This document provides information regarding the NetGear KWGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router Firmware version 1.0.1.10.17WW. This firmware update is specifically intended for use OUTSIDE North America Only. It addresses several known issues and incorporates performance enhancements to improve the overall user experience. It is crucial to follow the instructions carefully to ensure a successful and stable update.
Important Precaution: Before proceeding with the firmware update, it is imperative to use a wired Ethernet connection. Do not attempt to upgrade the firmware using a wireless connection. A wired connection provides a stable and reliable link during the upgrade process, minimizing the risk of interruption or corruption of the firmware.
Key Improvements and Bug Fixes in Firmware 1.0.1.10.17WW
This firmware update for the NetGear KWGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router includes the following bug fixes and improvements:
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Resolved Block Site Issue: Addressed a problem where the router would disconnect from the internet in DHCP mode when the Block Site feature was enabled. This fix ensures more stable internet connectivity when utilizing website blocking functionalities.
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Web GUI Access Fix: Corrected an issue that could cause the Web Graphical User Interface (GUI) to become inaccessible after the router rebooted following changes to the wireless settings. This fix guarantees consistent access to the router’s configuration interface.
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LAN IP Address Re-assignment Bug: Rectified a bug that caused the router to reassign LAN IP addresses under specific conditions where a conflict existed between the LAN and WAN IP addresses. This fix ensures more reliable IP address management within the local network.
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NAT UDP Table Enhancement: The Network Address Translation (NAT) UDP table has been increased to 2048 entries. Additionally, the UDP session timeout has been shortened to 5 minutes for NAT. These changes optimize the router’s performance when handling UDP-based traffic, such as online gaming and video streaming, by allowing for more concurrent connections and faster resource release.
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SIP ALG and NAT Port Reservation Disabled: Disabled the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Application Layer Gateway (ALG) and NAT Port Reservation features to prevent one-way voice issues commonly encountered with SIP phones. This change ensures clear and reliable two-way voice communication when using SIP-based VoIP services.
Known Issues
Despite the included fixes, this firmware version has one known unresolved issue:
- ICQ5 Video and Audio Incompatibility: Video and audio connections using the ICQ5 protocol cannot be established. Users relying on ICQ5 for video and audio communication may experience issues.
Firmware Upgrade Procedure for the NetGear KWGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router
Follow these steps to upgrade your NetGear KWGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router firmware:
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Record Current Settings: Before initiating the upgrade, it’s highly recommended to write down all the settings you have changed from the default values. This will allow you to easily reconfigure the router to your preferred settings after the upgrade.
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Download the Firmware: Download the firmware file from a reliable source. You can download it from the official techspot website at: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/12643/ Save the file to a convenient location, such as your desktop.
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Access the Router’s Web Interface: Open a web browser and enter the router’s IP address. The default IP address is https://192.168.1.1. If you have changed the router’s IP address, use the modified address.
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Navigate to the Upgrade Section: Once logged in, navigate to the "Maintenance" section and then click on "Router Upgrade." The exact location may vary slightly depending on the router’s web interface design.
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Select the Firmware File: Click the "Browse" button and locate the firmware file you downloaded in step 2.
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Upload and Install: Click the "Upload" button to begin the firmware upgrade process. Do not interrupt the upgrade process while the router is uploading and installing the firmware. The router will automatically reboot once the upgrade is complete.
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Re-login: After the router reboots, log back into the router’s web interface using the same IP address and credentials.
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Verify the Upgrade: To confirm that the upgrade was successful, navigate to the "Status" or "Information" section of the web interface and verify that the firmware version is now 1.0.1.10.17WW.
Firmware Recovery Procedure Using TFTP
In the event that the flash image becomes damaged due to an improper or interrupted upgrade process, or if a corrupted firmware image is programmed, you can recover the router using the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP). Follow these steps:
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Power Off: Turn off the NetGear KWGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router.
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Reset Button: Press and hold the RESET button located on the rear panel of the router.
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Power On: While holding the RESET button, power on the router to reboot it.
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Monitor Test LED: Continue holding the RESET button and observe the Test LED. Keep holding the RESET button until the Test LED changes from blinking to a steady ON state. This indicates that the boot loader has entered TFTP recovery mode.
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Connect to LAN Port: Connect your computer to one of the LAN ports on the router using an Ethernet cable.
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Transmit the Firmware Image: Use a TFTP client to transmit the firmware image file to the router.
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For Windows PC: Open a command prompt (DOS) and enter the following command:
tftp -i 192.168.1.1 PUT KWGR614_XXX.bix -
For Linux PC: Use the following command in the terminal:
tftp -m binary 192.168.1.1 -c put KWGR614_XXX.bix
Replace "192.168.1.1" with the router’s LAN IP address (if you changed it) and "KWGR614_XXX.bix" with the actual name of the firmware image file.
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Monitor Test LED: Observe the Test LED again. When it starts blinking, the recovery procedure is complete.
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Power Cycle: Disconnect and reconnect the power to reboot the NetGear KWGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router.
(Repeat the above steps if the procedure is interrupted or fails.)
Alternative Download Links for NetGear KWGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router Firmware:
While it’s generally recommended to download firmware from the official manufacturer’s website or trusted sources like TechSpot, here are some alternative links for the NetGear KWGR614 firmware (use at your own risk and verify the file’s authenticity before installation):
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DriverGuide: (Requires registration) – Search for "NetGear KWGR614 firmware" on DriverGuide’s website.
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MyDrivers: (Chinese website, exercise caution) – Search for "NetGear KWGR614 firmware" on MyDrivers’ website.
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CNET Download: (Often links to third-party download sites) – Search for "NetGear KWGR614 firmware" on CNET Download.
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Archive.org (Wayback Machine): Search for old Netgear download pages on archive.org. This might yield older firmware versions, but could be useful if you need to revert.
Remember to always verify the integrity of the downloaded file by comparing its checksum (MD5 or SHA1 hash) with the value provided by the official source (if available). This ensures that the file has not been tampered with.