DCS WIU WIFI Firmware Update is out

Was I supposed to get an instruction manual with my WIFI unit? I didn't. All I received was the quick start guide. I tried clicking on the link and cant get it to show up. What is a LUCI interface?

Click on the link in the 3rd line of the initial post.  I'd attach it as a file but don't want to be accused of copyright infringement.

mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/download/instruction/50as13515i.pdf

Firmware Link: http://mthtrains.com/wiu-11-fi...re-upgrade-available

Manual Link: http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...ction/50as13515i.pdf

The units didn't ship with the manual, you either view it or download it on-line. You will have to download the update to your PC. Then you will have to power up your WIFI unit without it being plugged into your TIU. You will use the PC's WIFI connection to connect to the WIFI unit.  The manual walks you through it.

Scott Smith

Meet my I.T. Department, I will have to buy them pizza again. 

To do the Firmware Upgrade. 

When adding the password use small letters "mthdcs" the manual shows capital letters.

What happens if I load the new firmware and use the original app since the updated app is not available yet?

Installed app and new firmware on my 2 WIUs.  Went easily.  Initial reaction is substantial improvement in reading locos.   Samsung S6 phone works much better with the wifi than it did before.  I'll have to wring it out when I have a chance.

Unknown at this time.

I've been told that the beta app works with the original WIU firmware and I suspect that the reverse is true, as well.

However, I haven't done either myself so I don't know for sure.

Scott,

Thank you for posting this information.

Ed

Yes thanks Scott for posting.  I'll install it tonight.

I don't know how you're trying to do it, but since it's a network thing, the procedures are new.

You must have the full wifi manual available, which can be downloaded.  In it read how to use LuCI.  You will have to use a computer that has wireless access.  On it, look for a network with the name on the bottom of your WIU.  Enter the access ID set out in the manual, mthdcswifi, in lower case, not caps as the manual says.  You will then have to type an IP into your browser to open the access.

Al,

wiu-1.1.0bin

The name is wrong. Rename it to wiu_1.1.0.bin

Got it Barry.Thanks

What is a LUCI interface?

If you read the wifi manual (see extracted pages above), you'll see that it is the software that is apparently built into the wifi unit to permit upgrading firmware and for other purposes.

to permit upgrading firmware and for other purposes.

You mean this isn't the LAST upgrade!!

Are you still running MS-DOS or IBMDOS on your computer?  Have you never installed upgraded firmware on a piece of hardware?  I sincerely hope that in the future MTH, like the computer hardware and software companies, continually improves their product.

It may well be that when the pro app comes out with more capabilities, that the firmware will need another upgrade---or it may not.

I installed the new firmware into my two WiFi units...  I found the updated Android app on Google Play this morning and I updated the app in my tablet...  I spent about an hour this afternoon testing it all...  All the engines were found and active engines remained on the active list while  I was adding new engines...  So far all seems to operate properly without any of the difficulties I encountered with the first releases...

I have not found the updated app available on the Apple store yet; but Apple may have a longer review cycle before making it available...  [Got a text from a friend just now and he stated that the app just updated automatically on his phone but mine has not as of yet.]

The Users manual states that, when updating the firmware, to wait for 3 minutes before removing the power from the WiFi unit and reconnecting it to the layout... It states that the "Flashing Firmware" screen will remain...  However, when I did the firmware updates the web page returned to the LuCI home screen after about 2.5-2.75 minutes... I did notice that a small print notice at the bottom of the home screen indicated that the firmware was at v1.1 [or 1.1.0, I don't remember how many digits]... Bringing up the Status page also showed the firmware had been updated... 

I updated directly on my home network by telling the browser to go to 192.168.1.131 and 192.168.1.132; those are the two addresses I have reserved for the WiFi units...  I don't know if using the MTH network would operate differently...  Barry, would you comment on this please...

Jim,

The Users manual states that, when updating the firmware, to wait for 3 minutes before removing the power from the WiFi unit and reconnecting it to the layout... It states that the "Flashing Firmware" screen will remain...  However, when I did the firmware updates the web page returned to the LuCI home screen after about 2.5-2.75 minutes

That's how the original firmware worked. The process was improved as part of the beta test.

I updated directly on my home network by telling the browser to go to 192.168.1.131 and 192.168.1.132; those are the two addresses I have reserved for the WiFi units...  I don't know if using the MTH network would operate differently.

That's how I've been doing beta WIU updates since day 1. It works just fine.

One interesting item, I found that when the firmware update was complete, my computer disconnected from that WIU and reconnected to the prior network; i.e.,  After finishing the 1st WIU, it went back to home network; after finishing the 2nd, it jumped back to the first.

When the update was completed, the wifi light on the WIU stopped flickering.

Robert,

After finishing the 1st WIU, it went back to home network; after finishing the 2nd, it jumped back to the first.

Must be a Windows thing. My Mac just reloaded the WIU's hone page after each update..

I just finished upgrading my Wifi unit also.  Worked OK and my browser also went back to the LUCI home page at the end of 3 minutes.  However, as the instructions say, there is no 'it's done' warning at the end.  So wait the 3 minutes to be sure. 

Also, if you need the instructions at the same time you will need a second device that is still on the internet so you can follow the instructions as you go along, unless you have a printed copy.  I had not even heard of LUCI before today!  

When you download the .bin file do not double click on it.  It will create another file that is .cpz or something and this file does not work on the upgrade.  Make sure you use the .bin file.   

Best of luck, now I have to check on getting the updated app from Apple.  

I can see where people who are not somewhat computer literate are going to have real problems with this stuff.  

Al B posted:

I am doing something wrong. Downloaded firmware from MTH site; wiu-1.1.0bin

I have tried to upgrade a few times but it says there is nothing in the file.

Update: Looks like it upgraded after many attempts.I think.

Is there anywhere one can look to confirm the firmware was upgraded on the WIU?

Al

 

I tried 4 times as well. nothing in the file. Any suggestions?

Go back to the LUCI homepage and read through it, somewhere it should say what the firmware date is and when it got updated.  Basically LUCI is the 'contents' of what is in the WIFI.  

Unfortunately, Dave, when you get into wifi networks, you're getting out of trains and into computers.

Barry, my computer didn't go back to the home page.  Maybe if I had let it sit, it would have eventually.

Okay, a little fustration here,  I downloaded the WI-FI DCS User's Guide, downloaded the new WIU Firmware, followed accessing LuCi and followed the download instructions for upgrading the WIU, and up to this point I was only using the WIU in MTH mode and was able to manually setup my home Wi-Fi network and switch to Home mode, BUT I'm still getting the only (4) engines on the layout constanly being dropped into the inactive list whenever I power down the TIU and then power it back up. I have to constantly remove power, then power the WIU back up to reset everything, what am I doing wrong?

Joe

Did you also upgrade your app?

Dave,

However, as the instructions say, there is no 'it's done' warning at the end.  So wait the 3 minutes to be sure. '

It's not necessary to wait. When it goes back to the LuCI Login, it's done updating the firmware.

BUT I'm still getting the only (4) engines on the layout constanly being dropped into the inactive list whenever I power down the TIU and then power it back up. I have to constantly remove power, then power the WIU back up to reset everything, what am I doing wrong?

Are you using the new app? You need both to corrective issues in the original app and WIU firmware.

So I still need to wait for the update for the app?  Did the firmware update.  I have wifi lit, TIU lit and the app on my Ipad says can't find TIU

I don't have an answer, superwarp.  I use android.

Barry,

Which new app, I purchased the $4.99 standard DCS WiFi for app for Iphone version1.0.0  back when I recieved my WIU, is their a new one I need to download?  There were no updates to the iphone app when I checked.

Joe

Joe, The update should be free.  The update appeared on android last night, but apple appearance is delayed, presumably by Apple.

Oh, okay I'll just wait for the update then, thanks all.

RJR posted:

I don't have an answer, superwarp.  I use android.

I reset my router and I'm connected, sometimes even though all lights on the WIU are lit and my router sees the WIU. The APP can't find the TIU. resetting the Router fixed it this time.

Gary,

resetting the Router fixed it this time.

Then it would appear that the issue is your router. Try using the MTH network, instead.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Gary,

resetting the Router fixed it this time.

Then it would appear that the issue is your router. Try using the MTH network, instead.

Brand new Google Onhub router.  No other issues with the network other than this.  It does work in MTH network mode with no issues but that kind of defeats the home network use feature and one of the reasons I got in the first place.

JimQ posted:

.... [Got a text from a friend just now and he stated that the app just updated automatically on his phone but mine has not as of yet.] ....

 

Hi JimQ,

What type of phone does your friend have (iPhone or Android) ?   If it is an iPhone, in which country is your friend located ?

As of now, here in Canada, the app store is still only offering the Version 1.0.0 dated Dec 1st 2015.

Daniel

(I figured out my own answers to the list below, details below might help some of us that are having connection problems.

Are you able to connect from a computer on the ethernet port of the MTH wiu by cable to the computer?? to do the upgrade of the wiu??

Tried connecting and doing update from the Tablet and phone no luck computer is on the ethernet and not on wireless, no luck connecting  with 192.168.143.1 address even tried through a couple of different browsers.

The server at 192.168.143.1 is taking too long to respond.

"The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few moments.
If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network connection.
If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the Web. "

This is what I later sorted out and was able to do the update;

Just figured it out the ethernet cable worked fine between computer and MTH WIU.

On the ip address shown in the top of this post I had tried for a couple of hours to use it and read lots of the various posts and MTH instructions on various devices with no success. Eventually I clicked on "this pc" on my desk top (my computer) on older systems, then network on the bottom left of the window, it showed the laptop or your computer on the network then double clicked on  "network infrastructure" this is the router or home wi fi hub I guess, this brought up a page that showed my devices that were allowed or currently on our home network. The MTH Wiu showed the following bottom of my post here;  I used this # instead of the MTH provided # it connected signed in and it worked like a charm for the download for the wiu updated.

One problem that I had with the tablet is that it would not download the MTH update from the internet and found that it kept dropping from the network and instead connecting to the MTH wiu instead.

mthdcs-3604

This is the name that your WIU got at the factory. Consider it just like the name that a PS2 or PS# engine comes with. The difference is, however, that you can actually change this name via LuCI,

192.168.1.76

This is the IP address that your router assigned because you connected via Ethernet. The address that MTH provides is only for when the WIU acts as its own router. Since you were trying to connect via your home network rather than directly to the WIU wirelessly, the MTH-provided IP address couldn't work.

This is the way that networking works in general and MTH is following the "rules" by doing things the way that they do.

Note that this IP address is subject to change every time you turn off the WIU and/or the router, since your router will a sign the first available IP address it has each time it sees the WIU after both devices have been powered on. Depending on what other devices its sees first, the WIU's IP address may be different.

If you can learn how to configure your router yourself, you can assign the WIU a unique, repeatable IP address so that subsequent firmware updates can be better facilitated.