OpenWrt, a free and open-source Linux-based operating system primarily used for embedded devices, most notably residential gateways and routers, has just announced the first stable release of its 24.10 series.
Most notable among the changes is the jump from Linux kernel 5.15 to 6.6 LTS, which promises better hardware support and long-term viability. Additionally, TLS 1.3 support is now standard in the default images, bolstering security capabilities for systems relying on encrypted connections.
Another noteworthy improvement is the activation of POSIX Access Control Lists and file system security attributes on devices with larger flash memory sizes. Moreover, kernel support for Multipath TCP has been enabled on devices with greater storage capacity.
Regarding wireless networking, OpenWrt 24.10 further refines WiFi6 (802.11ax) and adds initial, although still limited, support for WiFi7 (802.11be).
Of course, each new release also expands device coverage, with OpenWrt 24.10 now supporting over 1,970 devices, adding compatibility for more than 100 new models compared to the previous release. And completely expected, their own OpenWrt One is now among them.
If you are on 23.05, upgrading to 24.10 is seamless via the built-in sysupgrade utility, which attempts to preserve existing configurations. However, as a precaution, performing a configuration backup beforehand is highly recommended.
Upgrades from 22.03 are not officially supported, so users making a larger leap should pay close attention to documentation.
Special steps are also required for certain hardware. For instance, owners of Linksys E8450 devices must use the latest installer version (v1.1.3 or later) to reorganize the UBI layout; otherwise, the upgrade can break the device.
Similarly, Xiaomi AX3200 users must follow a specific procedure outlined in the wiki to ensure that the available flash memory is properly expanded.
Refer to the release announcement for detailed information about all changes in OpenWrt 24.10.
