Linksys E8450 - Revision history

Leo at 05:28, 30 September 2022

2022-09-30T05:28:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:28, 30 September 2022
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	The Linksys E8450 is a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router. This router is based on MediaTek MT7622 SOC and a MT7531 switch. As of 2022, it is supported by [[OpenWRT]] 22.03.		The Linksys E8450 is a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router. This router is based on MediaTek MT7622 SOC and a MT7531 switch. As of 2022, it is supported by [[OpenWRT]] 22.03.

	I purchased this switch on sale from Amazon for $109 CAD in mid 2022.		I purchased this switch on sale from Amazon for $109 and later $90 CAD in mid 2022.

	== OpenWRT ==		== OpenWRT ==

	=== Installing OpenWRT ===		=== Installing OpenWRT ===
	If you are installing [[OpenWRT]] from the stock Linksys firmware, please refer to the instructions outlined at: https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer		If you are installing [[OpenWRT]] from the stock Linksys firmware, please refer to the instructions outlined by Daniel at https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer.
	[[File:Linksys E8450 Wizard.png\|alt=Linksys E8450 Wizard\|thumb\|217x217px\|Linksys E8450 Wizard]]		[[File:Linksys E8450 Wizard.png\|alt=Linksys E8450 Wizard\|thumb\|217x217px\|Linksys E8450 Wizard]]

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	=== blk_update_request I/O errors on mtdblock2 ===		=== blk_update_request I/O errors on mtdblock2 ===
	The Linksys E8450 running OpenWRT started stalling out and reporting lots of blk_update_request I/O errors on <code>/dev/mtdblock2</code>. This started to happen recently, perhaps after adding more devices to the network. When the stall happens, WiFi connections just stop working entirely on both 2.4 and 5GHz. Luci, the web control panel, also doesn't respond.		The Linksys E8450 running OpenWRT started stalling out and reporting lots of blk_update_request I/O errors on <code>/dev/mtdblock2</code>. This started to happen recently, perhaps after adding more devices to the network. When the stall happens, WiFi connections just stop working entirely on both 2.4 and 5GHz. Luci, the web control panel, also doesn't respond.

			'''Solution / Update''': Move the /dev/mtdblock2 device to /dev/mtdblock2a (or some other name) so that the iwinfo library won't try reading it and hang up the system.

			My original troubleshooting log follows below..

	Checking on the kernel dmesg logs show that some sectors are failing to write:		Checking on the kernel dmesg logs show that some sectors are failing to write:

Leo: /* Backup flash data */

2022-09-30T05:22:40Z

Backup flash data

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:22, 30 September 2022
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	\| lang = terminal		\| lang = terminal
	}} Copy the resulting mtd files to your computer. There should be 4 files each being 524288, 1310720, 1048576, and 131072000 bytes large.		}} Copy the resulting mtd files to your computer. There should be 4 files each being 524288, 1310720, 1048576, and 131072000 bytes large.

			If you didn't do this step, a copy of the first 3 and a partial of the last mtd block are saved on the <code>ubi0_3</code> device by the OpenWRT installer / conversion script (in the next step below). You can get these by mounting <code>ubi0_3</code> with: <code>mount -t ubifs -o ro /dev/ubi0_3 /mnt/</code>.

	==== Installing OpenWRT for real ====		==== Installing OpenWRT for real ====

Leo at 05:20, 30 September 2022

2022-09-30T05:20:03Z

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 # Upgrade the OpenWRT firmware using the UBI sysupgrade file. Go to System -> Flash Firmware, under "Flash new firmware image", upload [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases/download/v1.0.0/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb]. No need to save any configs or package lists.
 # Once the device reboots, you should see OpenWRT again. This time, when you log in, it should not say it is running in initramfs / recovery mode.
 === Upgrading OpenWRT ===

Leo at 04:45, 30 September 2022

2022-09-30T04:45:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:45, 30 September 2022
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	=== Installing OpenWRT ===		=== Installing OpenWRT ===
	If you are installing [[OpenWRT]] from the stock Linksys firmware, please refer to the instructions outlined at: https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer		If you are installing [[OpenWRT]] from the stock Linksys firmware, please refer to the instructions outlined at: https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer
			[[File:Linksys E8450 Wizard.png\|alt=Linksys E8450 Wizard\|thumb\|217x217px\|Linksys E8450 Wizard]]

			==== Login to stock firmware ====
	The steps that I used to install OpenWRT are as follows:		The steps that I used to install OpenWRT are as follows:

	# Power on the device, navigate to http://192.168.1.1.		# Power on the device, navigate to http://192.168.1.1.
	# Click on the radio button and click 'Cancel' to quit the setup wizard.		# Click on the radio button and click 'Cancel' to quit the setup wizard.
	# Login using 'admin' as the password.		#Login using 'admin' as the password.
			[[File:Linksys E8450 Flash Firmware.png\|alt=Linksys E8450 Flash Firmware\|thumb\|220x220px\|Linksys E8450 Flash Firmware]]

			==== Backup flash data ====
	#Ensure that you are using version 1.0 of the Linksys firmware. You might want to consider downgrading if you are on a newer version.		#Ensure that you are using version 1.0 of the Linksys firmware. You might want to consider downgrading if you are on a newer version.
	#Go to Configuration -> Administration -> Firmware Upgrade		#Go to Configuration -> Administration -> Firmware Upgrade
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	\| lang = terminal		\| lang = terminal
	}} Copy the resulting mtd files to your computer. There should be 4 files each being 524288, 1310720, 1048576, and 131072000 bytes large.		}} Copy the resulting mtd files to your computer. There should be 4 files each being 524288, 1310720, 1048576, and 131072000 bytes large.
	# Reboot the router 3 times. ~~I had~~ to power cycle the device ~~a few~~ times ~~before it stopped booting into OpenWRT and into the original Linksys firmware~~.
			==== Installing OpenWRT for real ====
			# Reboot the router 3 times until it boots back into the original Linksys firmware. You may need to power cycle the device multiple times. Do not try anything else other than rebooting / powercycling.
	# On the original Linksys firmware, go to Configuration -> Administration -> Firmware Upgrade		# On the original Linksys firmware, go to Configuration -> Administration -> Firmware Upgrade
	#Upload the UBI based installer [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases/download/v1.0.0/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb]. This installer will set up the UBI based filesystem by executing a [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/blob/main/files/installer/install.sh conversion script].		#Upload the UBI based installer [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases/download/v1.0.0/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb]. This installer will set up the UBI based filesystem by executing a [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/blob/main/files/installer/install.sh conversion script].
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	== Troubleshooting ==		== Troubleshooting ==

	== blk_update_request I/O errors on mtdblock2 ==		=== blk_update_request I/O errors on mtdblock2 ===
	The Linksys E8450 running OpenWRT started stalling out and reporting lots of blk_update_request I/O errors on <code>/dev/mtdblock2</code>. This started to happen recently, perhaps after adding more devices to the network. When the stall happens, WiFi connections just stop working entirely on both 2.4 and 5GHz. Luci, the web control panel, also doesn't respond.		The Linksys E8450 running OpenWRT started stalling out and reporting lots of blk_update_request I/O errors on <code>/dev/mtdblock2</code>. This started to happen recently, perhaps after adding more devices to the network. When the stall happens, WiFi connections just stop working entirely on both 2.4 and 5GHz. Luci, the web control panel, also doesn't respond.

Leo: /* OpenWRT */

2022-09-30T04:33:08Z

OpenWRT

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:33, 30 September 2022
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	# Reboot the router 3 times. I had to power cycle the device a few times before it stopped booting into OpenWRT and into the original Linksys firmware.		# Reboot the router 3 times. I had to power cycle the device a few times before it stopped booting into OpenWRT and into the original Linksys firmware.
	# On the original Linksys firmware, go to Configuration -> Administration -> Firmware Upgrade		# On the original Linksys firmware, go to Configuration -> Administration -> Firmware Upgrade
	#Upload the UBI based installer [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases/download/v1.0.0/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb].		#Upload the UBI based installer [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases/download/v1.0.0/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb]. This installer will set up the UBI based filesystem by executing a [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/blob/main/files/installer/install.sh conversion script].
	# The firmware update page will reload once the device reboots. You should be able to see OpenWRT at 192.168.1.1		# The firmware update page will reload once the device reboots. You should be able to see OpenWRT at 192.168.1.1
	# Upgrade the OpenWRT firmware using the UBI sysupgrade file. Go to System -> Flash Firmware, under "Flash new firmware image", upload [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases/download/v1.0.0/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb].		# Upgrade the OpenWRT firmware using the UBI sysupgrade file. Go to System -> Flash Firmware, under "Flash new firmware image", upload [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases/download/v1.0.0/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb]. No need to save any configs or package lists.
	# Once the device reboots, you should see OpenWRT again.		# Once the device reboots, you should see OpenWRT again. This time, when you log in, it should not say it is running in initramfs / recovery mode.

	=== Upgrading OpenWRT ===		=== Upgrading OpenWRT ===
	If you installed OpenWRT ~~using~~ the steps above ~~(ie. OpenWRT with the UBI filesystem converted)~~, you~~'ll~~ upgrade ~~the system via~~ OpenWRT ~~using~~ a UBI-~~enabled~~ sysupgrade file. ~~For example~~: <code>openwrt-22.03-snapshot-r19451-2726c8c315-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-'''ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade'''.itb</code>~~. Important bits in bold~~.		After you have installed OpenWRT with the steps above, you can upgrade to newer versions of OpenWRT by uploading a UBI-compatible sysupgrade file from:

			* https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases
			* https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/22.03.0/targets/mediatek/mt7622/

			Make sure you select the <code>ubi-squashfs-upgrade.itb</code> file. Eg. <code>openwrt-22.03-snapshot-r19451-2726c8c315-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-'''ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade'''.itb</code>.

	Note that you'll lose any installed packages once you do this upgrade. If you have any specific kernel modules or programs installed, you'll have to reinstall them again. The configs however should remain persistent.		Note that you'll lose any installed packages once you do this upgrade. If you have any specific kernel modules or programs installed, you'll have to reinstall them again. The configs however should remain persistent.
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	== Troubleshooting ==		== Troubleshooting ==

	== blk_update_request I/O errors ==		== blk_update_request I/O errors on mtdblock2 ==
	The Linksys E8450 running OpenWRT started stalling out and reporting lots of blk_update_request I/O errors on /dev/mtdblock2. This started to happen recently, perhaps after adding more devices to the network. When the stall happens, WiFi connections just stop working entirely on both 2.4 and 5GHz. Luci, the web control panel, also doesn't respond.		The Linksys E8450 running OpenWRT started stalling out and reporting lots of blk_update_request I/O errors on <code>/dev/mtdblock2</code>. This started to happen recently, perhaps after adding more devices to the network. When the stall happens, WiFi connections just stop working entirely on both 2.4 and 5GHz. Luci, the web control panel, also doesn't respond.

	Checking on the kernel dmesg logs show that some sectors are failing to write:		Checking on the kernel dmesg logs show that some sectors are failing to write:

Leo: /* OpenWRT */

2022-09-30T04:09:16Z

OpenWRT

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:09, 30 September 2022
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	# Power on the device, navigate to http://192.168.1.1.		# Power on the device, navigate to http://192.168.1.1.
	# ~~Decline~~ the ~~terms and conditions~~ and quit the setup wizard		# Click on the radio button and click 'Cancel' to quit the setup wizard.
	# Login ~~as 'admin' /~~ 'admin'		# Login using 'admin' as the password.
	# Go to Administration -> Firmware Upgrade		#Ensure that you are using version 1.0 of the Linksys firmware. You might want to consider downgrading if you are on a newer version.
	# Upload openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery.itb (Not the installer)		#Go to Configuration -> Administration -> Firmware Upgrade
	# ~~Once~~ the device reboots~~, you~~ should be able to see OpenWRT at 192.168.1.1		# Upload [https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/22.03.0/targets/mediatek/mt7622/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery.itb linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery.itb] (Note: '''Not the installer''', we want the initramfs one to do a flash backup only.)
	# SSH to ~~OpenWRT~~ and ~~back up~~ the flash.		# The firmware update page will reload once the device reboots. You should be able to see OpenWRT at 192.168.1.1
			# Backup the flash contents in case you need to restore to the stock firmware. (Note: You'll likely need serial access to restore, which requires soldering wires onto the board). SSH to root@192.168.1.1 and dump the flash:
	{{Highlight		{{Highlight
	\| code = # cd /dev		\| code = # cd /dev
	# for part in mtd[0123] ; do dd if=$part of=/tmp/$part; done		# for part in mtd[0123] ; do dd if=$part of=/tmp/$part; done
	\| lang = terminal		\| lang = terminal
	}} Copy the resulting mtd files to your computer ~~in case you ever need it~~.		}} Copy the resulting mtd files to your computer. There should be 4 files each being 524288, 1310720, 1048576, and 131072000 bytes large.
	# Reboot the router. I had to power cycle the device a few times before it stopped ~~going~~ into OpenWRT.		# Reboot the router 3 times. I had to power cycle the device a few times before it stopped booting into OpenWRT and into the original Linksys firmware.
	# ~~Back on~~ the original Linksys firmware, ~~upload~~ the UBI based installer openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb.		# On the original Linksys firmware, go to Configuration -> Administration -> Firmware Upgrade
	# ~~Once~~ the device reboots~~, you~~ should be able to see OpenWRT at 192.168.1.1		#Upload the UBI based installer [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases/download/v1.0.0/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb].
	# Upgrade the OpenWRT firmware using the UBI sysupgrade file. Go to System -> Flash Firmware, under "Flash new firmware image", upload openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb.		# The firmware update page will reload once the device reboots. You should be able to see OpenWRT at 192.168.1.1
			# Upgrade the OpenWRT firmware using the UBI sysupgrade file. Go to System -> Flash Firmware, under "Flash new firmware image", upload [https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer/releases/download/v1.0.0/openwrt-22.03.0-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb].
	# Once the device reboots, you should see OpenWRT again.		# Once the device reboots, you should see OpenWRT again.

Leo at 20:51, 22 September 2022

2022-09-22T20:51:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:51, 22 September 2022
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	The Linksys E8450 is a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router. This router is based on MediaTek MT7622 SOC and a MT7531 switch. As of 2022, it is supported by ~~a snapshot release of~~ OpenWRT.		The Linksys E8450 is a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router. This router is based on MediaTek MT7622 SOC and a MT7531 switch. As of 2022, it is supported by [[OpenWRT]] 22.03.

	I purchased this switch on sale from Amazon for $109 CAD in mid 2022.		I purchased this switch on sale from Amazon for $109 CAD in mid 2022.
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	=== Installing OpenWRT ===		=== Installing OpenWRT ===
	If you are installing OpenWRT from the stock Linksys firmware, please refer to the instructions outlined at: https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer		If you are installing [[OpenWRT]] from the stock Linksys firmware, please refer to the instructions outlined at: https://github.com/dangowrt/owrt-ubi-installer

	The steps that I used to install OpenWRT are as follows:		The steps that I used to install OpenWRT are as follows:
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	=== Upgrading OpenWRT ===		=== Upgrading OpenWRT ===
	If you installed OpenWRT using the steps above (ie. OpenWRT with the UBI filesystem converted), you'll upgrade the system via OpenWRT using a UBI-enabled sysupgrade file. For example: <code>openwrt-22.03-snapshot-r19451-2726c8c315-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade.itb</code>.		If you installed OpenWRT using the steps above (ie. OpenWRT with the UBI filesystem converted), you'll upgrade the system via OpenWRT using a UBI-enabled sysupgrade file. For example: <code>openwrt-22.03-snapshot-r19451-2726c8c315-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-'''ubi-squashfs-sysupgrade'''.itb</code>. Important bits in bold.

	Note that you'll lose any installed packages once you do this upgrade. If you have any specific kernel modules or programs installed, you'll have to reinstall them again. The configs however should remain persistent.		Note that you'll lose any installed packages once you do this upgrade. If you have any specific kernel modules or programs installed, you'll have to reinstall them again. The configs however should remain persistent.
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	== Troubleshooting ==		== Troubleshooting ==

	== ~~Bad flash~~ errors ==		== blk_update_request I/O errors ==
	The ~~router recently~~ started stalling. Luci doesn't respond ~~and WiFi connections don't work~~.		The Linksys E8450 running OpenWRT started stalling out and reporting lots of blk_update_request I/O errors on /dev/mtdblock2. This started to happen recently, perhaps after adding more devices to the network. When the stall happens, WiFi connections just stop working entirely on both 2.4 and 5GHz. Luci, the web control panel, also doesn't respond.

	Checking on the kernel dmesg logs show that some sectors are failing to write:		Checking on the kernel dmesg logs show that some sectors are failing to write:

Leo at 20:20, 22 September 2022

2022-09-22T20:20:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:20, 22 September 2022
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	}}		}}

	Updated from OpenWRT 22.03-SNAPSHOT to 22.03.0 but still can't read mtdblock2. No USB devices are mounted.		Updated from OpenWRT 22.03-SNAPSHOT to 22.03.0 but still can't read <code>mtdblock2</code>. No USB devices are mounted, in case that's relevant.

	Looking through this very unwieldy discussion https://forum.openwrt.org/t/belkin-rt3200-linksys-e8450-wifi-ax-discussion/94302, the developer (daniel) says "This error can show when trying to access areas in the flash with broken OOB/ECC data." and that mtdblock2 is the factory partition containing calibration data.		Looking through this very unwieldy discussion https://forum.openwrt.org/t/belkin-rt3200-linksys-e8450-wifi-ax-discussion/94302, the developer (daniel) says "This error can show when trying to access areas in the flash with broken OOB/ECC data." and that mtdblock2 is the factory partition containing calibration data.

	Restarting the 5GHz WiFi will trigger this error, despite me trying to make /dev/mtdblock2 chmod 000.		Restarting the 5GHz WiFi will trigger this error, despite me trying to make <code>/dev/mtdblock2</code> chmod <code>000</code>.

	lsof shows the rpcd process having mtdblock2 open:		<code>lsof</code> shows the <code>rpcd</code> process having <code>/dev/mtdblock2</code> open:

	{{Highlight		{{Highlight
Line 134:		Line 134:
	}}		}}

	~~which~~ is ~~why it hangs. And~~ since rpcd's used for handling other things like WiFi connections or luci, ~~everything just stalls out.~~		This is likely what's causing things to hang since rpcd is used for handling other things like WiFi connections or luci.

			Searching through the entire filesystem for <code>mtdblock2</code> returned nothing. The discussion mentioned that iwinfo might be reading <code>mtdblock2</code>. There is a string '<code>mtdblock%d</code>' in the <code>libiwinfo.so.20210430</code> library. The source for this does indeed show it try to read <code>/dev/mtdblockN</code> as seen here: https://git.openwrt.org/?p=project/iwinfo.git;a=blob_plain;f=iwinfo_utils.c;hb=3d38d1d17eba37b0985dd2857b4539410824a3e6 in order to determine the hardware information.

			Perhaps a simple fix here would be to rename <code>/dev/mtdblock2</code> to <code>/dev/mtdblock2a</code> so it can't try reading from the device? Basically, <code>mv /dev/mtdblock2 /dev/mtdblock2a</code>

	== See also ==		== See also ==

	* https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/e8450		* https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/e8450

Leo: /* Bad flash errors */

2022-09-22T19:07:41Z

Bad flash errors

@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
 Updated from OpenWRT 22.03-SNAPSHOT to 22.03.0 but still can't read mtdblock2. No USB devices are mounted.
 == See also ==
 * https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/e8450

Leo at 18:03, 22 September 2022

2022-09-22T18:03:12Z

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 For some reason, <code>/sbin/rpcd -s /var/run/ubus/ubus.sock -t 30</code> was using 25% CPU. Killing it brought back Luci?
 == See also ==
 * https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/e8450