Hardware Versioning

Hardware Versioning

Hardware Versioning
Hardware Versioning
Friday - last edited Monday
Model: ER8411  
Hardware Version: V1
Firmware Version: 1.1.0

I'm trying to understand the hardware versioning system, and am a bit confused.

 

I've reviewed the FAQ page on it, which says:

 

3. However, Vx.0 and Vx.x0 are version iterations and you can not upgrade firmware versions between different hardware versions.

For example, TL-SG1016PE V3 and V3.2 (V3.6 and V3.26) use different firmware versions, but their firmware version is not universal.

 

This is saying that "V3" and "V3.2" are different hardware versions. But, at the bottom of the page, it says:

 

TL-SG2210P  V3.0/V3.2 and V3.6 are the same, they have the same firmware version and the firmware versions are universal to each other.

 

So the first one seems to be saying that V3 and V3.2 are different hardware iterations, while the second one is saying that V3.0 and V3.2 are different hardware iterations. This seems contradictory.

 

My specific question is regarding the ER8411, and whether hardware versions v1.0 and v1.6 are the same physical hardware, and just made in different factories.

  0      
  0      
#1
Options
2 Accepted Solutions
Re:Hardware Versioning-Solution
Friday - last edited Monday

  @SomeNetEngineer 

 

I'm really annoyed with this version mess, but I guess it's a way for TP-Link to make money, make as many versions as possible that will soon be EOL to sell new ones. but here is an explanation of how TP-Link has tried to get some sort of system.

 

https://community.tp-link.com/en/business/forum/topic/654228

 

 

Recommended Solution
  1  
  1  
#5
Options
Re:Hardware Versioning-Solution
Monday - last edited Monday

Hi @SomeNetEngineer 

Thanks for posting in our business forum.

In rare cases, refer to the note it included on the product or firmware page. If it specifically marks V1.0=V1.20=V1.60 and their firmware can be universal. That's a special case and we don't explain this in the Knowledge Base or elsewhere.

The firmware and product page also explicitly explains the same thing as the KB post.

 

Usually, the performance and quality are likewise between 1.0 and 1.2 but the chipset or architecture is different between them. As you know, the chipset may not be available after some time and we may need an alternative solution company to continue the production.

We tried to not mix the versions if we had major components changed. A new version is necessary to separate them and we can tell that easily by knowing the version.

 

X.6 or X.26 mainly means a different manufacture in another region. We have two main manufacture locations and we are expanding another one in the Americas(I cannot recall what country is that but it is based in Americas).

 

I think I have explained this multiple times on the forum. If you would like to do some search work.

 

(Some models or versions are not planned to be sold or available in certain countries. So you don't see it available on your local website.)

Best Regards! If you are new to the forum, please read: Howto - A Guide to Use Forum Effectively. Read Before You Post. Look for a model? Search your model NOW Official and Beta firmware. NEW features! Subscribe for the latest update!Download Beta Here☚ ☛ ★ Configuration Guide ★ ☚ ☛ ★ Knowledge Base ★ ☚ ☛ ★ Troubleshooting ★ ☚ ● Be kind and nice. ● Stay on the topic. ● Post details. ● Search first. ● Please don't take it for granted. ● No email confidentiality should be violated. ● S/N, MAC, and your true public IP should be mosaiced.
Recommended Solution
  1  
  1  
#6
Options
5 Reply
Re:Hardware Versioning
Friday - last edited Friday

  @SomeNetEngineer 

 

the version stuff TP-Link is doing is complete chaos, I have considered other solutions precisely because of that, you never know what you will get when you order a product, in some cases the product is already EOL.
but I think v1 and 1.6 are the same, version 1.20 is different hardware. when I look at which router is in Omada, ver1.20 is a new router.

 

 

 

 

 

  0  
  0  
#2
Options
Re:Hardware Versioning
Friday

  @MR.S This is so weird. On the ER8411 support page, v1.20 isn't even listed as an option. Yet it's in the Omada Controller software?

  0  
  0  
#3
Options
Re:Hardware Versioning
Friday

@MR.S So there appear to be multiple different support pages for this router:

https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/download/er8411/

https://www.tp-link.com/my/support/download/er8411/

 

The US one lists v1.0 and v1.6. The Malaysia one lists v1.0 and v1.20.

 

So in the US, you can get the same version made in two different factories, but in Malaysia you can get two different hardware versions made in the same factory?

 

What the heck are they doing?

  0  
  0  
#4
Options
Re:Hardware Versioning-Solution
Friday - last edited Monday

  @SomeNetEngineer 

 

I'm really annoyed with this version mess, but I guess it's a way for TP-Link to make money, make as many versions as possible that will soon be EOL to sell new ones. but here is an explanation of how TP-Link has tried to get some sort of system.

 

https://community.tp-link.com/en/business/forum/topic/654228

 

 

Recommended Solution
  1  
  1  
#5
Options
Re:Hardware Versioning-Solution
Monday - last edited Monday

Hi @SomeNetEngineer 

Thanks for posting in our business forum.

In rare cases, refer to the note it included on the product or firmware page. If it specifically marks V1.0=V1.20=V1.60 and their firmware can be universal. That's a special case and we don't explain this in the Knowledge Base or elsewhere.

The firmware and product page also explicitly explains the same thing as the KB post.

 

Usually, the performance and quality are likewise between 1.0 and 1.2 but the chipset or architecture is different between them. As you know, the chipset may not be available after some time and we may need an alternative solution company to continue the production.

We tried to not mix the versions if we had major components changed. A new version is necessary to separate them and we can tell that easily by knowing the version.

 

X.6 or X.26 mainly means a different manufacture in another region. We have two main manufacture locations and we are expanding another one in the Americas(I cannot recall what country is that but it is based in Americas).

 

I think I have explained this multiple times on the forum. If you would like to do some search work.

 

(Some models or versions are not planned to be sold or available in certain countries. So you don't see it available on your local website.)

Best Regards! If you are new to the forum, please read: Howto - A Guide to Use Forum Effectively. Read Before You Post. Look for a model? Search your model NOW Official and Beta firmware. NEW features! Subscribe for the latest update!Download Beta Here☚ ☛ ★ Configuration Guide ★ ☚ ☛ ★ Knowledge Base ★ ☚ ☛ ★ Troubleshooting ★ ☚ ● Be kind and nice. ● Stay on the topic. ● Post details. ● Search first. ● Please don't take it for granted. ● No email confidentiality should be violated. ● S/N, MAC, and your true public IP should be mosaiced.
Recommended Solution
  1  
  1  
#6
Options