Flash and configure the Ubiquiti Edgerouter-X (ER-X)

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Flashing the ER-X can be a bit challenging due to a 2 stage install, changing ports, and low level command line tasks. This is the checklist I use.

Phase 1: Flash Althea Firmware

  1. Download the erx-factory.tar file
  2. Download the erx sysupgrade file from Althea’s firmware page
  3. Set computer ethernet port to a manual IP like 192.168.1.11 netmask 255.255.255.0
  4. Connect cable to ER-X port eth0
  5. Browse to https://192.168.1.1
  6. Login with username ubnt password ubnt
  7. Say no to config wizard
  8. Click system button in bottom left
  9. Upgrade System Image,
  10. Select the erx-factory.tar image, confirm twice
    (router reboots into commandline-only OpenWRT image)
  1. Switch cable to eth1 port, wait for about 1 minute
  2. Ping 192.168.1.1 to confirm it’s working
    $ ping 192.168.1.1
  1. Transfer the sysupgrade image to the device using ‘scp’
    $ scp ./erx-sysupgrade.bin root@192.168.1.1:/tmp/erx.bin
  1. ssh into device
    $ ssh root@192.168.1.1
  1. Run sysupgrade with the uploaded image:
    $ sysupgrade -n /tmp/erx.bin
  1. Change computer ethernet port to DHCP
  2. Move cable to ER-X port eth4
  3. Ping 192.168.10.1 to confirm

Phase 2: Configure Althea Router

  1. Browse to http://192.168.10.1 (important: http:// NOT https://)
  2. Change Eth0 port from WAN to LAN or Mesh
    (WiFi and Ports → Ports)
  3. Set a Nickname
    Settings → Nickname
  4. Set Operator Payment Address
    (Advanced → Network Organizer → Organizer Payment Address)
  5. Enable Selling Bandwidth
    (Advanced → Selling Bandwidth)
  6. Check that the relay neighbor is visible
    (Selling Bandwidth → Neighbors)
  7. Disable Selling Bandwidth (optional)
    (Advanced → Selling Bandwidth)
  8. Add Exit Node (requires a working mobile SMS number to confirm)
    (Settings → Exit Node)
  9. (Optional) Transfer xDai funds using MetaMask to the router’s payment address
    (Advanced → Node Information → Payment Address)
  10. Complete remaining tasks on the Dashboard:
  11. Save Contact Info, Backup Wallet, Set WiFi SSID & Password, etc

Phase 3: Command Line

  1. Install packages
opkg update
opkg install nano
opkg install iperf3
  1. Add remote admin SSH keys to /etc/dropbear/authorized_keys
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If flashing a Beta18 firmware, Phase 1, step 17 should be skipped. Beta18 changed which ports are LAN vs Mesh. Eth4 is now the single Mesh port, and all the others are LAN, so it’s ok to stay connected to Eth1.