Updating the router's firmware

Your Asante FR3004 Series Router's interface and inner workings can be upgraded, much like upgrading the operating system on your computer. This is done via firmware upgrades. Asante is constantly adding features and fixing any bugs that may come up, so it is strongly advised that you keep your router's firmware up to date. Firmware updates can be found on www.asante.com. Click here to check for updates.

This guide will show you how to check what firmware version you have, and how to upgrade to the latest version


Step 1: Check which version of the firmware you have

  • Go to your router's managment interface from your web browser. (Default: 192.168.123.254)
  • Go to the Miscellaneous menu. Your firmware version number will be the first item listed under the "Miscellaneous Information & Commands" bar.
  • If you do not have a Miscellaneous menu or do not see the firmware version, go to the Status menu and look for the version number.
  • If you have version 1.87 or earlier, see below for instructions. If you have version 1.88 or later, click here to jump to instructions

Step 2: Upgrade from Firmware version 1.87 to 2.02

To ensure proper firmware upgrade, please disconnect your broadband modem from the WAN port of the router before attempting to upgrade the firmware

Instructions for Macintosh computers (If you have a Windows computer, see below)

  1. Click here to download Firmware version 2.02.
  2. Most Macintosh browsers will automatically unstuff the .hqx file into a folder named Firmware. If it does not automatically unstuff you need to use Stuffit Expander from Aladdin Software,which should have installed automatically with your browser. If you do not have a copy of this software it can be downloaded here.
  3. Disconnect your DSL/Cable modem from the router.
  4. Double click the Upgrade Firmware program to run it.
  5. Read and click OK on the window that pops up.
  6. Enter your router's IP address and password into the next window and hit the "Log in" button. (If you do not know your router's IP address, use the "Find Asante Router" program in the Firmware folder)
  7. If the connection to your router was successful, the "Upgrade" button should become available. Press it.
  8. You will see an "Open File" dialog box. Choose the file WF001.BIN file and press the Open button
  9. If you get the message "'WF001.BIN' is locked, so you will not be able to save any changes", this is normal. Hit OK to continue.
  10. Repeat steps 7-9 for the files WF001.BIN, WF002.BIN, and WF003.BIN after each file finishes.
  11. When you are done, press the "Log out" button.
  12. Make sure the upgrade was successful. Follow the steps in Step 1 to check the firmware version number.
  13. Reconnect your DSL/Cable modem to the router.

Instructions for Windows computers

  1. Click here to download Firmware version 2.02. Save it onto your desktop.
  2. Double-click on fr3004v2_2pc.exe program. Unzip the file onto your desktop.
  3. Disconnect your DSL/Cable modem from the router.
  4. Open the FR3004v2.2_PC folder. Double click the FN202.EXE program to run it.
  5. The software will search for the router on your network.
  6. Enter your router's IP address and password into the next window and hit the "Upgrade" button. The proceedure takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  7. Make sure the upgrade was successful. Follow the steps in Section 1 to check the firmware version number.
  8. Reconnect your DSL/Cable modem to the router.

3. Upgrading from firmware version 1.88 to 2.x

To ensure proper firmware upgrade, please disconnect your broadband modem from the WAN port of the router before attempting to upgrade the firmware

Instructions for Macintosh computers (If you have a Windows computer, see below)

  1. Click here to download Firmware version 2.02.
  2. Most Macintosh browsers will automatically unstuff the .hqx file into a folder named Firmware. If it does not automatically unstuff you need to use Stuffit Expander from Aladdin Software,which should have installed automatically with your browser. If you do not have a copy of this software it can be downloaded here.
  3. Disconnect your DSL/Cable modem from the router.
  4. Go to your router's managment interface from your web browser. (Default: 192.168.123.254)
  5. Go to the Miscellaneous menu.
  6. Click the button labeled "Firmware Upgrade..."
  7. Click on the "Browse" button. Find the folder containing the firmware files. Choose the file FN202.BIN. Click "Open".
  8. Click the "Upgrade" button in your managment interface.
  9. The router will automatically restart and reconfigure. You will see a new login screen. The password as been reset to the default, which is "admin". Enter it and press the "Login" button.
  10. Reconnect your DSL/Cable modem to the router.

Instructions for Windows computers

  1. Click here to download Firmware version 2.02. Save it onto your desktop.
  2. Double click the FR3004v2.2web.EXE file. Unzip the files onto your desktop.
  3. Disconnect your DSL/Cable modem from the router.
  4. Go to your router's managment interface from your web browser. (Default: 192.168.123.254)
  5. Go to the Miscellaneous menu.
  6. Click the button labeled "Firmware Upgrade..."
  7. Click on the "Browse" button. Find the folder containing the firmware files. Choose the file FN202.BIN. Click "Open".
  8. Click the "Upgrade" button in your managment interface.
  9. The router will automatically restart and reconfigure. You will see a new login screen. The password as been reset to the default, which is "admin". Enter it and press the "Login" button.
  10. Reconnect your DSL/Cable modem to the router.

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