Custom firmware build for R7500v1 v.1.0.1.13SF

[Voxel]

R7500v1 owners might be interested in my custom firmware build for R7500v1, which has EOL status:

http://kb.netgear.com/25763/NETGEAR-Product-End-of-Life-Policy

There is a thread:

https://www.myopenrouter.com/forum/modified-firmware-r7500v1-use-entware-ng-and-debian

New version of my custom firmware build: 1.0.1.13SF.

The link for downloads is: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/tyj61i5uc610w/voxel-firmware

Changes (vs 1.0.1.12SF):

1.0.1.13SF
1. OpenSSL version is upgraded 1.0.2j->1.0.2k
2. OpenVPN version is upgraded 2.3.13->2.4.0.
3. ethtool version is upgraded 3.4.1->4.8.
4. e2fsprogs version is upgraded 1.43.1->1.43.3.
5. Changes in several scripts to use direct path to firmware /bin/opkg (to avoid conflicts with opkg from Entware).
6. dnscrypt-resolvers.csv is updated.
7. Toolchain: GCC compiler version is changed and its most recent OpenWRT & Debian patches are used.
8. Toolchain: yet two components are upgraded.
9. Host tools: three components are upgraded.

Thanks to Zdenkod and kylewu for testing.

Voxel.

 

[hggomes]

Is there a official announcement on Netgear R7500 EOL?

 

[Voxel]

Is there a official announcement on Netgear R7500 EOL?

Yes, almost year ago:

http://www.netgear.com/support/product/R7500

End of Life (Service Unavailable)

I stress: it is R7500v1 (not R7500v2).

Voxel.

 

[hggomes]

So based on your statements of "almost year ago" Netgear released it on 03 September 2014 and less than 2 years EOL already?

No wonder why people decide on different branding.

 

[Voxel]

So based on your statements of "almost year ago" Netgear released it on 03 September 2014 and less than 2 years EOL already?

No wonder why people decide on different branding.

You can check, official Netgear forum:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Ni...-End-of-Life-Service-Unavailable/td-p/1066001

First post is dated as ‎2016-03-25. It is why I said "almost year ago". Anniversary in the next month ;-)

And it is why I started with my own custom builds (I had two R7500v1).

Voxel.

 

[Voxel]

Forgot to say: last release of stock firmware for R7500v1 is July 2015.

Voxel.

 

[RMerlin]

Chances are, they failed at working around the Quantenna problems, so they issued a V2, and abandoned V1. Sucks for people who bought the V1 tho, as it wasn't cheap, and an EOL router in 2017 is suicide on the security front.

 

[hggomes]

Just look at ASUS RT-AC87U model (which is the same HW as R7500V1) being Broadcom 2.4GHZ radio + Quantenna 5GHZ radio, and look how it's still being supported and will for at least the next 5 years, we just need to look at RT-N16 (Year 2009) , RT-N66U and other old models still being supported by ASUS.

It's all about the company aproach, Netgear simply doesn't give a damn about their costumers, pure reality, the message they sent to their clients owning a R7500V1 is:

"Please buy another $350 model because we decided that way in less than 2 years."

Sucks for people who bought the V1 tho, as it wasn't cheap, and an EOL router in 2017 is suicide on the security front.

Ohh yeah, indeed R7500V1 was not cheap at all, I couldn't agree more and you can bet on the suicide front... But in the end that's something they don't really care in general, you just need look at the latest front page news on Netgear.

Not supporting / buying their products it's the best way to send the message back, it's the only way for them to learn the lesson and change their behaviour.

Shame on you Netgear!!!

 

[Voxel]

Just look at ASUS RT-AC87U model (which is the same HW as R7500V1) being Broadcom 2.4GHZ radio + Quantenna 5GHZ radio, and look how it's still being supported and will for at least the next 5 years, we just need to look at RT-N16 (Year 2009) , RT-N66U and other old models still being supported by ASUS.

It's all about the company aproach, Netgear simply doesn't give a damn about their costumers, pure reality, the message they sent to their clients owning a R7500V1 is:

"Please buy another $350 model because we decided that way in less than 2 years."



Ohh yeah, indeed R7500V1 was not cheap at all, I couldn't agree more and you can bet on the suicide front... But in the end that's something they don't really care in general, you just need look at the latest front page news on Netgear.

Not supporting / buying their products it's the best way to send the message back, it's the only way for them to learn the lesson and change their behaviour.

Shame on you Netgear!!!

Well, you know, only because of this EOL I started my modifications. To close holes in my family budget.

OK, I continued a bit its life, at least I hope so ;-)

Voxel.

 

[Roobaj]

Voxel firmware solved two annoying issues that Netgear failed to help me with:

1- Nat Type Unavailable on Xbox One. This happens randomly and usually goes away with a router reboot but it really was a pain in the butt getting it almost daily. Of course I tried DMZ, Port Forward, UPNP etc to no avail. Tested Voxel's firmware for a week and so far Nat Type is always Open.

2- Cannot update QOS database. failed to update message. I googled this issue and all I got was try to enable/disable QOS and try again. Seriously Netgear? thankfully Voxel integrated the latest QOS Database (June 2016) in his firmware that he sent me and I finally have the latest database.

I got Nighthawk R7500 on sale but I had absolutely no idea that Netgear dropped the ball hard with supporting older devices. If It weren't for Voxel's help I would be stuck with a brick.

Don't throw a great router because Netgear decided to stop supporting it. Use Voxel's firmware and breath some life into it whether you use it as a main or even as an access point. I will be using it for years to come till it stops working.

And if you are a total network noob like me then no worries. Unlike other custom firmwares, this is using stock Netgear UI but with more powerful features for those who need it so you will feel right at home.

 

[zd59]

Hi !

Can confirm Roobaj!
Mr. Voxel is the man, who made a smile on a lot of faces of unhappy R7500 V1 owners!
Thanks him from my site too.
After second "birthday" of my R7500 on november 2016, suddenly VPN works - Voxel upgrade/bug hunting.
VPN and promissing hardware were the reason for buying.

VPN did not work from the begining.
Aawfull Netgear help after almost a month of direct access to my router (think there is a virtual machine in it for management) gave up and suggest replacement:
I plead for that - Unbeliveable answer from their site (another department) "your country is not supported, contact the dealer". So I left with expencive crippled device...

There are so many improvements, additions, bugs solved by Voxel, that R7500 V1 with his FW is a completly different device.

Regards, Voxel.