airMAX - Reset Your Device Using TFTP Firmware Recovery

Overview

If you have already tried to reset your device to factory defaults with the reset button, but can't access it, we recommend that you perform a TFTP recovery.

NOTES & REQUIREMENTS:

A narrow tool to press down the reset button
An Ethernet cable
TFTP client running on PC
Note what airOS firmware the device was running. To perform a regular upgrade via the WebUI to the latest airOS firmware, you will need to use the same firmware for TFTP. You can download all firmwares from the airMAX Downloads section (use the left hand menu to find the correct firmware). It depends on:

Firmware for the product, whether it is a M or AC model.
The version (as stated, you will need to first upgrade to the same firmware the device had).

Important TFTP Changes
As of v6.3.0 airMAX M devices in TFTP mode will try to obtain an IP address via DHCP and respond to discovery requests from WifiMAN Desktop and WifiMAN Mobile Android / iOS
When no DHCP server is available or the radio cannot obtain an IP address via DHCP, the radio will default to 192.168.1.20

Introduction

By reloading new firmware, this process can also be used to recover devices that appear to be malfunctioning when no other option appears to work.

"WARNING:Do not switch off, reboot or disconnect the device from the power supply during the firmware upgrade process, as these actions will damage the device."

Steps: Recovery Procedure for Windows

1. Turn off the device.

2, Set up your PC: You will need to manually configure the Ethernet connection on Windows by using the following settings (under Network Connections):

IP Address: 192.168.1.254, Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0

3. Connect your device to your PC.

4. Reset your device using the reset button. Power it on while holding the reset button down. Wait 8 seconds, then release the button (if you want to reset the device to factory defaults, wait 15 seconds or until the signal LEDs light up to indicate that the recovery process has begun).

5. For airCubes (ISP and AC): Push reset button and hold while powering unit. LED panel should blink fast several times, continue holding the reset button and the LED should turn off. Now you can release the reset button and the LED will flash slowly three times.

6. If the device does not respond to pings (use a DOS window to ping 192.168.1.20), go back to step one and repeat. You can find the note regarding TFTP changes under Note and Requirements at the top of this page if you do not receive a response.

7. Using a TFTP client software (binary mode), upload the firmware image file (.bin) to 192.168.1.20. Download a third-party utility or use a Windows command-line TFTP client. Here are two alternatives:

Method 1: From the Windows PC, you can use TFTP command line from a DOS window (START>>>CMD):

Go into the same directory structure as the firmware (e.g., assuming that you have stored the image files in c:\firmware directory, type the command :cd c:\firmware) and enter the following (for help type TFTP -h) , e.g.:

tftp -i 192.168.1.20 put WA.v8.5.0.36727.180118.1314.bin

8. When the firmware is upgraded, the signal LEDs will blink one by one in four different colors. It may take up to 10 minutes (depending on the device and firmware). Don't turn off the device while the process is in progress.

9. Once the device is back online, remember to upgrade to the latest airOS firmware via the WebUI.

Steps: Recovery Procedure for Linux

Generic Linux distributions have an integrated command line TFTP client. From a PC running Linux, you can upload via TFTP by typing into Terminal the following commands:

"root@ubuntu:tftp 192.168.1.20

tftp> bin

tftp> trace

tftp> put WA.v8.5.0.36727.180118.1314.bin

Sent 1965199 bytes in 35.2 seconds

tftp> exit"

Steps: Recovery Procedure for Mac

1. Put your device in TFTP mode by following the steps 1-5 of the Windows section.

2. Ping your device at the default IP Address 192.168.1.20, using Terminal.

3. Access Mac's built-in TFTP client by typing tftp in the Terminal, then issue these commands, hitting enter at the end of each line:

"tftp> connect 192.168.1.20

tftp> binary

tftp> put WA.v8.5.0.36727.180118.1314.bin"

"NOTE:The WA.v8.5.0.36727.180118.1314.bin above is a firmware example, you would substitute it with the binary you have downloaded."

4. Here, you will see a confirmation of Sent followed by the bytes and duration. Keep an eye on the device's LEDs for a few minutes until it goes back online (with only power and LAN lights active, see your device's Quick Start Guide for specifics).

5. Now you should be able to access your device by typing 192.168.1.20 into your browser.

6. As soon as the device is back online, update the firmware via the WebUI.