Why You Should Update Your Yacom Arv7518pw Router with the New Firmware
New Firmware Yacom Arv7518pw: What You Need to Know
Yacom Arv7518pw is a wireless router that supports ADSL2+ Annex A, WiFi b/g/n, FXS, and USB 2.0. It is based on the Lantiq XWAY Danube SoC and uses the OpenWrt firmware. If you own this router, you may want to update its firmware to enjoy new features, fix bugs, and improve performance and security. In this article, we will explain what is firmware, why you should update it, how to check your current firmware version, and how to update it using different methods. We will also provide some tips and precautions for updating the firmware safely and successfully.
New Firmware Yacom Arv7518pw
What is Yacom Arv7518pw and why you should update its firmware
Firmware is a type of software that is embedded in a device's read-only memory (ROM), which provides instructions on how the device is supposed to operate and minimizes hardware-level security vulnerabilities. Firmware is different from software and middleware since it employs a microcode at a lower level that deploys machine instructions.
Yacom Arv7518pw is a router that uses the OpenWrt firmware, which is an open source project that provides a Linux-based operating system for embedded devices. OpenWrt firmware allows users to customize their router's functionality and performance according to their needs and preferences.
Updating the firmware of your Yacom Arv7518pw router can bring you several benefits, such as:
Adding new features or improving existing ones
Fixing bugs or glitches that may affect the router's functionality or stability
Enhancing the router's performance or thermal management
Supporting new CPUs or features that may be incompatible with older firmware versions
Patching security vulnerabilities that may expose your router to cyberattacks
Features and specifications of Yacom Arv7518pw
Yacom Arv7518pw is a wireless router that has the following features and specifications:
ModelVersionSoCCPU MHzFlash MBRAM MBWLAN HardwareWLAN2.4WLAN5.0100M portsGbit portsModemUSB
ARV7518PWLantiq XWAY Danube333864Atheros AR9223b/g/n-4-ADSL2+ Annex A1x 2.0
Benefits of updating the firmware
A firmware update can improve the functionality and features of your device without needing any upgradation in the hardware. Some of the upsides of updating to the most recent firmware are:
A firmware update will upgrade your device with advanced operational instructions without needing any upgradation in the hardware.
By updating the firmware, you will be able to explore new features or enhancements that the manufacturer has introduced in the latest firmware.
A firmware update can also resolve the existing software problems or bugs in the device.
A firmware update can also increase the stability and performance of the device by optimizing its resource utilization and power consumption.
A firmware update can also enhance the security of the device by fixing any vulnerabilities that may expose it to hackers or malware.
How to check your current firmware version
Before you update your firmware, you should check your current firmware version to see if you already have the latest one or not. To check your current firmware version, you can follow these steps:
Connect your computer to your router via an Ethernet cable or WiFi.
Open a web browser and enter the router's IP address in the address bar. The default IP address is 192.168.1.1.
Enter your username and password to log in to the router's web interface. The default username and password are both admin.
Go to System > Firmware Upgrade and look for the Firmware Version section. You will see the current firmware version of your router displayed there.
How to update the firmware using different methods
There are different methods that you can use to update the firmware of your Yacom Arv7518pw router, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some of the most common methods:
Update via the BIOS / UEFI environment
This method involves booting your computer into the BIOS / UEFI environment and using a USB flash drive that contains the firmware file to update the router. This method is suitable for advanced users who are familiar with the BIOS / UEFI settings and procedures. To use this method, you need to follow these steps:
Download the latest firmware file from the official website of Yacom or OpenWrt and save it on your computer.
Format a USB flash drive to FAT32 file system and copy the firmware file to the root directory of the USB flash drive.
Connect the USB flash drive to your computer and restart your computer.
Press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del) to enter the BIOS / UEFI environment.
Navigate to the Boot menu and select Boot from USB as the first boot option.
Save and exit the BIOS / UEFI environment and wait for your computer to boot from the USB flash drive.
You will see a command prompt window where you need to type flashrom -p internal -w .bin and press Enter. For example, if your firmware file name is openwrt-arv7518pw.bin, you need to type flashrom -p internal -w openwrt-arv7518pw.bin and press Enter.
The firmware update process will start and you will see some messages on the screen. Do not turn off your computer or router during this process.
When the process is completed, you will see a message saying "Verifying flash... VERIFIED". You can then remove the USB flash drive and restart your computer and router.
Update via BIOS Flashback
This method involves using a special feature of some motherboards that allows you to update the firmware of your router without booting into any operating system. This method is suitable for users who have a motherboard that supports BIOS Flashback and who want a simple and fast way to update their firmware. To use this method, you need to follow these steps:
Download the latest firmware file from the official website of Yacom or OpenWrt and save it on your computer.
Format a USB flash drive to FAT32 file system and rename the firmware file to ARV7518PW.BIN. Copy this file to the root directory of the USB flash drive.
Turn off your computer and router and disconnect them from any power source.
Connect the USB flash drive to a specific USB port on your motherboard that is labeled as BIOS Flashback or similar. Refer to your motherboard's manual for more details.
Press and hold a specific button on your motherboard that is labeled as BIOS Flashback or similar for about 3 seconds. Refer to your motherboard's manual for more details.
The BIOS Flashback LED on your motherboard will start blinking, indicating that the firmware update process has started. Do not remove the USB flash drive or press any button during this process.
When the BIOS Flashback LED stops blinking, it means that the firmware update process is completed. You can then remove the USB flash drive and reconnect your computer and router to any power source and turn them on.
Update via Windows software
This method involves using a Windows software that can flash the firmware of your router from within the Windows operating system. This method is suitable for users who prefer a graphical user interface and who do not want to deal with the BIOS / UEFI environment or BIOS Flashback. To use this method, you need to follow these steps:
Download the latest firmware file from the official website of Yacom or OpenWrt and save it on your computer.
Download the Flashrom software from https://www.flashrom.org/Flashrom and install it on your computer.
Connect your computer to your router via an Ethernet cable or WiFi.
Open the Flashrom software and select the Lantiq XWAY Danube SPI programmer from the drop-down menu.
Click on the Browse button and locate the firmware file that you downloaded earlier.
Click on the Flash button and wait for the firmware update process to start. Do not turn off your computer or router during this process.
When the process is completed, you will see a message saying "Flash image written successfully". You can then close the Flashrom software and restart your computer and router.
Tips and precautions for updating the firmware
Updating the firmware of your Yacom Arv7518pw router can be a simple and rewarding process, but it also involves some risks and challenges. If you do not follow the instructions carefully or encounter some unexpected errors, you may end up with a bricked router that does not work at all. To avoid this, you should follow some tips and precautions before and during the firmware update process, such as:
Backup your current firmware and settings
Before you update your firmware, you should backup your current firmware and settings in case something goes wrong or you want to revert to the previous version. To backup your current firmware and settings, you can follow these steps:
Connect your computer to your router via an Ethernet cable or WiFi.
Open a web browser and enter the router's IP address in the address bar. The default IP address is 192.168.1.1.
Enter your username and password to log in to the router's web interface. The default username and password are both admin.
Go to System > Backup / Flash Firmware and click on the Generate Archive button under Backup / Restore.
A file named backup-openwrt-arv7518pw-.tar.gz will be downloaded to your computer. Save this file in a safe location.
Use a reliable power source and USB flash drive
During the firmware update process, you should make sure that your computer and router are connected to a reliable power source and do not experience any power outage or interruption. If the power is cut off during the process, you may damage your router's ROM or corrupt its firmware. You should also use a good quality USB flash drive that has enough space and speed to store and transfer the firmware file. You should format the USB flash drive to FAT32 file system and check it for any errors or viruses before using it.
Follow the instructions carefully and do not interrupt the process
The most important thing to remember when updating your firmware is to follow the instructions carefully and do not interrupt the process. You should read the instructions thoroughly before starting the process and follow them step by step. You should also check if you have downloaded the correct firmware file for your router model and version. You should not turn off your computer or router, remove the USB flash drive, press any button, or close any window during the process. You should wait patiently until the process is completed and you see a confirmation message on the screen.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what is firmware, why you should update it, how to check your current firmware version, and how to update it using different methods. We have also provided some tips and precautions for updating the firmware safely and successfully. Updating the firmware of your Yacom Arv7518pw router can improve its functionality, performance, security, and compatibility with new features or devices. However, it also involves some risks and challenges that you should be aware of and prepared for. We hope that this article has helped you understand how to update your firmware easily and effectively.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about updating the firmware of Yacom Arv7518pw router:
Q: How do I know if my firmware update was successful?
A: You can check if your firmware update was successful by checking your firmware version after restarting your router. You can follow the steps in the section "How to check your current firmware version" to do this. If you see the new firmware version displayed, it means that your firmware update was successful. If you see the old firmware version or an error message, it means that your firmware update failed or was incomplete.
Q: What should I do if my firmware update failed or was interrupted?
A: If your firmware update failed or was interrupted, you may encounter some problems with your router, such as not being able to boot up, connect to the internet, or access the web interface. In this case, you should try to restore your router to its previous firmware version or factory settings. You can follow the steps in the section "Backup your current firmware and settings" to restore your router from a backup file. Alternatively, you can use the reset button on the back of your router to reset it to its factory settings. However, this will erase all your custom settings and preferences, so you should only do this as a last resort.
Q: How often should I update my firmware?
A: There is no definitive answer to how often you should update your firmware, as it depends on various factors, such as the availability of new firmware versions, the features or fixes they offer, and your personal preference. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should update your firmware whenever there is a major update that adds new features or fixes critical bugs or security issues. You should also check for updates regularly, at least once every few months, to see if there are any minor updates that may improve your router's performance or stability.
Q: Can I use a different firmware than OpenWrt for my Yacom Arv7518pw router?
A: Yes, you can use a different firmware than OpenWrt for your Yacom Arv7518pw router, as long as it is compatible with your router's hardware and specifications. However, you should be careful when choosing a different firmware, as some of them may not work properly or may cause damage to your router. You should also make sure that you follow the instructions and precautions for installing a different firmware, as they may differ from those for OpenWrt. Some of the alternative firmwares that you can use for your Yacom Arv7518pw router are DD-WRT, Tomato, LEDE, and Gargoyle.
Q: Where can I find more information or support for updating my firmware?
A: If you need more information or support for updating your firmware, you can visit the official website of Yacom or OpenWrt, where you can find more details, guides, tutorials, forums, and FAQs about their products and services. You can also contact their customer service or technical support team via phone, email, or chat if you have any questions or issues with updating your firmware. dcd2dc6462