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Forum Discussion

Retired_Member's avatar
Retired_Member
Jun 17, 2020

RAX40 Firmware 1.0.3.80 Crash/Bug Log

Hello folks, can everyone please log all the issues they are experiencing with the RAX40 router on 1.0.3.80 firmware under this thread, I see there are several threads going on about the issue, figur...
RangerX's avatar
RangerX
Apprentice
Dec 16, 2020

I have a RAX35 and like everyone else with a RAX35/RAX40 my router has been unusable for many months so I went back to an earlier router. This weekend I installed firmware 88 and the router is now usable and so far has been stable. At least it is now working with the AX option disabled so it is basically operating as an 802.11 AC router.

 

Thanks to everyone on this thread for working with Netgear to go though the unacceptable painful process you experienced to get these routers operational at a back-level AC capability. While I agree with everyone that we should all receive newer models of these routers (or their replacements such as the RAX-38 for us RAX-35 owners) I am not going to waste my time thinking Negear will do the right thing. 

 

Basically Netgear sold me an AX router that is not an AX router but is actually an AC router. Clicking on a box that says activate AX mode when the latest firmware has disabled what appears to be the only true AX feature of this device (OFDMA)  doesn't make it an AX router other than in advertising only. Any features that are still active on this crippled device are all AC or AC Wave 2 capabilities... QAM 1024, beamforming, 160 ghz channels, DFS, etc. If I wanted an AC router I would have bought one at a much less expensive price.

 

Currently I think Netgear has just been negligent or incompetent releasing the RAX35/RAX40 devices that do not work as advertised with AX capabilities. If Netgear doesn't fix these deficiency and release a stable, reliable firmware release that reactivates OFDMA and hopefully restores the promised WPA3 and Smart Connect capabilities then I would lean more towards fraud.

 

I think we have waited long enough to get a working, reliable device as advertised. I think 30 to 60 days more is enough time for Netgear to resolve these issues and restore the AX capabilities to these routers. Any longer than that  likely means that Netgear is not going to honor their data specifications or promises and confirm my worst suspicions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • RangerX's avatar
    RangerX
    Apprentice
    Dec 16, 2020

    Wanted to add to my previous post...

     

    160 ghz channels was a typo. Should have been 160 mhz channel widths.

     

    Also after reviewing the firmware versions for the RAX35v1, RAX35v2, RAX38 I see the RAX38 is also using firmware 88 so it is also likely just an AC router in capability and not an AX router as advertised. So that would not be an acceptable replacement for a RAX35v1.

     

    It looks to me like the RAX38 has the same specs as the RAX40 including USB port. The RAX35v2 states a triple core processor in one place of the technical data sheet pdf and in another place in the same document it says a dual core processor. WTF? Netgear can't even update documentation correctly let alone release stable firmware with all router features enabled?

     

    I have an original copy of the technical data sheet document for the RAX35 from when I bought my device which states:

       Uplink & Downlink OFDMA§—Improved capacity and efficiency 

    Note this has been removed from the latest technical data sheet for the RAX35... but removing it from newer document versions doesn't remove Netgear's obligation to provide it to us customers who bought this router when the technical data sheet said this functionaly existed. 

     

    I have always bought and recommended Netgear routers to others. Because of this fiasco this will be my last Netgear router.

     

    So Netgear GIVE US A DATE when you will restore the OFDMA functionality and other promised updates like WPA3 and Smart Connect.

     

     

    • SilvertonMY's avatar
      SilvertonMY
      Guide
      Dec 16, 2020

      I need to make a decision.  Does anyone know the security vulnerabilities of the V1.0.3.62_1.0.1 firmware?

      I have an RAX35 that is performing flawlessly on the .62 firmware. 

       

      -AX is enabled and functioning as reported by my Windows computer with an AX adapter.

      -I have about 25 devices connected with zero issues.

      -I never have to reboot the router. Everything always works.

      -AX, QOS, Implicit beamforming, etc are all enabled.

      -I never upgraded to the .80 firmware because of this thread.

       

      I can't read the Release Notes for the .80 firmware to find out what Security vulnerabilities were corrected because that release has been removed from Netgear's website.

      If I upgrade to .88, I'll lose AX capabilities.

       

      Does anyone know what security vulnerabilites exist on the .62 firmware?

      If major vulnerabilities exist, I'll go out today and buy another brand and quit fooling with this thing.

       

      Thanks in advance.