Firmware updates without ethernet access

I

ilikefish34

New member
The Apex controller requires firmware updates by connecting the ethernet cable directly to the computer--but my MacBook does not an ethernet cable port. What is the best way to make this happen?

Thanks
Mike
 
NETGEAR Universal N300 Wi-Fi to Ethernet Adapter (WNCE2001).....
Highly recommended to work great with Apex Controllers I order one of these units for my Apex Controller just waiting on it..Just setup on your wifi router and have it next to your Apex Controller plug the ethernet cable and you'll be golden....You could purchased through Amazon Or Ebay...Good Luck
 
Word of warning... don't do firmware updates wirelessly. Using a wifi adapter for normal use is just fine (I do myself), but when updating firmware do it hardwired. There are plenty of folks that thought, "Phhtttt... I don't need to hardwire this" and have ended up bricking their unit due to a hiccup in the wireless connection.

And yes... this is where the normal discussion of "But Neptune should make it so that it CAN do this wirelessly... every other device I own does" will start. But it is what it is - you've been warned!

Actually... the easy way to update is not necessarily connect the Apex directly to a computer, but connect it directly to a router. Connecting it directly to a laptop requires a few tweaks on the laptop settings, but doing it through a router is easy-peasy.
 
I've had the controller for over a year but finally got to the stage of setting it up after waiting on finishing the stand, getting the tank drilled... but mainly life got in the way so this will be the initial start-up and figured there would be needed updates on the firmware after all this time.

I have one laptop that does have the ethernet port but it's on its last breath. I'm not very tech savvy but was thinking that I would want the firmware updated on my newer laptop unless that doesn't matter--am I confusing firmware and software applications?

Kurt - I read you loud and clear about having it hardwired--perhaps I misread the directions... I thought that it said that the controller had to be hardwired to the laptop for the firmware updates... are you saying that as long as the controller is hardwired to the router that I'm good to connect wirelessly with the laptop at that point?

Thanks
Mike
 
ilikefish34 said:
... I'm not very tech savvy but was thinking that I would want the firmware updated on my newer laptop unless that doesn't matter--am I confusing firmware and software applications?
Click to expand...

Yes, I think you're misunderstanding how the Apex works. There is no firmware or software needed (or used) on the computer that accesses the Apex. The firmware updates you're talking about reside in the Apex. When you access the controller, you use your web browser to call up the network address of the controller. There's no software required to access the controller - just a web browser.

Kurt - I read you loud and clear about having it hardwired--perhaps I misread the directions... I thought that it said that the controller had to be hardwired to the laptop for the firmware updates... are you saying that as long as the controller is hardwired to the router that I'm good to connect wirelessly with the laptop at that point?
Click to expand...

The best option is no wireless at all - which is what Neptune recommends. Wireless between the Apex and router seems to be the biggest potential for problems. Some network savy folks claim that running the Apex to the router hardwired, but using a wireless connection on the computer doesn't run a big risk for a problem. I can't really vouch for that because I've always run hardwired connections.

If I was you, if you're just setting it up for the first time, I'd connect the Apex to your router (hardwired) and then connect the old laptop with an ethernet port to the router. If you run into issues with setting up the network (which is where most people run in to problems, if they have any) it is waaaay easier to troubleshoot with hardwired connections. Once you get it connected and visible on your network, then you can do the firmware update. None of this requires a top-notch computer... anything that can connect to a network and run a browser will work.

Once you get it updated and working, then set up the wireless adapter.

You *can* do firmware updates with the Apex directly connected to a computer (no router), but to do that assumes you have an ethernet port. And if that's the case, it's just easier (in my opinion) to do it through the router.
 
Kurt - thanks... my biggest misunderstanding was that the firmware resides in the controller and not in the computer. I'll get that going today.

Mike
 
I haven't done a firmware update but I tried using the Netgear adapter but my Apex was losing connection daily. Had an old powerline ethernet system so I hooked that up and no break in connection. I'm hoping that scuzy is right and I can update this way without concern.
 
Why not just run a loooong ethernet cable to your Apex, just for the firmware update? It only has to be strung out across your house for a few minutes.
 
You guys are missing his first statement...

Apparently Apple pulled the RJ45 from his laptop.

Seriously; invest in a old laptop just to have kicking around.

You can grab old Dell/HP/Whatever notebooks on eBay for under $50. Who cares about battery life, HDD speed, any of that stuff. I buy one every few years to use as a reference PC in my garage to pull up PDFs/Websites/etc while working on my old cars. If I break it, or the weather gets to it? Meh. Buy another. Donate to a school who fixes laptops locally.

I never understand why manufacturers pull basic ports (like that) from a computer. If you bought a new router, for example, how would one configure it, set firewall rules, DHCP settings, static IPs for the router, etc without first configuring it, via a wire, or a million and one other things....
 
Can you use a cheap USB to ethernet adapter? I've never needed to use one, so I don't know anything about setting them up on a mac or what this would mean for the Apex FW update process.
 
oldimpala said:
You guys are missing his first statement...
Click to expand...

No... there are two separate posters and questions in this thread.

ilikefish34 is the one without an ethernet port on his Mac, but has an old laptop available - which will work. just. fine.

ghornet is the one that is lamenting the wireless connection, but has a Powerline adapter - which implies they have an ethernet port.
 
I am also an Apple Mac Air user and you will need one of these. I don't use it often, but you should definitely get one for the times you do need one.

And I agree with the others regarding never doing any updating of the firmware or web pages wirelessly. It will make you want to throw the Apex out of the window. Save yourself the headache and get an adapter.

MC704


http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC704LL/A/apple-usb-ethernet-adapter
 
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