Firmware 1.3.1: EVDO LOAD BALANCING on CTR500 & MBR1000

Alex · Last edited by Alex on Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:43 pm; edited 5 times in total

UPDATE: 08/20/08 -- Cradlepoint has re-released the firmware as version 1.3.1

CradlePoint has just released Firmware Version 1.3.1 that enables LOAD BALANCING
and more EVDO and HSDPA devices to work with their CTR500 and MBR1000 routers.

Read the full article to learn all about this exciting new firmware:
http://www.evdoinfo.com/LB

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 345

1) Save config from 1.2

2) Upload Firmware

3) Modem Reboots

4) Restore saved settings

5) Modem reboots every minute...

Modem reboots every minute...

Modem reboots every minute...

Modem reboots every minute...

Goto step 5 in an endless loop

My best guess from previous experiences is I will have to reset to factory, manually put my settings back in, and all might be well.

F-In pieces of CradlePoint firmware upgrade junk (and I got two of um). The upgrades cost me more in time (money) than the units cost.

Joe

sbonar · EVDO User Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 85

I can only comment on my personal experience and my MBR1000 upgraded just fine. Didn't have do a hard factory reset either.

I think your units just don't like you. Smile

sbi108 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject: Problems with 1.3 on MBR1000

Hi Friends,

Normally I wait a few days when a new firmware is released, but my experience with the Cradlepoint firmware updates has been excellent, so I dove into it!

Well, this one does not work properly on my WinXP SP2 system, MBR1000/Verizon USB727. Before commencing the update I backed up my settings to my hard disk.

The firmware uploaded properly and the MBR1000 rebooted. The PC connected by an ethernet cable got an IP address but I could not ping the gateway or browse. I shut the PC and router down and restarted everything, MBR1000 first, then the PC. It connected to the tower properly and my PC got an IP address over the ethernet connection, but again I could not ping the router at 192.168.0.1 or anywhere on the net. The MRB1000 usually assigns 192.168.0.199 to the first ethernet connected device. I consistently got 192.168.0.100 on the LAN cable.

I disconnected the LAN cable and tried a wireless connection which succeeded in getting an IP address, the same one I got with the ethernet cable, 192.168.0.1. The modem connected properly to the Verizon tower and I could see the new signal strength indicators and readings. I could browse normally, but I wanted to re-establish my prior secure wireless configuration.

Then I tried to restore my settings from the PC but the process failed with a log message that I should revoke the 192.168.0.100 address for the computer, assign another one and try again. Tried all that with no success. Then the MBR1000 got really flakey with a total reboot every 30-45 seconds.

I called 3GStore tech support and together we restored 1.2 firmware again and all's well.

I wonder if the new capability to automatically restore settings is problematic? When I updated the router settings were reset to defaults.

I suggest caution with this new 1.3 firmware until all the vermin are removed and we get consistent performance.

I am quite confident that Cradlepoint will fix the problems.

best to all, sbi108

sbonar · EVDO User Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 85

Realize the feature to automatically save and restore your config is NEW in 1.3. So if you are upgrading from 1.2 it's not going to automatically save anything because you are running 1.2 and not 1.3.

As I stated before I upgraded to 1.3 without a problem.

Before you reverted back to 1.2 did you do a hard reset and then restore the config?

If you didn't that would be the first step I would try before revert back to any version.

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 345

sbi108 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject:

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 345

sbonar · EVDO User Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 85

Question - You obviously hate these products, with a passion I might add, why do you continue to buy them?? Aren't there other brands you can buy and complain about??

And no I don't just use the wizard. I have a fairly complex setup that restored just fine (which is why I probably did not see that NetBIOS issue), but thanks for assuming I wasn't an advanced user like you.

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 345

This upgrade is untested junk.

It works great until I plug in a Sprint U727 or an Alltel UM150, then it blows chunks with the "The gateway is currently measuring your network connection." message, and goes into a endless loop of disconnect and reconnect though the lan port.

I'm sure that if you use the simple Wizard mode, everything is fine. If not, you wont get past the DHCP setup page.

Of course, I am sure that "the experts" at the 3G store have tested this well, and have already found this simple little issue with the "optional" NetBIOS Scope is blank, and the setup refuses to continue. they are, after all, "the experts", and they are working close behind the curtain with CradlePoint, and I am sure the testing procedures that 3G uses are second to none, and that they do test a manual setup. I am sure they will be posting something very soon about this.

In short, with CradlePoint's reputation of bricking routers with untested firmware releases, I would recommend staying away from this firmware update until the "all clear" is posted by "the real experts - ie: the users".

If you are considering purchasing a MBR-1000 from 3G, tell "the experts" you don't want to be a beta tester, and to please not upgrade your MBR1000 via their special "only at the 3G store" thingy, and instead, insist on the tried and true 1.2.0 firmware release.

So, there you have it. I was really excited about this release, since I have two modems, and would have really liked to get load balancing.

I am disappointed that I was once again disappointed.

Joe

sbonar · EVDO User Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 85

Did you try it without the Automatic speed detection turned on (especially since it's now turned off by default)?

And you didn't answer my question.

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 345

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 345

Alex · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:14 am Post subject:

If it weren't so busy past two days, i'd have jumped into this thread earlier. Cradlepoint really needs to stop releasing firmware on a monday! Shocked

Sorry you had the issues you had Joe... as a result of your issues and some other reports, Cradlepoint has decided to pull the firmware from public download until further notice:

http://www.evdoforums.com/thread10030.html

3gstore staff had the opportunity to test beta versions of this firmware and we did that for several weeks. we also loaded and tested this latest release, and none of us had the issues others have reported. seems to be setup/config specific.

regardless of how poorly this release turned out for some, i personally feel that the responsiveness of cradlepoint far exceeds any cellular router maker that i've ever had the opportunity to work with.

cradlepoint is STILL the only outfit that not only agreed with the fact that load balancing is a desired feature, they delivered.

i'm sure they'll work out the kinks with this firmware, and i plan on recommending them over any other router maker, for a long time to come.

maverick · EVDO User Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 63

Is this the first firmware release they flat out retracted? Have they given out a statement on the reasoning behind this?