Confusing... firmware update to Yealink T46...

[FredyWenger]

We actually have various firmware versions to Yealink T46/T48 in place (66.83.0.10, 66.83.0.55 and 66.84.0.10).
I wanted to update the firmware to the latest with the “+Firmware “-button in the console.
=> This don’t work :-(
It seems as the device is touched (red lamp blinks), but the firmware is not applied.

Then, I have searched the internet and found in the forum, that an update only can be done, if the latest firmware version (before the actual version) is installed on the device.
Further, the update version showed in the console is 66.84.0.95 whereby the latest version to download in the Yealink site is 66.84.0.90

Questions:
Can it really be, that 3cx is not able to do the firmware update automatically, if not the last firmware version already is installed on the device- and if yes, why?
Further, I have read, that for FW versions < 66.83.0.55, first a “special update” (66.84.0.35) has to be installed to be able to install newer versions.
Is that correct?
Is it possible to install (at least) the firmware update directly via device web interface to the device (without the need to update any single release)?
Why does 3cx (console) show a higher version to the firmware (.95) as the download page of the vendor (.90)?

And... finally the most important question:
Why cannot 3cx handled this for all 3CX customers?!?
-> Check the needed versions and - if really not possible to install directly the latest FW version - install all needed interim versions one after another...?

Thanks

 

[craigreilly]

I do not have any Yealinks to test - but always use the latest version on the 3cx site/console. It is the latest with 3cx enhancements/modifications.

 

[complex1]

@FredyWenger

https://www.3cx.com/sip-phones/yealink-t4-series/
Please read Step 1

 

[FredyWenger]

@complex1: I have read it already - but this don't answer my questions.
But thanks anyway...

 

[Alphabetic]

you specify no detail on your setup.

Can it really be, that 3cx is not able to do the firmware update automatically, if not the last firmware version already is installed on the device- and if yes, why?

Correct. This is a manual process at the moment.
Further, I have read, that for FW versions < 66.83.0.55, first a “special update” (66.84.0.35) has to be installed to be able to install newer versions.

Is that correct?
Yes, as Per https://www.3cx.com/blog/news/yealink-firmware-update/ You will have to update manually.

Is it possible to install (at least) the firmware update directly via device web interface to the device (without the need to update any single release)?
No. 3CX Yealink firmware is different from Yealink support download FW. You must use 3CX Yealink FW to be supported.
https://www.3cx.com/support/phone-firmwares/


Why does 3cx (console) show a higher version to the firmware (.95) as the download page of the vendor (.90)?
Custom 3CX FW.
https://www.3cx.com/support/phone-firmwares/

And... finally the most important question:
Why cannot 3cx handled this for all 3CX customers?!?
-> Check the needed versions and - if really not possible to install directly the latest FW version - install all needed interim versions one after another...?
Thats the way it is at the moment. Maybe this is on purpose. If 3CX forced FW upgrade and your phone power died and bricked the phone, you would ultimately blame 3CX. If your phones were on supported 3CX FW then pushing updates via 3CX wouldnt be a problem. It's your fault you've left it on unsupported version.

 

[Greg.Mohr]

I have gone through this process and have had to update to the interim fw 66.84.0.35 first on a systems with over 45 phones. About half accepted the installation manually. Then they were able to be upgraded to the latest FW 66.84.0.95. That still leaves issues with the balance that I will have to go onsite, revert them to factory default and reprovision them, upgrade the FW and then upgrade to the current FW. Not a great experience, especially when you set the system to automatically update. Now turned off on all my customers so I don;t have to deal with this type of issue again.

 

[Alphabetic]

that blog post was 2018 telling you to get to .55 so where have you been? You could have pushed out that update from the management console.

I find find it a little amusing that you don’t like the fact you have to manually upgrade your phones but have now turned off automatic updates so you have to manually apply those.

 

[complex1]

This blog post was posted on October 25th, 2018 to be exactly.
https://www.3cx.com/blog/news/yealink-firmware-update/

 

[cobaltit]

For the record, the firmware issue was one created by Yealink, not 3CX.

 

[FredyWenger]

@kieferschild:
Thanks for your detailed and helpful reply

Only one more question:
My question:
"Is it possible to install (at least) the firmware update directly via device web interface to the device (without the need to update any single release)?"
Your answer:
"No. 3CX Yealink firmware is different from Yealink support download FW. You must use 3CX Yealink FW to be supported."
My question meant, if it is possible to install the latest firmware before the 3cx FW version via device web interface (= skip e.g. 3 Yealink FW versions) to .90 and than update to the 3cx FW version .95 via console.
Thanks again

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Hi @FredyWenger

Yes this is possible, it is exactly was described in step 1 of our guide:

"If you are currently on a firmware version lower than x.84.0.35, and your model accepts a higher version, you need to manually upgrade to version x.84.0.35 prior to upgrading to a higher version"

Yours is lower, so you have to do it manually and then when the phone is ready, you can do the remaining upgrade via your 3CX management console. The manufacturer often has good reasons to prevent direct upgrades, so they program the phone to reject the new firmware if the "minimum version requirement" is not met.

 

[FredyWenger]

@JohnS_3CX:
Thanks for your answer - it's clear now for me.
But it really would be nice, if 3cx would be able handle that for the customers...
-> Collect all FW updates to the installed devices on the 3cx.
If a firmware upgrade is applied in the console, handle all needed updates in a row to the latest 3cx version.
I don't have enabled auto updates for security reasons and as to serve the 3cx ist not my main job. And - I think - I'm not the only one that don't have set auto updates...
Thanks again

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Hi Fredy,

There are many devices and many firmware version to keep track of. We recommend that you always update to the latest version, so that it will not be necessary to maintain a back catalog of so many versions across all supported devices.

Otherwise, you will have to take care of it manually as described in the guide for this one time, and then from that point onward use the management console to deploy newer firmware. They don't get updated very often so if you check your updates section every now and then you should be fine.

Important Note: Enabling auto-updates is irrelevant here because it does NOT update the firmware on the phones. New firmware must be deployed manually via the management console.