Belkin device runs Linux, how can I create my own custom firmware for it?

Question

The Belkin N300 F9K1002 firmware is located here. It does not appear to be encrypted. How can I upload my own custom Linux firmware to this device. How would I go about hacking it?

Answer 1

On most other routers I have used, there's an admin console somewhere that has an "Update Firmware" link. You click that, it opens a file browser window, you point it at the location of your firmware file and it takes care of everything. You'll have to dissect the factory firmware package to see how it's structured, but it shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to add or replace stuff.