Kitz ADSL Broadband Information
adsl spacer  
Support this site
Home Broadband ISPs Tech Routers Wiki Forum
 
     
   Compare ISP   Rate your ISP
   Glossary   Glossary
 
Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Author Topic: Latest BT Firmware update  (Read 9578 times)

Howlingwolf

  • Reg Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 107
Latest BT Firmware update
« on: August 02, 2014, 07:55:04 PM »

My modem was updated last night and I've spent the day working on the new firmware.

No new surprises. In fact, no surprises at all.

Quote
Software version:   V100R001C01B030SP08
Firmware version:   A2pv6C038m.d24j


These are the files which have changed:

Quote
./bin/busybox
./bin/cms
./bin/dhcpc
./lib/extra/adsldd.ko
./lib/extra/bcm_enet.ko
./lib/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.ko
./lib/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ipt_LOG.ko
./lib/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/iptable_nat.ko
./lib/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/nf_nat_rtsp.ko
./lib/libbhalapi.so

They're mostly network related which you would expect if this release was to address Adrian's VPN issue.


Unlocking it was perfectly straight forward. I used the same patch files for B030SP06 to create unlocked and web interface versions without any problems.

Although after capturing the flashdump, I did manage to erase the 'nvram' during a moments inattention and had to use jtag to rewrite it. I could probably have reconfigured the board fairly easily but no point in taking chances when a known good backup was available.


One oddity is the firmware header still identifies the release as V100R001C01B030SP06 while the firmware reports itself as SP08.

I suspect another case of the dreaded Copy/Modify 'bug' which recently bit me  :)


The unlocked version with the restored web interface is now 'On Test' and if there are no problems over the next couple of days, I'll update the repository and the post above (HG612 Firmwares [Aug 2014 - New HW version]).
Logged

burakkucat

  • Respected
  • Senior Kitizen
  • *
  • Posts: 38300
  • Over the Rainbow Bridge
    • The ELRepo Project
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2014, 10:09:47 PM »

b*cat makes one of his best Japanese-style bows to the maestro . . .  ;)

I understand and fully support your logic in retaining Beattie's little snitch -- the BTAgent. That said, would it be possible for you to ensure that the "save configuration file" option is usable and some of the quirky spellings & grammatical inexactitudes of the GUI have been corrected?

Quote
One oddity is the firmware header still identifies the release as V100R001C01B030SP06 while the firmware reports itself as SP08.

Do you intend to correct the above? Or should it be left as-is to fuel needless debates on that other web-site? (ThinkBroadband.)  :-\

I am surprised to see busybox on the list of files that have been changed. I hope the change was not to remove some of the functionality of that multi-purpose binary.
Logged
:cat:  100% Linux and, previously, Unix. Co-founder of the ELRepo Project.

Please consider making a donation to support the running of this site.

NewtronStar

  • Kitizen
  • ****
  • Posts: 4898
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2014, 11:29:07 PM »

Many many thanks HW and once your firmware is released it will be flashed into this HG612
Logged

Howlingwolf

  • Reg Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 107
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2014, 02:19:20 AM »

b*cat makes one of his best Japanese-style bows to the maestro . . .  ;)

Lupus Clamoris, (being a polite, social creature like all wolves), returns the courtesy  :blush:


Quote
I understand and fully support your logic in retaining Beattie's little snitch -- the BTAgent. That said, would it be possible for you to ensure that the "save configuration file" option is usable and some of the quirky spellings & grammatical inexactitudes of the GUI have been corrected?

It seemed the most flexible way of giving control back to the end user without having multiple versions, i.e. unlocked-btagent, unlocked-nobtagent, ad nauseam...

Unfortunately there's no way of neutering it without the web interface, but I would assume those who prefer telnet already know how to kill it.

The unlock patch re-enables the save config option at the same time it fixes the telnet username and password as they're both part of the same config entry.
Quote
<X_ATP_ServiceManage   {snip}   SaveCfgEnable="0"/>

Naturally it serves no purpose without the web interface but that's not the point. One 'single' change which is the same in both patch files.

I did some of the Engrish while removing the non-functional BTAgent tab right back at the beginning, but if there's anything else you want fixed then let me know and I'll be happy to oblige.


Quote
Quote
One oddity is the firmware header still identifies the release as V100R001C01B030SP06 while the firmware reports itself as SP08.

Do you intend to correct the above? Or should it be left as-is to fuel needless debates on that other web-site? (ThinkBroadband.)  :-\

Hmm... Never thought of that. I rarely visit there since the care-in-the-community lot arrived in force. There's no point in trying to help people if you're going to come under attack and/or suffer heaps of abuse as a result.

However my build script corrected it automatically, more as a side effect of the build process than a deliberate act on my part. The individual components extracted from the firmware images are kept in the directory layout shown below.

Obj/B028SP10/CFE.bin
Header.bin
Kernel.bin
Rootfs.bin
B030SP06/CFE.bin
Header.bin
Kernel.bin
Rootfs.bin
B030SP08/CFE.bin
Header.bin
Kernel.bin
Rootfs.bin

Which components the scripts use is controlled by a single variable defined at the start 'VER='. This also controls the output filename and the compileid.

Naturally I can alter this...  :angel:


Quote
I am surprised to see busybox on the list of files that have been changed. I hope the change was not to remove some of the functionality of that multi-purpose binary.

I couldn't see any reason for it either, but I've just checked and help lists the same commands so that probably wasn't it. Even if it was, it could probably be rebuilt from source if necessary.

Logged

les-70

  • Kitizen
  • ****
  • Posts: 1254
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2014, 10:45:55 AM »

  Sorry to suggest more bother but to help those less able to learn and experiment please could you detail how the flash dump was made and the firmware section is identified.  I have jtag and have copied and replaced the boot loader OK so I am in a position to recover from mistakes.  Thanks in advance if you can find the time.
Logged

Howlingwolf

  • Reg Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 107
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2014, 01:23:17 PM »

All of the information needed is on Asbokid's blog but I take your (unstated) point about accessibility. He's a 'specialist' writing for others of the same bent (to coin a very old phrase).

I'm not set up to capture the process at the moment but I'm certainly willing. Documenting it properly is going to take a while though if it's going to be more than just a 'Do this, then do that' guide.

Logged

NewtronStar

  • Kitizen
  • ****
  • Posts: 4898
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2014, 08:11:51 PM »

Was having a sniff in your repository and I see three BCM96368M files and two others patches and tools.

So if you upload the V100R001C01B030SP08 firmware how will we know which is which ?
Logged

xreyuk

  • Reg Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 139
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2014, 11:55:47 PM »

I'm not a VPN user, will I see any benefit from upgrading to this firmware or am I okay to stay where I am?

Reason being is I'm waiting for DLM to (fingers crossed) kick interleaving off my line and don't want to interrupt it.

I know the last upgrade gathered a couple of Mb/s of sync for some people.
Logged

Howlingwolf

  • Reg Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 107
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2014, 01:56:28 AM »

Was having a sniff in your repository and I see three BCM96368M files and two others patches and tools.

So if you upload the V100R001C01B030SP08 firmware how will we know which is which ?

I was planning to move them into separate sub-directories. One for each firmware version and one for tools and patch sets. There was no point in doing that with only one version.

However, if you look at the last eight characters before the underline which separates the firmware identification from the build type....  :P

Seriously, the version number is there in the filename. It's just so damn long it's easy to miss. Unfortunately we're stuck with it as I don't want to start changing the format and risk even more confusion. Take a look at the mess some of the so-called 'professional' firmwares are in and you'll understand why.


I'm not a VPN user, will I see any benefit from upgrading to this firmware or am I okay to stay where I am?

Reason being is I'm waiting for DLM to (fingers crossed) kick interleaving off my line and don't want to interrupt it.

I know the last upgrade gathered a couple of Mb/s of sync for some people.


If this update is just to fix Adrian's VPN issue then no, probably not, but I've no way of saying for sure. The usual lack of information from BT I'm afraid.

By comparison, the last update was much more extensive and included the adsl_phy.bin blob. That hasn't been updated this time.
« Last Edit: August 07, 2014, 12:47:32 AM by Howlingwolf »
Logged

NewtronStar

  • Kitizen
  • ****
  • Posts: 4898
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2014, 10:15:47 PM »


I was planning to move them into separate sub-directories. One for each firmware version and one for tools and patch sets. There was no point in doing that with only one version.

However, if you look at the last eight characters before the underline which separates the firmware identification from the build type....  :P

Thats what I am trying to tell you HW as your repository supports most browers except IE when using chrome I can only see the first 9 digits (BCM96368M) the other digits are hidden  :(
Logged

Howlingwolf

  • Reg Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 107
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2014, 12:46:03 AM »


I was planning to move them into separate sub-directories. One for each firmware version and one for tools and patch sets. There was no point in doing that with only one version.

However, if you look at the last eight characters before the underline which separates the firmware identification from the build type....  :P

Thats what I am trying to tell you HW as your repository supports most browers except IE when using chrome I can only see the first 9 digits (BCM96368M) the other digits are hidden  :(

Ahh... I do apologise.

I wasn't aware there was a problem as I don't use either of those and no one mentioned it. To be honest I thought you were having a blond moment  :-[

Unfortunately I'm not sure it's something I can fix without changing either the filename or hosting arrangements.

I've already mentioned above why I don't want to do the former and while I do have some 'cloud' storage I get free from my ISP, I've never used it and quite frankly wouldn't know how to.

There's also the possibility that BT might think it a bit cheekly me hosting 'their' firmware on their cloud storage  ::)

I'm certainly open to suggestions...
« Last Edit: August 07, 2014, 12:49:31 AM by Howlingwolf »
Logged

NewtronStar

  • Kitizen
  • ****
  • Posts: 4898
Re: Latest BT Firmware update
« Reply #11 on: August 08, 2014, 12:14:19 AM »

Not to worry HW I am sure we will find away by just downloading everything and then choose what is required for our needs.
Logged
 

anything