On ASR8400, 2MB
Instructions:
Using the flash repair method normally entails uninstalling and reinstalling the USB driver (since the MACs change etc. the router is considered a new device).
Because the default IP changes from 10.0.0.2 to 192.168.1.254 I made adjustments to my host file, disabled my software firewall and VPN software (to prevent any interference).
Then I logged into http://192.168.1.254 using 'admin' and 'password' and then set the VCI, VPI, Encapsulation, Lease time, passwords, ISP details etc. The time taken to save the settings to memory is around 15 seconds compared to the 30 seconds it takes with most firmwares. Saving the settings doesn't do a cold reboot to the router (the PC-router connection doesn't drop) - it looks like it does a very warm reboot instead. The 'save & reboot' drops the WAN side connection but not the LAN side one.
There is a quick start page, which contains the PPP settings that are often specified by the ISP, as well as the usual ISP login details.
On first impression the layout is nice and compact, but most 'advanced' features are hidden in the menu and sometimes difficult to find. For example I haven't found the firewall toggle yet. Obviously the coders decided it was better to keep all the 'techy' stuff hidden from newbies, but it'll be a pain for the more seasoned user.
Can't find mention of the different firewall attack monitors (winnuke, ping
of death etc). Even though the System log doesn't mention the firewall has
loaded, the 'Security log' does seem to log entries - these seem slightly more
sophisticated than the 4.1.0.9.F-3.2.1_021804 SPI Firewall:
[with intrusion detection enabled]
Testing on GRC, all the ports are stealthed, but the ping test fails - no big deal, but I reckon it would pass if I could find the firewall switch. On further inspection, GRC ping test fails unless 'Block WAN request' is enabled - I guess that's what it's for.
There are lots of nice little features like URL blocking, packet filters (like the policies I guess), email notification on intrusions...
UPnP
The Misc page has the UPnP setting (disabled by default). Following Xeon's suggestion, I checked that 'Internet Gateway Device Discovery and Control Client' and 'Universal Plug and Play' Windows components were installed, but I didn't see any extra icons in 'Network Connections' nor 'Network Places'.
After a little more digging I found UPnP requires two services to be enabled:
SSDP Discovery Service
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
So I set these to automatic and rebooted my PC. Switching the router off and then on caused Windows to add a new icon in 'Network Places' called 'ADSL Router'. I had to let svchost access the router through ZoneAlarm (svchost is called 'Generic Host Process for Win32 Services' by ZoneAlarm).
However there is still no icon called 'Internet Connection' in the 'Network Connections' window. Disabling / re-enabling the USB connection in 'Network Connections' causes the 'Network Places' icon to disappear and reappear (as expected). Trying to 'Invoke' from the 'ADSL Router' icon generates this error message:
Maybe the USB connection is not capable of full UPnP? I may try it via the Ethernet connection...
Dynamic DNS is supported and has more services pre-loaded:
SNMP is not included in this firmware.
Most pages are the usual:
Having checked the backup/restore utility, it seems that this firmware's settings will be editable by the utility. The only difference is the firewall tickbox (since there is no firewall toggle as such). I may add the 'Block WAN Request' box to the utility instead.