D-Link DCM-202 and Firmware How-To

Because I’m a cheap bastard, I decided to buy my cable modem instead of rent or buy from Comcast.

Review

It’s hard to review a cable modem really. Sites like CNet can do group comparisons, but I have neither the cash nor the time to do a full comparison like that. I can use it for a bit to see if I need to reset it and what kinds of speeds I can get.

In those two regards, this modem is excellent. I haven’t needed to reset the modem once. I’ve also been getting 800 KB/s downloads. That translates to 6.25 Mbps, which is actually a quarter of a Megabit greater than the service I’m supposedly getting. I’m happy with that.

I can recommend the D-Link DCM-202 without reservation. Go get yours at Amazon.com.

Updating the Firmware with a Mac

Most routers let anyone with a slightly modern web browser update the firmware using a web page form. It’s child’s play. The D-Link DCM-202 isn’t quite as easy. Fortunately, cable modems don’t need regular updates.

There is a single update aimed at Comcast users. Keep in mind that my modem was working just fine, but I’m an update junkie. I simply can’t leave well enough alone. Well, you can imagine my disappointment when I found out that D-Link only provided files to perform the update on a Windows machine. The update was three parts, the firmware file, the instructions, and a Windows update utility.

The thing is though, the Windows update utility is really just a TFTP server. What happens when you update is that you activate the TFTP client in the modem and tell it to download from a TFTP server (generally the one being run via the Windows utility they supply).

What few people know is that Mac OS X includes a built-in TFTP server. That’s right, with a stock OS X installation, you too can update this firmware. A few caveats before the instructions. If you are looking for someone to blame should something go wrong, don’t use these instructions. I can’t make any guarantees. You’ll also need to use the Terminal.

  1. Download the latest relevant firmware update from D-Link. You should see have three files when you’re done downloading and decompressing: the instructions, the firmware, and the Windows utility. Verify you have these three files. The name of the firmware at time of publication was Hitr252.bin.

  2. Copy the firmware into the TFTP server directory. To do this, use the following command in the Terminal and authorize when prompted for password. 

    sudo cp /path/to/Hitr252.bin /private/tftpboot/

  3. Activate the TFTP server. You’ll also probably want to disable any firewalls. Use the following command in the Terminal to start the TFTP server. 

    sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist

  4. Configure your network settings. You’ll need to visit Network in System Preferences. Go to the Ethernet configuration and set it to use 192.168.100.2 as the IP address and 255.255.255.0 as the subnet mask. Make sure you apply those settings.

  5. Connect your Mac directly to the modem via an Ethernet cable. You’ll probably also want to disconnect the coaxial cable from the cable modem.

  6. Telnet into the cable modem. You’ll need to use another Terminal command for this one.

    telnet 192.168.100.1 23

  7. Log into the modem. Use username dlink and password dlink.

  8. Tell the modem to download the firmware from the TFTP server you’re running. You’re going to type a command to the modem which you’ve connected through telnet to. 

    dload 192.168.100.2 Hitr252.bin

  9. Wait until the modem resets and the cable light turns blinking amber. The Ethernet light will also be dark.

  10. Reset the modem using the pinhole in the back. Hold down for 7 seconds.

  11. Verify the firmware correctly updated. Point your web browser at 192.168.100.1. Log in with username admin and password hitron. I think my username or password may have differed from these (I’m basing these instructions of the D-Link provided ones). Once you’re logged in, look for the firmware version. It should match what you uploaded.

You’re done! You just did the impossible by doing something that normally would require a PC. Enjoy the new firmware and the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

Update: David notes that he had to use different IP addresses than what I wrote. My bad. I’m correcting them.

As a side note, I had to use “100″ in the following steps rather than “0″ (zero):
STEP 4: 192.168.0.2–>192.168.100.2
STEP 6: 192.168.0.1–>192.168.100.1
STEP 11: 192.168.0.1–>192.168.100.1

He also confirmed the username and password. Thanks David!

  • Muhammad

    Hi,
    I am having problems updating the firmware. I am following the instructions provided and while it is downlaodin the firmware update, it says Download Error. Anyone encountered this?


    Please help. email - mridha@rashidtz.com

  • lechasseur2

    For Muhammad;


    Make sure your cable modem is disconnected from your ISP before you do the upgrade. I had the same problem as you. I disconnected, powered off the modem for a minute, powered it back on and I was able to do the file transfer.

  • lechasseur2

    I own a PC. I did the upgrade as described for Comcast using the USB port instead of the ethernet port.


    After the reset, the ethernet port on the DCM is dead. Did the Comcast USB update kill then ethernet capability of the DCM?

  • Thanks for the great, clear directions. Worked perfectly!

  • Trey

    Just thought I would add a few tips I found for anyone trying to load the firmware WITH Windows.


    1.Be sure to disconnect the coax and power down the Cable modem before doing the tranfer.


    2.The Login/Password does NOT reset to admin/hitron. I performed the upgrade and mine stayed default:dlink/dlink


    <ol>
    <li>

    The upgrade seems to allow the modem to be capable of Speedboost, which is a bandwidth traffic system. The system was created for Comcast, but used by Cox as well. I actually work for the latter, and I will be taking this to the higherups. I was under the impression the system was all CMTS and up. Interesting.

    </li>
    <li>

    The cable modem web interface is not fully compatible with Firefox 2.0. But IETab takes care of that.

    </li>
    </ol>

    Know thy technology; love thy technology.

  • Great write up on the firmware upgrade. I just did the upgrade for the same reason: my modem worked, but I just had to have the latest version ;-)

  • Shrinivas

    I have successfully updated firmware (comcast one) which is available at dlink site.


    Now DHCP is not working, Telnet is also not working .. How can I revert back to original firmware?

  • Rolan

    how to revert back to original firmware?

  • Rolan

    urgent,please tell me how to revert back

  • Jim

    Is it just me, or does the Comcast firmware prevent any further firmware upgrades? I installed the Comcast firmware, and my cable modem no longer accepts telnet connections, nor does it permit me to use most of the web user interface. I guess that's no great problem right now, but if I switch away from Comcast some day I'll want to get rid of the Comcast firmware, and I'm not sure I'll be able to.


    I'll be terribly annoyed if Comcast induced me to install firmware which may cripple my ability to use my cable modem with other ISPs in the future.

  • Wait, are you telling me you actually installed firmware into your cable modem, that was provided by the cable company?!?


    Congrats, you just got bent over and RAPED! See Jim's observations, above, about why you ought not to do this...


    The aptly-named COX cable company used to (maybe still does?) give out an "Internet CD" with their service, back in 2003/2004 or so. Obviously nobody needed it, so what was it for? It was cram-packed with spyware!


    If I had comcast and service that worked, I would never install "the comcast firmware". If there were a problem that could be resolved by an update, I would install the update provided by the vendor that was NOT company specific. Or get a different modem.


    Cable companies are media whores - television mostly, but more and more, internet too. Don't forget that - be reminded every time they spam you with ads for boring TV shows (lol TV sucks! Ads suck!) and try to ram that unwanted digital television package up your ass when all you wanted in the first place was an IP address...

  • DCM-202 FIRMWARE HELP THAT WOR

    NOTE:
    UPDATING FIRMWARE IS PERMANENT!
    YOU CANNOT REVERT BACK!
    IF YOU HAVE COMCAST CABLE, THIS FIRMWARE IS SUPPOSED TO WORK WITH COMCAST'S SPEEDBOOST TECHNOLOGY. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS UPDATE TRULY INCREASES THOROUGHPUT.
    I HAVE NOT TESTED WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN USE THE MODEM AFTER THIS UPDATE ON ANY OTHER CABLE SERVICE, BUT I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY THIS UPDATE WOULD LEAVE YOUR MODEM USELESS.


    5 YEARS OF INSTALLING CABLE MODEMS. NOT AN EXPERT ON FIRMWARE THOUGH BUT UNDERSTAND THE TECHNOLOGY.


    ADDED Procedures that WORK!
    If it says ADDED, you must do additionally!


    (Tips that have been left out that must be done)


    Just thought I would add a few tips (to Treys) that work for anyone trying to load the firmware WITH Windows and are STILL having problems.


    <ol>
    <li>ADDED! I recommend first to reset the modem back to defaults prior to firmware update! </li>
    </ol>

    Above the power input behind the modem, use a paperclip and push down on the reset button for 10 seconds. Release. Modem reboots and resets to defaults.


    <ol>
    <li>Be sure to disconnect the coax and power down the Cable modem before doing the transfer.
    For some reason having an internet connection messes with the transfer packets during download and you will get an UNABLE TO DOWNLOAD message.</li>
    </ol>

    ADDED! Turn the modem back on before starting firmware update!


    <ol>
    <li>Follow the firmware update procedure exactly.</li>
    </ol>

    ADDED! The download to the device will stall for about 20 seconds then the automatic firmare update will continue. Once completed, the
    modem will reboot automatically.


    <ol>
    <li>ADDED admin/hitron DOES NOT WORK! To check the correct version 2.0.1 is installed correctly use login: dlink password: dlink</li>
    </ol>

    The Login/Password does NOT reset to
    admin/hitron after update either. I performed the upgrade and mine stayed default:dlink/dlink NOT admin/hitron. (You can change this if you like later in change login once connected to your modem webpage.)


    <ol>
    <li>

    ADDED! A MUST DO! Revert back to dhcp for either ethernet or usb tcp/ip in opposite of step 4. (for those of you who claim they have no connection after updating firmware.) :)


    Good Luck! Hope this helps.

    </li>
    </ol>
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