Downgrading FVS318v1 and FVS318v2 Firmware

There are now three versions of the FVS318. A description of differences appears on the Support Product Page.

NETGEAR is not offering to replace earlier versions of hardware with later versions.

Which Software Runs on Each?

• FVS318(v1) can use software versions 1.x and 2.x. It will not run version 3.x.
• FVS318v2 requires software versions 2.x. It will not run versions 1.x or 3.x.
• FVS318v3 requires software versions 3.x. It will not run versions 1.x or 2.x.

Different software versions are required due to hardware changes.

In December 2003, minor hardware changes were made to the FVS318 due to component availability, the succeeding model was called FVS318v2. These changes require new drivers that are not in version 1 software. Because of this, the newer FVS318v2 router requires version 2 software and cannot be downgraded to any version 1 software.

In December 2004, the FVS318 was redesigned to use a different and more powerful microprocessor, and this model is the FVS318v3. The new processor is a different architecture from the previous processor, and requires different software. This version 3 software will not run on the previous models.

Note that functionality is very similar between FVS318 and FVS318v2 router models, but that FVS318v3 has significant differences.

Yes.

Doc: N101289.asp Jan. 13, 2005