Installing AREDN Firmware on a Mikrotik Device

Setting up a Mikrotik device for the first time with AREDN. This is not for upgrading a Mikrotik with AREDN firmware already on the device.
Remember to follow all the steps, the mikrotiks can be tricky.
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below, or visit the AREDN Forum or Facebook group.
AREDN How-To Page - arednmesh.read...
AREDN Downloads - www.arednmesh....
Tiny PXE Server - labalec.fr/erwa...

[@billheyde6932]

Aloha. Great instructive video and still relative a few years later with new AREDN & MikroTik updates. Had to install AREDN software on a LHG5 antenna, and it was helpful as well. After I used the theory you presented to figure it out. Could not find anyone who actually shows how to do it on a new dish. But some thinking and your video helped a lot.

[@hatesbots2731]

Thank you, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!! Your Install video worked 100%. I was struggling with my MicroTik (wondering if I should smash it, throw it away or burn it). The install took only a few minutes once you explained the cables. I thank you, and my insurance agent thanks you!

[@joewillj]

Thanks so much! This was very helpful!

[@howforless]

Are you the same guy who had the ARDEN Setup at Wisconsin Ares/Races 2022 conference?

[@RadioGeek]

Yes I am

[@grousetales]

Great video !

[@RadioGeek]

Thanks!

[@PatrickDickey52761]

A couple of things that I'm running into on Windows 10 at least. The Ethernet cable has to be plugged into something with power (either a switch or the node), otherwise, it won't allow you to change the IP Address that you're binding to. Also, you have to disable all of your firewalls (you can try to create an exception for the pxeserv file, but I had issues with that). Otherwise, it won't allow you to open an httpd socket (Socket Error 10013 is what I got).

[@kc0arrl]

That is correct, having a switch is one of the steps I indicated was needed. There is a way to do the install with out the switch, but it is best to have one.

[@artdog888]

Great video, thanks! I flashed my hAP ac and it works great! I'm about to flash a Mikrotik LHG and I'm wondering if I can use my hAP ac as the dumb switch? Thanks again!

[@RadioGeek]

Your HAP will always work as a router, if you only need the dumb switch to trick PXEserv, just turn on the node and plug it into the computer long enough to open PXEserv and then power off the switch. PXEServ will see the network port up long enough to save the settings.

[@PatrickDickey52761]

Once you've installed the AREDN firmware, you don't need to use the elf files anymore to upgrade, correct?

[@RadioGeek]

That is correct. Down the road you can load the "sysupgrade" file right into the node via the Administration page. You won't have to put it in a special mode or anything like that.

[@artlewi]

Cannot get the hAP lite to read the file. I have tried two different units and neither will program. At what point do you release the reset button?

[@person12307]

im having the same problem

[@nilpo]

@@person12307 Make that a third. Same thing here on several units. I'm wondering if the newest bootloader isn't supported. I've seen some references about having to downgrade the device firmware first.

[@nilpo]

Well, I decided to run Wireshark and see what's actually happening. The hAP receives an IP address and makes a BOOTP request, but not for file rb.elf. It's requesting a file named vmlinux. I changed rb.elf to vmlinux and that gets me to the next step in the process. However, the actual transfer fails. The hAP sends an unknown or poorly formatted GET request and the transfer stops. Perhaps a different BOOTP server will work better, but I've only gotten one to work at all so far. Right now I'm using haneWIN DHCP server.

[@nilpo]

I've been going crazy trying to get this to work. Is this method still viable with current hardware? The hAP ac lite doesn't seem to perform a PXE boot. Also, Tiny PXE is blocked by many AV softwares now due to embedded trojans. You'll want to use an alternative PXE/BOOTP server.

[@RadioGeek]

Many firewalls block tinyPXE ports, it is not a trojan. This is still the process for current Mikrotik devices.

[@nilpo]

@@RadioGeek I tested it with as many AV brands as I have available. All of them detected Trojans. Upload to VirusTotal and 10 of their engines detect Trojans as well. This is code analysis. It's not blocking ports because it isn't even running yet. Many browsers also block it's download pages for the same reason.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

cant find pxe server with any of the links

[@RadioGeek]

Here is an updated link for Tiny PXE - labalec.fr/erwan/?page_id=958

[@nilpo]

@@RadioGeek That link points to a download that has embedded trojans. There doesn't appear to be a clean version of the software available.

[@mariofazio6006]

Very clear explication for firmware installation. Mario LU4EOU

[@archuka1]

Thanks but you kinda did that a bit fast for me to understand -- rookie here lol

[@RadioGeek]

Feel free to pause during the video