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Old 01-20-2015, 07:34 PM   #1
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Major WiFiRanger firmware update coming in February

Over the 4 years that I've owned WiFiRanger products there have been numerous firmware updates. At first they were essential to improve stability but for the past couple of years they've largely been "bug fixes" since the routers have been far more stable than they once were.

However, the 7.0 firmware update which is targeted for release in early February is a bit different in that it contains lots of new features as well as fixing some known bugs.

Several of us on this forum and others have been testing the new firmware and I guess each of us has his favorite new features. Here's a list of some of the most significant new ones, in no particular order:

Usage detail--an enhanced data usage capability allows users to sync the WiFiRanger to their cellular billing cycle so you can easily track your data and avoid overages. If you have multiple phones and hotspots on the same account, the data can be aggregated. In addition, you can restrict network access by specific devices on your network to further restrict usage of your valuable cellular data.
Conduits--if you have a pet alone in your RV you can now use any web-connected camera to easily monitor how he/she is doing while you're away. Even if you don't have a pet, now you can directly access devices on your network without having to implement port forwarding.
Safe Surf--if you're concerned about the security of your internet connection, use WiFiRanger Safe Surf feature to create a VPN-like tunnel to protect your data.
Multi-WAN--use multiple internet connections in parallel to spread your data across both RV park wifi and cellular. Reduce your cellular usage without degradation of performance. Set up true "hot standby" connections that switch instantly.
Static IP--need a static IP for a particular device; select it now with a single keystroke.
Mobile control panel--new easy to use mobile device control panel makes it possible to access most functions from your phone,
There are others, but these are the most significant ones IMHO. Stability has been excellent; my WFR had been running for two weeks until last night when I downloaded the latest update.

I'll post when the update goes live and, of course, your WFR's control panel will indicate the presence of an update. There are quite a few FAQs and Knowledge Base entries that will go live when the software is released.

Joel
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Old 01-21-2015, 07:27 PM   #2
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Docj: Thanks for the post. I am hoping they will fix a bug that does not allow us to connect to the local CG WiFi. The sign in screen will not come up, and the back door method described online will not work. We have a marginal signal here, the the Ranger would really help.


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Old 01-22-2015, 08:32 PM   #3
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Thanks for the heads up.
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Old 01-24-2015, 10:29 AM   #4
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Joel, Thanks for the update. I am really looking forward to these enhancements. MultiWAN sounds really interesting.
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Old 01-24-2015, 03:18 PM   #5
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Joel, Thanks for the update. I am really looking forward to these enhancements. MultiWAN sounds really interesting.
-mike
Multi-WAN comes in three "flavors" each of which has its own unique characteristics.

1) Hot Standby--In the simplest case, Multi-WAN can be used to create a true hot standby connection if your preferred connection's performance degrades below the level you set. This feature existed in earlier WFR firmware versions, but this implementation results in faster, more reliable switch-over from one connection to the other.

2) Load Balance--your data usage will be "spread" across multiple (2 or more) internet sources with little or no performance degradation even when one source is slower than the other. This can result in significantly reduced cellular data usage if you spread the data across both park wifi and your cellular connection.

3) Dynamic--Permits one internet connection to "carry most of the load" while a second is used only for data rates in excess of the level you've specified. When optimized this can enable a user to stream a video on the park's wifi while the user's cellular only handles a small percentage of the stream. Note: This is the most difficult of the Multi-WAN configurations to set up but it does work--I've done it.
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Old 02-02-2015, 07:50 PM   #6
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The new WiFiRanger firmware update is now going live to the public. It may take a day or two for your WFR to "see" the update.

Technomadia has posted an excellent synopsis of what's contained in the new firmware: WiFiRanger Unleashes “Phantom” 7.0 – Massive Free Firmware Upgrade – RV Mobile Internet Resource Center

The official WiFiRanger description of the update can be found here: http://wifiranger.com/solutions-mobileti/firmware
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Old 02-03-2015, 09:04 AM   #7
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Looking Good

Hello - the update went smoothly and all seems to work well. I have been playing with load sharing across a cable modem, cellular and WFR. Using speediest.net to understand performance. Ran a YouTube video in a separate window and watched usage chart roll across (very cool). Also, the tab to tab speed within the control panel seems quicker.

Does it prioritize one connection over the other in load share? Based on what?

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Old 02-03-2015, 01:40 PM   #8
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Be careful about using speedtest.net to analyze a load balanced multi-WAN. It doesn't like the multiple connections and can give all sorts of erroneous results, especially on the upload portion of the test.

In load share mode I believe it tries to use the connections in the order you have them in the Setup Tab. When I have a slow connection (like park wifi) working with a fast connection such as my phone's hotspot, I put the slow one first. That seems to come closer to a 50/50 sharing of the data load.

As you also noticed, there are quite a few performance improvements in the basic operation of the WiFiRanger such as its responsiveness to basic commands. This new software is a major improvement over previous versions; we have been debugging it for months.
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Old 02-03-2015, 01:58 PM   #9
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One important thing that is different about this update from all previous WiFiRanger updates is that if you have a "2-part system" consisting of a Go/Go2/Home plus a Mobile/Sky the update process for the two devices has now been combined so that the two devices update together.

Go to the control panel for each device (the outside device's control panel is accessed on the Setup page of the inside one) and click on "check for updates" in the upper right corner of an control panel page. After both devices are displaying that an update is available you need only click on the update link for the inside unit (Go/Go2/Home/Pro) and it will proceed to update both units. A progress bar will be displayed and you should be good to go in ~10 minutes.
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Old 02-03-2015, 02:17 PM   #10
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Ooh.. I am SO looking forward to this update! But I agree with Flaggy above--do you know if that login spashscreen problem has been fixed yet?

If I try to get my WiFiRanger Go2 to connect to campground WiFi that requires a password, I'm dead most of the time. Occasionally (can't identify a pattern to this) I get the login screen, but most of the time I don't??
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Old 02-03-2015, 04:33 PM   #11
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Have to wait til spring to upgrade mine....in winter storage. C'mon May!
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Old 02-03-2015, 04:48 PM   #12
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Quote:
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Ooh.. I am SO looking forward to this update! But I agree with Flaggy above--do you know if that login spashscreen problem has been fixed yet?

If I try to get my WiFiRanger Go2 to connect to campground WiFi that requires a password, I'm dead most of the time. Occasionally (can't identify a pattern to this) I get the login screen, but most of the time I don't??
The splash screen issue should be resolved, but I personally don't have one to test with at the moment.

But haven't you been able to use the work-around to get online even with this issue? Usually all you have to do is attempt to open a new browser tab and go to something like Google. That brings up the splash screen and you can get on from there. I've used this numerous times for the past year.
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Old 02-03-2015, 05:34 PM   #13
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We have an older model, I believe it's the X. Black wifi ranger.

I just did the firmware upgrade & can't get the thing to stay on. It shuts off & won't restart. This is after hours of still messing with it.

It took getting a new air card to get it to even do tethering. Now it turns on shuts off, then I finally go turn it back on. 5 mins later it shuts off.
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Old 02-03-2015, 06:08 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by PDR John View Post
We have an older model, I believe it's the X. Black wifi ranger.

I just did the firmware upgrade & can't get the thing to stay on. It shuts off & won't restart. This is after hours of still messing with it.

It took getting a new air card to get it to even do tethering. Now it turns on shuts off, then I finally go turn it back on. 5 mins later it shuts off.
Please PM me the ID number of your unit along with your contact information. It may have to be sent back to WiFiRanger to get the update.
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