Overview
Firmware is the software on the access point that makes it run. In some cases, your access point may need to have its firmware "flashed". "Flashing" the firmware simply means you're re-installing or updating the firmware on the access point.
Re-flashing the firmware may be needed due to the access point running outdated firmware or technical problems with the access point.
Follow the steps below to re-flash. Ensure that you re-pair the access point with your CloudTrax network after re-flashing.
Requirements
- A computer with a physical Ethernet port.
- A network cable to connect the access point to the Ethernet port.
Firmware Flashing Steps
Step 1: Install WinPcap
- Download and install WinPcap.
- When installing, leave "Automatically start the WinPcap driver at boot time" checked.
- Restart your computer after the installation is complete.
Step 2: Download and save the flash utility
Download the desired firmware version from Access Point Firmware Downloads.
Step 3: Open Command Prompt.
The flash utility does not have a graphical interface, and must be run from the Command Prompt. Double clicking on the file will just open and close the application quickly.
The easiest way to launch the Command Prompt is to press the Windows Key + R and type cmd, then press Enter.
Alternatively search your programs list for "Command Prompt".
Step 4: Navigate to the downloads folder
With the Command Prompt window open, you will need to go to the Downloads folder.
Type cd Downloads then press Enter to go to the Downloads folder.
If you downloaded to a different folder, you'll need to go to that folder instead.
Step 5: Execute the flash utility to see Ethernet interfaces
To run the flash utility, type open-mesh-flash-ng then press Enter.
You should see output similar to the following:
|
C:\Users\Mike Asus\Downloads>open-mesh-flash-ng Usage: |
The flash utility will show a numerical list of potential Ethernet adapters in your computer. Typically the Ethernet adapter of interest says "Ethernet" in the name. "Microsoft" or "Tunnel" adapters are typically not of interest.
If you do not see any Ethernet adapters listed either your computer does not have any Ethernet adapters, you should try re-installing WinPcap again, or you should try running the Command Prompt as an Administrator.
Step 6: Execute flash utility to flash access point
Once you've determined which Ethernet adapter you're using, type open-mesh-flash-ng # and then press Enter. # should be the Ethernet adapter number you found in the the previous step.
Step 7: Connect your access point
Connect your Open-Mesh access point to the Ethernet adapter and power it on. If it was already powered on, power-cycle it by removing the power and plugging it back in.
Step 8: Completing the flash
The output of the flash utility should look similar to below. If after 10 seconds you don't see this, try power cycling your access point and check that the Ethernet adapter you selected is correct.
| [ac:86:74:02:23:f8]: type 'OM2P router' detected [ac:86:74:02:23:f8]: OM2P router: tftp client asks for 'fwupgrade.cfg', ser fwupgrade.cfg portion of: embedded image (1 blocks) ... [ac:86:74:02:23:f8]: OM2P router: tftp client asks for 'kernel', serving ke portion of: embedded image (1861 blocks) ... [ac:86:74:02:23:f8]: OM2P router: tftp client asks for 'rootfs', serving ro portion of: embedded image (4097 blocks) ... [ac:86:74:02:23:f8]: OM2P router: image successfully transmitted - writing to flash ... [ac:86:74:02:23:f8]: OM2P router: flash complete. Device ready to unplug. |
The process typically takes 3 - 5 minutes. You should see a message stating "flash complete. Device ready to unplug".
The message "is of type 'redboot' that we have no image for" is common and can be ignored.
Step 9: Flash additional access points.
The flash utility will not exit on its own. You can either plug in another access point to start the process again, or hit "Ctrl+C" to exit the console and flash utility.
Step 10: Re-pair the access point.
After flashing and connecting your access point back to your local network, it may need to be "paired" with your CloudTrax network again. An alert may show up advising you to re-pair the access point once it comes back online.