Comparing options to upgrade firmware

Choose one option:

• Option 1. Newcomers.
• Option 2. Experts.

If you are a newcomer to both OpenWrt and upgrading a device firmware, this comparison table down below might facilitate choosing one upgrade option that meet your present needs. Those upgrade options are available for most devices presently supported by OpenWrt. The meaning of each column header is below the table under Legend.

Legend:

• Options to choose from column header means that, in this comparison table above, if appropriate, you need to choose one of the options listed under that column header.
  Also under that same column header, on each option, the link goes to a related documentation page. Which might be of interest to newcomers.
  The abbreviation GUI/LuCI means graphical user interface. In other words, easily and quickly clicking or taping on buttons to upgrade the firmware.
  CLI means command line interface. Which requires using a terminal and typing command(s) to upgrade the firmware.

• Learn means the initial learning curve before a newcomer is able to successful use that option.
  For example, learning Attended Sysupgrade App from LuCI might require a few minutes. In comparison, learning Terminal might require days or weeks. Because with Terminal you need to learn the Terminal itself, the commands, and all their dependencies.
  Mid means mid-level learning curve. In other words, in between easy and hard.

• Risk means the risk of unexpected challenge(s) either during or after upgrading a firmware.
  For example, when used appropriately, the Attended Sysupgrade App from LuCI option is low risk. Mostly because, for newcomers, during upgrading, there are fewer upgrade configuration to choose from. In comparison, Terminal option is high risk. Because, for newcomers, during upgrading, there are significantly more upgrade configuration to choose from.

• GUI/LuCI means graphical user interface.
  Newcomers often prefer starting GUI. Because they need buttons they can click on to upgrade a device firmware. LuCI is the OpenWrt GUI. GUI initial learning curve is easier and faster. One main downside of GUI might be no scripting or limited advanced scripting.

• CLI means command line interface.
  Experts often prefer CLI. Because they need advanced scripting. After the CLI initial learning curve, CLI might be significantly faster than GUI and use less memory than GUI. In other words, more efficient.

• Preserve Config means preserving the configuration of the OpenWrt package(s) on upgrading.
  This assumes the option makes its best efforts to attempt this. In other words, if this attempt is successful, after upgrading, you do not need to reconfigure your OpenWrt package(s). When both appropriate and when used appropriately, this preserving configuration might be a big time saver. Each upgrade option can be configured to either preserve configuration or not preserve configuration.

• Script means advanced scripting. Options supporting advanced scripting might allow to, but not limited to, write your own script, do advanced automation, or remote access.

Disclaimer:

• In the unlikely event of conflicting information between a specific device page and this comparison table up above, the correct information is likely on the device information page. Either use your best judgment or you are welcome asking the OpenWrt community volunteers for help. The link to each device information page can be found in this new Table of Hardware (ToH), under the Page column, click on the appropriate link.

This upgrading comparison table is to come below. Audience are experts of both OpenWrt and firmware upgrading. All contributions are welcome to create this table.