Updating Firmware from a MacBookPro

[rogerbenitez]

Dear friends, is not possible for me to have a direct connection from my apex unit to my router because of the distance between them, i know there is a possibility to upgrade the firmware directly from my MacBookPro, but i only found the standard PC (windows XP and Vista) procedure, can you help me to find the guide to make this upgrade directly from my mac laptop to the apex unit?

thanks in advance
cheers

[Chrisjbarry]

Following

[reefdude3749]

Roger...great thread. I am in a similar situation and would really like to see a detailed process to accomplish the firmware upgrade from a Mac when one is not able to directly connect. Probably like you...I am terrified to attempt the upgrade as if I lost connectivity with my Apex I feel like I would lose control of my tank. :( I am sure that we are missing some of the exciting new capabilities from Neptune....JPB

[erndog1001]

Well basically you're going to have to go buy a USB-Ethernet adapter to plug into your Macbook.
Had the same problem myself. Fortunately I had an old PC lying around.

[GatorAlum05]

You tried just unplugging the apex and eb8 and bring it closer to the router? It beats buying anything new and just remembering which plug is which. That's what I did.

[rogerbenitez]

Well basically you're going to have to go buy a USB-Ethernet adapter to plug into your Macbook.
Had the same problem myself. Fortunately I had an old PC lying around.

Hello friend, thanks for you reply, my MacBookPro already have an ethernet port and the problem is not about the connection but the procedure itself, maybe its easier than i think, but i don't know how to do it
:uhoh3:

[rogerbenitez]

You tried just unplugging the apex and eb8 and bring it closer to the router? It beats buying anything new and just remembering which plug is which. That's what I did.
definitely an option friend...!

[revnull]

I'm no mac expert by any means, but networking fundamentals should be that same.

You will have to setup a point to point (crossover) network.
Basically:
1. Setup a static network configuration on your Apex. Take note of the IP address.
2. Configure a static IP address on your mac using the same settings as the apex, but increment the IP by 1 to avoid conflict.
3. Take an Ethernet cable and directly connect from your mac to the apex bypassing the router all together.
4. Verify point to point connectivity by pinging the apex IP address.
5. Follow the firmware upgrade instructions.
6. Plug your apex back into the wifi adapter/bridge device.

How to setup a static IP on a mac:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/22161/how-to-set-up-a-static-ip-in-mac-os-x/

Example of a crossover connection (see example 2):
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1433

How to ping on a mac:
http://www.wikihow.com/Ping-on-Mac-OS


To avoid all this mess in the future, just get a multi-port bridge for your apex/tank area. This type of wireless bridge has 4+ Ethernet ports instead of 1. You can just plug your laptop into one of the free ports and go. The interface will be auto configured via DHCP just like everything else on your network. The only real requirement for Apex firmware is that both computer and apex are plugged into the same physical device. It does not have to be your router.

[wwanthony]

I'm no mac expert by any means, but networking fundamentals should be that same.

You will have to setup a point to point (crossover) network.
Basically:
1. Setup a static network configuration on your Apex. Take note of the IP address.
2. Configure a static IP address on your mac using the same settings as the apex, but increment the IP by 1 to avoid conflict.
3. Take an Ethernet cable and directly connect from your mac to the apex bypassing the router all together.
4. Verify point to point connectivity by pinging the apex IP address.
5. Follow the firmware upgrade instructions.
6. Plug your apex back into the wifi adapter/bridge device.

How to setup a static IP on a mac:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/22161/how-to-set-up-a-static-ip-in-mac-os-x/

Example of a crossover connection (see example 2):
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1433

How to ping on a mac:
http://www.wikihow.com/Ping-on-Mac-OS


To avoid all this mess in the future, just get a multi-port bridge for your apex/tank area. This type of wireless bridge has 4+ Ethernet ports instead of 1. You can just plug your laptop into one of the free ports and go. The interface will be auto configured via DHCP just like everything else on your network. The only real requirement for Apex firmware is that both computer and apex are plugged into the same physical device. It does not have to be your router.

I have a Macbook Pro and this will work fine. The only clarification is that the Mac and the Apex DO NOT have to be plugged into the same physical device. They both have to be HARDWIRED into the network.

[revnull]

I have a Macbook Pro and this will work fine. The only clarification is that the Mac and the Apex DO NOT have to be plugged into the same physical device. They both have to be HARDWIRED into the network.

Good point. You can have switches attached to switches attached to switches (don't do that BTW), as long as they are physically wired together with no wireless links between the Apex and the computer running the upgrade, you should be fine.

[wwanthony]

Good point. You can have switches attached to switches attached to switches (don't do that BTW), as long as they are physically wired together with no wireless links between the Apex and the computer running the upgrade, you should be fine.

Affirmative...

[rogerbenitez]

I'm no mac expert by any means, but networking fundamentals should be that same.

You will have to setup a point to point (crossover) network.
Basically:
1. Setup a static network configuration on your Apex. Take note of the IP address.
2. Configure a static IP address on your mac using the same settings as the apex, but increment the IP by 1 to avoid conflict.
3. Take an Ethernet cable and directly connect from your mac to the apex bypassing the router all together.
4. Verify point to point connectivity by pinging the apex IP address.
5. Follow the firmware upgrade instructions.
6. Plug your apex back into the wifi adapter/bridge device.

How to setup a static IP on a mac:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/22161/how-to-set-up-a-static-ip-in-mac-os-x/

Example of a crossover connection (see example 2):
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1433

How to ping on a mac:
http://www.wikihow.com/Ping-on-Mac-OS


To avoid all this mess in the future, just get a multi-port bridge for your apex/tank area. This type of wireless bridge has 4+ Ethernet ports instead of 1. You can just plug your laptop into one of the free ports and go. The interface will be auto configured via DHCP just like everything else on your network. The only real requirement for Apex firmware is that both computer and apex are plugged into the same physical device. It does not have to be your router.

Thank you VERY VERY MUCH.....! im gonna try this ASAP