II. Resetting & Router Firmware

VigorAP Access Point Firmware Recovery using the Firmware Upgrade Utility

Products:
VigorAP 710
VigorAP 800
VigorAP 802
VigorAP 810
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Keywords:
TFTP
factory default
firmware
reflash
Show all

If a VigorAP is not operating normally, then it is very likely that it can be successfully returned to normal operation by performing a firmware upgrade, using the DrayTek Firmware Utility. The DrayTek Firmware Upgrade Utility is a DrayTek specific TFTP utility designed for use with DrayTek products.

If a DrayTek VigorAP is in an inoperable state either due to a failed firmware reflash or any other reason, the access point can be manually put into TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) mode - this is a function separate from the VigorAP's firmware that makes it possible to reflash the firmware when the access point is not able to start up normally.

When a VigorAP is in TFTP mode, its IP address is 192.168.1.1, it will respond to Ping and TFTP connections from the DrayTek Firmware Utility.

There are two firmware file extensions that can be used to send firmware to the VigorAP:

TypeExampleDescription
ALL File ap902_123.all The VigorAP firmware will be upgraded to this firmware version and retain all existing settings
RST File ap902_123.rst Changing the file extension of the file to .rst will set the VigorAP back to its factory default settings



Firmware Recovery Pre-Requisites

  • Download the correct Firmware for your VigorAP
  • Download the DrayTek Firmware Utility
  • Windows computer with Ethernet port and Administrator account - required to set IP address & configure Windows Firewall



DrayTek Firmware Recovery Procedure

Firmware recovery is easiest to complete in this order, which this guide will be covering at each step:

  1. Configure the computer's Ethernet port IP address settings
  2. Run and configure the DrayTek Firmware Utility
  3. Open a Command Prompt window and start a constant ping to the VigorAP's TFTP IP address
  4. Connect the VigorAP to the computer and power up the access point in TFTP mode
  5. Send the firmware to the VigorAP
  6. Wait for the VigorAP to restart with the new firmware

Step 1 - Configure PC IP address

Disconnect the computer that will be sending the firmware from its networks, both Wired - disconnect the cable, and Wireless - disable the wireless adapter or enable Airplane mode.

Set up the computer's Ethernet adapter IP address with these details:

IP address 192.168.1.10
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Default gateway no Gateway IP address set
DNS servers no DNS IP addresses set

For guidance on how to change the IP address in different Windows operating systems, see this guide.

Step 2 - Set up the DrayTek Firmware Utility

Upon starting the DrayTek Firmware Utility, it will pop-up a warning that recommends to disable the computer's firewall. Just click OK to bypass the warning, the Windows Firewall should only be disabled if the Firmware Utility fails to send.

In the Firmware Utility, click "..." for the Firmware File to select the firmware that will be sent by the utility, where the type of firmware to be sent can be selected:

ALL File (Reflash & retain settings)

Navigate to the directory that the firmware is located in, select the firmware and click Open:

RST File (Reflash & reset settings)

Standard firmware renamed with .rst extension. Rename the file and change the file type to "(*.rst)" to select the file, then click Open:

With the firmware selected, configure these settings and move on to the next step:

Router IP 192.168.1.1
Password leave this blank
Port 69
Time Out 5
Block Size 512

Step 3 - Ping the VigorAP's TFTP IP address

Open the Windows Start menu (Start key) or open the Windows Run prompt (Start+R keys) and type "cmd" then press enter to open the Windows command prompt.

At the command prompt, type "ping -t 192.168.1.1" and press enter. This will start a constant ping to the TFTP IP address, which is useful to determine when the VigorAP's TFTP server is ready to accept firmware.

The pings to 192.168.1.1 will not receive a response, which is normal at this stage. Leave this running and move on to the next step.

Step 4 - Activating TFTP Mode

Remove the VigorAP from its normal fitted position and connect it directly to the PC running the DrayTek Firmware Utility.

Standard VigorAP models

TFTP mode on standard DrayTek VigorAP models such as the VigorAP 902, or VigorAP 810, is activated by powering up the VigorAP while the Factory Reset button is pressed in.

This requires a pen tip or paperclip to press the recessed reset button.

When pressed, the reset button will make an audible clicking sound as the button is depressed.

TFTP Procedure Steps

  1. Connect power to the VigorAP through the 12v DC power adapter or PoE
  2. Switch off the VigorAP using the power switch
  3. Press and hold the Factory Reset button
  4. While still holding the Factory Reset button, turn on the VigorAP with the power switch
  5. The VigorAP will power up with the ACT & adjacent LEDs flashing rapidly, check the table below for details of which VigorAP uses which LED pattern
  6. Let go of the Factory Reset button, the AP will stay in TFTP mode for 2 minutes
VigorAP modelLED pattern in TFTP mode
VigorAP 800 ACT Flashing
VigorAP 900 ACT Flashing
VigorAP 710 ACT & Repeater Flashing Simultaneously
VigorAP 810 ACT & USB Flashing Simultaneously
VigorAP 902 ACT & USB Flashing Simultaneously

Step 5 - Sending Firmware to the VigorAP

Once the VigorAP is in TFTP mode and is connected to the computer, watch the pings to the VigorAP's TFTP IP address - the VigorAP should begin responding to pings after a few seconds, at which point the firmware can be sent:

In the DrayTek Firmware Utility, click the Send button and watch the status, it should look like the animation below:

If the progress bar gets stuck part-way, be patient and it will usually continue. If it doesn't, turn off the AP and power it back up in TFTP mode to try again.

Once the firmware has been sent, the Firmware Utility will pop-up a "Waiting" window, the VigorAP will not respond on the TFTP IP address once it has restarted, so click "Skip" and proceed to the next step.

If a Windows Firewall message pops up, the firmware sending procedure may be able to send successfully even without being allowed access, but if you find the firmware is not sending, click Allow Access for the Firmware Utility.

Step 6 - Wait for the VigorAP to restart with the new firmware

Once the firmware has been sent to the VigorAP, it will spend 2-3 minutes upgrading its firmware.

During this time, the VigorAP's ACT light will blink quickly.

Do not power off the VigorAP until after it has rebooted

The end of the reflash procedure is indicated by the VigorAP restarting, the ACT & adjacent LED (if present) will be lit constantly for around 5-10 seconds.

Once the VigorAP has restarted, the ACT light should blink once per second, indicating that it is operating normally.

If the VigorAP had standard .all firmware sent to it, the VigorAP will be accessible on the IP address it was on prior to the reflash with all original configuration present. Connect it back up to the network and use the VigorAP as normal.

If the VigorAP had .rst firmware sent to it, the VigorAP will be back to its factory default configuration, which will try to get an IP address through DHCP. Connect it back up to the network and reconfigure the VigorAP.

Troubleshooting

If the upgrade process shows this error message when attempting to send firmware then the utility has not been able to successfully send the firmware to the VigorAP.

If this occurs, try these steps which should allow the Firmware Upgrade Utility to send to the AP successfully:

  • Check that the "Router IP address" setting is correct in the DrayTek Firmware Utility and that the computer sending the firmware has an IP address on the same network as the AP's TFTP address of 192.168.1.1
  • Make sure that the firmware file is still present on the computer and that it is the correct one for the AP model
  • Connect the computer directly to the VigorAP's LAN port
  • Disable the Windows Firewall or any other software firewalls running on the computer
  • Try starting the DrayTek Firmware utility with administrator rights by right clicking on the icon / application and selecting "Run as Administrator"
  • Try using a different computer if none of the above works

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First Published: 25/07/2018
Last Updated: 22/04/2021