What is it for?
The functionality of the original Upvel firmware is significantly worse. In Zyxel, however, after the change, a number of components will not work and there is no online update option, only for the downloaded firmware. But for the rest, the full functionality of the original router is provided with a large amount of supported modem models, the ability to filter and much more, this is a conversation for a separate article.
I want to note that I learned about the possibility of firmware from the forum w3bsit3-dns.com, and about the possibility of just such a method of firmware from the user of this forum burraki.
Attention, you do all the manipulations with the equipment at your own peril and risk!
After the update, the router will reboot itself (it takes 2-5 minutes) we go administration-system commands.
We give a command that shows the partitions on the router's disk. Here the firmware lies in mtd6 "kernelrootFS". There is also a section mtd4 "kernel " but there the size is small and you cannot upload new software there.
We check the volume of the selected section with the command cat /proc /patitions, this is in order to understand whether there is enough volume to fill the new firmware from zyxel. Here it is indicated in KB. Filling in the firmware takes 3 604 540 bytes, we translate this section in the same bytes 7680 * 1024 and we understand that everything is OK.
Check which sda the flash drive is located on.
We find it by iteration ls /media /sda1 (it is not necessary to go through everything, if already on the first one you saw the files needed for the firmware). Needed here keen.bin (the rest just lay on the flash drive, you shouldn't pay attention to them)
We found out that the section for downloading the firmware is located in mtd6, the size of the partition is enough to load a new firmware and the flash drive is located on sda1.
Now we give the command mtd_write -r -e mtd6 write /media/sda1/keen.bin mtd6.
Everything! Within a couple of minutes, the router will update and reboot. Then we go to the network settings and set the network address 192.168.1.5 to the manual (the last digit is any except 1, since the router now has zyxel, respectively, and the subnet has changed). And also a keenetic 4G Wi-Fi network appeared.
We go to the web interface 192.168.1.1 and see the software from zyxel
You can up to the latest firmware version in the section Settings configuration and click on firmware select the downloaded firmware, the update takes several minutes.
This completes the update, let's use it!
Any software has many versions, each with the necessary fixes and bug fixes. Firmware is also a program installed on various devices, from smartphones to routers.
Zyxel Keenetic has more than one firmware. You need to install it only if the device really requires it, for example, there are problems with the network.
Before flashing Zyxel, you need to make sure that the required software is posted on the official website of your router's company. Usually, older versions always have firmware. Next, you need to reset the router. Each type of device has its own sequential guide. A popular method is to press the special Reset button on the router's body.
Where to download the Zyxel Keenetic firmware
The firmware of Zixel Kinetic and any other router is on the official page. It is recommended to take them there. If you haven't found it, you can take a chance and look at third-party resources, but be sure to check for viruses. Everything you need is located on the website https://www.zyxel.com/en/ru/support/download_landing.shtml. Enter the specific model of your device and download the type called "Firmware".
It is desirable to download the latest version. There are usually two options, version 1.0.0 and NDMS version v2.00. We look at the date of creation of the software and download. To be on the safe side, several options are loaded, if any.
The download file is packed into an archive, from which you need to get data with the .bin extension.
How to update the firmware of the Zyxel Keenetic router
The firmware on Zyxel is installed quite easily. There are several ways to do this procedure.
The main method is to use an Ethernet cable connection. You can upgrade via Wi-Fi, but not recommended.
Firstly, the flashing time is long, and secondly, something can happen to the equipment if the wireless signal disappears and the process is interrupted. This option is used last.
Online online
This is a method for those who have a stable Internet connection on their Zyxel router, but for some reason they need to flash it. We enter the control panel, then - on the "System" tab. We find on the right the block "Information about the system". If there are updates for the device, the line “Updates” will say “Available”. Click on the link.
At the bottom, press the update button and wait for it to download and install. Everything happens automatically. At the end of the process in the window you can see the word "No" opposite the line "Updates".
Also, during this procedure, an error sometimes occurs - "The maximum allowable size of the firmware is exceeded by x kbytes." You can just try restarting the router, and if it doesn't work, use a different method.
Via mobile app
The Zyxel router is controlled remotely using a smartphone. To do this, on the Play Market, there are ZyXEL Keenetic NetFriend or Zyxel My.Keenetic Android programs. The first option allows you to update the router software, the second changes the Wi-Fi parameters. We act as follows:
- Download, launch and see a window informing that the device is connected and ready to work. Just click OK.
- We connect to our wireless network.
- Next, we choose a provider.
- Enter the login and password provided by the Internet service provider. If other information is indicated, we also drive them in.
- In the next window, the "Update device" button should appear.
- The installation process will begin, and when everything is ready, a tip message will appear.
Offline without direct internet access
Another popular firmware method for a Zyxel Keenetic router is using a file without using the Internet.
Above, it was indicated where the Zyxel firmware files are downloaded from, the archive is unpacked to any convenient place on the computer.
We enter the control panel of the router. By standard, the IP address 192.168.1.1 is entered in the address bar, and the word admin is entered in both fields. 
Now go to the "System" section, click on the "Configuration" tab. Find the line firmware and click on it. The "File Management" window opens. Click "Browse", select the unpacked file with the extension .bin. Click "Replace". We confirm the replacement of the file by clicking the OK button. 
Firmware update for NDMS 2 00
If you plan to upgrade your Zyxel Keenetic router to version 2.00 or later, you should use the methods described above:
- We enter the control panel of the router using the username and password admin.
- In the "System" section on the "Configuration" tab, double-click on the firmware.
- In the window that opens, select the downloaded firmware and click "Replace".
- We are waiting for the end of the process.
How to restore a Zyxel Keenetic router if the firmware has flown
If the Zyxel firmware has crashed in case of an unsuccessful update, which often occurs when the process is interrupted, there is a special recovery utility.
It is called Keenetic Recovery. This tool is designed for the Windows operating system and is able to restore the functionality of most Keenetic models.
It is recommended to download the necessary components from the website at the link https://help.keenetic.com/hc/ru/sections/203198569. We unpack the downloaded archive to a convenient place on the computer and run the file with the extension.exe.
If this option does not fit, we use a more complex method:
Where are the network connection settings:
Conclusion
The Zixel Kinetic router firmware is a simple procedure if you follow all the update rules and choose a more suitable option.
ZyXEL KEENETIC 4G II is an excellent router from a well-known manufacturer. It stands out for its excellent technical characteristics, interesting design and compact size. Its main purpose is uninterrupted access to the World Wide Web using 4G cellular networks using popular USB modems. He is able to combine all the computer equipment and mobile accessories available in the house into one network. You can play online games on your smartphone, tablet, PC and laptop. The main condition is the presence of a 4G network of one of the mobile operators.
The router is designed to work with mobile modems
The ZyXEL KEENETIC 4G II router is very easy to configure, because it has a friendly firmware installed in relation to even an unprepared user. For guest devices, you can provide access to the global network, while restricting access to the information that is located in the home local network. ZyXEL has managed to come up with a great router that you can customize the way you want. To prevent anyone from connecting to your network, you can set a security password. The device has a powerful firewall. It will not allow an attack on your gadgets, which can be organized over the Internet.
The device from ZyXEL will provide an opportunity to access the World Wide Web via a dedicated Ethernet line. Thanks to this, you will be able to participate in file-sharing networks, as well as use all sorts of entertainment resources of your provider.
The main advantages of the device
The ZyXEL router can be configured to work with one of 60 famous models of USB-modems without additional utilities and complex adaptation. The advantages of the device include:
- mIPS® 24KEc processor, which operates at 360 MHz;
- setup in a few steps;
- you can set a password for the Wi-Fi connection;
- speed of work in mobile networks up to 30 MB / s.
Another advantage of the device is the presence of ZyXEL Link Duo technology. Thanks to it, it is possible to configure access for all gadgets not only to the Internet, but also to the home network through one dedicated line. If necessary, you can perform port forwarding in both manual and automatic modes. This will allow you to fully utilize your devices in file-sharing networks.
Setting up the device
You need to configure the ZyXEL router through a special web interface. We open any of the available browsers and in the address bar indicate the IP address of our device - 192.168.1.1. After a new window opens, enter admin in the "Username" line and 1234 in the "Password" field. This is the default value preset by the developer. Before proceeding with the settings, we recommend downloading the latest software from the official resource of the global network of ZyXEL. If there is one, then it needs to be installed. The router's firmware is needed to make it work more stable and be protected from hacking attempts from the World Wide Web.
We update the software of the device and configure it
To begin with, select the "System" - "Firmware" menu item and click "Browse". In the window that opens, you must specify the path to the firmware file, then click "Update". It will take some time to complete the process. After the update is complete, the router must be rebooted. At the moment when the software is being updated, it is forbidden to turn off the PC and the device from the outlet. This can damage the router.
Setting up your ZyXEL router for 3G and 4G networks is very simple. In the "System" - "Operating mode" section, you must select the appropriate operating mode:
- via USB-modem 3G;
- via 4G USB modem;
- via Wi-Fi;
- over a dedicated Ethernet line.
Having chosen to work from a 3G modem, in the appropriate section you need to indicate your operator, enter the phone number, APN name, username and password. The latter should consist of as many characters as possible. Click "Apply" and reboot the device. If you use an Ethernet network, then you can access the World Wide Web using the popular PPPoE, PPTP or L2TP protocols. After the required protocol is selected, we need to enter the server address, password, and username. All this data must be obtained from your provider. The remaining parameters can be left as default. This completes the configuration of this connection.
Zyxel Keenetic Internet centers are multifunctional devices that allow the user to solve a variety of tasks for managing a local network and access to the Internet. This multifunctionality is provided by the NDMS operating system. Therefore, if we talk about updating the firmware of Keenetic devices, then this process is identical for most routers of this model range, where this operating system is used. Let's see how this is done using the example of a Zyxel Keenetic 4G router.
NDMS is a fairly flexible operating system. It has the ability to update in several ways. Let's dwell on them in more detail.
Method 1: Update via the Internet
This method of updating the firmware is the most optimal. It does not require any specific knowledge from the user and almost completely excludes the possibility of error on his part. Everything is done in a few mouse clicks. To start the update process, you must:
After the process is complete, the router will reboot and in the system monitoring window you can see the following message: 
This means everything went well and the latest firmware version is being used.
Method 2: Update from file
In cases where there is no Internet connection or the user prefers to update the firmware manually, NDMS provides the ability to update from a previously downloaded file. All actions are carried out in two stages. First you need to do the following:
After the file with the firmware is saved in a convenient place on the computer, you can proceed to the direct update process. For this you will need:
After selecting a file, the button is activated "Replace"by clicking on which you can start the firmware update process. As in the previous case, everything will take a few minutes, then the router will reboot with the new version of NDMS.
These are the ways to update the firmware on Zyxel Keenetic. As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this procedure and it is quite within the power of even novice users.
