GS105Ev2 Update Firmware Beyond V 1.2.0.5

[Rodos]

I have an unused GS105Ev2 Plus Switch that I have been playing with. On an apparently misguided whim, I downloaded and flashed the original V1.2.0.5 firmware to the device. The switch still works, but I've learned that it no longer supports a web interface for management. I installed the ProSAFE Plus utility, and it is also unable to detect the switch, so I reset the switch in an attempt to reset to a known IP address. I still cannot detect the switch with an older version of ProSAFE (v 2.2.3). 

I'm wondering if I can use TFTP to flash a newer firmware version, or if I've permanently downgraded my switch to a "dumb" device. 

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

[schumaku]

While the device firmware update is made with TFTP protocol, you need to send the appropriate NSDP request to turn on TFTP-server first.

Suspect much more there is a problem - probably simply firewall related - with the non-trivial installation of the utility, including the (obsolete) WinPcap, better head direct to Npcap, especially if you operate a modern Windows 10 or 11 system. Just download the latest installer. Npcap works great with Wireshark, Nmap, and more of your favorite tools already. For software that's written with WinPcap in mind - like the NTGR Plus Utility - simply select "WinPcap API-compatible mode" at installation.

We helped several users with "dumb" PlusSwitch OEM versions and helped them to install the Netgear standard firmware, too 8-)

[Rodos]

Thanks, schumaku for your quick response. 

Sadly, I'm a bit of a weekend warrior, and I'm not familiar with any of the tools you mentioned. I've isolated the switch onto a standalone network and dropped all of the firewalls on my (Windows 11) laptop. I installed Npcap and the latest release of ProSAFE. There was no prompt  for "WinPcap API-compatible mode", although it did state that a newer version than expected was already installed (Npcap?). Anyway, the switch is still not detected.

I also looked into NSDP and was unable to find any documentation describing the required message to enable TFTP, or a simple utility to send NSDP commands. 

I hope you don't mind a little extra handholding to move move me forward.

[schumaku]

The catch77 is to select the "WinPcap API-compatible mode" option during the installation of Npcap on the Windows system.

When starting the ProSAFE Plus Configuration Utility, with the driver installed, the switch(es) will be listed as shown before-

Select the switch on the list, and click [Apply], then enter the password (or the default password).

Once succeeded, you get this additional System .> Maintenance -> Firmware Upgrade for uploading the firmware file. Under the hood, this happens by tftp - but you don't have to worry about this.

NSDP was reverse-engineered and documented to some extent - but again, nothing to worry about, unless you intend to write compatible code for it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netgear_Switch_Discovery_Protocol

[Rodos]

OK, I re-installed Npcap and confirmed that the compatibility option was selected. ProSAFE still reports no switch found. Also, since the beginning I've been using a static IP 192.168.0.210, with subnet 255.255.255.0. I just opened up my subnet to 255.255.0.0 with no improvement to results. My configuration is a Win 11 laptop with WiFi turned off and a wired connection to the switch. Nothing else.

[schumaku]

Npcap installed with the admin-only mode? In case of yes, you need to launch the ProSafe Plus Config Utility as administrator. I guess starting the utility does not request admin privs.

[Rodos]

I'm logged in as administrator, and even explicitly running as administrator makes no difference.

[schumaku]

Worth a try to uninstall and re-install Npcap with raised privileges. 

[schumaku]

Don't have a current status - some times ago, the Admin-only installation was depreciated, look here https://ask.wireshark.org/question/12350/admin-only-mode/

[Rodos]

Uninstalled, then re-installed Npcap as administrator, then re-ran ProSAFE as admin (and normally) with no switch detected.

[Rodos]

Thanks for your help. Lesson learned for me, I guess.