FVX538 - Problems

[Kobie]

Hello all:

I am back, I have two FVX538 V2 units I have the following problems one of which has been ongoing for over a year.

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First Problem: I cannot get either of the units to take the firmware upgrade. I get an error that says:

Upgrade Failed: Invalid Firmware File Length........

I have downloaded the firmware from the Netgear site at work and at home, file size is 7.55 MB from both locations, neither file seems to want to work.

The firmware currently installed is 3.0.6-29

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Second Problem: Every time I initiate an FTP update on my server the FVX538 craps out. The unit loses its internet connection and does not reset itself for up to 15 minutes or until I reboot the Netgear unit.

I have taken this problem to Netgear support but there is no resolution to date and my last support request was 3/1/2011

I have the EXACT same problem as this post: http://forum1.netgear.com/showthread...ghlight=fvx538

It is most frustrating to have to take the FVX538 off-line, put on-line a FVS338 perform FTP upgrades only to then remove the FVS338 and reinstall the FVX538.

It makes NO sense that when we perform an upgrade on the server which uses FTP to upgrade the server that the FVX538 unit loses its connection to the internet and locks up.

What I have done is HARD RESET the routert, reset to factory defaults three times then after the third reset, reinstalled the settings by hand NOT using the backup restore and this does not appear to help at all.

I have done this at least four times, twice per unit and it still does NOT work.

It also makes NO sense that I have two of these FVX538 units and they BOTH act the same way.

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My setup is :

WAN to FVX538, FVX538 to Netgear switch, switch to server, switch to workstations.

Monitoring with the FVX538 is NOT an option as the unit locks up and I cannot stop the monitoring and download the file.

All monitoring with the FVX538 is lost when it resets or I have to reboot the unit.

I have Wireshark loaded on a laptop and a small Netgear 4 port hub – I can try to monitor on the LAN side or move hub in front of the FVX538 between router and WAN and I guess I could monitor the WAN.

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Up until now this has only been a nuisance but this is getting old.

I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS.

I would appreciate ANY help that anyone can provide.

Thank you

Kobie

[jmizoguchi]

What firmware version currently on fvx?

Using PC with IE brosws?

[Kobie]

I am using IE on a windows 7 Machine I will try to update firmware using Firefox

Currently running 3-0.6-29

will leave message after testing upgrade with firefox

[Kobie]

OK here is where I am at on this project.

1. I am running FVX538 V2
1a. Units are both running firmware 3.0.6-29

2. Trying to upgrade to firmware 3.0.7-24

3. Have tried the following with NO sucess.
3a. IE 9 = Error Invalid File length
3b. IE 8 = Error Invalid File length
3c. Firefox = Error Invalid File length
3d. Safari = Error Invalid File length

I have downloaded the firmware file from Netgear through the support tab using each of these browsers to my downloads folder. Then using each of these browsers I have tried to upload the firmware file to the router. Each time I get an error saying the file length is incorrect.

This whole firmware issue - still does not address the FTP issue.

None-the-less, this firmware issue is most frustrating.

Kobie

[adit]

Hook up to the console port and read the boot script. Reply with how much Memory you have, as seen below.

----------------------------------------------------------

Initiating BCM5380 ... ok
+starting api entry
Ethernet eth0: MAC address 00:0f:b5:8a:d9:99
IP: 192.168.16.244/255.255.255.0, Gateway: 0.0.0.0
Default server: 192.168.16.1, DNS server IP: 0.0.0.0

RedBoot(tm) bootstrap and debug environment [ROM]
Red Hat certified release, version 1.92p1 - built 19:39:46, Dec 11 2004

Platform: NetGear FVX538 (XScale)
Copyright (C) 2000, 2001, 2002, Red Hat, Inc.

RAM: 0x00000000-0x02000000, 0x0001e758-0x01fdd000 available
FLASH: 0x50000000 - 0x51000000, 128 blocks of 0x00020000 bytes each.
RedBoot> boot

Partition Priority Firm/Cfg-Ver BuildTime FileName

appimg1(V) 8388745 3.0.4-19/2.1 Fri Aug 1 15:45:03 2008 fvx538_v3.0.4-19.i
mg
appimg2(V) 8388744 3.0.4-19/2.1 Fri Aug 1 15:45:03 2008 fvx538_v3.0.4-19.i
mg

Booting application image from partition appimg1 ...
Downloading Image to RAM location 0x1600000 ...
Transfering control to downloading Image at address 0x160024c ...
powering down the PHYs
Uncompressing Linux............................................. ................
.................................................. .. done, booting the kernel.
Linux version 2.6.10_mvl401 (build@TeamF1 Copyright (c) 2007, TeamF1, Inc.) (gcc
version 3.4.3 (MontaVista 3.4.3-25.0.30.0501131 2005-07-23)) #43 Fri Aug 1 15:4
4:54 IST 2008
CPU: XScale-IXP42x Family [690541c1] revision 1 (ARMv5TE)
CPU0: D VIVT undefined 5 cache
CPU0: I cache: 32768 bytes, associativity 32, 32 byte lines, 32 sets
CPU0: D cache: 32768 bytes, associativity 32, 32 byte lines, 32 sets
Machine: Netgear FVX538
Memory policy: ECC disabled, Data cache writeback
Built 1 zonelists
Kernel command line: console=ttyS0,115200
PID hash table entries: 256 (order: 8, 4096 bytes)
Dentry cache hash table entries: 8192 (order: 3, 32768 bytes)
Inode-cache hash table entries: 4096 (order: 2, 16384 bytes)
Memory: 32MB = 32MB total
Memory: 28488KB available (1662K code, 456K data, 1764K init)
...

[Kobie]

In work now, will post results.

Thank you

Kobie

[Kobie]

Here are the findings from the console

Unit #2 - Production Unit

Memory: 32MB = 32MB total
Memory: 28456KB available (1692K code, 457K data, 1764K init)

Download full file here - Unit-2

Unit #1 - Backup Unit

Memory: 32MB = 32MB total
Memory: 28456KB available (1692K code, 457K data, 1764K init)

Download full file here - Unit-1

Using Mozilla FireFox, Safari, or IE 8 or IE 9 I get the following error.



Awaiting instructions.

Thank you

Kobie

[adit]

You have a FVX538v1. Where did you get the routers?

I think the firmware checks the memory # and won't install unless it sees 64MB (FVX538v2).

I have a bunch of 538's and this is what I have seen when trying to upgrade them myself.

You could try to TFTP up the image to the router. Search for "redboot" (I think that is what they still use) commands here in the forum.

[Kobie]

This greatly distresses me.

The factory labels on the bottom of the units clearly show FVX538 v2

I bought them at Frys Electronics a year or so ago.

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If you can tell they are FVX538 v1 units, this may be why they are also flaking out on the FTP uploads to my server behind them.

What is the difference between the FVX538 v1 and FVX538 v2, is it hardware, software or both?

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I am do not have the funds to purchase other units at this time so I am totally open to suggestions as to how to address this problem here.

Not doubting you but how can you tell they are FVX538 v1's in v2 clothing?

Thank you

Kobie

[adit]

FVX538v1 has 32MB
FVX538v2 has 64MB

Contact Tech Support to see if they can help.

Factory default the units and manually reprogram them.