Aerohive AP121 - Installing OpenWRT [Fixes

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====== Aerohive AP121 - Installing OpenWRT ======

After more than 10 years in use and licensing issues we decided to replace our WiFi installation consisting of about 40 Aerohive AP121 newer models. 

Because all APs are still able to work, we thought about the future use of our devices. As we already use a lot of open source software, we thought it would be nice if also our APs are running with Linux and this is actually possible with [[https://openwrt.org/|OpenWRT]]!

<callout type="info" icon="true">
This page was build from two main sources:
  * //[[https://openwrt.org/toh/aerohive/ap121|openwrt.org - Aerohive AP121/HiveAP 121]]//
  * //[[https://github.com/NWSpitfire/AP121-OpenWRT-Install|github.com - NWSpitfire - AP121 OpenWRT Install]]//
**It's more or less a summary and an experience report from our side!**
</callout>

===== The AP121 Hardware =====
{{ :tutorials:aerohive:aerohive-ap121.jpg?400|}}
<WRAP 40%>
<panel>
| Model                   | AP121                           |
| CPU                     | Atheros AR9344                  |
| CPU MHz                 | 560                             |
| Flash MB                | 1, 128 NAND                     |
| RAM MB                  | 128                             |
| WLAN Hardware           | Atheros AR9344, Atheros AR9382  |
| WLAN 2.4GHz             | b/g/n                           |
| WLAN 5.0GHz             | a/n                             |
| Ethernet 100Mbit ports  | -                               |
| Ethernet 1Gbit ports    | 1                               |
| RJ45 console ports      | 1                               |
| USB ports               | 1                               |
</panel>
</WRAP>

Concerning hardware the OpenWRT wiki says:
<callout type="info">
//The Aerohive AP121 or HiveAP 121 (the former designation used in company marketing, the latter printed on the device label) is a dual-band 2×2 MIMO 802.11a/n (5GHz) and 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz) “enterprise grade” access point with a single Gigabit Ethernet port, powered via 802.3af PoE or a standard 12V 1.1A power adapter. It was produced by Aerohive Networks (which is now part of Extreme Networks) until 2017 when it was superseded by the Aerohive AP122. //
</callout>


<callout type="warning">
//Do not confuse this device with the unrelated and completely different, yet similarly named ALFA Network AP121 which is maintained in the ''ath79/generic'' subtarget and a bit confusingly only carries ap121 in OpenWrt filenames. **Files for the Aerohive AP121 can be found in the ''ath79/nand'' subtarget and contain the string ''hiveap-121''**.// 
</callout>

===== Required Hardware =====

  * a working Aerohive AP121 
  * Cisco Console Cable (RJ45 - DB9 Serial - NOTE: As most PC's don't have RS232 DB9 connectors anymore, we used a RJ45 - USB [via FTDI232RL+ZT213LEEA chips] Console cable.)
  * 802.3af Gigabit PoE adapter (for powering the AP) 
  * Alternatively Centre Positive Barrel Jack 12v 2A DC Power Supply (The AP121 is Center Positive! I could not find this information anywhere, all of the "official" DC 12v Power Supplies for Aerohive had the Jack wiring label scratched off...) (The AP121 is rated for 1.1A - according to whats printed on the case, but I used 1A & 2A supply with no issues)
  * RJ45 Network Cable
  * PC/Laptop with USB and RJ45 Network Port (Cannot be done over Wi-Fi, ie netbooks)


===== Flashing OpenWRT on AP121 =====

<callout type="warning" icon="true">**We do not take any warranty for this guide! After flashing the firmware there is no way back! You won't be able to use your AP anymore for a Aerohive/Extreme HiveManager!**</callout>

==== Firmware check ====

Firstly confirm that the AP you want to flash OpenWRT on has one of the following firmware versions:

  * v1.0.0.33
  * v1.0.0.43 (supplied with HiveOS 6.2r1)
  * v1.0.0.4f (supplied with HiveOS 6.5r4)
  * v1.0.0.50 (supplied with HiveOS 6.5r3)
  * v1.0.0.52 (supplied with HiveOS 6.5r8b)

You can either do this via the serial console which is also required later, or more easy within your old HiveManager.

**Bootloader versions v1.0.0.25 and lower have been reported to fail!**

==== Downloads ====
<callout type="info" icon="true">
This tutorial was tested on a Windows 11 machine and a PoE-powered AP121.
</callout>

To host the image for the AP we going to use a TFTP-Server: you can either use Pumpkin TFTP, TFTPD64 or SolarWind's TFTP-Server.
  * [[https://kin.klever.net/pumpkin/binaries|klever.net - Pumpkin TFTP]] (recommended)
  * [[https://pjo2.github.io/tftpd64/|github.io - TFTPD64]]
  * [[https://www.solarwinds.com/free-tools/free-tftp-server|solarwinds.com - Free TFTP-Server]]

We also need a serial console terminal: here PuTTY:
  * [[https://putty.org/|putty.org]]

And the OpenWRT image for the AP: Therefore open this URL: [[https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/|downloads.openwrt.org/releases/]] select the release to install and then navigate to ''<version>/targets/ath79/nand''. There should be an image named ''aerohive_hiveap-121-squashfs-factory.bin''. Use the ''factory''-image for firsttime install, not the ''sysupgrade''-image.


==== Setup ====

  - Set ''192.168.1.10'' with netmask ''255.255.255.0'' as static ip for the RJ45-interface of the PC you want to use.
  - Install PuTTY and the TFTP-Server. Configure the TFTP-Server to host the OpenWRT-image. In case you used the PumpKIN-TFTP-Server: After installing, the TFTP-Server will be started by starting the following executeable: ''C:\Program Files\Klever\Nothings\PumpKIN.exe''. Select ''Options'' and set the ''root path'' to the directory where the OpenWRT-image was saved. It's recommended to rename the image file to something more simple like ''openwrt.bin'' because this makes it easier to type the name into the console later.
  - Then connect your AP with a Laptop or any PC as following but **do not power on the PoE-injector/power supply** yet: ++Show/Hide Image|{{:tutorials:aerohive:ap121-cabling.png|}}++
  - Open the ''Device Manager'' and select ''Ports'', there you should see an interface like ''COM1'' or ''COM3''. Select this interface in PuTTY as it is your serial cable to the AP.
  - In PuTTY select ''Serial'', type in the ''Serial line'' (e.g. ''COM1'') and set the speed/baudrate to ''9600''. Then open the connection.
  - Finally power on the injector. 
  - You should now see the boot process of the AP. Interrupt it by hitting any key. When getting asked for a password either try ''AhNf?d@ta06'' or ''administrator''. Here to copy:<code bash>AhNf?d@ta06</code>
  - Then verify the firmware version again with, if it prints something higher as ''v1.0.0.25'' everything is ok: <code bash>version</code>
  - After that transfer the firmware file, replace ''<name-of-firmware-image>'' with ''openwrt.bin'' or the name you gave the firmware file:<code bash>tftpboot 0x81000000 <name-of-firmware-image></code>
  - If using PumpkinTFTP and the TFTP-client on the AP can find the image on the server, a pop-up will appear. Accept the transfer and the firmware will be transferred. 
  - Then erase the NAND-flash to make the way free for OpenWRT:<code bash>nand erase 0x800000 0x7400000</code><callout type="info"> Command Breakdown: ''0x800000'' is the flash memory address in the Access Point. ''0x7400000'' is the filesize. This is important later.</callout>
  - Now write the image to the NAND:<code bash>nand write 0x81000000 0x800000 0x7400000</code><callout type="info"> Command Breakdown: ''0x8100000'' is the memory address that the OpenWRT image is stored in. ''0x800000'' is the flash memory address for the Access Point. ''0x7400000'' is the filesize.</callout>
  - If both commands ran successfully reboot by typing:<code bash>reset</code>During first reboot, if the AP was booting via its secondary backup flash chip located at ''0xd00000'' then the boot may fail with a Bad Magic number error. Do not panic, allow the boot process to fail 3 times, after which the AP will then default to booting from 0x800000 and should boot OpenWRT Normally.
  - During boot watch for the orange light to turn flashing white. This means the boot process is occuring, monitor the console for errors. If the LED turns solid white then the AP has successfully booted - this may take 90s or more.
  - Finally you can navigate to ''192.168.1.1'' it should load the LuCI-webinterface of OpenWRT. The default password for OpenWRT is ''passwd''. 

=== Initial Setup as AP ====
  - Under ''Network > Wireless'' you can change the WiFi/Network config.
  - To set the AP to DHCP on the ethernet port navigate to ''Network > Interfaces'', edit ''br-lan'' and change the protocol to ''DHCP''. Additionally disable the firewall by switching to the ''Firewall''-tab and under ''Create/Assign firewall zone'' select ''unspecified''. Then press ''Save and Apply'' 

For troubleshooting and  more information check the OpenWRT wiki: [[https://openwrt.org/toh/aerohive/ap121|openwrt.org - AP121]] or visit [[https://github.com/NWSpitfire/AP121-OpenWRT-Install|github.com - NWSpitfire - AP121 OpenWRT Install]] from which some parts of this tutorial are sourced.

===== Further Thoughts =====
It might also be possible to flash OpenWRT on AP122, but we haven't tested this yet:

[[https://github.com/hall757/aerohacking|github.com - Aerohacking - AP122]]

Also have a look at other tutorials concerning Aerohive and OpenWRT:
{{indexmenu>:tutorials:aerohive#1}}

-----
//Sources used: //
  * //[[https://openwrt.org/toh/aerohive/ap121|openwrt.org - Aerohive AP121/HiveAP 121]]//
  * //[[https://github.com/NWSpitfire/AP121-OpenWRT-Install|github.com - NWSpitfire - AP121 OpenWRT Install]]//