E
Ed Cryer
I can't find any firmware online for this little baby.
Does anyone here know any better?
Ed
Does anyone here know any better?
Ed
P
Paul
If the router is a retail device, then you'd expect to findEd said:
a support web site somewhere. In particular, the router should be
marketed to home consumers, and have a quality web interface that
demonstrates an interest in the home user.
But if the router is sold to ISPs, and the ISP rents it out
to people, then don't expect any help. The ISP support staff
will play dumb, and to get the firmware, you have to find their
"upper tier" support.
The ISP-type modem/router products, use a multi-level password
scheme. It allows the ISP to "lock" certain functions. The
user-level password, controls the perfectly useless functions.
If you don't have the master password, many things may not be
possible.
I own a retail purchased product, but the advertising for it,
shows it is intended for usage by ISPs. The ISP buys them in
large quantities, for their customer base. The web interface
on such boxes, is as "dumb as a brick". About the best
you can do with such products, is neuter them (set them to a
"bridged" mode, then connect your own router downstream of it).
Internet ---- Stinky modem/router --- nice retail router ----------- home computer
("bridged" mode) (with proper web interface)
That is the configuration I use with my nice new $70 purchase
(the modem/router on the left). It was bad enough, I had to
neuter it, then use my existing $39.95 "consumer" router, to
do the heavy lifting. To do port forwarding with the device
on the left, they expected you to drop to Telnet and issue
command line commands (roughly five commands, to do one
port forward). Um, I... don't... think... so.
And if the basic modem function doesn't work, just buy your
own that does (checking with the support people first, to
determine whether they'll prevent you from using it. My current
ISP has no problem with customer owned equipment. The previous
ISP used solely rentals.
*******
The SE572 isn't listed here.
http://gigaset.com/hq/en/cms/PageCustomerServicesDownloadsManuals.html
http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20.../shc/0,1935,hq_en_0_125294_rarnrnrnrn,00.html
It may have an Orange logo, but will work with another ISP. You'll
need to use the correct setting (PPPOE/PPPOA VCI/VPI username/password).
http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/freeserve/3162438-siemens-se572.html
HTH,
Paul
C
Char Jackson
Tip for the OP: Sometimes you can find those master passwords on the
web. I got lucky that way once.
E
Ed Cryer
Well, it's been doing a decent job since I got it from Orange (I'm still
with them, formerly Wanadoouk, formerly Freeserve). Wired into this
desktop; wireless to iPad and an old XP machine upstairs, and my
sister's laptop when she comes.
I just thought it might have a Win7 update waiting for it, and then I
ran into that brick wall that you've described so well.
I demand very little from a router; not knowing much about them really.
But I think I'll stick with this one until it dies.
Ed
P.S. I can't see any hidden facilities. I seem to have access to all.
The password is one I set.
R
Rob
Assuming it's a standalone (ie not USB or internal), routers are
OS independent. The only reason to upgrade the firmware is if
there are known security weaknesses or stability issues.
The best place to seek that sort of info out would be the Orange
support forums (assuming there are some?)
HTH,
R
relic
Most routers have a Reset switch in the back (most need a small tool toChar Jackson said:
depress it). That resets passwords back to whatever was set (if anything) at
the factory.
E
Ed Cryer
Thanks for that.
My ISP has a lot of Help & Support pages for all kinds of routers;
http://tinyurl.com/6ywcvn3
including this for the Siemens;
http://tinyurl.com/6amyrrf
If anybody can find a firmware file address amidst all that lot, then
I'll be more than grateful.
Ed
C
Char Jackson
Maybe this is a dumb question and maybe it's already been asked, but
what problems are you having that you hope will be solved by a newer
firmware build?
E
Ed Cryer
Well, there were some slow periods a few days ago. The router log showed
nothing, and I found out that it was the ISP doing work on our lines and
increasing the broadband speed. It's stabilised now, about 40% faster.
But, and here's the point, while I was pottering about the router's
setting I noticed that the firmware was dated August 2007; at which time
Win7 was but a gleam in somebody's eye. And so, since the router model
is still being delivered to new customers by my ISP, I thought an update
was likely.
One little thing. Don't anybody suggest that I ring my ISP. No, no, no!
They keep you hanging on the phone for ages while they drive you half
insane with the utter mundaneness of their answers, the complete
inability to comprehend even the most minor problems, and all delivered
in an Indian accent that Rudyard Kipling would have baulked at.
Ed
C
Char Jackson
So the unit is working fine, but you're concerned about the 4 year old
firmware.
As someone else pointed out, the OS you're running has nothing to do
with anything. Your PC and your router both speak IP over Ethernet, so
they get along well.
By chance, is this a "DSL modem + router" combo unit? If so, your ISP
will be the only entity that can update the firmware, or at least
that's how it typically works here in the States. One way to get
upgraded firmware might be to take the unit to your local ISP office
and exchange it with the hope that the next unit has newer firmware,
although there's no guarantee. (I assume you're leasing the unit.)
Agreed. The Tier 1 folks who answer the phones wouldn't know what to
do with you since you're not having a problem they've been trained to
address. My advice is to live with what you have or perhaps take a
chance with an exchange.
E
Ed Cryer
Yes, it's a modem-router. And I think it's mine now, rather than leased,
because that's how it works, with the 18-month contract I signed up for
having long expired.
Thanks for the suggestion about the ISP issuing updates. I think you're
right; and the fact that there are none available is good news.
I'll leave it alone now; I'm getting damn good service from it, but
trying to spoil it
-I was going to progress under the assumption that it's a rebranded
model; and if I tried hard enough I'd find the original Siemens one and
could get firmware updates for that.
But no! That's my drive for perfection doing me more harm than good.
Ed