Open-Source Router Settings Lost After Reboot: Users Face Storage Errors

Some users have seen internet speeds jump from 150 MBPS to 175 MBPS with open-source routers, but others face settings that disappear after a reboot.
By Newsroom | Technology, Networking |

The landscape of home networking is shifting, with a growing interest in open-source router solutions. Users are moving away from standard, manufacturer-provided devices to explore alternatives that offer greater control and customization. This exploration is driven by a desire for improved performance, a deeper understanding of network functions, and a way to extend the life of existing hardware. However, this transition is not without its challenges, involving technical adjustments and potential difficulties in achieving desired outcomes.

The Rise of Open-Source in Home Networking

Open-source router firmware offers an alternative to the proprietary software found on most consumer-grade routers. These open systems, often based on Linux or FreeBSD, allow users to unlock features not typically available on stock routers. This can range from advanced network management tools to transforming older computer hardware into powerful routers or firewalls. The appeal lies in the freedom, flexibility, and control they provide, with the expectation that once experienced, a return to closed-source systems is unlikely.

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User Experiences: Performance Gains and Persistent Issues

Reports from users indicate varied experiences with open-source router setups. Some have noted significant improvements in their internet speeds and Wi-Fi performance after making changes.

  • One user reported moving from 150 MBPS to 175 MBPS download and 185 MBPS upload speeds, with latency remaining at 4ms. This change was attributed to factors such as adjusting Wi-Fi channels, a process facilitated by their Internet Service Provider's mobile app.

  • While some improvements were observed, the impact on Wi-Fi speeds was not always drastic, with some tests showing similar results before and after a specific LAN-to-TV solution.

  • However, another user encountered a significant technical hurdle: their router settings would revert to their previous state after every reboot, irrespective of attempted fixes.

Technical Challenges in Open-Source Environments

The implementation of open-source router firmware can present complex technical challenges, particularly regarding system stability and storage management.

Configuration Persistence Issues

A recurring problem for some users is the failure of configuration changes to persist after a reboot. This suggests potential issues with the way the system's storage is mounted or how changes are being written to the persistent storage partitions.

  • One user detailed their attempts to resolve this on OpenWrt 21.02.1 on a TP-Link Archer C7 v5. Despite trying a reset via the LuCI interface and a command-line factory reset (including umount /overlay && jffs2reset && reboot now), changes were lost.

  • The command dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/loop0 bs=1M; reboot resulted in an error message: "dd: error writing '/dev/loop0': No space left on device". This output might indicate a full storage partition, specifically the overlay partition, which is where changes are typically stored.

  • The filesystem output showed:

  • /dev/root mounted on /rom (squashfs, read-only) with 3.5M used and 0 available, indicating it's full.

  • /dev/mtdblock9 mounted on /overlay (jffs2) with 3.5M used and 6.0M available (37% used).

  • overlayfs:/overlay mounted on / with 3.5M used and 6.0M available (37% used).

Understanding Filesystem Structures

In systems like OpenWrt, the root filesystem (/) is often an overlay of a read-only system partition (/rom) and a writable partition (/overlay). The read-only nature of /rom means that system files cannot be directly modified. All changes, such as configuration updates and software installations, are intended to be written to the /overlay partition.

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  • The /rom partition, with only 3.5M and fully utilized, contains the base operating system.

  • The /overlay partition, though appearing to have available space, might be experiencing issues that prevent new data from being written correctly, or perhaps the "No space left on device" error is related to a different, unlisted device or partition involved in the write operation.

Open-Source Router Software Options

Several open-source operating systems are available for routers, catering to different needs and technical proficiencies.

  • DD-WRT is a widely recognized open-source firmware based on Linux, offering extensive customization options.

  • The pfSense project provides a free, open-source network firewall distribution built on the FreeBSD operating system, known for its robust firewall capabilities.

  • These systems allow users to access features beyond those found in stock firmware, potentially enhancing network security and performance.

Expert Perspectives on Open-Source Adoption

The shift towards open-source in networking is seen as a move towards greater user empowerment.

"Once you experience the freedom, flexibility, and control that an open-source router provides, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever want to go back to using a closed-source router." - UMA Technology

This sentiment is echoed by the availability of various open-source options designed to turn older hardware into capable network devices, highlighting the potential for cost savings and resourcefulness.

Conclusion: The Trade-offs of Open-Source Networking

The adoption of open-source routers presents a compelling path for users seeking enhanced control over their home networks. Evidence suggests that these systems can lead to tangible performance improvements. However, the transition is not universally seamless. Technical challenges, such as persistent configuration issues and potential storage limitations, can arise, demanding a deeper understanding of system architecture and troubleshooting.

The persistent configuration problem highlighted by the user on OpenWrt, coupled with the "No space left on device" error, indicates that successful open-source router management may require careful attention to storage partitioning and filesystem integrity. Further investigation into the specific storage configuration and write operations on the affected device would be necessary to fully diagnose and resolve such persistent issues. The decision to switch ultimately hinges on a user's willingness to engage with these technical complexities in exchange for greater network customization and potential performance gains.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are my open-source router settings not saving after I restart it?
This often happens because the router's storage where changes are saved might be full or not working correctly. On systems like OpenWrt, settings are saved to a special area that might be encountering errors, causing them to be lost when the router restarts.
Q: What does the 'No space left on device' error mean for my open-source router?
This error means the storage space used to keep your settings and installed programs is full. Even if it looks like there's some space left, the system might not be able to write new data correctly, leading to problems like lost settings.
Q: Can using an open-source router really improve my internet speed?
Yes, some users report better internet speeds after switching to open-source routers. One user saw their download speed go from 150 MBPS to 175 MBPS. This can happen by adjusting settings that aren't usually available on normal routers.
Q: What are some popular open-source router software options?
Popular choices include DD-WRT, which is based on Linux and offers many custom options, and pfSense, which is built on FreeBSD and is known for strong firewall features. These let users have more control over their network.
Q: Is it worth switching to an open-source router if I might face technical problems?
Switching gives you more control and can improve performance, but it can also be difficult. You need to be ready to understand technical details and fix problems like lost settings or storage errors to get the full benefits.