pfong
join:2009-06-08
Sacramento, CA
| [Speed Problem] SpeedStream 4100a Firmware Issues
Hi,
I have a SpeedStream 4100a and it had 1.0.0.48 firmware originally, then I upgraded to 1.0.0.53. Its behavior changed a bit.
I'm on interleave with speed forced at 768/384 and w/ 1.0.0.48 firmware it'll always connect at that speed, drops the link when line conditions goes bad, reconnect at that speed with but it'll get a slightly higher SN ratio initially and then eventually link drops, then the cycle repeats.
However, w/ 1.0.0.53 firmware, it'll initially connect at the 768/384, drops the link when SN ratio drops too low, and reconnect at some lower value, eg. 412/384 or 512/384 or at worse 384/384. It WILL NEVER retrain upwards, only if I pull the phone cord and reconnect will it train back up to 768/384 when line conditions improve. The 2Wire 2701HG-B I tested also behaves similarly to the SS4100a 1.0.0.48 firmware, but with a twist, it'll NEVER succeed in connecting at the higher bitrate of 768/384, and just constantly try, once every 10s or so, until it gets an acceptable SN ratio of about 6, the SS4100a will hold a connection "reliably w/ high crc errors" at a SN ratio below 5.
Anyhow, I'm wondering if the previous SpeedStream 4100a 1.0.0.48 firmware is available for download, as can't find it?
And I'm wonder how well does the SS4200 Siemens Generic firmware functions on this modem, other than the removal of ACK PRIORITIZATION & having ALOT more features that are listed in the "4200_user_guide.pdf" user guide. Is the latest generic "Update_D240_A8M" any good?
Then there is the customized Optus & Telstra firmwares, are they any good? They appear newer that the 1.0.0.53 firmware.
Constantly flashing firmwares to test can be hazardous, eg. brick it. Just wondering what are your expert opinions, eg. do they functions/connect more like the 1.0.0.48 firmware or the 1.0.053 firmware?
Thanks!
-Peter |
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wayjac
Premium,MVM
join:2001-12-22
Indy
 ·AT&T Midwest
| said by pfong  :Anyhow, I'm wondering if the previous SpeedStream 4100a 1.0.0.48 firmware is available for download, as can't find it? I don't think you'll find the 1.0.0.48 software when att/sbc first issued this modem that what it shipped with |
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d_l
Barsoom
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-08
Reno, NV
| reply to pfong
Some of the "generic" firmwares for various ISPs added ADSL2+ capabilities as did the 4100b firmware.
Flashing to a generic firmware is a big risk although it has been done a couple of times without any failures. The big problems came when they wanted to flash back to the AT&T GUI version. The two firmwares that have been tried were an Australian ISP and a Brazilian ISP (the pages were in both Portuguese and English) firmwares for the 4200. Obviously the 4200 USB functionality would be inoperative.
I can't say that DSL performance improved noticeably in those tests. The modems could handle considerably more session, but that isn't what you are looking for. Most all of those features that you find listed in the generic manual are available with CLI commands. The trick is figuring out which CLI command fits which generic GUI feature. |
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pfong
join:2009-06-08
Sacramento, CA
| Hello d_l:
Does that mean if I flash to the Generic/TransACT Speedstream 4200 firmware for my 4100a, I wouldn't be able to go back to SBC 1.0.0.53?
Does it reject the flash-back by performing file header checks, or will it just "brick" the modem?
Thanks!
-Peter |
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d_l
Barsoom
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-08
Reno, NV
1 edit | reply to pfong
I didn't do the actual "restore" flashing. The procedures were only related to me. It has been some time ago that this was tried, but as I recall, there was some problem with the "restore" flashing. One of the four files in the modem (an AT&T specific file) was lost when flashing to the generic version and it was not restored when reverting. The file had to be manually uploaded by first obtaining telnet access and then FTPed into the modem. I provided a copy of that file to the modem experimenters.
Edit: If you chose to convert your modem to a generic version, you should probably extract and save copies of those four files prior to the conversion just in case you ever decide to revert back. |
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