Router firmware query

CurlyWhirly · 23 Apr 2006 at 20:15

I saw a comment off someone in another thread: "I suggest immediately putting the latest firmware on there"

Is this difficult to do and is there a chance that something could go wrong?

I went to the SpeedTouch website but I couldn't see any mention of firmware there so does this mean that my firmware is up to date?
All I could see was set-up and router guides available for download.

I've only had the router for around 5 weeks, it is a Thomson SpeedTouch 546 Ethernet Router by the way.

CurlyWhirly · 24 Apr 2006 at 14:53

bump

Retorted · 24 Apr 2006 at 15:08

CurlyWhirly said:
I went to the SpeedTouch website but I couldn't see any mention of firmware there so does this mean that my firmware is up to date?
All I could see was set-up and router guides available for download.

http://www.speedtouch.co.uk/5x6.asp

Is this what your after?

Just follow the instructions. You can check the latest version of firmware by going to your router's IP which is either 10.0.0.138 or 192.168.1.254 if the website info is correct.

CurlyWhirly · 24 Apr 2006 at 15:28

Retorted said:
http://www.speedtouch.co.uk/5x6.asp

Is this what your after?

Yes cheers mate

I have saved it to my bookmarks for future reference though it's strange that when I looked the other day, I couldn't see any firmware updates :confused:

Retorted said:
http://www.speedtouch.co.uk/5x6.aspYou can check the latest version of firmware by going to your router's IP which is either 10.0.0.138 or 192.168.1.254 if the website info is correct.

I just checked on the router homepage and I do have the latest firmware version (5.3.2.6.0) but I will check the website occasionally to make sure my router is always running the latest version.

Thanks again

Wyvern971 · 24 Apr 2006 at 16:15

Unless you need a feature supplied by a newer firmware or are having issues with your router, there isn't really any reason to upgrade.

smids · 24 Apr 2006 at 16:35

It was my quote to put the latest firmware on there

- and I was saying so for the Belkin 7633. Most shipping at the moment come with version .09 and the latest being v.11 - there were some useful fixes of which now I cannot remember any.

CurlyWhirly · 25 Apr 2006 at 16:07

Wyvern971 said:
Unless you need a feature supplied by a newer firmware or are having issues with your router, there isn't really any reason to upgrade.

As quoted above I read smids's comments and thought that firmware on all routers should be updated if there are newer versions available like when new graphics card drivers are released for example.

By what you are saying, if the router works then leave firmware updating alone so "if it ain't broke don't try and fix it" springs to mind

tolien · 25 Apr 2006 at 16:17

Wyvern's bang on. If it isn't fixing an issue you've got or adding a feature you want, there's not a lot of point.

Skilldibop · 25 Apr 2006 at 16:34

If it aint broke, don't fix it. Especially things like firmware which if the upgrade goes wrong can prove to be a real pain in the assooooole

CurlyWhirly · 25 Apr 2006 at 16:37

tolien said:
Wyvern's bang on. If it isn't fixing an issue you've got or adding a feature you want, there's not a lot of point.

Skilldibop said:
If it aint broke, don't fix it. Especially things like firmware which if the upgrade goes wrong can prove to be a real pain in the assooooole

Point taken guys. Thanks.

Gavstar · 25 Apr 2006 at 16:38

I did manage to nuke an old conexant ADSL router attempting a firmware upgrade, but I wasn't 100% sure that it was a compatible firmware, and it was more of an experiment as I already had a replacement. I was also attempting it over a flaky wireless connection, so all in all I was asking for trouble

.

Have flashed the firmware on a number of other routers/other network hardware without issue though. If you take care and follow instructions there is very rarely an issue.

While the 'if it aint broke...' point is a good one, I am the type of person that can't resist a new firmware

CurlyWhirly · 25 Apr 2006 at 16:47

Gavstar said:
lWhile the 'if it aint broke...' point is a good one, I am the type of person that can't resist a new firmware

I'm not as if something goes wrong then you are left without a working router :eek:

I think I would only update if it fixed an existing issue or offered a new feature as mentioned above.
I'm not very adventrous when it comes to these types of actions unfortunately

smids · 25 Apr 2006 at 17:27

Yeah, I'm a flash first, ask questions later type of person - same with BIOS's. However, if done over ethernet, the chances of it going wrong are slim if you take reasonable precautions - e.g. making sure you have the right firmware.

Still, it was needed for me as there were some fixes I and I'm sure most needed, hence my statement.