RTP300 Firmware Version: 1.01.07

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 12, 2005 Posts: 8

RTP300 Firmware Version: 1.01.07 - are there any release notes available?

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 20, 2006 Posts: 5

Sometime within the last week (probably last few days), the services I expose from the machines on my LAN became no longer available (HTTP server, FTP, RDP, etc).

I had not changed any settings in over 6 months (I have screenshots of all my settings from May, when the firmware was at 1.00.62)

I have fault isolated this to the router by taking it out and connecting machines directly to the cable modem, and just now sent an email bug report to Vonage.

When did 1.01.07 get pushed out? Can it be reverted?

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:18 am Post subject:

meatpop -

Yes, you can probably revert your firmware, but Vonage will simply push the latest back to you unless you manage to block the port (which I believe is port 69) that they push the updates on. Even then, they may find a way to push the latest.

See step 4 in this article I wrote for doing firmware upgrades:

http://vonage.nmhoy.net/upgrade.html

It will tell you where to get the images, and how to do the downgrade.

Warning: Though the risk is fairly low, there is a chance you could cause problems with your router by doing this. Vonage didn't design these firmware images to do downgrades.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 20, 2006 Posts: 5

Thanks for the info, Nate.

I went ahead and buried the RTP300 behind my WRT54GL last night, so that it is not responsible for port-mapping and serving my services (I couldn't afford to be down another day).

I'll definitely refer to your guide for upgrading (downgrading), but I doubt I'll be able to shield it from having Vonage re-push the stuff, because I'd like to make the RTP300 my main router again (I had the WRT54GL on a light-switch as a plain WAP behind the RTP300 that we would just flip off at night to take down the wireless but leave everything else up -- without having to try to teach my tech-challenging family how to login to the router to do it).

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:49 am Post subject:

There is a button "hidden" behind the Cisco logo on the left side of the front of the router, usually used to start SecureEasySetup.

If you load HyperWRT Thibor on the WRT54GL and turn off SecureEasySetup, the "Linksys" button becomes a "Wireless On/Off" button. Then you can use it as your primary router, and it's one sweet router with that firmware, and all you have to do to turn on/off the radio is push the Cisco button.

Posts: 11 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 11

I am in the same situation. I have an RTP-300 and use Comcast high speed.

Unfortunately, I didn't see this post until after I yelled at Comcast support for messing up my connection. Smile

Anyway, I dug up my old Linksys router (luckily it still has my port forwarding settings) and looks like everythinig is in order for now.

Have you guys spoken with Vonage? It seems very sloppy on their end to let a firmware with a bug of this magnitude through QA.

Time to call Vonage now and yell at them..... unless of course I get a tier two tech who knows what he's talking about.

G

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject:

gfilicetti -

Frankly, while the RTP300 and WRTP54G are really great Vonage devices, I would not consider them good, much less great, routers.

Unfortunately, since Vonage maintains control of the firmware, you might get them to fix this one, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts it will happen again. And again. Or something like it.

If you want a router for your network, you are better off having a router that *YOU* control the firmware on, not your Voip provider or your ISP. That way, if you change something and it breaks your connection, the only yelling you will be doing is to that person in the mirror you see every morning. Wink

I learned this lesson the hard way last year when Vonage loaded a firmware update that made the Vonage side of my WRT54G run a lot better, but RUINED it as a router for me. $50 (eg. about one months' savings) and one WRT54GL later, a few hours of experimentation with aftermarket firmware, and my love affair with Vonage started all over again and hasn't stopped since.

The RTP300 is about the best Vonage device ever. But, as a router? No, thanks. Wink

Posts: 11 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 11

Nate,

Thanks for the reply. Since my last post I called Vonage and informed them of the problem (calmly at first, as always).

As usual, Vonage tech support comes through. They downgraded my firmware to version 1.00.62 and things are back to normal now. They also assured me that it would not be upgraded back to 1.00.70 until there was an even newer firmware. Honestly, I have my doubts about that but we'll see.

Anyway, lessoned learned,.... before I complain to Comcast, I need to hook the computer straight up to the cable modem and test things out for myself.

As for using the RTP300 as my main router, I think I'm going to have to live with their draconian control. I was so excited when that device was released because it would allow me to consolidate devices. I think I'll continue to live with it and just be prepared for the next time a firmware upgrade goes bad. I'm willing to pay that price for one less device.

G

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:41 pm Post subject:

Quote:

They downgraded my firmware to version 1.00.62 and things are back to normal now. They also assured me that it would not be upgraded back to 1.00.70 until there was an even newer firmware. Honestly, I have my doubts about that but we'll see.

I think they'll honor that, as long as the rep has done it properly. Vonage reps rarely agree to "backdate" your firmware, but I know they have the capability of telling their systems that your device is to stay at a specific firmware release. In fact, if and when a better release comes out, you may actually need to call them and have them release the "block". On the other hand, if your RTP300 is working on 1.00.62, then why mess with a good thing? Wink

Quote:

I think I'll continue to live with it and just be prepared for the next time a firmware upgrade goes bad. I'm willing to pay that price for one less device.

I hear you. I, too, like to consolidate devices, or at least not have devices that duplicate each others' function (like my WRT54G V4 and WRTP54G, both of which are 4-port + wireless routers). Especially with my electric rate being among the highest in the country (17 cents a kwh), so a 25w router costs me almost $40 a year in electricity. Small compared to my Vonage savings, but still not free... Wink

Unfortunately, for me, the RTP300/WRTP54G routers just don't work. I'm glad they do for you, though. If it ain't broke (for now) don't fix it (yet). (grin)

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 21, 2006 Posts: 1

I just got my firmware downgraded also. I was told that if they downgraded the firmware it will stay at that version until a new version is released. Hopefully they won't have the same bug next version!