2-Wire Firmware Versions
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ablatt @ 1st Nov 08:50AM:
2-Wire Firmware Versions
I have an existing 2-Wire 2701HG-G Modem/Router with my Max12 account which shows up in the browser as hardware version 2700-100618-005 with firmware 5.29.115.5 .
I decided to try out Max16 on another phone line and got another 2-Wire 2701HG-G Modem/Router and it shows up in the browser as hardware version 2700-100618-005 as well but with firmware 5.29.133.27 .
Why the two different versions and why isn't Bell updating the old firmware with the new one? Any way to do it manually?
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sbrook @ 1st Nov 09:23AM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
I wouldn't worry about it. Most of the 2wire firmware changes are to cripple the modems differently, not to change their actual working.
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siljaline @ 1st Nov 02:04PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
I partially agree with sbrook your router firmware unless is causing issues does not need upgrading save a bulletin instructing such from 2Wire.
Edit to add: My firmware version is: 5.29.115.5
I recently uprgaded to Max10 without having to fiddle with my router, for what it's worth. :)
It's out-geeked here 
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Mauricio @ 1st Nov 02:14PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
My AT&T-branded 2Wire auto-updated a few weeks ago. I actually welcomed the change since it enables me to do MAC filtering now.
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rageinside @ 1st Nov 04:49PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
Wow, you are just getting that now. And people say Bell is bad. Are you able to DMZ and port forward on yours?
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Mauricio @ 1st Nov 04:57PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
said by rageinside :
Wow, you are just getting that now. And people say Bell is bad. Are you able to DMZ and port forward on yours?
Bell's firmware IS bad. The firmware in my 2Wire is not really crippled per se, even if it is from SBC/AT&T. I have access to all the pages including the MDC.
DMZ and port forward have always been accessible on my 2Wire.
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wayjac @ 1st Nov 05:12PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
Don't forget line stats in the main gui and the mdc
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dslrocker3 @ 1st Nov 07:24PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
I can understand Bell disabling certain features to simplify the interface and to prevent the user from accidently changing a setting that would make the connnection not work.
However, Bell has also went as far as deleting the basic line statistics form even the main interface. The only possible reason for doing that would be that Bell does not want it's customers to know what speed they are actually connected at.
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sbrook @ 1st Nov 07:32PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
No, they don't want them trying to diagnose problems themselves and attempt to tell level 1 techs how to do their jobs.
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dslrocker3 @ 1st Nov 07:49PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
said by sbrook :
No, they don't want them trying to diagnose problems themselves and attempt to tell level 1 techs how to do their jobs.
except that provding the customer with an easily accessble line stats from the main interface could actually reduce the amount of profile increase requests/calls to technical support when the customers realizes that it isn't possible...
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anon @ 1st Nov 09:10PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
said by sbrook :
No, they don't want them trying to diagnose problems themselves and attempt to tell level 1 techs how to do their jobs.
This i disagree with 100%. Bells very own forum proved this as well as many topics here.
1. Keep the customer from knowing the speed they have.
2. When a problem does arise, do what-ever and say it's fixed, when it isn't, and leave them like that. Cheaper.
3. By not showing it, it also prevents one from knowing the defects happenings.
4. When Bell lowers the speed for no reason at all (as seen in all Canadian DSL forums, telus aside maybe), customer doesn't know. It's not shown.
5. When Bell scares people with, "if you change to cable it will be slower because of your neighbors", how do people check that they have 2.5-meg and call their bluff?
... I can go on...
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sbrook @ 1st Nov 09:14PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
Strange disagreement since it's a higher level version of what you've said! The bit on the end "telling them their jobs" is a different side effect, that's all
They really do not want customers self diagnosing, because just like people going to the internet with a list of health symptoms they can self diagnose all manner of diseases from a cold to terminal cancer! That can lead support people down horrible rabbit holes!
I worked in support for a major computer manufacturer ... and believe me, we had customers misdiagnosing their problems all the time, and it was costly for us because we'd waste so much time trying to resolve problems correctly.
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Mauricio @ 1st Nov 11:54PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
said by sbrook :
No, they don't want them trying to diagnose problems themselves and attempt to tell level 1 techs how to do their jobs.
Fair enough, but Bell could share such information with its customers. They could implement a section in their Self Care (on bell.ca) that displays the customer's line profile (capped rate). An explanation could be provided on site for them to comprehend. He could then compare his service plan with the actual offering. It is all about being transparent.
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dslrocker3 @ 2nd Nov 05:58AM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
said by Mauricio :
but Bell could share such information with its customers. They could implement a section in their Self Care (on bell.ca) that displays the customer's line profile (capped rate). An explanation could be provided on site for them to comprehend. He could then compare his service plan with the actual offering. It is all about being transparent.
They could do something as you suggest but they won't and remember that Bells hides the numbers on purpose. Bell went out of it's way to specifically delete those numbers with the Bell version of the firmware. If they were going to allow something as you say, it would have been easier to just leave the numbers easily accessible on the modem's main page.
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ablatt @ 2nd Nov 07:57AM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
Rogers also cripples firmware as far as I know. My Motorola shows signal values but no profile, and I believe the Scientific Atlanta is crippled totally.
Most users should not see attenuation and signal values. A summary of the profile they are on to verify they're getting what they paid for should suffice.
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siljaline @ 2nd Nov 01:47PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
Can you define crippled in this context ?
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sbrook @ 2nd Nov 02:15PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
limits the functionality or otherwise tailors the functionality of the generic router software.
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anon @ 2nd Nov 03:19PM:
Re: 2-Wire Firmware Versions
In Bell's case crippled also causes interference with communications.
Examples of this would be the 5200 (e242), and the 4200. Unless you know about the undocumented methods to unblock communications which Bell blocks by default (and which they do not disclose to you in any way), this is also an example of crippled.
Purposely blocks certain traffic. unsuspecting person doesn't know why since it's undocumented. Causes a call in. Rep says BS. Causes an up-sell which is not even required.
In addition to many other functions locked/blocked out, Firewalls, logs, stats, interfaces to the modem itself, etc etc..
...Pick a modem and use search to find purposely crippled details. Lots of reading in this forum, none of which is beneficial to the customer in the undocumented state given, and refusal of Bell to document it in order to profit.
Maaaaybe the 6300 could be the exception (not sure).
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