XIV. Miscellaneous Questions

Importing config from older/different models

In some cases, it is possible to take the configuration of an older model and import it into a newer model but do check compatibility before attempting to do so (if you use an incompatible backup, you cannot damage the hardware but you could make it malfunction or inoperable).Even if the models are compatible, it's not always possible to transfer all settings, particularly those which are supported differently on the other model or where a particular config combination causes anomalous operation. This convenience feature therefore cannot be guaranteed to work in every scenario and sometimes you may have to set up the newer unit manually instead.

If you wish to import a config from a different model then it is important that your older model backup was made from a compatible firmware version. If not, take a backup, upgrade the older router and then make another backup (use distinct filenames each time). Similarly, upgrade the receiving router to compatible firmware (see tables below) before you do the import/restore.

It is recommended to manually verify the settings after restoring a configuration of an older model because features and functionality can vary between models.

Importing config into same router model with same firmware

A configuration backup from a router can always be restored back into the exact same router, or another router of the same model or model series but the units should be of the same firmware version (see below).

Importing configs from backups made with different firmware

If you have a configuration backup which was taken from a router which had a different firmware version, you should upgrade/downgrade the firmware and then factory reset the receiving/importing router before importing (restoring) the configuration file.