Looking for ancient firmware for GS724T v3

[wetmarble]

I have an old GS724T v3 that is on firmware V1.0.3_30. I would like to bring it up to the latest firmware (5.4.2.30). In searching the forum, I see that is recommended to update the firmware incrementally, but the earliest version of firmware that I can find is 4.2.1.9.

Does anyone know where I can find earlier firmwares?

Thanks in advance,

Adam

[schumaku · Accepted solution]

A GS724T with V1.0.3_30 is very unlikely a V3 model. Much more this firmware and model can not even be discovered on the SmartControlCenter.Insttwd the even more legacy Smartwizard Discovery needs to be used. This will unveil it's a V2 

What exactly does the product label on the underside show?

[schumaku · Accepted solution]

A GS724T with V1.0.3_30 is very unlikely a V3 model. Much more this firmware and model can not even be discovered on the SmartControlCenter.Insttwd the even more legacy Smartwizard Discovery needs to be used. This will unveil it's a V2 

What exactly does the product label on the underside show?

[wetmarble]

The label indicates it is v3. I have attached a photo.

[wetmarble]

The settings indicate firmware V1.0.3_30 as per the attached screenshot. The top shows SmartWizard Discovery. The bottom shows the settings from accessing the switch in a browser.

As you predicted, the switch is not discoverable in SmartControlCenter.

Any idea what's going on?

[schumaku]

The question arising to me - keep in mind I'm not Netgear, just yet another community member - is how this V1.0.3_30 made it to your GS724Tv3. Because of with "normal" means it should never happen. Are you owning this GS724Tv3 since day one, or have acquired it from some second hand market?

When browsing the https://www.netgear.com/support/product/gs724tv3/#download (using the View Previous Versions readily available) you find the first firmware for the v3 Firmware Version v4.1.0.9. Don't be confused by the Smart Control Center downloads also on the list.

The https://www.netgear.com/support/product/gs724tv2/#download does hold (again using the View Previous Versions readily available) all firmware versions applicable to the v2.

Without the @wetmarble having deep experience on hardware, with a serial port adapter, and a known working serial console connection, I'm hesitant to push you through a process attempting to install - version by version aka. staggered installation.

Not sure all this is worth the effort, facing eg. a factory new GS724Tv4 (GS724T-400) is available for less than 200 USD (or Euro, or CHF). 

[wetmarble]

I purchased this switch recently via ebay. Based on the information that you've brought to light. I'm beginning to wonder if a v3 case was used to house v2 internals. It's the only explanation that I can think of that would explain the current settings.

I'm more inclined to leave it as is and not take advantage of newer features that should be supported, as I'm using it in my home lab. If I were going to purchase a new switch, I would lean toward an SDN implementation like ubiquiti or omada.

[wetmarble]

Mystery solved!

After looking photos of internals for GS724Tv2

and v3

I went to inspect my switch, whereupon I learned that I do indeed have a v2!

The pictures of the label that I supplied earlier were from the auction listing and not the actual unit. I had assumed that the pictures in the listing were of the actual unit.

Thanks for your help in figuring this out!

[schumaku]

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@wetmarble wrote:

I purchased this switch recently via ebay. Based on the information that you've brought to light. I'm beginning to wonder if a v3 case was used to house v2 internals. It's the only explanation that I can think of that would explain the current settings.

I'm more inclined to leave it as is and not take advantage of newer features that should be supported, as I'm using it in my home lab. If I were going to purchase a new switch, I would lean toward an SDN implementation like ubiquiti or omada.

---

Interesting idea - however no SDN in sight there ... What Ubiquiti, Omada and the likes are implementing is "just" a centralized Management. A full-SDN solution would decouple routing/forwarding decisions into an abstracted Control plane, what Ubiquiti and neither Omada does -not- do. The same applies to Netgear Insight: At least Netgear does not lie to the customers claiming it's SDN.

Calling it -SDN- is nothing more than making the product “buzzword compliant”.