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Calix What Is Firmware

Firmware is the underlying software that controls a router's functions. It needs to be regularly updated to fix bugs, improve performance, and enhance security protections from evolving online threats. While most devices automatically notify users of OS updates, routers require manual firmware updates. It's important to keep a router's firmware up to date either by handling the updates yourself or opting for a managed Wi-Fi service that performs updates remotely.

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123 views

Calix What Is Firmware

Firmware is the underlying software that controls a router's functions. It needs to be regularly updated to fix bugs, improve performance, and enhance security protections from evolving online threats. While most devices automatically notify users of OS updates, routers require manual firmware updates. It's important to keep a router's firmware up to date either by handling the updates yourself or opting for a managed Wi-Fi service that performs updates remotely.

Uploaded by

test00
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FACT SHEET

What is firmware
and why do I need
to update it?
Most of us understand how important it is to keep our
smartphones, laptops and other connected devices updated
with the latest version of the operating system, otherwise known
as “the OS”. With each new OS version— whether it’s Apple iOS,
Google Android, Microsoft Windows or something else—updates
are made to fix bugs, add new functionality, improve performance,
or enhance the important security features that protect our
personal data and privacy.
Fortunately, most device manufacturers make the update process simple.
They send us a notification when a new version of the OS is ready, and
all we have to do is confirm we want to install it. A few minutes later, our
device is updated and ready to use again.
But what about the Wi-Fi router that’s been sitting on the shelf untouched
for the last couple of years? Does it need updating, too? The answer is yes,
of course! The software that runs on your Wi-Fi router is known as “firmware”,
and even if your home Wi-Fi seems to be working well, regularly updating
the firmware on your router is extremely important.

What exactly is firmware?


Firmware is the software that comes preinstalled on the router. Every router
manufacturer has its own version of this software. And, like the operating
systems that run on your smart phone or your personal computer, it controls
all the inner workings of the device. For example, it’s the firmware that makes
it possible for your router to communicate wirelessly with your devices; it helps
protect your network from malware, viruses and other threats; and it provides
the administration software that you use to manage your router’s settings.

Why do I need to update my firmware?


You might be wondering, why do I have to worry about updating the firmware
on my router if everything seems to be working just fine? One obvious
FACT SHEET

reason is performance. Everybody wants their home Wi-Fi to be fast and


accessible from every room in the house. Firmware updates provide bug
fixes and technology improvements that lead to a better overall Wi-Fi
experience for you and your family.
Another critical advantage of keeping your router firmware up to date is
the security protection it provides. We hear about new threats to our online
security almost every week. Increasingly, these threats are specifically
targeting home Wi-Fi networks. For example, did you know that if your
router is poorly secured it can be taken over remotely by a hacker? What’s
worse, hackers can then use it, along with thousands of other hijacked
routers, to launch malicious cyberattacks on organizations and their
websites and networks. If your firmware is out of date, your router could be
hijacked in this way and there’s a good chance you wouldn’t even know it.
While there are many different aspects of home network security (such as
changing your passwords regularly), the first in preventing serious problems
is to make sure you always have the latest firmware version installed on
your router.

How do I update my router firmware?


Making sure your firmware is up to date is clearly important, but how do
you go about updating it? If you purchased a “Managed Wi-Fi” service from
your Internet Service Provider, then the answer is simple. You can call your
ISP to find out if your router has the latest firmware version, or you can do
nothing. Because as part of your Managed Wi-Fi service, your ISP should
ensure that your router always has the latest version installed. They don’t
even need to come to your house; they can do it all remotely.
On the other hand, if you’ve purchased your own router, there are several
steps involved in updating your firmware. First you need to consult the
router’s user manual and find out how to log in to your router’s admini-
stration panel from your computer. Once you’re logged in, there is some-
times an option to download and install the latest firmware. If your router
doesn’t provide this option, you need to verify which version of the firmware
you currently have and then search the Internet to find out where to down-
load the latest version. Once you’ve downloaded it, you need to follow the
detailed instructions that explain how to get the new firmware from your
computer to your router. This can be a complicated and time-consuming
process, especially if you’re not very technical.

Should I consider getting Managed Wi-Fi?


A Managed Wi-Fi service provides many benefits, one of which is that you
never have to worry about updating your firmware. You can take advantage
of the latest features and be confident you’re protected from known security
threats. To learn more about Managed Wi-Fi, contact your service provider.

2777 Orchard Parkway San Jose, CA 95134 | T: 1 877 462 2549 | F: 1 707 283 3100 | www.calix.com

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