I installed the packages on my old iPhone 4. I then added the line

/usr/sbin/usbmuxd

to the Local Startup per the OpenWRT forum posts.

I rebooted the router, enabled the hotspot on the phone and connected it. there was no ETH2. I disconnected and reconnected it and then could find ETH2 under Wan Settings=> Tethering. Entered submit and the phone connected… for about 30 seconds. The hot spot on the phone keeps cutting in and out and I keep getting asked if I “trust” the device.

Not clear on how to debug the situation.

I know the hotspot works reliably when I connect the PC to the phone hot spot via wireless. I’m also not sure why I would want to tether the phone via a cable when it’s easier to use the hotspot and connect to it via wifi.