RUTX modem encounters "Firmware validation failed due to invalid firmware image" when uploading custom device firmware

NETWORKING SOLUTIONS
1

Hi there,

We are building custom device firmware using the RUTOS SDK for a set of RUTX modems. When trying to upgrade the firmware on some RUTX11 modems, we get the following error once the image is uploaded:

Firmware validation failed due to invalid firmware image. Make sure your firmware is obtained from official sources.

Troubleshooting thus far has included:

  • Trying multiple RUTX11 modems
  • Checking Date/Time settings
  • Re-building the firmware for RUTOS 00.07.06.3 and 00.07.07.3
  • Upgrading from Server (pre-built firmware) first, then uploading custom firmware
  • Uploading the firmware to a RUTX09 - this modem accepts the custom firmware just fine.

Modem #1:
Product Code: RUTX1110XXXX
Hardware Revision: 1010
Batch #: 0041
Device Firmware: RUTX_R_00.07.07.3 (from Server) (was running custom firmware 00.07.06.3 when issues began)

Modem #2:
Product Code: RUTX1110XXXX
Device Firmware: RUTX_R_00.07.07.3 (from Server) (was running custom firmware 00.07.06.3 when issues began)

Modem #3 (RUTX09):
Product Code: RUTX0900XXXX
Hardware Revision: 0505
Batch #: 0023
Device Firmware: 00.07.07.3 (custom firmware)

We would appreciate help in understanding why this is occuring, and if there are changes we need in our build process to prevent this error from occuring. Thank you!

3

Hello,

The RUTX11 devices you are trying to flash with your custom SDK firmware are the North American version. Due to certain factors, the SDK firmware is not available for these devices. Please try using any RUTX110XXXXX device, and the SDK firmware should work just as it does on the RUTX09 device.

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image1047×440 60.1 KB

Best regards,

4

Thanks Marijus,

Just a few questions to understand:

  • Is it only the 00.07.07.3 and 00.07.06.3 SDKs which is not compatible with North American devices? Are older versions also not compatible?
  • For future reference, is there a place where compatibility is listed for each SDK?
  • Can we downgrade our North American modems to a compatible version? Would we need to downgrade to an official image first, then upload our custom firmware?

Thanks.

5

Hello,

Due to restrictions imposed by some American operators, the SDK will not work on products intended for the American market. This is the only exception, so there is generally no need to check SDK compatibility for other products.

Best regards,

6

Thank you for the response.

  • From your response, can we assume that our previous success upgrading North American modems to custom device firmware was coincidence?
  • We use the SDK to build Python 3 packages which cannot be installed using pip. Is there an approach to use the SDK to create packages that we could then upload to modems?

Cheers

7

Hello,

It seems like you tried to update the SDK firmware just before the new rules were implemented, which was a coincidence. Unfortunately, without the SDK, it won’t be possible to import unavailable Python packages using pip or upload them to the modem.

Best regards,

8

Thanks Marijus for the clarification and support.

We have come up with a workaround for our use case, which allows installation of custom Python packages on official device firmware. Thought I would share our steps for future reference:

  • Build the SDK
  • Copy the generated .ipk files from the bin/packages/<architecture>/base folder to the modem
  • Install each .ipk using opkg install

Best regards!

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