Necessary and recommended steps to perform before a firmware update on LANCOM devices

Description:

For several devices special requirements have to be met before updating the firmware (e.g. uploading a converter firmware). Furthermore LANCOM Systems recommends to always create a configuration backup before performing a firmware update.

This document describes which steps have to or should be carried out before performing a firmware update.

Requirements:

• LANconfig (download latest version)
• Any web browser to access LANCOM LANCOM switches.
• Web browser for configuring the Unified Firewall.
  
  The following browsers are supported:
  • Google Chrome
  • Chromium
  • Mozilla Firefox

Procedure:

LANCOM Router and Access Points:

1. Uploading a converter firmware:

Several devices require a converter firmware to be uploaded into the device before a firmware update.

• What converter firmware is required for which LANCOM device?
• LCOS 9.20: Notice about firmware updates to the devices LANCOM 1631E, LANCOM 831A and T-Business LAN R800A

2. Creating a configuration backup:

LANCOM Systems recommends to create a configuration backup before performing a firmware update. It is advisable to create a configuration backup as a regular configuration file (*.lcf) as well as a script file (*.lcs). 

When performing a firmware update with a large discrepancy in firmware versions it is possible that a feature doesn't work as desired. If deleting and reconfiguring the affected configuration part doesn't fix the issue, it is necessary to reset the device to factory settings and import the script file afterwards.

Info:
When uploading a script file only the parameters are imported which are supported by the currently active firmware.

The device password isn't included in a script file and therefore has to be set anew after resetting the device and uploading the script file.

LANCOM Switches - GS-23xx series:

1 . Informations regarding a firmware update to 3.17 and 3.30:

• Information about updating LANCOM switches of the GS-23xx series to a firmware version 3.17
• Information about updating LANCOM switches of the GS-23xx series to a firmware version 3.30

2. Creating a configuration backup:

Save the configuration of the switch before performing a firmware update.

LANCOM Switches - GS-31xx series:

Creating a configuration backup:

Save the configuration of the switch before performing a firmware update.

LANCOM R&S®Unified Firewall:

Creating a configuration backup:

Creating a configuration backup of a LANCOM R&S®Unified Firewall.

Info:
If issues occur after a firmware update and a firmware downgrade to the previous version should be performed, the Unified Firewall has to be reset to factory settings via a USB stick and the configuration backup has to be uploaded.