Differences

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--- faq [2025/08/22 23:15] – [Device Name Defaults] -Condense intro hogwild
+++ faq [2025/10/27 22:22] (current) – [Device Name Defaults] -spelling (typically) hogwild
@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 | Hardware model | Specifies the router or access point model number. |
 | ARM/MIPS/AX | Specifies the build is intended for devices with ARM, MIPS, or AX (Broadcom with 802.11ax WiFi) CPU architecture. |
-| Wireless Driver (optional) | NG  -  Indicates whether the New Generation Broadcom binary wireless driver is in the build. \\ Broadcom never released the driver source code, so developers rely on binary drivers. \\ Builds for newer hardware required the newer wireless driver and a newer software development\\ kit (SDK).  These builds were called "NG" ("New Generation") driver builds.\\ RT-N - indicates the build's driver supports 802.11n. \\ RT-AC - indicates the build's driver supports 802.11ac. |
+| Wireless Driver (optional) | NG  -  Indicates whether the build includes the New Generation Broadcom binary wireless driver. \\ Broadcom never released the driver source code, so developers rely on binary drivers. \\ Builds for newer hardware required the newer wireless driver and a newer software development\\ kit (SDK).  These builds were called "NG" ("New Generation") driver builds. \\ \\ RT-N - indicates the build's driver supports 802.11n. \\ \\ RT-AC - indicates the build's driver supports 802.11ac. |
 | Release name | e.g. 2021.3  - indicates the third release in the year 2021. \\ It does NOT indicate the 3rd month of 2021! |
 | Build Type | e.g. (Mini / AIO / VPN) - indicates the features included. See [[:feature_matrix|Feature matrix]] to learn more. |
 | NVRAM size | (32K / 64K / 128K)  -  Optional. For models with multiple hardware revisions \\ where each revision may include more or less NVRAM. |
-| NOSMP  | (Optional)  -  This is a special build with single core CPU where Symmetric Multi Processing is intentionally disabled.  |
+| NOSMP  | (Optional)  -  This special build with single core CPU has Symmetric Multi Processing is intentionally disabled.  |
 | Custom  | (Optional) - identifies a build that includes or excludes a certain feature (set).  |
 |   | Reserved for future use  |
@@ 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" mean 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.
+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 121: / Line 121: @@
   * tunXX - is an OpenVPN interface.\\ (For example, tun13 = client3, tun21 = server1). \\ \\
   * tinc - is a logical tunnel interface used by the tinc VPN function. \\ \\
-  * pppX - is a PPP connection, typicall to your ISP.\\ \\
+  * pppX - is a PPP connection, typically to your ISP.\\ \\
   * wg0 - is an interface used by the Wireguard function. \\
@@ Line 129: / Line 129: @@
-===== Can I use a FreshTomato Backup Configuration File across Different Versions/router models? =====
+===== Can I use a Backup Configuration File across Different Releases/Router Models? =====
-This is **NOT** recommended. At best, some functions may not work properly. At worst, restoring incompatible settings from a backup file can cause system instability, erratic behavior, or other problems.
+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.
-  * 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.
-  * Hardware-specific parameters might not match, causing conflicts.
-  * The NVRAM state can become inconsistent, potentially requiring manual intervention.
 ===== Log Location Default =====
@@ Line 146: / 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 205: / 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.
@@ Line 216: / Line 219: @@
 First, check the [[dongle_compatibility|3G/4G/5G compatibility]] page to see if your modem is supported. When possible, that page will list the modem's Vendor ID and Device ID(s).
-Next, in FreshTomato's [[nas-usb|USB Support]] menu, verify that USB support is enabled. Then, if your release includes a //3G/4G USB modem support// option, enable it.
+Next, in FreshTomato's [[nas-usb|USB Support]] menu, verify that USB support is enabled. Then, if your release includes a //3G/4G USB modem support// option, enable it. Newer builds no long have this option, and it is enabled by default.
 If you don't know the make/model of your modem, connect it to your router and ensure USB Support and 3G/4G USB mode support are enabled. Then log on to FreshTomato and use the lsusb command to check if its output lists your modem's Vendor ID (make) and Product ID (model).
@@ Line 234: / Line 237: @@
 In modem mode, the device operates normally, and allows the host device to communicate with most modem functions.
-In storage emulation mode, the modem emulates a storage device, like a CDROM or USB flash drive. This makes it easier to install drivers on PC operating systems, since drivers are right on the device.
+In storage emulation mode, the modem emulates a storage device, like a CDROM or USB flash drive. Having drivers right on the device makes it easier to install them on PC operating systems.
 However, FreshTomato already include USB modem drivers in the form of kernel modules. The modem, though, won't accept communication commands in storage mode. It must be switched to modem mode to accept commands.
@@ Line 246: / Line 249: @@
 For more advanced users, you can get detailed information about usb_modeswitch here: [[https://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/|Draisberghof Software-usb_modeswitch]]
- \\
+ \\ FIXME
+WORK IN PROGRESS
+The 03 value indicates LTE only.\\ The 02 value indicates WCDMA only.\\ The 02 value indicates GSM only.\\ The 030201 value indicates the order of LTE->WCDMA->GSM.\\ The 0302 value indicates the order of LTE->WCDMA, without GSM.\\ The 00 value is not combined with other values, indicating automatic network access order that is determined by the board.
+So our "Auto" is "00", 4G only -> "03", 3G only -> "02", 4G/3G/2G -> "030201", etc...
+\\
  \\

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