Speedtouch TG585v7 - updating firmware

dudwell · Nov 01, 2010, 19:35:40

Sorry Rik but abysmal ignorance means I can't provide information in the form you have requested!

My question is, should I update the router firmware and, if so, to what version and how exactly should I go about it?

Everything seems to work OK for my simple needs so perhaps I should leave well alone? On the other hand a bit more speed would be nice when looking at YouTube for instance. I have the most ordinary kind of ADSL on a small country exchange.

Here's some statistics:-

Thomson Gateway

Information

Product Name:
TG585 v7

Serial Number:
CP0811SF6JU

Software Release:
7.4.2.6

Configuration

Service Name:
Data (Default) (modified by user)

Time Since Power-on:
3 days, 0:43:38

BT speedtest

Download speed achieved during the test was - 5729 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 600-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :7616 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 6500 Kbps

DSL Connection

Link Information

Uptime:
3 days, 0:40:37

DSL Type:
G.992.1 annex A

Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]:
448 / 7,616

Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]:
0.00 / 0.00

Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]:
11.5 / 19.5

Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]:
10.0 / 15.0

SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]:
22.0 / 14.0

Vendor ID (Local/Remote):
TMMB / ALCB

Loss of Framing (Local/Remote):
0 / 0

Loss of Signal (Local/Remote):
0 / 0

Loss of Power (Local/Remote):
0 / 0

Loss of Link (Remote):
0

Error Seconds (Local/Remote):
0 / 0

FEC Errors (Up/Down):
0 / 1

CRC Errors (Up/Down):
0 / 0

HEC Errors (Up/Down):
0 / 0

pctech · Nov 01, 2010, 19:49:29

Was this router obtained while with another ISP?

My understanding is that some ISPs that are using these routers push out updated firmware when available so you may not have access to do this manaully and you are unlikely to have access to your former ISP's update server outside their network.

Here is the homepage for your router http://www.technicolor.com/en/lo/home-networking/dsl-fiber-products/dsl-modems-and-gateways/data-wireless

I cannot see any firmware download area though

Steve · Nov 01, 2010, 20:01:16

Not sure where you get firmware from these days , however your stats look fine, your not going to do any better on adslmax although interleave is on . You could reduce your latency by having it turned off.

pctech · Nov 01, 2010, 20:03:50

You can buy this router from Zen and I believe they operate a TR-069 remote management server which pushes out the updates, a bit like the 2wire 2700s.

dudwell · Nov 01, 2010, 20:24:05

Quote from: pctech on Nov 01, 2010, 19:49:29
Was this router obtained while with another ISP?

No, I bought it from DSL-Warehouse in July 2008

My understanding is that some ISPs that are using these routers push out updated firmware when available so you may not have access to do this manaully and you are unlikely to have access to your former ISP's update server outside their network.

Here is the homepage for your router http://www.technicolor.com/en/lo/home-networking/dsl-fiber-products/dsl-modems-and-gateways/data-wireless

I cannot see any firmware download area though

Neither can I

I'm getting the feeling that I'm not missing out on anything obvious or important so unless someone comes up with some new insight I'll be leaving well alone. I don't do gaming so I suppose latency isn't important.

Thanks Steve and pctech.

Steve · Nov 01, 2010, 21:34:26

Firmware is here http://www.zensupport.co.uk/knowledgebase/article.aspx?id=11022

Instructions here http://www.zensupport.co.uk/knowledgebase/article.aspx?id=10939

Ted · Nov 01, 2010, 23:02:57

Quote from: dudwell on Nov 01, 2010, 20:24:05

I'm getting the feeling that I'm not missing out on anything obvious or important so unless someone comes up with some new insight I'll be leaving well alone. I don't do gaming so I suppose latency isn't important.

Thanks Steve and pctech.

My advice, looking at your stats, would be to call support and ask for interleaving to be turned off. That should push your sync up to 8128 and your profile to 7150, and push up your download speed accordingly.

pctech · Nov 02, 2010, 10:05:07

Didn't think of looking on Zen's own site Steve so

for that.

Steve · Nov 02, 2010, 10:32:50

Thanks Mitch I assume that since Zen uses BT ipstream that the firmware should be universal unlike O2s renditions

dudwell · Nov 02, 2010, 10:51:48

Those instructions found by Steve look straightforward enough but there's evidently a bit of a risk involved. I'd like to know what benefit might be gained by updating - remember that everything seems to work OK already.

Meanwhile I'll try getting interleaving turned off.

Thanks everyone!

Rik · Nov 02, 2010, 10:55:56

I'm from the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought myself.

pctech · Nov 02, 2010, 10:58:49

Pass I've not touched one so can't comment.

dudwell · Nov 02, 2010, 11:13:54

Quote from: Rik on Nov 02, 2010, 10:55:56
I'm from the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought myself.

Me too actually. I just thought I might be missing out on something

Rik · Nov 02, 2010, 11:23:17

Heartache.

Glenn · Nov 02, 2010, 11:24:43

Quote from: Rik on Nov 02, 2010, 10:55:56
I'm from the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought myself.

Not 'if it ain't broke, you aren't trying hard enough'?

Rik · Nov 02, 2010, 11:25:41

In my younger days.

pctech · Nov 02, 2010, 11:33:44

Just make sure you don't disturb the power during the update and you'll be ok.

Generally it seems they fix small bugs like on the netgear I have they fixed an issue which prevented the anyone setting on remote admin from working.

There was also a problem where the line parameters auto detection didn't work sometimes I believe.

Ted · Nov 02, 2010, 13:33:23

I just uploaded the Zen 8.2.2.5 firmware to my 585v7, works just fine and the interface is a bit nicer.

However, the firmware is Zen branded, and not generic so needs a couple of small "tweeks" but nothing terrible.

The set up is slightly different from a factory reset, on the first page you should uncheck the Zen auto configuration.

The local address page is fine.

The public address page needs you to enter your ip address, and where it asks for "public network" you use your ip address followed by /32

That' it, all done. Pics below for clarity.

Ps, Please remember to use the correct password or it won't work!

Rik · Nov 02, 2010, 14:22:34

But you blanked out your correct password, Ted.

Ted · Nov 02, 2010, 15:15:17

Quote from: Rik on Nov 02, 2010, 14:22:34
But you blanked out your correct password, Ted.

Yeah, it had me going for a minute. Shows you just how easy it is to get it wrong. I much prefer the type of password form, where you can opt to see the password.

Seems to be performing quite well on the Zen firmware.

Rik · Nov 02, 2010, 15:15:57

pctech · Nov 02, 2010, 15:23:03

Quote from: Ted on Nov 02, 2010, 15:15:17
Yeah, it had me going for a minute. Shows you just how easy it is to get it wrong. I much prefer the type of password form, where you can opt to see the password.

Seems to be performing quite well on the Zen firmware.

Zen do that on the portal when you select technical details.

Ted · Nov 02, 2010, 19:32:35

It would seem that Zen "dumb down" the interface so that no password is required for Admin access

I know this because I was having trouble setting one, and gave them a quick call. Very nice support staff and very helpful. They advised setting a password using the CLI via Telnet, but I couldn't even do that, kept asking for a password, which of course, there wasn't one. Leaving it blank didn't work either.

But fear not, I managed to track down a newer firmware on Modem Help.

http://download.modem-help.co.uk/mfcs-A/Alcatel/Modems/TG585/v7/Firmware/r8-2-6/Generic/ZZ5YAA8.265.bli.7z.php?sid=19f8b43a0d51f21b744f01a0cfdb8149

Works a treat, firmware version 8.2.6.5, it's supposedly generic and certainly appears to be on configuration, but the Zen logo still appears at the top. Not sure why that is? No problems with config, just answer the questions and go. You can even set the Admin password during setup. Logging into Telnet works as it should, so no problem changing the DNS servers. Definately better than 8.2.2.5

Firewall and Wireless security are disabled by default, you may want to change that

Running just fine.

dudwell · Nov 02, 2010, 22:01:30

Well I succeeded in updating to 8.2.2.5, more as an intellectual challenge than in expectation of gaining much - in fact I haven't noticed any difference in performance so far.

I failed with Ted's suggestion of 8.2.6.5. Not sure why. I think I'll need a night's rest to recover before trying again!

Ted · Nov 02, 2010, 23:22:08

Quote from: dudwell on Nov 02, 2010, 22:01:30
Well I succeeded in updating to 8.2.2.5, more as an intellectual challenge than in expectation of gaining much - in fact I haven't noticed any difference in performance so far.

I failed with Ted's suggestion of 8.2.6.5. Not sure why. I think I'll need a night's rest to recover before trying again!

Strange the 8265 failed, mine went in with no problem at all. I did a full factory reset first, don't know if that would make a difference, can't see why. Might have been a corrupt download, if you want to try my copy let me know and I'll email it to you. I've checked the md5sum (55c4761eb2bec594a49bb637ba04b716) of my file, and its 100% ok.

Or perhaps try a different one, there are several to choose from http://download.modem-help.co.uk/mfcs-A/Alcatel/Modems/TG585/v7/Firmware/ maybe 8.2.4.4, that's also a generic firmware.

Ted · Nov 03, 2010, 08:49:57

I notice today that the Zen logo has gone from the Router pages, so it was probably a cached image that cleared on reboot. Also the Software Variant is AA which confirms 8.2.6.5 as a generic firmware. Software Variant FN points to a Locked firmware.

dudwell · Nov 03, 2010, 11:08:25

Thanks Ted. Why is 8.2.6.5 better than 8.2.2.5 in your opinion? I certainly found I couldn't log in to Telnet when I tried to change back to OpenDNS (since accomplished by other means). Is this a reason for your preference?

I think I'll be sticking to 8.2.2.5 for a while anyway, I'm finding it all a bit stressful!

Ted · Nov 03, 2010, 11:50:49

I wouldn't think there was too much in it with regard to performance, I know some of the earlier firmwares were said to bit a bit flaky, although I can't say there was any noticeable issues with 7.4.4.7 the original firmware. I prefer the generic firmware because there is no branding or isp relavant settings, makes it easier to set up. Also I'm not too keen on Zen's policy on the Administrator password or the inability to login with Telnet. If that's not an issue for you, there's not much reason to change.

I read with interest that there is an r8.2.7.7 firmware, lurking around the internets *somewhere*. Will keep my eyes open, and like someone said earlier "if it ain't broke, you're not trying hard enough".

Rik · Nov 03, 2010, 11:51:52

You're just a masochist, Ted.

Ted · Nov 03, 2010, 11:55:13

Quote from: Rik on Nov 03, 2010, 11:51:52
You're just a masochist, Ted.

Pain is my middle name!

Rik · Nov 03, 2010, 12:00:02

Well, if you will have two daughters...

dudwell · Nov 12, 2010, 19:16:36

I've discovered that since updating the firmware to 8.2.2.5, "Event logging" in the router's webpages records every five and a bit minutes an event like "09 days 21:36:58 (since last boot) SNTP Unable to contact server: 212.23.8.6"

What does it mean? Does it matter and, if so, what should I do about it?

Everything seems to work perfectly well, but then so it did before I updated.

Rik · Nov 12, 2010, 19:20:02

It sounds like it can't get a time check from the server it's looking at. See if you can change the servers anywhere.

I use ntp1.npl.co.uk, ntp2.npl.co.uk, ntp1.pipex.net and ntp2.pipex.net.

dudwell · Nov 12, 2010, 19:37:52

Thanks Rik, I wouldn't have had a clue about this without your speedy assistance. I found the way to reconfigure to your recommendations and now the event log shows:-

Nov 12 19:29:16 SNTP Synchronised to server: 139.143.5.30

Nov 12 19:29:17 SNTP Systemtime update: time setting 22:03:03 > new time setting: 19:29:17

So I guess that's a success

Rik · Nov 12, 2010, 19:39:17

They never fail for me. Usually, router's look to the manufacturer's site, which I find is often flaky.