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--- faq [2025/08/22 22:56] – [How do I Get a 3G/4G/5G USB modem to work?] hogwild
+++ faq [2025/08/22 23:39] (current) – [Netgear R-series Routers] hogwild
@@ Line 84: / Line 84: @@
 For more help choosing a build, see the [[:firmware_basics_procedures|Installing Firmware-Basic Concepts and Procedures]] page in the HOWTOs section. \\
-When browsing firmware folders on the website, a subfolder named "K26" indicates the build includes Linux kernel 2.6.x . Such folders generally contain generic builds for MIPSR1/MIPSR2 routers. Generally, only old models (before 2010) use the MIPSR1 architecture. Most routers made after 2010 use MIPSR2 or ARM architectures.
+When browsing firmware folders, a subfolder named "K26" means the build includes Linux kernel 2.6.x . Such folders generally contain generic builds for MIPSR1/MIPSR2 routers. Generally, only old (pre-2010) models use the MIPSR1 architecture. Most routers made after 2010 use MIPSR2 or ARM architectures.
-The other subfolders, such as K26RT-AC and K26RT-N contain dedicated builds, meant for specific router models. Unless you're experienced, it's recommended you install specific hardware builds. If there is no specific builds for your model, choose a generic build in the K26 folder. Think carefully before deciding if it should be a MIPSR1 or MIPSR2 build.
+Other subfolders, such as "K26RT-AC" and "K26RT-N" contain dedicated builds, meant for specific router models. Unless you're experienced, it's recommended you install specific hardware builds. If there are no specific builds for your model, choose a generic K26 build. Think carefully before deciding if it should be a MIPSR1 or MIPSR2 build.
-If you have a Netgear R-series router with Netgear firmware installed, you must first flash with one of the "Netgear R-series initial" files. Once you have an R-series initial build installed, you can then upgrade FreshTomato to newer versions using regular build files. The initial .zip file contains a firmware file with a .chk file extension. The original Netgear firmware can use that file to install FreshTomato.
+If your Netgear R-series router has Netgear firmware installed, you must first flash with one of the "Netgear R-series initial" files. Once you have an R-series initial build installed, you can then upgrade FreshTomato to newer versions using regular build files. The initial .zip file contains a firmware file with a .chk file extension. The original Netgear firmware can use that file to install FreshTomato.
  \\
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 ==== How Can I Check the Integrity of my Downloaded Build File? ====
-MD5SUM files are available in each website folder containing firmware. You are strongly advised to run a hash program against the .zip file of the build you downloaded. Then, compare the value in that program with the listed hash value for that build in the MD5SUM file. If the two don't match, your download is corrupt. **Don't flash with that file** or you could damage your router. Try downloading it again and performing the hash check until the hashes match.
+MD5SUM files are available in each website folder with firmware. You are strongly advised to run a hash program against the .zip file of the build you downloaded. Then, compare the value in that program with the listed hash value for that build in the MD5SUM file. If the values don't match, your download is corrupt. **Don't flash with that file** or you could damage your router. Try downloading it again and performing the hash check until the hashes match.
@@ Line 111: / Line 111: @@
 //Q: What are some common device names used to represent router interfaces/components?//
- \\ This can become a complex topic rather quickly. In general, there will be physical interfaces, such as "eth" and "wl", and logical interfaces, like "br" and "vlan". When using FreshTomato's VPN technologies, other interface names may appear. For example, a VPN interface might be named "tun11", "tinc", "ppp0", or "wg0".
+ \\ This can become a complex topic. However, in general, there are physical interfaces, such as "eth" and "wl". There are also logical/virtual interfaces, like "br" and "vlan". When using FreshTomato VPN technologies, other interface names may appear. For example, a VPN interface might be named "tun11", "tinc", "ppp0", or "wg0".
  \\
@@ Line 122: / Line 122: @@
   * tinc - is a logical tunnel interface used by the tinc VPN function. \\ \\
   * pppX - is a PPP connection, typicall to your ISP.\\ \\
   * wg0 - is an interface used by the Wireguard function. \\
  \\
 Some structures, like additional SSIDs (Virtual Wireless LANs) will create sub-interfaces. Thus, it's common to see interfaces with periods in them. For example, "wl0.2" would represent the second alias of the first WiFi radio.
+===== Can I use a Backup Configuration File across Different Releases/Router Models? =====
+Using FreshTomato backup .cfg files across different releases or router models is NOT recommended. At best, some functions may not work properly. At worst, it can cause system instability, erratic behavior, or other problems.
+ \\
+  * Configuration variables may have changed or been removed, \\ leading to incorrect or incomplete settings.
+  * New settings introduced in newer releases will not be present \\ in older backups.
+  * The backup configuration file includes hardware-specific model \\ information that identifies the device on which the settings were saved.
+  * Across releases or models, The NVRAM state can become inconsistent, \\ potentially requiring manual intervention.
@@ Line 137: / Line 149: @@
  A:   * By default, the logfile is located in "/var/log/messages".
-If you've set a different path/filename under //Custom Log File Path,// "/var/log/messages" is still valid, but will be available in the form of a symbolic link. The only exception occurs if you configure remote (external) storage, that is, external syslog.
+If you've set a different path/filename under //Custom Log File Path,// "/var/log/messages" is still valid, but will be available in the form of a symbolic link. The only exception is when you configure remote (external) storage, that is, external syslog.
 Unless some type of permanent storage is configured, "/var/log/messages" is stored in RAM. As a result, it will not survive a router reboot.((
@@ Line 196: / Line 208: @@
 If you have the Original Netgear firmware installed, **you must** use an initial build to install FreshTomato the first time. The initial zip files contain firmware with a ".chk" extension that a Netgear router can use to install FreshTomato.
-After you've installed an initial build, you can upgrade to any appropriate FreshTomato version you wish. Regular build zip files contain firmware files with a .trx extension. For details on how to flash Netgear routers, see the [[firmware_basics_procedures|Installing FreshTomato]] HOWTO.
+After you've installed an initial build, you can upgrade to any appropriate FreshTomato version you wish. Regular build zip files contain firmware files with a .trx extension. For more on how to flash Netgear routers, see the [[firmware_basics_procedures|Installing FreshTomato]] HOWTO.

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