GSS108E firmware upgrade timeout - no solution using arp

GSS108E ProSAFE  Firmware update Timeout issue (not resolved)

Shipped version 1.0.0.0 update to 1.0.0.1

Ok, so I've seen many posts in this forum about how this is solved, it is not solved.  All the "solutions" are only a part.  Spell it out and put it in one place.  Hint: post it as part of the notes for the new firmware upgrade.

NetGear Techs, some friendly recommendations:

1.  If your software is broken, please work on fixing it.

2. Work around solutions should have step by step directions (please see my 20 min summary of wasting a weekend figuring out the disjointed comments here (see below).  Please feel free to use, update, correct, expand my comments.  they may not be 100%.  

3.  Post the work around steps for Windows, Linux, and MAC in a nice printable text doc so folks can print them out.

1. Firmware update – Credit to NetGear Forums for most of the parts, summary missing.
   1. Download latest ProSAFE and firmware for GSS108E to PC/Laptop
      1. Unzip both
      2. Install ProSAFE
   2. Connect directly to the switch from PC or laptop. No Router or other Switch between.
      1. Hard set PC / Laptop to IP in set subnet as switch.
      2. Switch default IP 192.168.0.239 if you have not changed it or connected to a DHCP server (home network router). Default IP assumed for examples.
   3. Run ProSAFE
      1. Refresh to find switch, verify it is in the same IP subnet as PC.
      2. Follow prompt for firmware update.
   4. If this fails, typcail timeput around 40% to 50% during upload:
      1. Download or get a command line tftp server.
         1. Linux: from command prompt (CentOS example)
            1. Su root
            2. yum install tftp
         2. Open up Command Prompt in admin mode for window or su root for Linux.

• Add switch IP and MAC to arp table (as reported from ProSAFE or look at the box for the MAC)
  1. Add fixed arp entry to arp table
     1. arp –s 192.168.0.239 xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx
  2. Note syntax if different for Linux and Windows for how the MAC address is entered. Windows 10 wants dashes.  Linux can be “:” or not separator depending on distribution, check help arp –h.

1. Windows: Retry ProsSAFE. Failed for me
2. Linux Command Line tftp: Push firmware to switch, Linux CentOS example
   1. tftf –v –m binary 192.168.0.239 –c put /home/user/Downloads/GSS108E_V1.0.0.1/GSS108E_V1.0.0.1.bin
   2. Note the –m binary transfer mode is required.
3. Power cycle switch.
   1. If it still does not respond to ping or web admin try Reset to default and power cycle.

I had no luck with the ProSAFE or GUI based tftp server/client, I had to go command line.