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Forum Discussion
k383
Sep 13, 2016Tutor
Need instructions to update FVS318Gv2 firmware beyond 4.3.3.6
Hi. I'm looking for clear ("for laymen") instructions to upgrade my FVS318Gv2 firmware past the v4.3.3-6 update which blocks subsequent upgrades through the GUI. A firewall without bug fixes is like ...
- Mar 09, 2017
Dane,
Never mind. I figured out how to do the telnet/TFTP solution myself, and IT ACTUALLY WORKED!
So, in order to help other users solve the "GUI firmware updates disabled by v4.3.3-6" problem, here is my solution in all it's gory detail (Windows 7-only, sorry; maybe someone else can post the MacOS version):
Use at your own risk; this is only a tale of what worked for me. Since my network configuration is likely different from yours, you'll have to reinterpret this information for your own setup. Good luck. I already had all other ports besides mine disconnected at the router from trying the TFTP solution that did not work; I do not know if this factor is important to my success. I did not have the WAN port disconnected.
First, if you haven't already done so, enable the Telnet Client on your PC:
- Click Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features.
- Click Turn Windows features on or off.
- In the Windows Features dialog box, check the Telnet Client check box.
- Click OK. The system enables the Telnet Client. This may take a minute or two.
Next, go to solarwinds.com free TFTP server
- Click on Download Free Tool.
- You'll have to register, but will then be guided to download the tool. Or, you might just be able to get it here.
- Unzip and install the tool, then fire it up.
- Feel free to open the Help page from the tool menu and/or check out their Free Tools Forum here.
Now, copy the downloaded Netgear firmware image file (e.g. FVS318Gv2_v4.3.4-2.img) to the TFTP server root folder (C:\TFTP-Root is the default).
Open a Windows Command window (Type cmd in the Start>Search window and click the cmd icon).
[Note: in the text below, System prompts and responses are in CourierNew, your inputs are CourierNewBold, and my notes are Arial]
C:\Users\<you>>telnet 192.168.1.1 (or whatever the IP address of your router is)
FVS318Gv2 login: admin (Your router admin username)
Password: (Type your router password—nothing will show up on the screen—then hit Enter)
************************************************
Welcome to FVS318Gv2 Command Line Interface
************************************************
FVS318Gv2> util firmware_upgrade FVS318Gv2_v4.3.4-2.img 192.168.1.<xx> (The IP address of your computer on the local network where the TFTP server is running)FVS318Gv2_v4.3.4-2.i 100% |*******************************| 26324k --:--:-- ETA (this line progresses during the file upload)
chmod: /mnt/tmpfs/tr69Instance.map: No such file or directory
Start upgrade ...
/var/image/FVS318Gv2_v4.3.4-2.img length is 0x19b5000(26955776)
filename : ASL firmware
filelen : 0x19b4f00
filecrc : 0x445c81de
file version : 4.3.4-2
kernel offset : 0x100
kernel size : 0x7bfabb
fs offset : 0x8fff00
fs size : 0x10b5000
calculate crc is : 0x445c81de
crc check PASS
Writing File System to Flash ...
Done.
Writing Kernel to Flash ...
Done.
>Firmware Version Updated
mount: mounting /mnt/tmpfs/pfrm2.0 on /pfrm2.0 failed: No such file or directory
FVS318Gv2>Connection to host lost. (This is when the router restarts after the update)
C:\Users\<you>>exit (This closes the cmd window)
Notice that you didn't have to restore your router to its factory default state before starting this procedure. Nor did you lose any of your settings (password, firewall, etc.) in the process!!
DaneA
Sep 13, 2016NETGEAR Employee Retired
Hi k383,
Welcome to the community! :)
I'm not sure if you have already came across with the article below and it might help:
How to upload firmware to a NETGEAR router using TFTP
If you are not confident in doing the procedure on your own, I suggest you to open an online case with NETGEAR Support for assistance.
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
k383
Sep 13, 2016Tutor
Thank you.
Yes, I did already see this link about uploading firmware, but that article states clearly "This article applies to: WNDR3700v2" and I have a FVS318Gv2: Two quite different appliances. Are you really sure the initialisation procedure is the same?
It's a businees appliance, we can't afford to brick it just for fun.
As for opening an online case with support, I already explored this possibility before posting here. The problem, as I said above, is that I don't want (nor have the time) to pay $50 to spend half a day debating with some Pakistani helpdesk drone who has no more clues than me. This is not a usual user case you read off a QA sheet, this is a somewhat special case which would need input from some Netgear technician knowing the inner workings of the FVS318Gv2.
If you know a way for me to contact some real support (somebody who knows what he's talking about) I'd be grateful if you could point me in the right direction.
- DaneASep 14, 2016NETGEAR Employee Retired
Hi k383,
The article I have provided also applies to the FVS318Gv2. If you are not confident to proceed with the steps on the article then you may also get assistance via the NETGEAR Chat Support. Kindly register your FVS318Gv2 then get assistance via the NETGEAR Chat Support.
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
- k383Sep 15, 2016Tutor
Where does it state it also applies to the FVS318Gv2? Can't find the mention.
On the contrary, I read (here) a thread from a customer with the same problem, to whom you suggested the same page, and for whom this procedure did not work. Which tends to confirm me my in my impression that "for WNDR3700v2" really means "for WNDR3700v2" (an old, obsolete model, running older software). Oh well. I might try it anyway this weekend.
I'm not confident to proceed with a procedure I know almost nothing about. Oh yes, "I read about it in the Interwebs", great. I also read people claiming "win.com" is a dangerous virus which should be deleted ASAP (Note: This is not true: If you delete this file, your Windows is dead - it's a bad taste prank!).
To resume, I'd like to have clear instructions from somebody I can trust. It's a Netgear blunder, I would expect Netgear to do something about it, even if it's just posting a page of clear, step-by-step instructions on how to fix it.
Concerning chat support - Is this free, or does it also cost $50?
It happens the firewall is almost 9 months old, so we're past the 90 days "free support" period.
- DaneASep 15, 2016NETGEAR Employee Retired
Hi k383,
It really does not state in the article word-by-word that it also applies to the FVS318Gv2. However, the FVS318Gv2 is not just a VPN firewall but also a router. I know that not all times that the article I've shared will work for everyone. However, kindly try to follow the steps in the article and it might work for you. :)
About the NETGEAR Chat Support, kindly click here.
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
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