Table of Contents
TFTP Server Configuration
The TFTP server is the core tool for router unbricking, used to transfer firmware to the router via the TFTP protocol.
TFTP Introduction
TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) - A simple file transfer protocol without authentication, suitable for transferring small files within a local network.
Windows
TFTPD32/TFTPD64
1. Download TFTPD64 2. Run as Administrator 3. Configure the interface:
| Setting | Value |
| โโโ | โโ- |
| Current Directory | Folder containing the firmware |
| Server Interface | Computer IP (e.g. 192.168.1.100) |
| Protocol | TFTP |
| Port | 69 |
4. Click โShow Dirโ to ensure the firmware file is visible 5. Ensure the firewall allows TFTP
Windows 10/11 Built-in TFTP
```powershell # Run PowerShell as Administrator Install-WindowsFeature -Name TFTP-Client
# Or enable manually: # Control Panel โ Programs โ Turn Windows features on or off โ TFTP Client ```
macOS
Built-in tftpd
```bash # Start the TFTP server sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist
# Set the shared folder (default /private/tftpboot) sudo mkdir -p /private/tftpboot sudo chmod 777 /private/tftpboot sudo cp firmware.bin /private/tftpboot/
# Restart the service sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist ```
Homebrew
```bash brew install atftp atftpd โdaemon โbind-address 192.168.1.100 โdirectory /your/firmware/folder ```
Linux
tftpd-hpa
```bash # Install sudo apt install tftpd-hpa
# Configure /etc/default/tftpd-hpa TFTP_USERNAME=โtftpโ TFTP_DIRECTORY=โ/srv/tftpโ TFTP_ADDRESS=โ0.0.0.0:69โ TFTP_OPTIONS=โโsecure โverboseโ
# Create the directory sudo mkdir -p /srv/tftp sudo chmod 777 /srv/tftp sudo cp firmware.bin /srv/tftp/
# Restart the service sudo systemctl restart tftpd-hpa ```
Verify TFTP Server
```bash # Test from another computer tftp 192.168.1.100 tftp> get firmware.bin tftp> quit ```
Troubleshooting
Connection Timeout
* Check if the firewall allows UDP port 69 * Ensure the computer and router are on the same subnet * Verify the IP address is correct
File Transfer Failed
* Check if the firmware filename is correct * Confirm the firmware file has read permissions * Try disabling the firewall for testing
Transfer Complete but Router Has No Response
* The firmware may not be compatible with this model * Check if the firmware version matches the hardware version