R11e-LTE-US Firmware Upgrade "failed"

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

Running MikroTik RouterOS 6.47.3 on a wAP-LTE-US device.

I am getting DL/UL speeds of 7Mbps/10Mbps, so i know there is a proper and consistent connection.

When attempting to update modem firmware via FOTA I see that there is an update available:

[admin@MikroTik] > / interface lte firmware-upgrade lte
installed: R11eL_v12.09.171931
latest: R11eL_v16.02.183961

However, when attempting (repeatably) to update firmware it first displays “status: connecting”. Followed by “status: checking”. Then finally “status: downloading”.

And after a long wait of displaying “status: downloading”, it ultimately shows “failed”.

[admin@MikroTik] > interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1 upgrade=yes
status: failed

Is there another way of performing this firmware-upgrade?

Perhaps somehow applying it through the “Files” screen?

Any other suggestions?

Thank You for your help, it is Greatly Appreciated!

Mahalo - Jim Ainge

2

Try disabling or enabling your normal ethernet connection to the internet. I read that the updates need to be done using the LTE network. Although it never worked the 10x times I tried it.

3

Yup, I’m only using the AT&T LTE Network. Thanx for the reply!

4

I upgraded using USB to miniPCIe adapter 2 with of these modules.

Not all adapters are compatible.

This is compatible: https://www.ebay.com/itm/4G-LTE-IOT-Mini-PCIe-to-USB-Adapter-W-SIM-Card-Slot-for-WWAN-3G-4G-WiFi-Module/383443147960?pageci=a622893d-7ab8-4a02-9ce4-51b682cde513

If you have another similar adapter, you can try if it works. If the computer not recognized any change in hardware after plug in the adapter with LTE module installed, it is not compatible.

Please contact to Mikrotik support to get drivers, tools, firmware and instructions to do the upgrade.

Regards.

5

Thank You.

I do not have an adapter like that… one more thing for my toy box. https://www.ebay.com/itm/4G-LTE-IOT-Mini-PCIe-to-USB-Adapter-W-SIM-Card-Slot-for-WWAN-3G-4G-WiFi-Module/383443147960?pageci=a622893d-7ab8-4a02-9ce4-51b682cde513

There is something definitely wrong here…

I am posting this so that others that run into this will not waste their time and realize that it is time to contact MikroTik Support.

When performing the steps described to perform the LTE Modem Firmware Upgrade in the wiki.mikrotik.com (https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:Interface/LTE#Modem_firmware_upgrade) I am able to receive a result and I can see the Traffic passing through the LTE interface.

[admin@MikroTik] > interface lte info lte1 once
pin-status: ok
registration-status: registered
functionality: full
manufacturer: MikroTik
model: R11e-LTE-US
revision: MPSS: R11eL_v12.09.171931 APSS: R11eL_v02.14.173531
CUSTAPP:
current-operator: AT&T
lac: 23
current-cellid: 128048146
enb-id: 500188
sector-id: 18
phy-cellid: 221
access-technology: Evolved 3G (LTE)
session-uptime: 7s
imei: 355509090041493
imsi: 310410272243754
uicc: 89014103272722437544
earfcn: 5110
rsrp: -68dBm
rsrq: -10dB
[admin@MikroTik] > interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1
installed: R11eL_v12.09.171931
latest: R11eL_v16.02.183961
[admin@MikroTik] > interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1 upgrade=yes
status: downloading

HOWEVER, once you attempt to run the “interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1 upgrade=yes” command to download the firmware-upgrade, the R11e-LTE-US modem disconnects/shuts down and no longer passes traffic for anything. This happens whether you use the Stable routeros-mipsbe-6.47.3.npk or the routeros-mipsbe-6.48beta35.npk.

After it evidently gives up on downloading, it displays a “status; failed”.

Then the modem will reconnect and things go back online.

I’ve even tried changing to the Long-Term routeros-mipsbe-6.45.9.npk, only to confirm that the firmware-upgrade commands are not supported under that RouterOS.

[admin@MikroTik] > interface lte info lte1 once
pin-status: ok
registration-status: registered
functionality: full
manufacturer: MikroTik
model: R11e-LTE-US
revision: MPSS: R11eL_v12.09.171931 APSS: R11eL_v02.14.173531
CUSTAPP:
current-operator: AT&T
lac: 23
current-cellid: 128009738
enb-id: 500038
sector-id: 10
access-technology: Evolved 3G (LTE)
session-uptime: 1m18s
imei: 355509090041493
imsi: 310410272243754
uicc: 89014103272722437544
rsrq: -15dB
[admin@MikroTik] > interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1
failure: Device does not support this feature!
[admin@MikroTik] > interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1 upgrade=yes
failure: Device does not support this feature!

6

Following this topic as I also have a R11e-LTE-US using AT&T, never could upgrade firmware and received no response from support.

7

Anyway the problem is not with At&t, I used two different ISP, not from US and anyway the process fails.

For now, using the adapter is the only way to do the update. I know that they are investigating the cause of this problem.

Regards.

8

Using RouterOS 6.47.9 goes as far as showing “status: downloading”

But it eventually shows “status: failure” after 10 minutes

9

WOW, I see that the problem continues yet. So, for now, the only way to do the firmware upgrade is using the miniPCIe to USB adapter.

Regards.

10

I purchased the 4G LTE Mini PCIe to USB Adapter, Model P2U52V06USB.

I sent a message to MikroTik-Technical Support yesterday.

Just waiting to get the instructions and files to use it.

11

And you receive them ? For many cases what I see, they not block it and few people just receive howto with firmware set.

12

Tried upgrading R11e-LTE-US miniPCIe module run in problems in even the current “long term”, “stable”, and even 7.1rc3 – same box (a now classic RB953). Since the firmware-upgrade has never worked - I generally replace these modems with something else, but was going to try them out again for comparison testing. But the following upgrade path certainly doesn’t work – tried in all the version, reboots, power resets, etc. in between:

/interface lte firmware-upgrade lte11-att1 

  installed: R11eL_v02.14.173531         
     latest: R11eL_v05.04.193841

There is also a reddit forum suggesting similar issues with this modem: https://www.reddit.com/r/mikrotik/comments/hkqal1/ltap_mini_lte_firmware_issues/

What I noticed from the logs is that it gets an error on:
AT@FOTACHECK=“http://upgrade.mikrotik.com/firmware/R11e-LTE-US/”

The URL does not actually work from my browser (I guess it’s possible it only allowed from LTE network, but then opens a new set of questions).

The specific errors look like this:

 12:25:04 lte,async lte11-att1: sent AT@FOTACHECK="http://upgrade.mikrotik.com/fir
mware/R11e-LTE-US/"
 12:25:09 lte,error lte11-att1: reply timeout for: AT@FOTACHECK="http://upgrade.mi
krotik.com/firmware/R11e-LTE-US/"
 12:25:09 lte,account lte11-att1 session: 365s 298614/516037 bytes 1313/6368 packe
ts
 12:25:09 interface,info lte11-att1 link down
 12:25:09 lte,async lte11-att1: sent AT E0 V1
 12:25:19 lte,error lte11-att1: reply timeout for: AT E0 V1
 12:25:20 lte,async lte11-att1: sent AT E0 V1
 12:25:30 lte,error lte11-att1: reply timeout for: AT E0 V1
 12:25:30 lte,async lte11-att1: sent AT E0 V1
 12:25:35 lte,async lte11-att1: rcvd ERROR
 12:25:35 lte,async lte11-att1: sent AT+CFUN?
 12:25:35 lte,async lte11-att1: rcvd +CFUN: 1
 12:25:35 lte,async lte11-att1: sent AT+CFUN=4

When I do an “upgrade=yes”, the logs shows:
@SOCKDIAL:1
@FOTACHECK:“1839-1839-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX”,“52363264”
@FOTAIND:1,1
[ here, it pauses for MINUTES… based on similar AT manual, that means the FOTA FW upgrade is starting]
@FOTAIND:3,1
[This one would align with a generic failure message, again after 10 minutes of wait]

Anyway, I report this to Mikrotik with supout.rif. Shared here since clearly this upgrading these LTE-US modems is NOT easy, or seemingly possible. I’ll let this thread know what Mikrotik says - they’ve always responded to me when I’ve attached a supout.rif – now some times it takes many days, but always a response…

What looks to be an AT manual that’s at least close to whatever the Mikrotik US modem type actually is, I found here: https://www.avnet.com/opasdata/d120001/medias/docus/190/WTR-IMA2A-AT-Command-Guide-v1.2.pdf

13

I know about that problems and seams first device with store (out-of-box) cannot do a proper firmware upgrade.
MikroTik in cases at help.mikrotik.com share to clients the firmware package R11e-LTE-FW-Upgrade.zip and they can do firmware by using usb-mPCIe adapter.
Seams like R11e-LTE and R11e-LTE-US use similar or the same firmware upgrade package.
Some persons just give units to distributor who do that work for them and do that in all new units before shipments - this give idea that some problems in new stack of devices exist.

This is what I know about this from past cases I have.
Other problem is like that lte module use many USB EndPoints and we cannot use two that units together at MikroTIk M33G boards :(.

14

I check, this URL still give us R11eL_v16.02.183961 version and this mean ros7 try show us some other firmware but maybe this is fw for future release… only mikrotik know.
If anyone have option to check a firmware from ros6 vs ros7 then please confirm results.

15

Actually my backup ISP is down and I need buy a new SIM card to do the test.

Anyway I will inform about it.

I’m running ROS 6.48.0 and I’m waiting the release of 6.49 to upgrade.

Regards.

16

Sorry for the delay. I did hear back from Mikrotik, maybe a day later. The did provide the firmware and instructions, pretty exacting steps. Mainly the rebooting windows to allow unsigned USB drivers and carefully using “Device Manager” to load the right driver. There is a tool, but it not quite as friendly the Telit tools nor the single EXE Sierra Wireless using for their firmware upgrades.

In my case, the upgrade process didn’t work. It did upgrade the modem to v16, but erased some other data, specifically the “IMEI”. Modem worked with AT commands, except ones that need the IMEI like ATI, and a “+CME ERROR” is reported.

Now I think the upgrade would have worked, but I did use this same older Win10 laptop I use for “firmware flashing” and “netinstall” (normally use a Mac and/or VMWare – winbox/dude work fine, but a firmware upgrade…) :wink:). But I think Telit installs a similar Qualcomm driver to the one Mikrotik provides as part of the firmware upgrade. Essentially, I think the Mikrotik firmware tool ended up using a Telit driver at some point, and caused the delicate process to go awry. Tried several times in fact to see if could recover it. It do the upgrade again okay (show you its upgrading the same version the 2nd time) – but clearly the “personality” got erased/lost in the process. I have a dozen more R11e-LTE-US I could try… but not exactly a high priority since these things have been a PITA from day one. Pretty confident that doing a fresh Windows to do firmware upgrade WOULD work.

The Mikrotik tools did show the v12 and v16 versions only. Whatever firmware versions of my R11e-LTE-US that /interface/lte/firmware-upgrade was showing under ROS v7 clearly wasn’t related to what was actually on the chip. But I’m pretty sure the R11e-LTE-US with the v12 firmware will never support FOTA, so the instructions/tools/drivers to upgrade them on a PC are likely the only choice, either yourself or calling your distributor perhaps.

Anyway, that’s the report.

17

@SiB, I actually think: v16.02.183961 and v05.04.193841 are the same firmware version.

The upgrade ZIP I got a couple week ago has a file containing the upgrade from “v12” R11e-LTE-US:

R11eL_v16.02.183961_R11eL_v05.04.193841-MCP2+1

You’ll note is uses both v16 and v05.

Maybe Mikrotik standardized the firmware numbering for ROS v7, or something wacky. ROS v6 still shows the available “v16” upgrade for R11e-LTE-US “v12”.

One step further maybe v02.14.173531 = v12…

Thinking there are only two firmware images, old and new… If you have “old” = v12 or v02, you need the firmware upgrade on PC.

18

I can only say that .zip from MikroTik for person who want re-flash module have content:

19

Sorry for late!

Today I recovered my backup ISP and there is the information requested.

Edit: Today (07d-10m-21y) I upgraded to 6.49 and I got the same information.

Regards.

20

Have two of such modems and tried to perform firmware upgrade. Failed for me.
I assume solution is it still to request firmware from Mikrotik and perform local firmware upgrade. Correct?