Upgrading firmware using the web UI

Using just your web browser, you can upload the latest firmware file to your Opengear device and perform a flash upgrade via its web UI.

The full process is covered in this YouTube video, as the steps below.

Step 1. Download the firmware file

• Browse to the Opengear downloads server: http://ftp.opengear.com/download/release/current/
• Choose the correct file for your Opengear device model, these are detailed in the Release Notes file in the Stable Releases section
• Download and save the file to your computer
• You may wish to verify the SHA1 checksum (located in the SHASUMS file in the individual version directory on the Opengear downloads server) to detect a corrupted download – note that the firmware file itself has a built in checksum that will be verified before upgrade, as an additional safeguard

Step 2. Check the current version

• Login to the Opengear web UI as root or an admin group user
• At the top of the screen, note the Firmware version

• Your Opengear device will not allow you to flash the same or an earlier version

Step 3. Back up current configuration

Configuration is maintained (migrated) across upgrades, however you should always take a backup in case of issues:

• Login to the Opengear web UI as root or an admin group user
• Click System -> Configuration Backup -> Remote Backup -> Save Backup
• Save the OPG file in a safe location

Step 4. Review the release notes

• Search the Release Notes file for the version you are upgrading to
• Check for any specific notes or warnings about the upgrade you are about to undertake (e.g. incompatibility of custom scripts you may have installed or known issues with your Opengear model)

Step 5. Upgrade firmware

Note: During the upgrade process it is critical that the power to your Opengear device is not disturbed.  Doing so may render the device unbootable, necessitating a firmware recovery.

• Login to the Opengear web UI as root or an admin group user
• Click System -> Firmware
• Click Browse and select the file downloaded in Step 1
• Leave Firmware Options blank except otherwise instructed by Opengear support

• Click Apply
• The firmware file is uploaded by your browser
• The firmware file is verified by your Opengear device (the checksum, version and model are all checked)
• The browser refreshes to the "netflash" page indicating that the upgrade is underway

Step 6. Verify upgrade

• The upgrade may take several minutes, after which your Opengear device reboots automatically
• During this boot, configuration is migrated so it may take several additional minutes for boot to complete
• Login to the Opengear web UI as root or an admin group user
• At the top of the screen, note the Firmware version

Ignore version checking (how to force a downgrade)

Note: If you are experiencing issues with a new version of firmware, we first recommend that you contact Opengear support for assistance.

You may skip the version checking step by specifying the following Firmware Options in Step 5:

-i

Note: Configuration migration is not supported across downgrades.  After downgrading, you must factory reset and reconfigure your Opengear device or restore the configuration backup taken before upgrade.