TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#1

Post by westbywest » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 1:19 AM UTC

TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation
ml.ninux.org

Re: TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#2

Post by manyxcxi » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 4:23 AM UTC

Well crap... I have two C7s. IMO there might not be (or at least have been) a better mainstream router for the price.

Re: TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#3

Post by AndyMcConachie » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 4:29 AM UTC

manyxcxi wrote: post #2

Well crap... I have two C7s. IMO there might not be (or at least have been) a better mainstream router for the price.

It's not cheap, but it's badass. https://omnia.turris.cz/en/

Re: TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#4

Post by westbywest » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 4:54 AM UTC

manyxcxi wrote: post #2

Well crap... I have two C7s. IMO there might not be (or at least have been) a better mainstream router for the price.

It's expected other manufacturers will begin locking down their firmware. Ubiquiti, for example, already does.

Re: TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#5

Post by westbywest » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 4:56 AM UTC

Some people/organizations associated with this thread on ninux.org have a Gofundme page to collect funds supporting their efforts in persuading more coherent action from the FCC. https://www.gofundme.com/save_wifi_round_2

Re: TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#6

Post by jackinloadup » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 6:35 AM UTC

So sad, I got a nice tplink for my mother and installed openwrt to gain some more control over the device. Unfortunate to see this support go away due to government.

Re: TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#7

Post by tjohns » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 6:40 AM UTC

westbywest wrote: post #4

manyxcxi wrote: post #2

Well crap... I have two C7s. IMO there might not be (or at least have been) a better mainstream router for the price.

It's expected other manufacturers will begin locking down their firmware. Ubiquiti, for example, already does.

Out of curiosity, why would you want to reflash an Ubiquiti AP or router? They tend to be extremely feature rich, since they target enterprise and professional customers.

Re: TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#8

Post by shmerl » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 6:50 AM UTC

So arguments from FCC were bogus. It did result in locked devices. What's next? Will other manufacturers do that as well?

Re: TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#9

Post by mbreese » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 6:57 AM UTC

I'd be hesitant to trust what comes from a CS rep regarding a manufacturer's policy regarding the interpretation/compliance of an FCC rule. TP-Link may have just decided to lock down their devices regardless.

I'm not saying this "report" isn't accurate... I'd just rather hear this from someone other than a random CS chat.

Re: TP-Link begins router firmware lockdown due to FCC proposed regulation

#10

Post by esbranson » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 6:58 AM UTC

https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Save_WiFi

The FCC publishes a 90-page document on an extremely technical subject and required any comments to be submitted within 7 weeks. It would take the average aficionado several weeks just to find out about it.

The real issue here is that government agencies like the FCC are willfully excluding all but the best organized (read: best funded) groups from participating. And just like with Net Neutrality, no matter how many comments are submitted by poor people, only when the rich (the companies) and the powerful (President Obama) say something do they even bother to listen.