Speed (baud) = 115200
Data bits = 8
Stop bits = 1
Parity = None
Flow control = None
Click Session
Enter a name for your connection under saved sessions
Click Save
Click Open
Serial Recovery
This section is in need of Serial Recovery Instructions!
USB Info
The USB port is where you can connect an external USB hard drive or flash drive. Which can do a multitude of things. You can use in as a NAS, storage for a FTP server, use Optware to run external programs like torrent software, samba for sharing files to your network, share a USB printer with your network... The list of possibilities is long, it just takes a little research.
ProFTPd is included in most the newer builds of dd-wrt. Check the features chart to be sure.
A ftp server, file sharing, and a media sever is included in TomatoUSB if your device is compatable.
vlan Info
This section is in need of cleanup!
Pictures
FCC Pictures
Notes
nv60k
Eko
Just a note on upgrading e2000, e3000 and e4200 routers already running dd-wrt. These need -nv60k.bin builds, but this will work only from now on. So for initial upgrade use proper mini-eXXXX.bin build and then upgrade with -nv60k.bin build. If you flash a -nv64k.bin, your E4200 will bricked!
Wireless-N Configuration
As is explained in http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless-N_Configuration make sure that you use AES security for your wireless N network. Do not use TKIP or the wireless speed will revert to the g standard and that would be a pity. AES+TKIP is also allowed.
Both the 2.4 and 5GHz Radios run at a stock transmitting power of 100mW, decreasing the transmitting power to a value between 40 & 50mW has seemed to help stability.
5GHz Wireless Transfer Speed Tips
These are suggestions that are being recommended inside the E4200 forums thread to improve wireless performance on the 5GHz radio. Recommendation from LiteUp! and basmaf
Enable Frame burst
Set Afterburner to Auto (this will only have an effect if your wireless clients use Broadcom radios. Disable Afterburner, if you use two Routers in AP <->Client Bridge-Mode)
Highest transfer rates are being achieved on channels 100-128. Do not set channel to Auto!
Be patient, let SNR settle down before testing speeds.