@wusel: wieso hälst Du 16MB Flash für zu wenig?
Ich habe mal Grok gefragt:
how big are gluon firmware images and is 16mb flash space enough for future use and newer images?
Gluon firmware images are built for specific hardware targets (e.g., TP-Link Archer C7, which has 16MB flash), and their sizes vary based on the device, OpenWrt base version, included packages (like batman-adv for meshing), and community-specific configurations. Based on current data from Gluon docs, OpenWrt forums, and Freifunk community builds:
Typical Image Sizes
Sysupgrade .bin files (used for upgrading from existing OpenWrt/Gluon installs): Usually 6-10 MB.
Example: For devices like the TP-Link Archer C7 (a common 16MB flash router), OpenWrt base sysupgrade is ~8.7 MB. Gluon adds mesh networking and other features, pushing it to ~9-11 MB in recent builds (e.g., based on OpenWrt 24.10 in Gluon 2025.1).forum.openwrt.org
For lower-end devices (e.g., 8MB flash routers like TP-Link WR1043ND), Gluon sysupgrades are optimized to ~6-8 MB, but features may be trimmed to fit.
Factory .bin files (used for initial flashing from stock firmware): Often similar or slightly larger (8-12 MB), sometimes padded to match vendor expectations (e.g., up to 16 MB for some TP-Link models to pass image checks).
x86/virtual machine images (no flash limit): Can be larger, up to 50 MB or more, as seen in some Freifunk x86 sysupgrades.wiki.bremen.freifunk.net
Sizes have grown gradually over time (~1-2 MB per major OpenWrt upgrade due to new kernels, drivers, and security features), but optimizations (e.g., minification, package removals) keep them stable. Historical trend: Early Gluon versions (2016-2018) were ~4-6 MB; current (2025) are ~8-12 MB for mid-range targets. Growth is linear but slow, with occasional drops in support for very small devices.
Is 16MB Flash Enough for Future Use?
Yes, 16MB flash is more than sufficient for current and foreseeable future Gluon images. Here’s why:
Minimum requirements: Gluon recommends at least 7-8 MiB of usable flash space (after bootloader and partitions). Devices with 16MB total flash typically have 12-14 MiB usable for firmware + data overlay.gluon.readthedocs.ioopenwrt.org
Current fit: A 9-11 MB image leaves ample room (~3-5 MiB) for the overlay filesystem (user data, configs, logs). No issues with Gluon 2025.1 or recent OpenWrt-based builds.
Future-proofing: Size growth is managed—devices with 4MB flash are often deprecated first due to constraints, followed by some 8MB ones (e.g., D-Link DIR-825 dropped in 2023 due to size limits). 16MB devices like the Archer C7 remain well-supported and are unlikely to face deprecation soon, as Gluon prioritizes popular hardware. If sizes approach limits (e.g., 12+ MB in 5-10 years), communities can fork slimmed-down variants or use modular packages.gluon.readthedocs.io
Caveats: If your config includes extras (e.g., debugging symbols, additional apps), sizes can balloon to 12-16 MB, risking overflow. Stick to standard builds for safety. Also, pair with at least 64-128 MB RAM for smooth operation.
Das entspricht auch etwa meinem Empfinden… es müssten schon Softwarepakete dazukommen, die vergleichsweise groß sind, oder der Kernel überproportional wachsen.
Natürlich darf man Grok nicht trauen 
