how often does everyone upgrade?

[the block]

Hi everyone. I'm on 378.56_2 and have been considering upgrading to the latest and greatest version, however the daunting task of factory resetting and re-configuring everything over again has let me to extended procrastination.

This led me to wonder, does everyone really go through this process for every upgrade, or do you upgrade once a year? Every 6 months? Every other version?

I'm curious to see how others have approached Merlin's frequent updates. And don't get me wrong here, frequent updates are awesome. I love how alive this project is and am grateful for all of Merlin's continued hard work and effort!

 

[Blinkyz]

For me it is when fw included security fix. I only use my router with a vanilla config

 

[bbunge]

As the updates build on the prior one you can, and I have, flashed the updates in sequence to the latest without doing a reset or reconfigure.

 

[microchip]

if the update contains critical security fixes, I'll usually update. Otherwise I tend to skip a release inbetween

 

[L&LD]

After a week of no show stopping bugs, I'll upgrade my personal routers. A week after that, I'll start upgrading my customers routers to the same version too.

Every single time that I do not do a full reset to factory defaults followed by a minimal and manual configuration of the router (mine, or my customers), I have regretted it. In my opinion, it is not optional. If you want to have to deal with real issues/bugs instead of phantom glitches and non-reproducible (by others) bugs. Doesn't matter if doing a 'major' or a 'point' upgrade; if you want a fast, responsive and stable network; do the required work at your convenience rather than scrambling later.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/n...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac66u-slow-wan-to-lan.12973/page-3#post-269410

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/faq-nvram-and-factory-default-reset.22822/


It helps to use the following utility of course (use it only after you've moved to the latest code base and have performed a full and manual configuration in addition to all the other tips in the links above).

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/user-nvram-save-restore-utility-r24a.19521/


Considering that you're using firmware from November 2015, I would do all the suggestions the links above hint at.

 

[joegreat]

I follow all the updates to catch all the bug fixes and security updates asap.

Being on the latest software version is the only way to have a stable and secure internet connection - this rule applies for all my systems which can go online online: Routers, PCs, SmartPhone, Tablets and IoT-Devices!

 

[L&LD]

I follow all the updates to catch all the bug fixes and security updates asap.

Being on the latest software version is the only way to have a stable and secure internet connection - this rule applies for all my systems which can go online online: Routers, PCs, SmartPhone, Tablets and IoT-Devices!

Yup! If it's online; it is updated asap.

Doing otherwise is simply being an ostrich surrounded by wolves.

 

[CaptainSTX]

I update a couple of weeks after the update has been released. WWW is to scary not to have the latest updates. The time it takes is the price of accessing the net.

 

[sfx2000]

I think it would depend on the use case - updates fix bugs, but might introduce new bugs and regressions - always pays to read the release notes, and consider how the device is used.

Sometimes it's best to wait a bit - let others run in front of the bus, and if things look good, then do the update...

 

[sfx2000]

After a week of no show stopping bugs, I'll upgrade my personal routers. A week after that, I'll start upgrading my customers routers to the same version too.

Concur...

Again - it always pays to review the release notes - but generally, waiting a week or so is good guidance, as show stoppers generally will show up by then.

 

[Omega69]

Updating to beta version when available. Not only router but generally all the software

Odesláno z mého SM-N9005 pomocí Tapatalk

 

[swetoast]

running alphas mostly so as soon as Rmerlin pushes something i update

but OP should consider to update as soon as possible since there has been so many security fixes pushed since that firmware

 

[thelonelycoder]

My main router is always on the latest stable version, while my test routers are updated to the very latest version, alpha, beta or stable.

 

[niwmik]

As the updates build on the prior one you can, and I have, flashed the updates in sequence to the latest without doing a reset or reconfigure.

if I followed this strategy and I'm on 380.62_1 for rt-ac68p, would I update with the following firmwares in sequence and I wouldn't have to reconfigure?

380.63_2
380.64_2
380.65_4

 

[RMerlin]

if I followed this strategy and I'm on 380.62_1 for rt-ac68p, would I update with the following firmwares in sequence and I wouldn't have to reconfigure?

380.63_2
380.64_2
380.65_4

You can go straight to 380.65_4. There's been no GPL or SDK changes between all of these.

 

[L&LD]

if I followed this strategy and I'm on 380.62_1 for rt-ac68p, would I update with the following firmwares in sequence and I wouldn't have to reconfigure?

380.63_2
380.64_2
380.65_4

You might not need to reconfigure, or you might have to. Depends on what and how you're running your network + clients.

For the few minutes it takes to use john9527's utility, it is easier to do so (at your convenience) than to be troubled by glitches until you do.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/how-often-does-everyone-upgrade.38333/#post-315904

 

[thelonelycoder]

You might not need to reconfigure, or you might have to. Depends on what and how you're running your network + clients.

For the few minutes it takes to use john9527's utility, it is easier to do so (at your convenience) than to be troubled by glitches until you do.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/how-often-does-everyone-upgrade.38333/#post-315904

As your NOOB definition gets linked and quoted a lot around here, would you mind revisiting that post, update it with current wording and settings and post it as a new thread titled "The L&LD How to: minimal and manual router configuration"?
I think a lot of users would appreciate it.
I sure would!

 

[martinr]

As your NOOB definition gets linked and quoted a lot around here, would you mind revisiting that post, update it with current wording and settings and post it as a new thread titled 'The L&LD How to: minimal and manual router configuration"?
I think a lot of users would appreciate it.
I sure would!

Excellent suggestion.

 

[Omega69]

Updating to beta version when available. Not only router but generally all the software

Odesláno z mého SM-N9005 pomocí Tapatalk

Just this time will be difficult. Have setup https connection only but seems with lighttpd server (for owncloud) I'm not able to connect anymore [emoji27]

Odesláno z mého SM-N9005 pomocí Tapatalk

 

[the block]

Thanks for all the comments. Seems updating often is the consensus. I just bit the bullet and am running on 380.65_4 now. Everything seems to be working, and I'll try and stay more on top of it for the next update!