Voxel Custom firmware build for Orbi RBK50/RBK53 (RBR50, RBS50) v. 9.2.5.2.36SF-HW

[Voxel]

Continuation of

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/custom-firmware-build-for-orbi-rbk50-v-2-5-0-42sf-hw.60308/
. . .
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/c...50-rbk53-rbr50-rbs50-v-9-2-5-2-34sf-hw.90250/
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/c...50-rbk53-rbr50-rbs50-v-9-2-5-2-35sf-hw.90954/

New version of my custom firmware build: 9.2.5.2.36SF-HW.

Changes (vs 9.2.5.2.35SF-HW):

1. Toolchain: binutils is upgraded 2.42->2.43.1.
2. Toolchain: Go is upgraded 1.22.5->1.22.6.
3. OpenSSL v. 3.0.x package is upgraded 3.0.14->3.0.15 (fixing CVE-2024-6119, CVE-2024-5535).
4. OpenVPN is upgraded 2.6.11->2.6.12 (fixing CVE-2024-5594).
5. expat package is upgraded 2.6.2->2.6.3 (fixing CVE-2024-45490, CVE-2024-45491, CVE-2024-45492).
6. libpcap package is upgraded 1.10.4->1.10.5 (fixing CVE-2023-7256, CVE-2024-8006).
7. tcpdump package is upgraded 4.99.4->4.99.5.
8. curl package is upgraded 8.8.0->8.9.1.
9. ethtool package is upgraded 6.9->6.10.
10. nano package is upgraded 8.0->8.2.
11. bind package is upgraded 9.18.27->9.18.29.
12. nghttp2 package is upgraded 1.62.1->1.63.0.
13. unbound package (used in stubby) is upgraded 1.20.0->1.21.0.
14. lz4 package is upgraded 1.9.1->1.10.0 (multithreading support).
15. libreadline package is upgraded 8.2->8.2.13.
16. Add '/tmp/dal/rc.user' call if exists.
17. Host tools: upgrade mtd-utils to 2.2.0.
18. Host tools: upgrade xz to 5.6.2.

The link is:

https://www.voxel-firmware.com (thanks to vladlenas for his help with hosting).

Voxel.

 

[Thomasx]

Hi

New to this, I have two questions

I have a system with 1 RBR50 and 3 RBS50.

Can I update one of the RBS's to Voxel fw and try it out, or must I update all units to Voxel FW, to make it work?

I have the latest stock FW, 2.7.5.4, should I still downgrade to 2.5.2.4 before installing Voxel FW?

Thanks!

 

[Voxel]

Can I update one of the RBS's to Voxel fw and try it out, or must I update all units to Voxel FW, to make it work?

You can update one of your RBSs leaving the other RBSs and RBR with stock firmware.

I have the latest stock FW, 2.7.5.4, should I still downgrade to 2.5.2.4 before installing Voxel FW?

You must downgrade your selected unit to 2.5.2.4. It is recommended to disconnect the WAN port from the Internet during the downgrade procedure and upgrade to Voxel firmware, otherwise the device may automatically revert to the latest stock firmware.

Voxel.

 

[Thomasx]

You can update one of your RBSs leaving the other RBSs and RBR with stock firmware.


You must downgrade your selected unit to 2.5.2.4. It is recommended to disconnect the WAN port from the Internet during the downgrade procedure and upgrade to Voxel firmware, otherwise the device may automatically revert to the latest stock firmware.

Voxel.

Great, thanks for the info!

Any reason not to make such a change on an RBS50 that was originally an RBR50 but is now converted to RBS50?

 

[TeamZero]

Thanks Voxel ! Will send a donation again

 

[RZD]

Thanks Voxel for the great work! I am wondering if there are any chances we will see Voxel FW for Rbr10 and Rbs10?

 

[wimmme]

Great, thanks for the info!

Any reason not to make such a change on an RBS50 that was originally an RBR50 but is now converted to RBS50?

No, did that before once or twice without problems ...

 

[andykt]

Thank you again for keeping our RBK50 set ups relevant and updated. Very much appreciated

 

[Thomasx]

No, did that before once or twice without problems ...

Great, thanks for the info! Will try this now in a short while!

 

[gssjshark]

Thank you @Voxel !

 

[69GHz]

@Voxel thank you for doing what Netgear has failed to do, which is to provide us all with updated firmware that protects us against the latest threats.

I recently started having issues with my RBR50v2 randomly "blocking" devices from the network and random WiFi issues and upon further research discovered that Netgear had listed RBK50 series devices as "end of service". My firmware version 2.7.5.4 had not been updated against security threats for over a year and this was very unnerving to think about. I expect longer security update support from a $350+ product but Netgear seems to think otherwise.

I did the Voxel firmware update a few minutes ago for the first time and it was a very easy process... disconnect the cable connected to the WAN port, downgrade to the listed version in the quick start guide then flash the voxel file for the RBR50. I also was able to get SSH working on the first try!

I do want to play around with disabling circle and the other bloatware but that's a problem for another day.

Thanks again Voxel!

 

[DVDB]

Voxel thank you, the firmware is definitely more stable especially a a complex environment like mine with a router and five satellites, spread over a relatively large area of 1200 square meters (not feet ). System is running flawlessly now for a week, feels much more stable and reliable in many ways.

Three questions:
- I am on a Mac and not very much a terminal man : I remember to have seen some sort of GUI for setting up the additional options your firmware offers, but I can't recall where I saw that and would be happy if you could point me to it.
- is there any way to "automate" firmware updates or should I simply to this and maybe other topics here on the forum and wait to be informed like that?
- lastly, I am in the Austrian countryside, currently using a 4G internet connection that some day I seem to be the only one to use (150 download, 25 upload). However, fiber access cables are already lain, should be finally connected within the end of the year. and I am planning for a 500 or 1000 dl / 300 or 500 ul connection. Would you say, looking at the RBR&RBS50, that they'd do the trick, or would you recommend eventually upgrading my system?

Again, many thanks for your work and my appreciation!

 

[Voxel]

- I am on a Mac and not very much a terminal man : I remember to have seen some sort of GUI for setting up the additional options your firmware offers, but I can't recall where I saw that and would be happy if you could point me to it.

Sorry, I don't use Mac, so I'm not aware of any GUI programs that can be used for SSH access from a Mac.

- is there any way to "automate" firmware updates or should I simply to this and maybe other topics here on the forum and wait to be informed like that?

Only manual verification here or my website.

lastly, I am in the Austrian countryside, currently using a 4G internet connection that some day I seem to be the only one to use (150 download, 25 upload). However, fiber access cables are already lain, should be finally connected within the end of the year. and I am planning for a 500 or 1000 dl / 300 or 500 ul connection. Would you say, looking at the RBR&RBS50, that they'd do the trick, or would you recommend eventually upgrading my system?

For speeds up to 500Mbs the RBK50 should be sufficient, but I'm not sure about 1000Mbs. Depends on many factors: walls, materials, distances, etc. if you are using a wireless backhaul. I have the RBR speed with RBS provides speeds up to 700Mbs wireless. Thick slab between floors.

Voxel.