Draytek EU router with UK firmware

willgo · 18 Nov 2021 at 10:16

Hi all,

Has anybody tried flashing UK firmware on an EU Draytek router/modem (Annex A)? I couldn't find any UK stock of the Vigor 2865AX and I got a bit impatient and ordered an import...

Cheers!

Armageus · 18 Nov 2021 at 10:27

I believe the firmware is universal, however it depends on what actual hardware you have as to whether Annex A or Annex B modem code is applied

willgo · 18 Nov 2021 at 10:39

Thanks, so you mean you can flash UK firmware on any router or that the all the firmware is the same? I made sure that it was an Annex A modem, so hopefully that bit will be ok.

Armageus · 18 Nov 2021 at 10:56

The firmware update contains codes for both Annexes, but applies it based on what hardware you have.

I.e. If you have an Annex A modem it will apply Annex A modem code

willgo · 18 Nov 2021 at 11:01

Ah, ok, thanks, makes sense. I guess I'll find out if I can get it to sync when it arrives. I'll report back here.

I'm assuming I can revert the firmware upgrade if I need to return it, in any case.

bremen1874 · 18 Nov 2021 at 12:09

Send DrayTek UK a pre-sales question.

AFAIK it's different hardware (they even used to have different colour WAN ports so you could easily tell them apart). I wouldn't be trying to cross flash it.

willgo · 18 Nov 2021 at 12:59

Thanks, they didn't want to commit one way or another. They said it 'probably' wouldn't work but was worth a shot with UK firmware.

I'm just slightly nervous of borking some expensive kit that I won't then be able to return but I can't really see what damage I could do as long as I reset to the original firmware afterwards.

visibleman · 18 Nov 2021 at 14:35

Can't say i've tried but UK modem code typically differs to 'rest of planet', so i'll be surprised if it works.
However, you should be able to recover via TFTP (https://draytek.co.uk/support/guides/kb-firmwarerecovery) if it's goes completely pear shaped and becomes non-responsive - just make sure you have the correct original firmware (and take a config backup just in case) to flash back to.

Armageus · 18 Nov 2021 at 14:51

I've flashed firmware from Draytek's global .com page to a UK 2830 and 2862 without issues (as the same firmware was slow to be released in the UK)

willgo · 18 Nov 2021 at 15:14

Great, thanks @visibleman. TFTP fallback gives me even more reassurance. I was worried I'd have to dig around for an internal serial header or something

@Armageus, great, sounds promising, particularly if you were using the modem.