Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 14:41 Post subject: Do I have to update the firmware as soon as possible?
I noticed DD-WRT firmware updates almost every week. I wonder you guys follow the updates as soon as the new firmware comes out? [color=red][/color][size=18][/size]
Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 597 Location: Antigua/Seattle
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 15:45 Post subject:
Why would you update?
Is there a feature that is being added that you want?
Are you having problems with the router as it is and does the newer firmware address that when you look at the timeline?
Are you happy with the router as it is now?
Nobody has to do anything.
The betas are being released quite often for newer routers, most that have been around for a year or more are at the stage where the "updates" are just fixes for relatively obscure issues that don't effect most users. _________________ WRT3200ACM
My experience in this space; try to find that perfect fw release amongst the releases, back it up somewhere and then try to upgrade as little as possible. Different releases work differently for different people/usage.
Now, in saying that, the f-factor in all of this grand advice for me is security updates... that is enough to sway an upgrade from a good thing...
The most recent security update you want patched is the Krack vulnerability.... which, apparently is only material for a router if using the router in non-router mode, as a client instead. (however, based on my limited understanding of krack vulnerability, I think you still have a safer network all-around having a patched "KRACK" router.)
I'm using v3.0-r33607 10/25/17 std build which has a KRACK fix. The only issue I have had with this build; very, very infrequently, actually, only a hand full of times in months of usage 5ghz network would drop and then come up again.
I also use pihole to outsource dhcp functionality so maybe that has something do with it.
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1608 Location: SE Michigan USA
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 22:11 Post subject:
Then there are those, me included, that update so see what might be different or improved. Sometimes I find there is a wireless speed increase for example, and also find that wireless is not as fast. Part of testing a new beta, which these all are.
That is why I make a backup of what I am currently running before the update so I can get back to what was working quickly.
The other side says "If it ain't broken don't fix it". That is where the folks above are coming from.
Is there a way to find out what's included in the new firmware? There is no information available about the new release of firmware.
aairon wrote:
Why would you update?
Is there a feature that is being added that you want?
Are you having problems with the router as it is and does the newer firmware address that when you look at the timeline?
Are you happy with the router as it is now?
Nobody has to do anything.
The betas are being released quite often for newer routers, most that have been around for a year or more are at the stage where the "updates" are just fixes for relatively obscure issues that don't effect most users.
Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 597 Location: Antigua/Seattle
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 15:09 Post subject:
I was going to say the same the change info really takes someone who's been following things in detail to really interpret what they are saying.
If been following them for ages and I get fooled all the time by misunderstanding them but thankfully I was able to figure it out before embarrassing myself lol.
It's definitely not like a change log you'd see for Mozilla or a Microsoft product. _________________ WRT3200ACM
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1608 Location: SE Michigan USA
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 20:00 Post subject:
aairon wrote:
I was going to say the same the change info really takes someone who's been following things in detail to really interpret what they are saying.
If been following them for ages and I get fooled all the time by misunderstanding them but thankfully I was able to figure it out before embarrassing myself lol.
It's definitely not like a change log you'd see for Mozilla or a Microsoft product.
