Since OpenWRT is installed as a complete firmware image that contains the Linux kernel and all selected components, Serval DNA for OpenWRT can only be built as part of a whole OpenWRT build.

This process can also be used to produce the servald binary for openwrt for use elsewhere, for example including in a Mesh Extender firmware build. But note that the Mesh Extender firmware build process is different (and simpler) compared to that described here.

The Serval DNA build instructions for OpenWRT describe this process in detail.

1. Choose a version of Serval DNA to build:
   • To build a version under development from a locally edited working copy:
     • Appendix A of the Serval DNA build instructions for OpenWRT describe how to set up an OpenWRT feed which compiles directly from your Git working copy of the Serval DNA source code.
   • To build a published release of Serval DNA:
     • the latest Serval OpenWRT package feed README describes which releases (feed branches) are available
     • the Serval DNA build instructions for OpenWRT describe how to compile your chosen feed branch of the Serval OpenWRT package feed
2. Select your target device (architecture) and other configuration options:
   • in the menuconfig step of the build instructions:
     • select the target platform (Dragino MS12 is used in the examples below)
     • select the serval-dna package as a module: [M]
3. The build should produce an IPK file under the bin/arch/packages directory, eg:

   $ ls -sh bin/atheros/packages/serval*
   840K bin/atheros/packages/serval-dna_START-2967-gdc588e9-4_atheros.ipk
   $

4. Copy the IPK file onto your OpenWRT device, and install it using opkg. For example:

   $ scp bin/atheros/packages/serval-dna_START-2967-gdc588e9-4_atheros.ipk
   root@192.168.255.1:/tmp/root@192.168.255.1's password:
   serval-dna_START-2967-gdc588e9-4_atheros.ipk       100%  840KB 635.6KB/s   00:02
   $ ssh root@192.168.255.1
   root@192.168.255.1's password:
   
   BusyBox v1.15.3 (2012-11-26 07:01:41 CST) built-in shell (ash)
   Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.
     ___   ___   ___   ___  _ _  ___   ___
    |   \ |___\ |___| | __   |  |   | |   |        [  www.dragino.com  ]
    |___/ |   | |   | |___| _|_ |   | |___|        [  www.flukso.net   ]
    ------------------------------------------     [  www.rowetel.com  ]
    W i F i, L i n u x, M C U, E m b e d d e d
   
    OpenWRT Backfire [10.03.1, r33081]
    Dragino MS12 2.1-beta-2, Build Mon Nov 26 07:30:30 CST 2012
   
   root@dragino:~# cd /tmp
   root@dragino:/tmp# ls *ipk
   serval-dna_START-2967-gdc588e9-4_atheros.ipk
   root@dragino:/tmp# df -h
   Filesystem                Size      Used Available Use% Mounted on
   /dev/root                 2.9M      2.9M         0 100% /rom
   tmpfs                    14.6M    716.0K     13.9M   5% /tmp
   tmpfs                   512.0K         0    512.0K   0% /dev
   root                      2.9M      2.9M         0 100% /tmp/root
   mini_fo:/tmp/root         2.9M      2.9M         0 100% /tmp/root
   /dev/mtdblock3            3.9M    272.0K      3.7M   7% /overlay
   mini_fo:/overlay          2.9M      2.9M         0 100% /
   root@dragino:/tmp# opkg install serval-dna_START-2967-gdc588e9-4_atheros.ipk
   Installing serval-dna (START-2967-gdc588e9-4) to root...
   Configuring serval-dna.
   root@dragino:/tmp# which servald
   /usr/bin/servald
   root@dragino:/tmp# servald help
   Serval Mesh version <version>.
   Usage:
    dna lookup <did> [<timeout>]
   ...
   root@dragino:/tmp#

You should now be able to use servald on your OpenWRT device.

Our initial prototype hardware target is the Dragrove MS12.

• the Compile Dragino Firmware wiki page describes the process for building firmware and flashing it to the device
• alternatively, the Motherboard Upgrade Firmware wiki page has instructions for flashing pre-built firmware files

On a Mac, you can flash the firmware as follows:

1. Make the firmware files available by TFTP:

   $ cp bin/atheros/openwrt-atheros-vmlinux.lzma /private/tftpboot
   $ cp bin/atheros/openwrt-atheros-root.squashfs /private/tftpboot
   $

2. Manually configure eth0 (wired ethernet) on the Mac to 192.168.255.2, subnet 255.255.255.0, with no router.
3. Start the TFTP server on the Mac, e.g.:

   $ sudo launchctl load -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist
   $ sudo launchctl start com.apple.tftpd
   $

4. Connect the Dragrove to the Mac via ethernet cable
5. Create ~/.telnetrc with the contents:

   192.168.255.1<NEWLINE>
   <TAB>mode line<NEWLINE>

   Obviously, replace <NEWLINE> by pressing Enter and <TAB> with a single TAB character when creating the file using your favourite editor.

6. Power down the Dragrove
7. On the Mac, be ready to type telnet 192.168.255.1 9000 as soon as the Dragrove powers up. You may need to type it several times to make sure you get in. If you don't get in within a few seconds, go back to step 6.
8. Once you see something like == Executing boot script in 4.580 seconds - enter ^C to abort do press control C. You should be greeted with a RedBoot> prompt.
9. Type the following redboot commands:

   fis init
   load -r -b %{FREEMEMLO} openwrt-atheros-vmlinux.lzma
   fis create -e 0x80041000 -r 0x80041000 vmlinux.bin.l7
   load -r -b %{FREEMEMLO} openwrt-atheros-root.squashfs
   fis create rootfs
   reset

   For example, a successful conversation might end up looking like:

   $ telnet 192.168.255.1 9000
   Trying 192.168.255.1...
   Connected to 192.168.255.1.
   Escape character is '^]'.
   == Executing boot script in 4.580 seconds - enter ^C to abort
   ^C^C
   RedBoot> fis init
   About to initialize [format] FLASH image system - continue (y/n)? y
   *** Initialize FLASH Image System
   ... Erase from 0xa87d0000-0xa87e0000: .
   ... Program from 0x80ff0000-0x81000000 at 0xa87d0000: .
   RedBoot> load -r -b %{FREEMEMLO} openwrt-atheros-vmlinux.lzma
   Using default protocol (TFTP)
   Raw file loaded 0x8003e000-0x8010dfff, assumed entry at 0x8003e000
   RedBoot> fis create -e 0x80041000 -r 0x80041000 vmlinux.bin.l7
   ... Erase from 0xa8030000-0xa8100000: .............
   ... Program from 0x8003e000-0x8010e000 at 0xa8030000: .............
   ... Erase from 0xa87d0000-0xa87e0000: .
   ... Program from 0x80ff0000-0x81000000 at 0xa87d0000: .
   RedBoot> load -r -b %{FREEMEMLO} openwrt-atheros-root.squashfs
   Using default protocol (TFTP)
   Raw file loaded 0x8003e000-0x8033dfff, assumed entry at 0x8003e000
   RedBoot> fis create rootfs
   ... Erase from 0xa8100000-0xa8400000: ................................................
   ... Program from 0x8003e000-0x8033e000 at 0xa8100000: ................................................
   ... Erase from 0xa87d0000-0xa87e0000: .
   ... Program from 0x80ff0000-0x81000000 at 0xa87d0000: .
   RedBoot> reset

   Note that when you hit Enter after reset, the Dragrove will begin resetting, and you will not get any confirmation back that this has occurred, other than by watching the LEDs on the Dragrove. You can assume the firmware update proceeded successfully if you get to the point where the WIFI LED is blinking again, or you can login using ssh root@192.168.255.1 (default password is root).

10. When all done, stop the TFTP server on the Mac:

    $ sudo launchctl stop com.apple.tftpd;
    $ sudo launchctl unload -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist
    $