View source for Mesh/Build An OpenWRT Image

=Building an OpenWRT image=

If you already have a image of the operating system (firmware), then you can skip this step. If your router has the stock software, then you'll probably have to use a '''factory image''', which has information in the header which allows you to install it. Otherwise, you'll be using a '''sysupgrade image''' (trx image).

==Step One: Install Buildroot==

The Buildroot is software which will creates your firmware. The Buildroot has feeds associated with it that allow you to add more to your firmware. The feeds are comparable to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repository_%28version_control%29 repositories] in linux. There's a [http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/buildroot.exigence full guide] at OpenWRT, this is a shorter version. 

*Install svn and git.
*: <code>$ sudo apt-get install subversion build-essential</code>
*: <code>$ sudo apt-get install git-core</code>
*Make a new directory and download the Buildroot.
*: <code>$ mkdir ~/openwrt</code>
*: <code>$ cd ~/openwrt</code>
*: <code>$ git clone git://git.openwrt.org/openwrt.git</code>
*Update Buildroot and install feeds.
*: <code>$ cd ~/openwrt/openwrtt</code>
*: <code>$ ./scripts/feeds update -a</code>
*: <code>$ ./scripts/feeds install -a</code> (if you want to install all feeds)
*Update and Install the Buildroot dependencies
*: <code>$ make defconfig</code> (build list of dependencies)
*: <code>$ make prereq</code> (install dependencies)

If you're still missing software, then you'll have to manually install it. 

==Step Two: Install Feeds==

There are other feeds than the standard that you may want to be available to Buildroot. These are the suggested feeds for nodes:  

*Find the drivers for your device
*: Determine drivers for your router based on the chipset (ex. Atheros AR9331)
*: Download the [http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers driver for the node]. (ex. [http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/ath9k Ath9k])
*Install the driver feed 
*: <code>$ ./scripts/feeds install <PACKAGENAME></code> (ex. kmod-ath9k) 

[http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/wireless.overview Other feeds for OpenWRT]. 

==Step Three: Build the Firmware==

*Run the Buildroot
*: <code>$ make menuconfig</code>
*Configure the firmware (needs it's own article)
*: ''Kernel Modules > Network Support > kmod-ipsec''