WireGuard VPN on a JetKVM

The setting…

I recently started adopting WireGuard VPN into more and more of my server infrastructure. Consequently, I was wondering if the Linux-based JetKVM could also be integrated into these networks - especially useful since I do not want to use their cloud solution, but still want to deploy these onto remote locations as needed. So, getting WireGuard to run there was both harder and easier than expected - here is a write-up on how to do it. If you just came here to quickly copy-paste some commands, there you go:

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Unbranding a Fritz!Box 6490 KDG Edition

What was going on?

Recently, I had once again the unique opportunity to flash a “Fritz!Box 6490 KDG Edition” with the guarantee of no consequences in case I completely brick it. This time, because I needed the DECT functionality still working after this operation, I chose to stay on the proprietary firmware by AVM. 🤷‍♂️

So, here is my battle plan:

1. Get the stock firmware for the device from its vendors download-server with its recovery-tool in case it goes really wrong.
2. Convince the bootloader to report an unbranded model to the OS (guide from here)
3. “Recover” and boot it
4. Enjoy a more open experience!

What really happened…

Obtaining the stock image

This is where I hit the first road-block: The manufacturer offers seemingly no recovery.exe-tool for this device. So, to proceed, I just grabbed the original firmware image from their download server and extracted the partition images from it:

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OpenWrt for Fritz!Box 7360 EWE Edition

What was going on?

Recently, I had the unique opportunity to open-source flash a “Fritz!Box 7360 EWE Edition” with the guarantee of no consequences in case I completely brick it! So my first choice fell on OpenWrt, as it is a well-known and well-documented open-source firmware for routers and modems. Especially, this would fix issues with increasingly decreasing wireless performance with the original firmware after multiple weeks of uptime (thanks AVM).

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Ceiling Light: B.K.Licht and Home Assistant

Leadup

Everything started as I bought the “LED Panel, Colour Temperature Fully Adjustable […]” by “B.K.Licht” off Amazon. It worked great with the also shipped remote control and it was only a little bit inconvenient to never have the remote when needed. It is a 15W LED panel with RGB/WW/CW and therefore 5 channels. I chose it because the pictures in the reviews indicated a modular power supply and also showed some minor information about the wattage and ratings. Furthermore, the manufacturer (or at least distributor) was also located in Germany, so I hoped for easier communication.

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